Ixodes rothschildi

Also known as the Puffin tick

Hosts

Sea birds: puffin, manx shearwater, herring gull, guillemot, razorbill, shag

Distribution

France, UK; Wales (Skokholm, Bardsey); England (Lundy, Devon, Cornwall); Ireland (Great Saltee, Skellig Islands)

I. rothschildi is generally found in burrows of sea birds, females are occasionally found on host

Pathogenesis

Razorbill: Uukuniemi serogroup virus

Description

Adult female dorsal features

• Hypostome long
• Cornua distinct
• Tarsus I tapered
• Unfed females can measure between 2.8mm-3.2mm in length
• Engorged females can measure up to 8.0mm in length

(Specimen courtesy of the Natural History Museum, London)

Adult female dorsal view (click on pictures for a close up)

Adult female ventral features

• Auriculae distinct and rounded
• Coxae I: distinct internal and external spurs
• Coxae II-III: distinct internal and external spur
• Coxae IV: distinct external spur only

(Specimen courtesy of the Natural History Museum, London)

Adult female ventral view (click on pictures for a close up)

Adult male dorsal features

• Palps short and blunt
• Hypostome reduced
• Cornua indistinct
  
• Tarsus I tapered
• Males can measure between 3.0mm-3.2mm in length

(Specimen courtesy of the Natural History Museum, London)

Adult male dorsal view (click on pictures for a close up)

Adult male ventral features

• Coxae I:triangular in shape and lacks spurs
• Coxae II-IV: lack spurs
• Adanal plates short
• Ventral plates heavily sclerotized

(Specimen courtesy of the Natural History Museum, London)

Adult male ventral view (click on pictures for a close up)