This 2008 photograph depicts a dorsal view of a male yellow dog tick, Amblyomma aureolatum, which is a vector of Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) in the country of Brazil.Note that the back of this tick is completely covered by his hard, scutum, or shield. However, when this feature is compared with that of the female counterpart of this Ixodidae hard tick, PHIL 11069, youll note that the females dorsal abdomen is only partially covered, which allows her abdomen to greatly expand when she is ingesting her blood meal.Created: 2008