A number of genera and species of ticks in the families Argasidae (soft ticks) are of public health importance. Included in this group are ticks in the genus Ornithodoros and Carios that are vectors of tick-borne relapsing fever.
Members of the family Argasidae have multihost life cycles. Argasid ticks have two or more nymphal stages, each requiring a blood meal from a host. Unlike the ixodid (hard) ticks, which stay attached to their hosts for up to several days while feeding, most argasid ticks are adapted to feeding rapidly (for about an hour), then dropping off the host.
The Argasidae are the family of soft ticks, one of the three families of ticks. The family contains 193 species, although the composition of the genera is less certain, and more study is needed before the genera can become stable.[1] The currently accepted genera are Antricola, Argas, Nothoaspis, Ornithodoros, and Otobius.[1] The Argasidae are very common in South Asia, along with 96 other species of ticks, making South Asia the region with the highest biodiversity of ticks worldwide.[2] Soft ticks are resistant to desiccation and can live for several years in arid conditions.
Soft ticks lack the hard scutum present in the hard ticks (Ixodidae).[3] The gnathosoma (or capitulum, the mouthparts-bearing structure) is located on the underside of the animal's body and is not readily visible,[3] while in the Ixodidae, the gnathosoma projects forward from the body. The lateral edges of the body are rounded.
The Argasidae are the family of soft ticks, one of the three families of ticks. The family contains 193 species, although the composition of the genera is less certain, and more study is needed before the genera can become stable. The currently accepted genera are Antricola, Argas, Nothoaspis, Ornithodoros, and Otobius. The Argasidae are very common in South Asia, along with 96 other species of ticks, making South Asia the region with the highest biodiversity of ticks worldwide. Soft ticks are resistant to desiccation and can live for several years in arid conditions.
