Four gynandromorphs of Hyalomma marginatum marginatum ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) from a laboratory colony

Abstract

Four specimens with gynandromorphism were found among 1500 adult ticks of Hyalomma marginatum marginatum Koch, 1844 from a laboratory colony maintained at 20 ± 1°C and relative humidity of 65 ± 5% and fed on tick-naive rabbits. Mosaic partial dorsal, asymmetric unilateral dorsal, and asymmetric unilateral ventral gynandromorphism were detected in the abnormal ticks. Such anomalies are very rarely noticed in ticks.

Keywords:

• Hyalomma marginatum marginatum
• gynandromorphism
• morphological anomalies
• tick teratology