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The distribution and morphology of probable photoreceptors in eight species of ticks (ixodoidea)

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Summary

A number of species of ticks previously thought to be eyeless have been studied to determine the precise location of their photoreceptors. Using the presence or absence of light concentrating tissue as a criterion “simple eyes” are described in Ornithodorus gurneyi, Argas persicus and A. robertsi and other less organized probable photoreceptors in all species studied. Histological study showed that the “eye” of O. gurneyi consists of a lens and 30–40 unipolar neurons whereas that of A. persicus consists of tapetum and 50–60 neurons. Removal or destruction of a lateral eye in A. persicus interfered with phototaxis.

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Abbreviations

a.:

axon

a.r.:

axon root

ant.:

anterior

br.:

brain

c.:

cuticle

c.l.:

cuticular lens

e.:

eye

ep.:

epidermis

gl.nu.:

glial nucleus

h.:

Haemocoele

i.g.l.:

inner granular layer

n.opt.:

optic nerve

nl.:

neurilemma

nu.:

nucleus

o.f.l.:

outer fibrous layer

o.g.l.:

outer granular layer

post.:

posterior

pr.a.:

anterior photoreceptor

pr.d.:

dorsal photoreceptor

pr.l.:

lateral photoreceptor

s.c.f.:

supracoxal fold

s.n.:

sensory neuron

sc.:

scutum

sp.:

spiracle

tp.:

tapetum

tr.:

trachea

tr.e.c.:

tracheal end cell

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Entomology, Long Pocket Laboratories, CSIRO, Private Bag No. 3, 4068, Indooroopilly, Queensland, Australia

    K. C. Binnington

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  1. K. C. Binnington
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Binnington, K.C. The distribution and morphology of probable photoreceptors in eight species of ticks (ixodoidea). Z. F. Parasitenkunde 40, 321–332 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00328750

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00328750

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