Summary
Long, Rickettsia-like microorganisms have been found in all investigated organs of both sexes of the soft tick Ornithodorus moubata, Murray (Ixodoidea: Argasidae) with the exception of the spermioduct and the testicules. These microorganisms are often concentrated in “nests”.
Coccoid microorganisms are limited to the Malpighian tubules and the oocytes. Intermediate forms have also been observed. It is discussed whether the two forms are different morphotypes of the same microorganisms.
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This work was supported by the “Swiss National Found for Scientific Research”.
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Reinhardt, C., Aeschlimann, A. & Hecker, H. Distribution of rickettsia-like microorganisms in various organs of an Ornithodorus moubata laboratory strain (Ixodoidea, Argasidae) as revealed by electron microscopy. Z. Parasitenk. 39, 201–209 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00329456
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00329456