A seven-legged tick – anomalous <i>Ixodes ricinus</i> female (Acari: Ixodidae) from Poland

Abstract

Morphological anomalies are considered a rare phenomenon among natural tick populations. New cases of abnormalities in ticks are being described, such as body assymetries, nanism, gynandromorphism and limb malformations. The tick removed from a cat was morphologically identified to species and developmental stage. The time of feeding on the host was determined. The specimen was tested using PCR and Real-Time PCR methods for the presence of the common tick-borne pathogens: Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia spp, Borrelia spp., Neoehrlichia mikurensis, Rickettsia spp. For visualisation of the anomalous structures, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was performed. The tick was identified as a slightly engorged adult female of I. ricinus exhibiting ectromely of leg I on the left side of the idiosoma. The specimen was tested positive for two medically important pathogens: A. phagocytophilum and N. mikurensis. The case report describes a rare case of a morphological anomaly in an I. ricinus tick from Poland.