Mating, Sperm Transfer and Oviposition in Soft Ticks (Acari: Argasidae), a Review
This review addresses the physiology and behavioral events involved in the reproduction of soft ticks (family Argasidae), with special attention to the events of their adult life: mating, sperm transfer and egg-laying. Many of these aspects are held in common with hard ticks, but the repeated short...
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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-04-01
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Series: | Pathogens |
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Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/12/4/582 |
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author | Julian G. Shepherd |
author_facet | Julian G. Shepherd |
author_sort | Julian G. Shepherd |
collection | DOAJ |
description | This review addresses the physiology and behavioral events involved in the reproduction of soft ticks (family Argasidae), with special attention to the events of their adult life: mating, sperm transfer and egg-laying. Many of these aspects are held in common with hard ticks, but the repeated short duration of feeding bouts in soft ticks, in contrast to the extended single engorgements of hard ticks, has consequences peculiar to soft tick reproduction. Reviewed are the dramatic external mechanism of sperm transfer, the unusual maturation and unique morphology and motility of the spermatozoa, the mechanism of oogenesis and its hormonal control, the mystery of fertilization, the involvement of pheromones in mating, the control of reproductive arrests and the vertical transmission of symbiotes in reproduction. Jumping-off points for further investigation are discussed throughout. |
first_indexed | 2024-03-11T04:39:52Z |
format | Article |
id | doaj.art-f1d6c865aece447b8c3159f5589395ae |
institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
issn | 2076-0817 |
language | English |
last_indexed | 2024-03-11T04:39:52Z |
publishDate | 2023-04-01 |
publisher | MDPI AG |
record_format | Article |
series | Pathogens |
spelling | doaj.art-f1d6c865aece447b8c3159f5589395ae2023-11-17T20:48:46ZengMDPI AGPathogens2076-08172023-04-0112458210.3390/pathogens12040582Mating, Sperm Transfer and Oviposition in Soft Ticks (Acari: Argasidae), a ReviewJulian G. Shepherd0Department of Biological Sciences, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY 13902-6000, USAThis review addresses the physiology and behavioral events involved in the reproduction of soft ticks (family Argasidae), with special attention to the events of their adult life: mating, sperm transfer and egg-laying. Many of these aspects are held in common with hard ticks, but the repeated short duration of feeding bouts in soft ticks, in contrast to the extended single engorgements of hard ticks, has consequences peculiar to soft tick reproduction. Reviewed are the dramatic external mechanism of sperm transfer, the unusual maturation and unique morphology and motility of the spermatozoa, the mechanism of oogenesis and its hormonal control, the mystery of fertilization, the involvement of pheromones in mating, the control of reproductive arrests and the vertical transmission of symbiotes in reproduction. Jumping-off points for further investigation are discussed throughout.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/12/4/582reproductionspermticksArgasidaehormonediapause |
spellingShingle | Julian G. Shepherd Mating, Sperm Transfer and Oviposition in Soft Ticks (Acari: Argasidae), a Review Pathogens reproduction sperm ticks Argasidae hormone diapause |
title | Mating, Sperm Transfer and Oviposition in Soft Ticks (Acari: Argasidae), a Review |
title_full | Mating, Sperm Transfer and Oviposition in Soft Ticks (Acari: Argasidae), a Review |
title_fullStr | Mating, Sperm Transfer and Oviposition in Soft Ticks (Acari: Argasidae), a Review |
title_full_unstemmed | Mating, Sperm Transfer and Oviposition in Soft Ticks (Acari: Argasidae), a Review |
title_short | Mating, Sperm Transfer and Oviposition in Soft Ticks (Acari: Argasidae), a Review |
title_sort | mating sperm transfer and oviposition in soft ticks acari argasidae a review |
topic | reproduction sperm ticks Argasidae hormone diapause |
url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/12/4/582 |
work_keys_str_mv | AT juliangshepherd matingspermtransferandovipositioninsoftticksacariargasidaeareview |