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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Main Author: Julian G. Shepherd
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-04-01
Series:Pathogens
Subjects:
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.
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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