View source for Ixodidae

== Ixodidae ==

'''Ixodidae''' (pronounced: ix-oh-die-dee) is a family of hard ticks known for their role as vectors in the transmission of various diseases. 

=== Etymology ===

The term "Ixodidae" is derived from the Greek word "ixodes" which means "sticky" or "gluey", referring to the tick's ability to adhere to its host.

=== Definition ===

[[Ixodidae]] are a family of ticks distinguished by the presence of a hard, shield-like scutum, and the absence of eyes and festoons. They are ectoparasites that feed on the blood of mammals, birds, and sometimes reptiles and amphibians. Ixodidae are known vectors of serious diseases, including [[Lyme disease]], [[Rocky Mountain spotted fever]], and [[tick-borne encephalitis]].

=== Related Terms ===

* '''[[Scutum]]''': A hard, shield-like structure found in Ixodidae ticks.
* '''[[Ectoparasite]]''': An organism that lives on the surface of a host organism and feeds off of it.
* '''[[Vector]]''': An organism that does not cause disease itself but spreads infection by conveying pathogens from one host to another.
* '''[[Lyme disease]]''': A bacterial illness caused by a bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi, transmitted to humans through the bite of infected black-legged ticks.
* '''[[Rocky Mountain spotted fever]]''': A tick-borne disease caused by the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii.
* '''[[Tick-borne encephalitis]]''': A viral infectious disease involving the central nervous system, transmitted by ticks.

=== See Also ===

* [[Acari]]
* [[Argasidae]]
* [[Tick-borne disease]]

[[Category:Arachnids]]
[[Category:Parasites]]
[[Category:Vectors of disease]]

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