Argasidae

Morphology

• 8 legs (exception: some larval stages of  ticks have only 6 legs)
• Without dorsal shield
• Spheric body
• The "head" (Capitulum) is hidden in nymphs and adult animals Palps resemble legs
• Ticks have capitulum («head» with mouth parts)
• Coxal organs

Life cycle

• Multiple egg laying (15-100 eggs)
• 4-5 nymphal stages
• Incomplete metamorphosis (hemimetabole development) (larvae look the same as adults)
• Multiple, short (about 30 minutes) blood meals
• many hosts
• localized distribution

Diseases

• Tick-borne relapsing fever (Ornithodorus mubata)
• Primarily ectoparasites of birds