''Ixodes neuquenensis'' is a species of

tick Ticks (order Ixodida) are parasitic arachnids that are part of the mite superorder Parasitiformes. Adult ticks are approximately 3 to 5 mm in length depending on age, sex, species, and "fullness". Ticks are external parasites, living by ...

that lives on the

monito del monte The monito del monte or colocolo opossum, ''Dromiciops gliroides'', also called ''chumaihuén'' in Mapudungun, is a diminutive marsupial native only to southwestern South America (Argentina and Chile). It is the only extant species in the ancient ...

(''Dromiciops gliroides''), a nocturnal marsupial that lives in the temperate forests of southern South America. Due to the near-threatened status of its host, ''Ixodes neuquenensis'' is also at risk.

Morphology

The females of ''Ixodes neuquenensis'' resemble other members of subgenus ''Ixodes'' but possess some distinct and notable morphological features. Two obvious spurs can be found on coxae II to IV. Two other species, '' I. theilerae'' from the Ethiopian realm and '' I. turdus'' from the

Palaearctic realm The Palearctic or Palaearctic is the largest of the eight biogeographic realms of the Earth. It stretches across all of Eurasia north of the foothills of the Himalayas, and North Africa. The realm consists of several bioregions: the Euro-Sibe ...

, have two spurs on coxae II to IV as well but with differences in both shape and sizing. Female ''Ixodes neuquenensis'' also has very well-defined chitinous plaques on the alloscutum. Diagnostic features of the nymph of ''Ixodes neuquenensis'' include two spurs on coxae II to IV and the presence of chitinous plaques medial medial to coxae I. Though identification of the ''Ixodes neuquenensis'' larvae is more difficult, they can be separated from various other species by their triangular spurs on coxae II and III. The males of this species have yet to be described and remain unknown.

References

neuquenensis Ectoparasites Parasites of marsupials Arachnids of South America Animals described in 1974 {{Acari-stub