Скачать или смотреть Differences between Ornithodoros and Argas ; genera of soft ticks Argasidae

Ornithodoros and Argas are two genera of soft ticks belonging to the family Argasidae, and while they share some similarities, they differ in their host preferences, habitats, and medical importance.

Ornithodoros ticks are known for their role in transmitting tick-borne relapsing fever caused by Borrelia species. They typically parasitize mammals, including rodents, livestock, and occasionally humans. These ticks are fast feeders—often completing a blood meal in under an hour—and then retreat to sheltered areas like cracks, burrows, or nests. Some species, like Ornithodoros moubata, are also vectors of African swine fever and can survive for years without feeding2.

Argas ticks, on the other hand, are more commonly associated with birds, especially poultry. Species like Argas persicus (the fowl tick) are widespread in warm climates and can cause anemia, reduced egg production, and even death in heavily infested birds. Unlike Ornithodoros, Argas species rarely parasitize mammals.

Both genera are adapted to nocturnal feeding, have a leathery body without a hard scutum (shield), and hide in crevices near their hosts. Their ability to survive long periods without feeding makes them persistent pests in poultry houses and animal shelters.

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