Rhipicephalus sanguineus

Also known as the Brown dog tick, kennel tick

Hosts

Most mammals: particularly dogs, humans, occasionally cattle)

Distribution

Worldwide

Rhipicephalus sanguineus is generally found in sheltered areas where climactic conditions remain relatively constant.  Large concentrations of populations are found mainly in warm and moist environments.

Pathogenesis

Dog: Babesia canis, Babesia gibsoni, Ehrlichia canis

Human: Rickettsia rickettsi, Rickettsia sibirica, Rickettsia conori, Francisella tularensis

Other diseases that have been associated with R. sanguineus include:

Rickettsia rhipicephali

Haemobartonella canis

Hepatozoon canis

Dipetalonema dracunculoides

Description

Adult female dorsal features

• Porose areas are circular and broadly separated
• Cervical field depressions are large and straight
• Scapular grooves are steep
• Scutum is pale in colour
• Unfed females can measure between 3.0mm-4.5mm in length
• Engorged females can measure up to 12mm in length

Adult female dorsal view and adult female close up of gnathosoma. (Click on pictures for a close up)

Adult female ventral features

• Coxae I: large, distinct, equally paired internal and external spurs
• Coxae II-IV: small external spurs

Adult female ventral view and adult female close up of coxae/ventral gnathosoma. (Click on pictures for a close up)

Adult male dorsal features

• Conscutum pale in colour
• Punctations are small-medium and sparse
• Lateral grooves are distinct
• Posterior grooves are distinct
• Males measure between 3.0mm-3.8mm

Adult male dorsal view; shape of a fed male’s body compared to an unfed male. Note: colour difference due to storage. (Click on pictures for a close up)

Adult male close up of gnathosoma. (Click on pictures for a close up)

Adult male ventral features

• Coxae I: large, distinct, equally paired internal and external spurs
• Coxae II-IV: small external spurs
• Caudal process protrudes in fed males (as seen in photo above)
• Accessory adanal shields present and large
• Adanal shields present  range in shape from narrow/trapezoid to broad/curve

Adult male ventral view; shape of a fed male’s body compared to an unfed male. Note: colour difference due to storage (Click on pictures for a close up)

Adult male close up of coxae/ventral gnathosoma. (Click on pictures for a close up)