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This photograph depicts a dorsal view of a male cayenne tick, Amblyomma cajennense. This tick specie is a known North, Central and South American vector of Rickettsia rickettsii, which is the etiologic agent of Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF).

Note the large scutum, or shield, which unlike its female counterpart, covers the entire surface of this specimen’s dorsal abdomen. See PHIL 10870 and 10871, for an image depicting a dorsal view of a female A. cajennense tick. Like the female of the specie, the male also possesses four pairs of legs, placing it in the class of Arachnida, as are spiders and scorpions. Two of this specimen’s legs are tucked up underneath its abdomen.
Created: 2008