Fertility in the argasid tick,Ornithodorus moubata, Murray

Abstract

The fertility rate of eggs of the tick,Ornithodorus moubata, was investigated with the following results:(1) Although three batches of eggs can be laid after a single mating, fertility is considerably improved if a fresh mating take place before each oviposition.(2) Fertility of the eggs decreases with the interval between mating and oviposition (the latter takes place usually only after a blood meal).(3) If the organ of Géné is faulty (permanently everted) none of the eggs will develop.(4) Eggs have a wide tolerance of temperature, and show no alteration in fertility rate from 22 to 32° C. At 34° C. no larvae are produced at all.(5) Females lay over twice as many eggs in sand as they do on a flat surface such as filter paper.