%0 Journal Article
%T A seven-legged tick - anomalous Ixodes ricinus female (Acari: Ixodidae) from Poland.
%A Koczwarska J
%A Nowakowska J
%A Polaczyk J
%A Welc-Falęciak R
%J Ann Agric Environ Med
%V 31
%N 2
%D 2024 Jun 27
%M 38940115
%F 1.603
%R 10.26444/aaem/172533
%X Morphological anomalies are considered a rare phenomenon among natural tick populations. New cases of abnormalities in ticks are being described, such as body assymetries, nanism, gynandromorphism and limb malformations. The tick removed from a cat was morphologically identified to species and developmental stage. The time of feeding on the host was determined. The specimen was tested using PCR and Real-Time PCR methods for the presence of the common tick-borne pathogens: Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia spp, Borrelia spp., Neoehrlichia mikurensis, Rickettsia spp. For visualisation of the anomalous structures, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was performed. The tick was identified as a slightly engorged adult female of I. ricinus exhibiting ectromely of leg I on the left side of the idiosoma. The specimen was tested positive for two medically important pathogens: A. phagocytophilum and N. mikurensis. The case report describes a rare case of a morphological anomaly in an I. ricinus tick from Poland.