File talk:Ixodes hexagonus (aka).jpg

Which species?

I received an e-mail via OTRS (2008061610011371) from a tick specialist working at a institute for tropical medicine (OTRS, so I can't give the name). He claims the animal on this picture is not a Ixodes ricinus but a Ixodes hexagonus. I tend to believe him. This has some consequences: this images is used in many projects so it has to be replaced. I would like some input from other users. Thanks, .Koen (talk) 13:36, 16 June 2008 (UTC)

More info from the tick expert:

Deze teek is te herkennen aan het hexagonaal schild in tegenstelling tot een rond schild bij riciunus. Ook de vorm van de tarsi (uiterste pootsegment) juist achter het orgaan van Haller is kenmerkend voor hexagonus: het versmalt juist achter dit orgaan in tegenstelling tot ricinus waar het geleidelijk versmalt.

Translation: This tick [I. hexagonus] can be recognised from the hexagonal shield, compared to the round shield of the riciunus. The shape of the tarsi (most distal leg segment) just behind the organ of Haller is a feature of the hexagonus: it gets more narrow just after this organ compared tot the ricinus where it gets more narrow more gradually.

I suggest we change the caption? .Koen (talk) 10:11, 17 June 2008 (UTC)