Peripheral nervous system of the ticks, Amblyomma tuberculatum Marx and Argas radiatus Railliet (Acari: Ixodoidea)

Abstract

The peripheral nervous system of an ixodid and an argasid tick include the following components: (1) paired optic, cheliceral and pedipalpal nerves and unpaired stomodeal nerve arising from the pre-esophageal portion of the central nervous system (synganglion); (2) 4 pairs of pedal nerve trunks (each with appendicular and hemal branches) and 4 major pairs of opisthosomal nerves (including the paraspiracular, genital, postlateral-myosomal, and ano-myosomal nerves); and (3) the lateral "sympathetic" plexuses formed by contributions of hemal nerves arising from pedal ganglia and from the paraspiracular nerves. The salivary glands are multiply innervated by 4 pairs of nerves. The 1st pair arise from the pedipalpal nerves, the 2nd and 3rd from the lateral sympathetic plexuses, and the 4th from the paraspiracular nerves. Portions of the integument and the majority of non-appendicular muscles are innervated by various fine nerves arising from the lateral sympathetic plexuses and from the 4 pairs of opisthosomal nerves.