Jessica Cote

Jessica Cote

Apr 24, 2020

Group 6 Copy 414
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Scanning electron microscope images of female Deer tick appendages and scutum

Images of the appendages and scutum that were scanned via energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) of the female Deer tick (I. scapularis). A. Dorsal scutum. B. Ventral hypostome. C. Tarsal claw. D. Chelicerae (dissected). Key: Scm = scutum, Ascm = Alloscutum, Se = Setae, Mg = Marginal grove, Mbf = Marginal body fold, Bc = Basal capituli, P = Proximal, M = Medial, D = Distal, P-I = Pedipalp segment 1, P-II = Pedipalp segment 2, P-III = Pedipalp segment 3, P-IV = Pedipalp segment 4, Pre = Pretarsus, Scl = Sclerite, Pv = Pulvillus, Ch-sh = Cheliceral sheath, Ch-dg = Cheliceral digit, 1, 2, 3, 4 = Spots scanned.


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About This Project

To “show one's metal” is to reveal one’s strength of character. Ticks may have tiny character, but I propose they do have metal! As blood sucking parasites, ticks must penetrate thick animal skin to obtain food. I propose that ticks enrich their appendages with metals to strengthen them for penetration. I intend to use electron microscopy to quantify the chemical elements in the appendages of deer, dog, and lone star ticks to observe their composition and determine if ticks employ metals.

Blast off!

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