What structural feature defines ticks placed in the Order Ixodida?
Answer
Possessing a tough outer shield called a scutum
The Order Ixodida specifically designates the hard-bodied ticks. This classification is crucial because it mandates the presence of a tough outer shield, known as a scutum, which is clearly visible on both male and female specimens within this order. This feature immediately differentiates them from soft-bodied ticks, which belong to the Order Argasida. The scutum is a key morphological characteristic tied directly to the taxonomy of hard ticks, distinguishing their general anatomy and life cycle traits from other tick groups.
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