Dermacentor variabilis
- Pronunciation
- /der-ma-SENT-or vair-ee-AB-ih-lis/
- Category
- Taxonomy
- Singular
- Dermacentor variabilis
- Plural
- Dermacentor variabilis
Definition
The American dog tick, a species of hard tick that feeds on mammals and birds.
Etymology
From the Greek words 'derma' (skin) and a modified form of 'kentron' (stinger), combined with the species name 'variabilis' (variable in Latin).
Example
The American dog tick, Dermacentor variabilis, is a common parasite of dogs and other mammals.