Scanning electron microscopy of all parasitic stages of Haemaphysalis qinghaiensis Teng, 1980 (Acari: Ixodidae).

Haemaphysalis qinghaiensis Teng (Acta Zootaxon Sin 5:144-149, 1980) is an endemic species in China. This tick species was first described based on engorged or semi-engorged specimens, and the drawings and description in words of morphological characteristics were poor. Therefore, the present study aims to redescribe morphological characteristics of all active stages of this tick species in detail by scanning electron microscopy. Additionally, a comparison between H. qinghaiensis and other sympatric Haemaphysalis species was also analyzed. Males of H. qinghaiensis can be distinguished from sympatric Haemaphysalis species by the following characters: palpi less salient laterally and curved in contour; ventrointernal setae of palpal segment II thin, number <7; the tips of palpal segment III not so strongly recurved inward to become "pincerlike" and lacking dorsal spur; dental formula 5/5; lateral grooves enclose first festoon; coxa IV with a short, broadly triangular spur; tarsi somewhat humped; and spiracular plates long comma-shaped. Females of H. qinghaiensis can be distinguished by palpi less salient laterally and curved in contour; ventrointernal setae of palpal segment II thin, number <7; segment III of palpi lacking dorsal spur; dental formula 4/4; scutum subcircula; and tarsi somewhat humped. Nymphs of H. qinghaiensis can be distinguished from those of other species by palpi less salient laterally and curved in contour; dental formula 2/2; basis capituli rectangular, with distinct dorsal cornua, without ventral cornua; and spiracular plates with short and narrow dorsal prolongation. Larvae of H. qinghaiensis can be distinguished by palpi less salient laterally and curved in contour; basis capituli rectangular, without distinct cornua.