Review of Fossil Tick Interactions with Other Organisms

Abstract

The characterization of fossils is important for the study of the origin, environment and evolution of ticks (Arthropoda: Chelicerata: Arachnida: Parasitiformes: Ixodida: Ixodidae hard ticks and Argasidae soft ticks). Tick inclusions are less common than other arthropods and have been described in fossil amber and remains. In this study, the record of tick interactions with other organisms was used to review parasite environment and evolution. Fossils provide evidence of tick parasite-host, prey-predator and tick vector-pathogen interactions to advance in the study of the evolution of tick-host-pathogen interactions.