Ixodida

Tick character evidence

Record visible diagnostic structures, competing identifications and limits imposed by image quality, stage or damage.

1. Which observed structures support Ixodida rather than another mite, an insect or non-animal material? definition
2. Which diagnostic structures were examined but unresolved, and which were not examined? measurement

Supported determination

Retain the identification method, authority, alternative determinations and the applicability of the key to this stage and locality.

1. What is the narrowest taxon supported by the observed characters or molecular evidence? boundary
2. Which key, reference sequence or expert determination supports that assignment, and does it cover this specimen? provenance

Stage-aware assessment

Assess developmental stage, adult sex where determinable, viability and damage as separate observations.

1. Which anatomical observations establish the stage and, where applicable, adult sex? definition
2. What evidence establishes viability, and what damage or preservation limits further assessment? measurement

Observed life history

Separate witnessed transitions from taxon-based expectations; tick life cycles include egg, larval, nymphal and adult stages. [CDC tick lifecycles](https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/about/tick-lifecycles.html)

1. Which moults, feeding episodes or egg-laying events were directly observed, and when? provenance
2. What taxon-specific evidence supports the expected next transition or number of remaining instars? boundary

Documented host contact

Record host identity, body site, attachment evidence and observed or uncertain timing.

1. Was the tick crawling, attached by its mouthparts or already detached, and on which host and body site? measurement
2. Which observations bound attachment duration, and which parts of that interval remain unknown? provenance

Feeding progress

Record feeding observations and engorgement measures without treating body size as an exact clock.

1. Which observations or measurements support the recorded engorgement state? measurement
2. Is any proposed feeding-duration estimate validated for this taxon, stage and measurement method? boundary

Collection context

Record substrate, shelter or vegetation, environmental observations and the method that produced the encounter.

1. Where and when was the tick found, on what substrate, and by which collection method? provenance
2. Was host-seeking, sheltering or another behaviour observed directly, or inferred from the collection setting? boundary

Local occurrence interpretation

Link possible transport on hosts or materials and corroborating encounters without making one specimen prove a resident population.

1. Could recent host travel or movement of bedding, equipment or other materials explain this occurrence? provenance
2. What additional evidence would be needed to infer local reproduction or persistent infestation? boundary

Detection versus transmission

Separate pathogen detection from vector competence and demonstrated host transmission. [CDC-hosted review of vector competence](https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/86404)

1. Was the result obtained from this individual tick or a pool, using which assay and target? provenance
2. What does the evidence establish about detection, and what remains unestablished about viable infection or transmission? boundary

Justified next action

Record the intended examination, applicable handling protocol, containment requirements and any host-care referral.

1. Which collection, containment or preservation method is compatible with the intended morphological or laboratory examination? action
2. Does the observed attachment or host exposure require routing to a human or veterinary response protocol, and which applicable protocol governs that action? action

Kinds and varieties

Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.

1. Which of these kinds and varieties hold for the sense of Ixodida this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance

Identifiers and schemes

Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.

1. Which of these identifiers and schemes hold for the sense of Ixodida this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance

Standards and regulation

Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.

1. Which of these standards and regulation hold for the sense of Ixodida this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance

Real-world use

Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.

1. Which of these real-world use hold for the sense of Ixodida this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance

Typical measurements

Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.

1. Which of these typical measurements hold for the sense of Ixodida this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance

Failure modes and hazards

Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.

1. Which of these failure modes and hazards hold for the sense of Ixodida this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance

Regional variation

Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.

1. Which of these regional variation hold for the sense of Ixodida this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance

Neighbouring kinds and how to tell them apart

Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.

1. Which of these neighbouring kinds and how to tell them apart hold for the sense of Ixodida this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance