Palp-splaying behavior and a specific mouthpart site associated with active water vapor uptake in Amblyomma americanum (Acari: Ixodidae).

Ticks actively absorb water vapor from unsaturated air via their mouthparts. A wax technique was used to cover select areas of the mouthparts of the lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum (L.), to examine whether a specific site is involved in uptake. Covering dorsal, ventral, and distal regions failed to inhibit uptake, whereas wax applied to the proximal region, specifically the hypostome-cheliceral junction, blocked water absorption. A novel occurrence of a palp-splaying behavior was observed during hydrating conditions (93% RH), while ticks were motionless, compared with those held at desiccating conditions (63% RH), which were more active and the palps were not splayed.

Munchausen syndrome by adult proxy: a perpetrator abusing two adults.

We present a case of Munchausen syndrome by proxy (MBP) in a symbiotic relationship between a 34-year-old man and his two female partners. In the past, MBP has only been identified in mother-child relationships. The present case, however, extends the syndrome to relationships between adults as well.