author(s)
Gautam Patra, Sonjoy Kumar Borthakur, Rajkumari Sunjukta Devi, H Lalrinkima and Hmar Lalliankimi

abstract
The objective of the present study is to underscore the ultra-structural morphology of Aponomma varanense-a rare tick of reptile. A. varanense were collected from an Indian Cobra during post mortem and subsequently processed for both light microscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) studies. Light microscopy study revealed few typical morphological features through which the collected specimen identification was confirmed. Further, SEM study revealed little morphological ultrastructural peculiarity with other ixodid ticks as well difference between male and female A. varenense itself. Occurrence of A. varanense is reported first time from this part of country and this is the first SEM studies of this hard tick from India.