Ornithodoros is a genus in the soft-bodied tick family, Argasidae.

Physiology

The opening between the midgut and hindgut has been lost, making the ticks unable to pass digestive waste products out of their bodies.

Taxonomy

The Linnean name derives from ornithos and doros, meaning "bird" and "gift", respectively. It contains these species: Carios erraticus was previously placed in this genus, as Ornithodoros erraticus.