This illustration depicts a brown tick, belonging to the family Ixodidae. It is characteristic of Ixodes scapularis, commonly known as the black-legged tick or deer tick. The tick is an important ectoparasite and vector for Lyme disease, a zoonotic disease. Key features include its eight legs, segmented body, which is typically brown in color, and distinct patterning on its dorsal side. Ticks are arthropods classified under the class Arachnida, featuring sensory organs such as Haller's organ used in host detection.