scuta

Scuta is the plural of scutum, a Latin word meaning shield. In biological terminology, scuta are shield-like plates on the dorsal surface of certain arthropods and related invertebrates. The scutum is typically a hardened plate that forms part of the exoskeleton, often serving protective functions and providing surfaces for muscle attachment.

The best-known use of the term is in ticks. In hard ticks (family Ixodidae), the scutum is a rigid dorsal plate. Its size relative to the rest of the body differs by sex: males generally have a large scutum covering most of the dorsum, whereas females have a smaller scutum that allows expansion during engorgement on a blood meal. In soft ticks, the dorsal armor is reduced or absent, and the body appears more flexible.

In broader arthropod anatomy, scuta can refer to any dorsal shield-like plates that contribute to the body’s segmentation and protection. The term is widely used in descriptions of morphology and in taxonomic keys.

Etymology: from Latin scutum, shield. The plural scuta is used when describing multiple dorsal plates, either across species or within a specimen.