Equatorial Africa (CNHM). Reptiles reported to be attacked are crocodile (Schwetz 1927B, Villiers 1955), cobra (Loveridge 19230), tortoise (Loveridge 1936B), python (Howard 1908), tortoise and snakes (Mettam 1932), snake (Theiler 1945A), and blind lizard, Acontias plumbeus (Bedford 1936). A bird, the black-chested har_ rier eagle, is also known as a host (Theiler, unpublished).

BIOLOGY

Aside from remarks in the generic introduction and host review, nothing additional has been reported for this species.

DISEASE RELATIONS

It is of interest to conjecture that these ticks may transmit the hemogregarines so frequently found in reptiles.

It is claimed that natural infections of Q fever (Coxiella burnetii) have been found in this species.

REMARKS

A complete summary of the taxonomy, morphology, and distribution of this species has been presented by Theiler (1945A). Malformed specimens have been described by Santos Dias (1948A), Schulze (1950B), and Tendeiro (1951B). Schulze (1943B) discussed certain aspects of the nymphal gut of this species, and (1941) features of the haller's organ, and (1950B) of the dorsal foveae and festoons.

Should male specimens with only narrow lateral ornamentation be found, the presence of A. ochraceum Neumann, 1901, or of A. fraudigerum Schulze, 1935, should be considered (cf. Theiler 1945A and Santos Dias 19550 for descriptions and illustrations).

Tendeiro (1948) mentioned A. halli sp. nov., without descrip tion (i.e. a nomen nudum) and (1950) described as A. halli sp. nov. specimens from Portugese Guinea that conform to all specimens studied from the Sudan. The first coxal spur is single; there is

a protuberance on the fourth tarsus; and the scutal ornamentation is somewhat different from that usually described for this species (compare with Theiler 1945A description and illustration). However, Theiler (correspondence), who has had more experience with this genus in Africa than anyone else, writes: "A. halli ....... to me, is but an extreme variation of A. exornatum, being as far as I can see, the exact replica of A. arcanum Karsch, 1879". In view of this opinion and with Dr. Theiler's permission, A. halli Tendeiro, 1950, has been synonymized under A. exornatum (Koch, 1844) (Hoogstraal 1954B).

IDENTIFICATION

Theiler (1945A) described and illustrated the immature stages and redescribed the adult stages of A. exornatum.

Males and females are easily identified by generic characters plus the presence of scutal ornamentation consisting of green or coppery markings on the shiny dark brown surface. Other characters are mentioned in notes under the key to this genus.

Figures 100 and 101, &, dorsal and ventral views. Figures 102 and 103, o, dorsal and ventral views

APONOMMA LATUM (Koch, 1844) (= A. LAEVE Neumann, 1899, of authors).

Equatoria and Upper Nile: Without locality data (King 1926).

Bahr El Ghazal: Galual-Nyang Forest, Naja haje, 1953, collected by H. Hoogstraal and R. E. Kuntz. Same locality, from "cobra", 1953, (SVS). Yirol, from "python", 1954, E. T. M. Reid legit. Specimens in HH collection.

Upper Nile: Kenisa, Nasir, and Er Renk, from cobras, 1909, H. H. King legit (SGC).

DISTRIBUTION

The snake tick is distributed throughout the Ethiopian Faunal Region.

WEST AFRICA: NIGERIA (Hoogstraal 1954C). LIBERIA (Bequaert 1930AT. FRENCH WEST AFRICA (Villiers 1955). SIERRA LEONE (Entomological Report 1916). GOLD COAST (Curson 1916). PORTUGESE GUINEA (Tendeiro 1951C,D,1952C).

*Torit snake collections have been studied by Loveridge (1955).

CENTRAL AFRICA: CAMEROONS (Rageau 1953A,B). FRENCH EQUATORIAL AFRICA (Fiasson 1943B). BELGIAN CONGO (Neumann 1899,1911. Nuttall and Warburton 1916. Schwetz 19270,1932. Bequacrt 1930A,1931).

NOTE: According to Theiler (correspondence), the record for
Ruanda Urundi by Santos Dias (1954D) is in error.

EAST AFRICA: SUDAN (King 1908,1911,1926. Hoogstraal 1954B).
ETHIOPIA (Tonelli-Rondelli 1930A. Stella 1940).

KENYA (Lewis 1931C,1934. Loveridge 1936B. Hoogstraal 1954E). UGANDA (Theiler 1945B. Wilson 1950. Hoogstraal 1954E). TANGA NYIKA (Neumann 19070,1910B,1911. Dönitz 1910. Morstatt 1913. Loveridge 19230,1928. Bequaert 1930A).

SOUTHERN AFRICA: ANGOLA (Howard 1908.
BIQUE (Howard 1908. Santos Dias 1948A,1952D,1953B.

Bacelar 1950). MOZAM
Bacelar 1950).

NORTHERN RHODESIA (Theiler 1945B). SOUTHERN RHODESIA (Jack 1942). NYASALAND (Theiler 1945B. Wilson 1950B).

SOUTHWEST AFRICA (Warburton 1922. Theiler 1945B). UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA (Koch 1844. Neumann 1901. Howard 1908. Dönitz 1910B. Curson 1928. Bedford 1932B,1936. Schulze 1936E. Theiler 1945B. Hoogstraal 19540).

HOSTS

Snakes, without predilection for any one group (Theiler 1945B). Host genera recorded by various authors are: Python, Simo cephalus, Pseudaspis, Naja, Lycophidion (= Lycophidium), Mehelya, Sepedon, Dendroaspis Dendraspis), Causus, Bitis, Dasypeltis, Boaedon, and Rhamphiophis. Also the Debasian snake Crotaphopeltis (= Leptodira) hotamboeia (Neumann 1907,1910B). In addition to some of these same host genera, Miss J. B. Walker's (correspondence) Tanganyika collec tions contain specimens from Rhamphiophis oxyrhynchus rostratus. Philothamnus i. irregularis (= Chloropis emini) (Hoogstraal 1954C). Most host records are for large, poisonous snakes, possibly because of the great interest they always arouse when collected. Yet I have examined hundreds of smaller African snakes without finding Aponomma ticks on them.