REMARKS As already indicated, Theiler and the writer have been studying variation in this species for some years and the final report is nearing completion. Recent material sent by Santos Dias to Theiler for identification, and returned with the note that this was typical of what we were provisionally referring to as "H. near indica" pending completion of our studies, was utilized as the type series for the "species" muhsami. These specimens and their description and illustration correspond with what we have been considering as the "H. leachii near indica" of Theiler (1943B). Subsequent TheilerSantos Dias correspondence, however, indicates that the latter worker considers muhsami as a separate species, separate and distinct from "near indica". Recently (November 1955) Dr. J. Bequaert has kindly sent me his paratype specimens of "H. muhsami" and study of these confirms the already mentioned Theiler viewpoint. Santos Dias (1954C) reports a nymph of "H. muhsami" from a tchagra shrike in Mozambique. The likelihood that this is actual ly a specimen of H. hoodi hoodi should be considered. IDENTIFICATION H. leachii muhsami in some instances intergrades with H. 1. leachii and these specimens may be difficult or impossible to separate to subspecies. Criteria for separating this species from others are established in the key and under IDENTIFICATION of H. leachii and in the latter section the characters differen tiating the two subspecies are also noted. Results of a longterm study of this subject will be presented subsequently. Here, only a brief resume of the characters separating H. leachii muhsami from the nominal subspecies is provided. Males. These ticks are smaller and their scutal outline is wider than that of the subspecies leachii. Scutal punctations are only moderate in number and are generally fairly large and shallow. In outline, the palpal outlines of the two are quite similar except that the lateral margin of muhsami is slightly concave though in exceptional specimens it may be straight and even more uncommonly it may be very slightly convex. The ventral retrograde spur of palpal segment 3 notably is like that of leachii but in muhsami the basal spurs may be more reduced. The basis capituli is short and wide, with lateral margins widely diverging anteriorly, and the cornua are usually smaller and weaker than those of leachii. The coxal spurs are comparable with those of leachii, an important criterion for separating this subspecies from some other equally small, not otherwise greatly differing species in Africa. The scutal size varies from 1.3 mm. to 2.2 mm. long and from 0.8 mm. to 1.2 mm. wide. A majority of specimens fall within the lower size range and are easily recognizable. The few larger specimens may be typical or they may approach the form of the subspecies leachii in shape of palpal lateral margin or in development of palpal spurs. The smaller and more compact size and shape of muhsami is almost always reflected in stouter and more abruptly tapering tarsi. Females. Like males, this sex is smaller, rounder, and more compact than females of leachii. The scutal length is about equal to or only very slightly greater than the width; the posterior margin is more broadly rounded; the punctations are rather large and moderate in numbers; and the cervical grooves are more concave and more distant from each other. The palpal outline usually has the lateral margin definitely concave; the ventral basal spur is absent but the dorsal basal spur is quite variable; the ventral retrograde spur of segment 3 is like that of the male and of the subspecies leachii. The basis capituli in all available specimens is definitely short and wide with lateral margins distinctly diverging anteriorly and the cornua are usually broadly tapered and short. Coxal spurs correspond to those of the male. Tarsi tend to be shorter, stouter, and more abruptly tapered than those of female leachii. These localities, all in the central area of the east bank of Equatoria Province, lie between 4500 feet and 6500 feet elevation. H. parmata has not been found in other Provinces of the Sudan. The Noli Hills specimen is somewhat atypical, see REMARKS below. DISTRIBUTION H. parmata is a quite common Central and West African tick that ranges in smaller numbers into the forested highlands of eastern Africa. It is especially numerous in the Cameroons. WEST AFRICA: GOLD COAST (Nuttall and Warburton 1915). FRENCH WEST AFRICA (Villiers 1955). SIERRA LEONE (Simpson 1913. Nuttall and Warburton 1915). NIGERIA (Ziemann 1905. NIGERIA (Ziemann 1905. Neumann 1911. Neumann 1911. Simpson 1912B. Nuttall and Warburton 1915). CENTRAL AFRICA: CAMEROONS (Neumann 1905,1911. Ziemann 1905, 1912A. Nuttall and Warburton 1915. Rageau 1951,1953A,B. Hoogstraal 1954C). RIO MUNI (Numerous specimens in HH collection from north central part of state; K. C. Brown legit; gift of Colonel R. Traub). FRENCH EQUATORIAL AFRICA (Fiasson 1943B. Rousselot 1951,1953B. Hoogstraal 1954C). BELGIAN CONGO and RUANDA URUNDI (Nuttall and Warburton 1915,1916. Bequaert 1930A,B,1931. Schoenaers 1951A,B. Van Vaerenbergh 1954. Santos Dias 1954D. See HOSTS below). EAST AFRICA: SUDAN (Hoogstraal 1954B). KENYA (Neave 1912. Anderson 1924A. Neumann 1913. Nuttall and Warburton 1915. Lewis 1931A,C. As H. calcarata: Lewis 1931B. As H. bispinosa: Lewis 1934. Loveridge 1936A. Hoogstraal 1954C). UGANDA (Nuttall and Warburton 1915. Mettam 1932. Theiler 1945C). SOUTHERN AFRICA: MOZAMBIQUE: Santos Dias (1954F); not typical specimens if description and illustrations are correct. UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA: Theiler (1945C) states that this species actually has not been found in the Union of South Africa, and (correspondence) that Curson's (1928)_and Bedford's (1932B) records from Zululand are misidentifications.7 NOTE: Records from Sumatra (Galli_Valerio 1909B) undoubtedly are based on erroneous identification. HOSTS The chief hosts of adults are antelopes; any domestic animal may be attacked. Immature stages parasitize carnivores and antelopes and larvae have been recorded from forest birds. Adults Domestic animals: Cattle (Neumann 1905,1911, Ziemann 1905, 1912A, Nuttall and Warburton 1915, 1916, Mettam 1932, Schoenaers 1951A,B, Rageau 1953B, Hoogstraal 1954B, Sudan records above). Sheep (Neumann 1905,1911, Ziemann 1905, Mettam 1932, Rageau 1953B). Goats (Neumann 1905,1911, Ziemann 1905,1912A, Mettam 1932, Rageau 1953B). Dogs (Ziemann 1912A, Mettam 1932, Rousselot 1951, Rageau 1953B). Pigs (Rageau 1953B). (?Domestic) Pigs (Neumann 1905,1911, Ziemann 1905). Antelopes: Hartebeest (Nuttall and Warburton 1915. Mettam 1932). Bushbuck (Simpson 1913, Lewis 1931C, Nuttall and Warburton 1915, Bequaert 1931, Mettam 1932, Hoogstraal 1954C). Harnessed antelope (Nuttall and Warburton 1915). Royal antelope, black duiker, bay duiker (Villiers 1955). Bushbuck and Maxwell's duiker (Cameroons, J. Mouchet legit, HH det.). Impala and Harvey's duiker |