9. Punctations inconspicuous, obsolete
or rare, small, interstitials obsolete
or inconspicuous. Scutum generally
but not always longer than wide.
Small parasite of cane rats....

10.

Punctations conspicuous, rare to

moderate numbers. Moderate to fairly
large size species....

Scutum with notably few, moderate or
large, scattered punctations in central
field...

..R. SIMPSONI

Figures 299 and 300

..10

..11

Scutum with moderate to large number of
small, medium size, or large punctations..

...16

11. Lateral grooves typically long and distinct (frequently reduced in R. s. simus, see page 752)..

Lateral grooves absent or typically
so short and indistinct as to be
questionable, frequently replaced by
several large, deep, punctations...

12. This and the following subspecies cannot be distinguished with certainty. Size moderate. Scutal posterior margin usually somewhat sinuous; punctations restricted to few of moderate size but deep, distinct, and widely scattered; interstitials normally few, rare, inconspicuous, sometimes fairly numerous but small and superficial..

Size fairly large. Other characters as
above, although punctations are often
somewhat larger than in subspecies
simus. Differentiated with certainty
only by association with male...

...12

...13

.R. SIMUS SIMUS Figures 303 and 304

..R. SIMUS SENEGALENSIS
Figures 307 and 308

18. Scutum lacking lateral grooves; punc tations dense but superficial, medium size with finer interstitials, rare laterally anterior of eyes and on scapulae; posterior margin typically gradually rounded. (Rare)....

Scutal characters frequently modified
by crowding; lateral grooves superficial,
short to long; lateral ridges more or
less elevated; punctations widely spaced,
fewer laterally, small to moderate size,
interstitials rare or absent; posterior
margin abruptly rounded or slightly
tapering. (Common in restricted areas
only)...

.R. MÜHLENSI

Figures 283 and 284

...R. APPENDICULATUS Figures 243 and 244

Figures 240 and 241, o, dorsal and ventral views Figure 242, d, variation in adanal shields Figures 243 and 244, Q, dorsal and ventral views