Material referred to as R. sulcatus by Enigk and Grittner (1953), in their remarks on the breeding and biology of ticks, should be re-examined for identity.

IDENTIFICATION

The diagnosis presented below is modified from Theiler and Robinson (1953B).

Male: Size small, averaging 2.5 mm. long and about 1.5 mm. wide (Neumann's specimens from 2.9 mm. to 3.4 mm. long and from 1.5 mm. to 1.8 mm. wide). Scutum narrow anteriorly, widening posterior of level of eyes, surface slightly convex, shiny. Lateral grooves discrete and pronounced, may contain large punc tations; in some specimens extended to include penultimate festoon. Posteromedian and paramedian grooves widely elongate, wrinkled. Punctations deep, medium to large size, dense, some confluent; fewer laterally but some on festoons, scapulae, and lateral folds. Eyes flat, may be bounded by a few large puncta tions. Coxa I may have a dorsal, unpointed hump. Basis capituli one and a half to two times as wide as long, with pronounced lateral angles at anterior third of length (Neumann's original, frequently reproduced illustration of this species shows the basis capituli extremely wide and pointed, most probably the artist's impression, drawn foreshortened, gained from a downward pointing capitulum). Adanal shields typically like those of large R. s. sanguineus but in some specimens they may be more elongately rounded and the inner margin emarginate (as is common in smaller R. s. sanguineus); an approach to the sickleshape is seen in a Small Sudan male.

Female: Medium size, unengorged about 3.00 mm. long and 1.75 mm. wide (Neumann: 3.0 mm. x 1.5 mm.). Scutum flat, shiny, rich brown, emargination wide; as broad as long or slightly longer than broad, but appearing long due to the pronounced lateral grooves and the somewhat tapering, sinuous posterior margin (Neumann: 1.5 mm. x 1.25 mm.). Cervical pits short, deep; cervical grooves short and inconspicuous. Lateral grooves pronounced, with external ridge, and picked out with irregular punctations which may be confluent. Eyes large, flat, flush with surface, may be bounded dorsally by a few large confluent

punctations. Punctations medium to large, deep, somewhat un evenly densely scattered, sometimes confluent, extending onto lateral folds. Basis capituli about three times as broad as long; cornua short, blunt points; lateral angles fairly sharp at midlength; surface not so heavily punctate as in male; porose areas circular, a little more than their own diameter apart. Palpi slightly longer than basis capituli and twice as long as broad, segments 2 and 3 as long as broad, segment 1 visible dorsally.

The larva and nymph have been described and illustrated by Theiler and Robinson (1953B).

Figures 313 and 314, &, dorsal and ventral views
Figures 315 and 316, o, dorsal and ventral views

The male in the Sudan Government Collection, collected by H. H. King, had been identified by him as R. falcatus. The collecting locality of this specimen may now be just inside the Sudan or just over the Uganda border.

DISTRIBUTION IN THE SUDAN

Upper Nile: Sudan Government collections contain a male specimen, collected from a dog at Bor by H. H. King, which had been identified and reported by him (1926) as R. sulcatus.

DISTRIBUTION

R. supertritus is an uncommon East African tick that ranges into Central Africa and into the northern part of southern Africa.

CENTRAL AFRICA: CAMEROONS (Schulze 1941). BELGIAN CONGO (Neumann 19078,1911. Massey 1908. Nuttall and Warburton 1916. Bequaert 1930B,1931. Zumpt 1942B).

EAST AFRICA: SUDAN (In part as R. sulcatus: King 1926. Hoogstraal 19548).

ERITREA (HH collection from Nacta). UGANDA (Nuttall lot 239% in BMNH collections, from Gomba) KENYA (Lewis 1931A,C, 1933,1934). TANGANYIKA (Zumpt 1942B).

Nuttall and Warbur Santos Dias 1950C). SOUTHERN RHODESIA

SOUTHERN AFRICA: ANGOLA (As R. coriaceus: ton 1908 and Warburton 1912. Sousa Dias 1950. NORTHERN RHODESIA (Theiler and Robinson 1954). (Jack 1921,1928,1942). NYASALAND (As R. coriaceus: Nuttall and Warburton 1908, Old 1909. Warburton 1912. Neumann 1908,1911. Neave 1912. Zumpt 1942B. Theiler 1947. Wilson 1950B. Hoogstraal 1954C). MOZAMBIQUE (Santos Dias 1950B,1952D,1952H,1953B).

HOST'S

R. supertritus is an uncommon parasite of larger wild animals and appears to feed only occasionally on domestic animals. Hosts of immature stages are unknown.

Domestic animals: Horse (Neumann 1907B,1911, Massey 1908). Dog (Sudan record above). Cattle (Nuttall and Warburton 1916, Matthysse 1954, Theiler and Robinson 1954).

Antelopes: Eland (Bequaert 1930B,1931). Zambesi eland (Santos Dias 1953B). Kudu (Jack 1942, Santos Dias 1953B, Hoogstraal collection from Eritrea. Hartebeest (Zumpt 1942B, Wilson 1950B). Lichtenstein's hartebeest (Santos Dias 1952H,1953B). Sable antelope (Theiler 1947, Wilson 1950B).

Other mammals: Buffalo (Theiler 1947, Wilson 1950B, Santos Dias 19508,19520,1953B, Sudan records above). Rhinoceros (Lewis 1933). Warthog (Hoogstraal 1954C). Lion (Lewis 1934). Zebra (Zumpt 1942B).

BIOLOGY

This interesting tick seems to be rare wherever it occurs. Its life cycle is unknown. It sometimes occurs in large numbers on single animals or herds. For instance, in Matthysse's (1954) study of ticks in Northern Rhodesia, this tick was found only once on cattle, but the collection consisted of eighteen males and fifteen females.