REMARKS

For a discussion of long-legged parasites of bats, see REMARKS under Ixodes vespertilionis.

A. boueti populations consist of two size groups, the larger about 6.8 mm. long and 6.9 mm. wide and the smaller about 5.0 mm. long and 4.5 mm. wide (Hoogstraal 1955B, figure 125). The signif icance of these "races" is at present being studied.

The subgenus Chiropterargas Hoogstraal, 1955 (B), of which A. boueti is the type species, contains one other species, A. confusus. This subgenus is defined as follows:

"Parasites of which bats are hosts of predilection. Morpho logical characters intermediate between those of typical Argas and typical Ornithodoros; with a general Argas facies but lacking a sutural line; with a flattened body flange but lacking "cells" and with exceedingly slight integumental differentiation at periphery; body shape circular to transversely elliptical. Integument with fine, close granular projections; discs mostly small, conspicuous, radially distributed, ventral "paired organ present. Definite hood over mouthparts; mouthparts about level with anterior body margin. Legs of variable length, arising from anterior half of body; tarsal humps lacking."

IDENTIFICATION

The remarks above include the outstanding characters for iden tifying this species and A. confusus.

The male of A. boueti is somewhat smaller than the female and has a semicircular genital aperture while the female has a narrow, transversely elongate genital aperture bounded by two rugose lips. In both sexes, the body outline is subcircular to pearshaped (definitely wider than long in A. confusus), leg IV extends far beyond posterior margin of body (only slightly beyond in A. confusus), basis capituli and palpal segments comparatively narrow and elon gate (globose in A. confusus), minute integumental protuberances are mostly flat (mostly tapered in A. confusus), etc. The dental formula of both species is 1/1, the apex of the hypostome is slightly indented, and a corona is lacking.

The larva and nymph have been described by Roubaud and Colas

Belcour (1933) and in more detail by Hoogstraal (1955B).

PLATE XII

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ARGAS (CHIROPTERAR GAS) CONFUSUS Hoogstraal, 1955 (3).

As A. vespertilionis (in part): Khartoum and Northern Provinces (King 1911,1926).

The following lots are in Sudan Government collections:

Khartoum: Khartoum. Larvae from unidentified bat.

Northern: Dongola. Larvae from unidentified bat.

DISTRIBUTION

A. confusus is recorded from scattered localities from Egypt to the Cape of South Africa. Additional collecting will undoubtedly reveal its occurrence elsewhere on the continent. This species is thus far not known outside of Africa.

NORTH AFRICA: EGYPT (Hoogstraal 1955B).

EAST AFRICA:

SUDAN (In part as A. vespertilionis: King 1911, 1926. As A. vespertilionis group: Hoogstraal 19543. As A. confusus: Hoogstraal 1955B).

KENYA (Hoogstraal 1955B).

*Host name on label; identity not checked by authority in host group.

SOUTHERN AFRICA: SOUTHERN RHODESIA, BASUTOLAND, and BECHUANA LAND (Hoogstraal 1955B). UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA For details con cerning A. confusus reported as A. vespertilionis by Nuttall et al (1908), Howard (1908), and Bedford (1934), and for more recent records, see Hoogstraal (1955B). Subsequently, Dr. Zumpt has sent additional specimens from Bloemfontein, Orange Free State, and from Lady Frere, Cape Province.7

HOSTS

At the present time we have definite evidence of larval A. confusus from only a few species of insectivorous bats; Chaerephon major and Taphozous perforatus haedinus (Equatoria records above); questionably (host field determinations not checked by a specialist) from Eptesicus pusillus and Pachyotus sp. (Equatoria records above); and from Eptesicus capensis, Pachyotus sp., Miniopterus natalensis arenarius, Taphozous p. perforatus, T. (L.) nudiventris, Otonycteris h. hemprichi, Nycteris t. the baica, and Tadarida a. aegyptiaca Hoogstraal 1955B). Nymphs and adults found in bat infested caves and buildings probably feed on the same species of hosts as do larvae.

The record of A. confusus (= A. vespertilionis) attacking pen guins in Queenstown, Cape Colony (Nuttall et al 1908) must be regarded as questionable (Hoogstraal 1955B).

BIOLOGY

Life Cycle

A. confusus has been reared in our laboratory at temperatures between 80°F. and 90°F. and at relative humidities between 40% and 50%. A single egg batch consists of from forty to seventy eggs with fifty to sixty the most common quantity. Eggs hatch from 21 to 25 days after being laid. Larvae have commenced feeding five to 26 days after hatching. The duration of larval feeding varies from five to fifty days but most larvae drop from the host in two or three weeks. Afterwards, larvae remain quiet for seven to twelve days before the nymphal molt.