The scutum varies from about 2.3 mm. to 3.8 mm. long and from 1.2 mm. to 1.9 mm. wide; average specimens are about 2.6 mm. long by 1.3 mm. wide. This length width ratio is important in comparing this subspecies with muhsami, though a few intergrade specimens, with respect to this feature, do occur. The punctations, always numerous and mostly comparatively small, are usually discrete; they cover the entire dorsum including lateral areas and festoons but frequently are reduced in the narrow, elongate area correspond ing to the posterior median groove of rhipicephalids. The long, narrow lateral groove encloses the first one or two pairs of fes toons; the closely approximated, arched cervical grooves usually extend to the anterior level of the lateral grooves. The scutal surface is more or less arched.

The palpi are notable for their wide, obtusely angled form. The lateral margin, either straight or very slightly convex in outline, distinguishes this subspecies from muhsami, but, rarely, a similar form occurs on ticks with the short, broad scutal type of muhsami. The recurved basal margin is typically broken both dorsally and ventrally by a strong spur just laterad of the point of insertion; while this spur is usually accentuated in large, narrow, elongate specimens it is surprisingly reduced in some in dividuals of this type. The ventral retrograde spur of palpal segment 3 notably is consistently strong, overlapping the base of segment 3, and narrow and tapering. Segment 3 is about half as long as segment 2. The basis capituli, typically, is elongate with strong, tapered cornua and with lateral margins slightly divergent anteriorly, but the length width ratio and size and shape of the cornua is surprisingly variable, even in specimens in which the general appearance would otherwise lead one to expect that these features would be typical, and the degree of divergence of the lateral margins is also somewhat variable. The hypostome has 4/4 or 5/5 dentition.

The coxae are notable for the basal spur that overlaps the basal margin and for the presence of twelve to twenty long hairs on each (hairs may be broken or rubbed off in old or carelessly collected or preserved material). The size and position of these spurs always approximate those illustrated herein and are important in distinguishing this species from some others. In newly molted or fresh specimens, the numerous long hairs are a very characteristic feature of this species. The elongate tarsi taper gradually

apically and bear a small pad and claw; the claw curves distad of the apex of the pad.

Females. This sex closely recalls the male and while it is equally as variable it appears to be less frequently confusing with the subspecies muhsami.

The elongate scutum, from one fourth to one third longer than wide, posteriorly tapers gradually to a more or less narrow point. Scutal punctations are much like those of the male, and while they are frequently somewhat larger and less numerous than those of the male they are distinguishable from the consistently large and sparse punctations of muhsami. The cervical grooves gradually converge to the scutal midlength and thence diverge towards the posterolateral margins but do not reach these margins.

The palpal outline is like that of the male except that it is more elongate, the length of segment 3 more nearly equalling that of segment 2 than it does in the male; and the basal spur ventrally is absent or extremely reduced in the form of a bluntly rounded projection. The lateral margin, which as in the male is typically straight or slightly convex, is actually more readily and definite_ ly usable as a diagnostic character because of its greater length; while this margin is very slightly concave in some specimens these are unusual. The basis capituli is definitely wider and shorter than that of the male and bears shorter cornua.

Coxal and tarsal characters are like those of the male; in spite of some variation they are not likely to be confused with most specimens of the related subspecies. In considering the female coxal spur as minute and the tarsus as "stout", Nuttall and Warburton (1915) must have been referring to specimens of muhsami

The body form of unengorged females is typically elongate and comparatively narrow, as in males, though the overall size is some_ what larger. Engorged females may become so large in the latter hours of feeding that superficially they resemble typical boophilid females.

The larvae and nymph of this species, but not definitely referable to this subspecies, have been described by Nuttall and Warburton (1915).

Figures 150 and 151, d, dorsal and ventral views Figures 152 and 153, o, dorsal and ventral views

PLATE XLV

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HAEMAPHYSALIS LEACHII MUHSAMI Santos Dias, 1954(E)

Bahr El Ghazal: 1200, 400, black-legged mongoose, Galual-Nyang Forest, 27 May 1953, E. T. M. Reid legit. 1o, same host and collec tor, Yirol, 22 January 1954. 500, Atelerix pruneri oweni, Galual Nyang Forest, 24 February, 1953, H. Hoogstraal legit. 1o, lọ,

Atelerix pruneri oweni, Majan Yom, 2 May 1953, E. T. M. Reid legit. 1200, 600, small rodent burrowing in termite mound", Waynjok, N. W. Gogrial, April, 1953, W. Dees legit. lo, tiang, Damaliscus korrigum tiang, Galual Nyang Forest, April, 1953, E. T. M. Reid legit. 200, leopard, 36 miles south of Yirol, 18 January, 1953, E. T. M. Reid legit. lo, domestic cat, Galual-Nyang Forest, March 1953, and 400, same host, Wau, October, 1953, both SVS.

Blue Nile: 500, 300, "mongoose", Wad Medani, 29 November 1950, D. J. Lewis legit (SCC).

Khartoum: 408, "fox", Khartoum, 9 January 1918, R. Cottam legit (SGC).

DISTRIBUTION

The subspecies muhsami occurs in all areas of the Ethiopian Faunal Region, including the mountains of the Yemen in south western Arabia. We have not seen it in Egypt. The data will be published subsequently in a series of reports on Africa haema physalids.

HOST S

The subspecies muhsami is especially common on small carnivores such as mongooses, genets, civets, and wild cats. It seldom attacks wild or domestic canines or wild antelopes. Usually smaller numbers are found on mole rats, shrews, hedgehogs and hares; the possibility that certain of these may represent separate forms is being studied. Full data will be presented in the report men tioned under DISTRIBUTION above.

BIOLOGY

This subject requires study, especially in relation to that of the subspecies leachii.

Unstudied.

DISEASE RELATIONS