245 246 247 248 Figure 245, ♂, dorsal view. Figure A, adanal shield. Figure 246, 9, dorsal view. Figure 247, larva, dorsal view. Figure 248, nymph, dorsal view. RHIPICEPHALUS ARNOLDI After Theiler and Zumpt (1950) in Zumpt (1950A)_7 PLATE LXX - 616 These are the only records of this species aside from the original collections from Transvaal and Cape Province, South Africa. Dr. Theiler's identification of the larval specimen noted above is tentative. DISTRIBUTION The actual distributional picture of R. arnoldi, presently known only from the Union of South Africa and the Sudan, remains to be ascertained. EAST AFRICA: SUDAN (Hoogstraal 1954B). SOUTHERN AFRICA: in Zumpt 1950A). UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA (Theiler and Zumpt, Hare, Lepus sp., HOSTS and rock hare, Pronolagus sp. (Theiler and Zumpt in Zumpt 1950A). Lepus capensis crawshayi and larva on Praomys tullbergi sudanensis (Equatoria Province records above). Unstudied. *Described in Zumpt (1950A). BIOLOGY DISEASE RELATIONS Unstudied. REMARKS The Sudan material was identified by Dr. G. Theiler. Santos Dias (1952H) has compared this species with R. serranoi. IDENTIFICATION The following diagnosis is taken from the original description of this species. Males are like those of R. muhlensi in that they possess a well developed dorsal projection of coxa I and have lateral grooves indicated only by punctations. They differ from R. mühlensi in that the scutal punctations are larger, the basis capituli is broader and has more acute lateral angles, the palpi are more compressed, and the adanal shields and spiracular plates are different. The middle festoons do not protrude; the posteromedian groove is narrow and long, the paramedian grooves are elongate_oval, and all the grooves are reticulate. Size is 2.25 mm. to 3.00 mm. long and 1.66 mm. wide; color light to dark brown; shape convex. Female palpi are unusually triangular in combined appearance when the mouthparts are tilted downwards. The basis capituli, about twice as wide as long, converges strongly anteriorly in an extension of the same angle as the lateral margins of the palpi. The scutum is slightly longer than wide and posterior of the eyes is sharply narrowed to a comparatively long, narrowly pointed, posteromedian angle. No lateral grooves are present but the scutal periphery is raised and the cervical fields depressed; the cervical grooves converge from the deep anterior pits to the anterior third of the scutum and thence diverge as shallow grooves extending almost to the posterior margin. Scutal punctations are mixed, irregular, larger and denser than those of the male in the central area but fewer in lateral raised areas. Theiler and Zumpt (loc. cit.) also described and illustrated the immature stages. Nagichot is at 6500 feet elevation in the Didinga Mountains of Eastern District. R. bequaerti is known from the Sudan by only this single specimen. DISTRIBUTION R. bequaerti appears to be a rare, mountain-inhabiting tick of Central Africa and nearby mountains of the Sudan. CENTRAL AFRICA: "Central Africa, Lissenji" (Zumpt 1950A). Dr. Theiler and I cannot locate "Lissenji" but believe that it may be a misspelling for Kisenyi, which is in Ruanda Urundi. RUANDA URUNDI ("Ljenda; 2500 meters altitude," Rousselot 1951,1953B. This material has been checked by Dr. G. Theiler). EAST AFRICA: SUDAN (Hoogstraal 1954). HOSTS Buffalo (Zumpt 1950A). Domestic goat (Sudan data). Cattle (Rousselot 1951,1953B). BIOLOGY Unknown. This tick should be searched for especially at high altitudes. |