confusus is scattered throughout desert and desert-edge retreats, 

 all arid, such as antiquities structxires, caves, and hillside 

 cremnies. 



Records from northern Sudsin and from the Protectorates of 

 South Africa indicate a more or less similar tolerance of aridity, 

 but those from various regions of South Africa, Torit, and the 

 crater of l«ft, Menengai in Kenya indicate also that certain popu- 

 lations exist in markedly hvmiid environments where they tolerate 

 lower temperatures and higher relative humidity than they do in 

 Egypt. 



DISEASE REIATIONS 



BATS: A small number of specimens thus far studied in NA1'1RU_3 

 laboratories have been negative for blood protozoa, spirochetes, 

 viruses sind rickettsiae, and Shigella organisms. 



REMARKS 



Further studies' on the habits and ecology of this species are 

 presently under way and will be reported when completed. For a 

 definition of the subgenus Chiropterargas and for criteria to dis- 

 tinguish this species from A. boueti, see page 95. 



IDENTIFICATION 



A. confusus adults have an extremely wide body outline, and, 

 in common with A. boueti, are characterized by the absence of a 

 sutursil line dividing dorsal and ventral surfaces, and by the pres- 

 ence of a conspicuous hood over the raouthparts. In A. confusus 

 the dorsal integumental protuberances are fine, shiny-tipped, 

 tapering points which on the lateral margin are more closely spaced 

 and more regular. The posterior discs are arranged radially; the 

 legs are shorter than the body length; and the hypostorae has only 

 a single pair of denticle files. The tarsi have no dorsal protii- 

 berances. A pair of grooved organs of unknown function is present 

 just posterior of the anus on the ventral surface. 



- 101 _ 



