Where soil consistency permits, the eyeless tampan usually 

 burrows to a depth of approximately an inch; but in soil cracks 

 it burrows deeper. On the ground surface it may rest under any 

 object that offers shelter. If soil is too wet or too hard for 

 burrowing the tick is induced to crawl up walls and seek con- 

 cealment behind hanging objects, in cracks or in ceilings. The 

 tampan's presence is often indicated by spots or streaks from 

 its excretory products left on walls. 



In Kenya, 0. moubata ranges from sea level to an elevation 

 of 8000 feet (Lewis 1939A) or of 9000 (Heisch 1950A). In Ethiopia, 

 Manson_Bahr (19^+1 ) stated it is absent above 6000 feet elevation 

 and Scaffidi (1937) reported that it is not present above 7150 

 feet. 



This tampan survives in the Transvaal Highveld in spite of 

 ■bitterly cold winters'" there (De Keillon 19^0, Ordman 19Al). 

 Theiler reports (correspondence) that winter day-temperatures in 

 the Transvaal highlands are '*high enough" and that residenos bring 

 fires into their huts at night. 



In certain Congo areas, Flaraand (1928) found 0. moubata 

 thriving at about 10,000 feet elevation. Schouteden 11928; replied 

 that these populations are the result of repeated introductions in 

 goods from the lowlands. While tampans survive at these altitudes, 

 they do not reproduce there. 



Incidenteil to a disease transmission study. Van Dye (194-3) 

 reported that 0. moubata dies in less than 2L, hours at tempera- 

 tures of 0°C. to 50c. (ii.lOF.). However, Burgdorfer reports (con- 

 versation) that he has maintained tampans at 3°C, for at least 

 ten days without death of the specimens. Feng and Chung (1938) 

 maintained these ticks alive for months at 5°C. to Soc. It is 

 obvious that the critical temperature range for the survival of 

 0. moubata requires further study. 



The absence of 0. npubata from certain volcanic areas in the 

 Congo was thought by~Van Saceghem (1923 ) to be owing to an un- 

 favorable chemical action produced by contact of lava with oxygen 

 of the air. Dr. J. Bequaert reports (conversation) that these 

 areas are all at high elevation and that he believes altitude to 

 be the important limiting factor in these volcanic areas. 



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