and antbears, already mentioned in the section on HOSTS, bolster 

 this theory, Fiirther indirect support is gained from the preva- 

 lence of the varthog's relative, the domestic pig, as a host. The 

 tampan of human habitations may have evolved from populations 

 formerly parasitizing burrowing, wild pigs, and they may still 

 retain some predilection for pigs. As already noted, it is also 

 possible that "■wild" and *domestic'" populations represent separate 

 biological or physiological or even unrecognised morphological 

 entities. 



Predators and Enemies 



Chickens, rats, and mice are said to feed on the eyeless tam- 

 pan, ajid ants carry off eggs and nymphs. An Angolaji Reduviid bug, 

 Phonergates bicolor Stal. sucks the blood of both man and 0, movL . 

 bata / bellman a906B,D,1907B). Austen (1906,1907) reported on 

 the nomenclature of this bug. The actual specimens involved may 

 still be seen in British Museum (Natural History) collections 7, 

 Ant lions (Neuroptera, l^^nelionidae) have been observed feeding 

 on nymphs (Ghesquiere 1922). In the laboratory, larvae of clothes 

 moths, Tineola biselliella , are said to feed on eggs and on living 

 larvae of 0. moubata ^Volimer 193l), 



What was once described as a fungus disease beginning as an 

 opaque white spot at one edge of the body and spreading out to 

 stupify and destroy the tick (Uellman 1906A,D,1907B) is now be- 

 lieved by experienced workers to be a normal phenomenon of aging 

 in engorged ticks. Christophers (1906) suggested that this "furu 

 gus" is actually a white rectal secretion of aged ticks. Burg- 

 dorfer (conversation) is of the opinion that this '"white fungus" 

 is nothing more than crystallized fluid in the malpighian tubules. 

 Often this crystallization produces a complete, hard blockage. 

 The lumen of such tubules fills with white crystals so that nor- 

 mal activity can no longer occur and soon the tick dies, (See 

 Internal Anatomy below). 



Numerous factors affecting the ecology of the eyeless tamoan 

 are discussed below. 



- 150 - 



