wild animals are either rather seldom infested by adiilts or those 

 that more frequently harbor them, such as the rhinoceros, general- 

 ly are not numerous in nature. Carnivores are only exceptionally 

 attacked. Man is rarely utilized as a host by adults, though 

 nymphs attach more frequently axid larvae are sometimes serious 

 pests. Our knowledge of the host preference of immature stages 

 is fragmentary. Nymphs feed on moderate size to large animals 

 including all domestic animals and larvae attack mostly birds 

 and small mammals from the size of hares to goats. 



Adult Hosts 



Domestic animals ; Cattle ^Practically eveiy reference in the 

 DISTRIBUTION section above pertains to parasitism of cattle by A. 

 variegatum and these need not be repeated here. Selected referZ 

 ences to parasitism of other domestic animals are presented below 

 inasmuch as many phases of these relationships are much less obs- 

 cure than those with cattle). Camels (Robinson 1926*. Hoogstraal, 

 ms.). Sheep (Robinson 1926, Schwetz 1^10, Daubney 193 OA, Daubney 

 and Hudson 1931A,B,193A., Lewis 1931C,1932B,193A, Tendeiro 19^8, 

 Rousselot 1951, Sudan records above). Goats (Robinson 1926, 

 Schwetz 192X. Lewis 1934, Beaton 1939**, Tendeiro 19/^8, Sudan 

 records above). Horses (Simpson 1911, Robinson 1926, Schwetz 1927B, 



*Hosts listed by Robinson (1926) are based chiefly on the extensive 

 data in the Nuttall collection now in British I-fuseum (Natural History), 

 where it is available to those who would make a further study of host- 

 relationships. 



**rhoxigh pinpoint blemishes in the tanned skins of goats are attri- 

 buted by the (Nigerian) trader to the bites of ticks, this animal 

 has been found to remain uncommonly free of ticks, particularly in 

 the dry season. In the rains, when all domestic animals become 

 grossly infested if not hand dressed, the goat is usually only 



parasitized by A. variegatum and then to any extent only 



in the hollow of the heels, the clefts of the hoof, and in the 

 perineum. These exceedingly tenacious parasites set up a local 

 inflammation with pus formation due to infection of the woiind by 

 organisms of necrosis, particularly in the feet. Severe lameness 

 may be caused, and virus diseases, e.g., heartwater may be trans- 

 mitted. (Beaton 1939). 



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