Ecology 



In Kenya, H. aciculifer is found usually in forested areas at 

 about 7500 feet^elevation (Lewis 1932A). The \n:iter's experience 

 in Kenya and Sudan confirm that this is mostly a liighland species 

 (/V5OO to 8000 feet elevation) but that it is also present at lower 

 altitudes (Torit, 2000 feet elevation). Records tend to indicate 

 that where this species occurs at lower altitudes it is in more 

 humid habitats but this subject requires fiirther field study. 



Theiler (19A5C) discussed the distribution of H. aciculifer 

 on cattle in localized areas of northern and eastern Transvaal 

 where it sometimes occurs on neighboring farms and at other times 

 on distant isolated farms. The scattered distribution is believed 

 to be due largely to the incidence of cattle importation from East 

 Africa and to the ability of introduced ticks to maintain themselves 

 in new areas. 



In South Africa, H. aciculifer survives in regions with from 

 fifteen to fifty inche" of annual rainfall but especially where 

 thirty or more inches fall each year. These include subtropical 

 evergreen and deciduous tree and thorn forest areas, open park- 

 land areas in highlands, subtropical parkland areas, tall grass 

 areas, and rarely short grasslands adjacent to highveld. H. 

 aciculifer ranges from lowlands to highveld at /+500 feet elevation 

 and is present only where winters are not severe, thoxigh it may 

 survive where occasional light frosts occur. 



DISEASE RELATIONS 

 Unstudied . 



IDENTIFICATION 



lilales: Measure from 1.8 mm. to 1.9 mm. long, and from 1.1 mm. 

 to 1.3 ram. wide. They may be recognized among the African fauna 

 by the long, needlelike spur of coxa IV. The basis capituli is 

 rectangialar with well developed cornua; the palpal outline (Fig- 

 ures 128 and 129) is unique in the African fauna. The smooth 

 scutum lias small, shallow punctations; the lateral grooves may 

 reach only the scutal midlength or they may be much longer. 



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