Majdagascar, Asia, and outlying islands these ticks parasitize only 

 birds. Related species infest priinitive mammals such as hedgehogs 

 (insectivores) , and also reptiles. 



DISEASE RELATIONS 

 DdlESTIC CKICKEI^S. Fatal anaemia has been reported. 



IDEI^TIFICATION 



Males . Palpi basally are widely salient, straight and lacking 

 dorsal or ventral spurs; laterally they are sharply and narrowly re- 

 curved basally and thence taper gradually to a narrow apex; segment 

 3 approximates segment 2 in length and medially bears a notably 

 small and wide spvir that is usually medially directed. The rectan- 

 gular basis capituli has small but distinct cornua. The scutum is 

 beset with a moderate number of fairly large, shallow punctations; 

 lateral grooves include the first festoon and extend to the anterior 

 third of the scutum; cervical grooves are shallow, concave, and 

 extend more or less to the apical level of the lateral grooves. 

 Coxae bear a small posterior spur, that of III may be obsolete and 

 that of IV may be smaller than illustrated (Figure 137). Tarsi are 

 moderately short and abruptly tapered; they bear a very small ven- 

 tral apical hook. Size varies from 1.3 ram. to 2.0 mm. long and 

 from 1.0 mm. to 1.4 ram. wide. 



Female palpi are like those of the male except that they are 

 slightly less salient basally and more conical and elongate. The 

 basis capituli is rectangular with very small cornua and a slightly 

 concave basal margin; the porose areas are shallow and indistinct. 

 The scutum is broadly oval, slightly longer than wide, and gradual^ 

 ly converging posteriorly; punctations are evenly scattered and 

 rather large; cervical grooves are slightly concave and may reach 

 the posterior third of the scutum. Tarsi taper somewhat more 

 gradually than in males. The body becomes considerably extended 

 when engorged. 



The larvae and nymph have been described and illustrated by 

 Nut tall and Warburton (.1915). 



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