The scutijm varies from about 2.3 mm. to 3.8 mm. long aixi from 

 1.2 mm. to 1.9 mm. wide; average specimens are about 2.6 mm. long 

 by 1.3 mm. wide. This length-width ratio is important in comparing 

 this subspecies with muhsami , though a few intergrade specimens, 

 with respect to this feature , do occur. The punctations, always 

 numerous and mostly comparatively small, are usually discrete; 

 they cover the entire dorsum including lateral areas axid festoons 

 but frequently are reduced in the narrow, elongate area correspond- 

 ing to the posterior median groove of rhipicephalids. The long, 

 narrow lateral groove encloses the first one or two pairs of fes- 

 toons; the closely approximated, arched cervical grooves usually 

 extend to the anterior level of the lateral grooves. The scutal 

 surface is more or less arched. 



The palpi are notable for their wide, obtusely angled form. 

 The lateral margin, either straight or very slightly convex in 

 outline, distinguishes this subspecies from muhsami , but, rarely, 

 a similar form occurs on ticks with the short, broad scutal type 

 of muhsami . The recurved basal margin is typically broken both 

 dor sally and ventrally by a strong spur just laterad of the point 

 of insertion; while this spur is usually accentuated in large, 

 narrow, elongate specimens it is surprisingly reduced in some in- 

 dividuals of this type. The ventral retrograde spur of palpal 

 segment 3 notably is consistently strong, overlapping the base 

 of segment 3, and narrow and tapering. Segment 3 is about half 

 as long as segment 2. The basis capituli, typically, is elongate 

 with strong, tapered cornua ajid with latersil margins slightly 

 divergent anteriorly, but the length-width ratio and size and 

 shape of the cornua is surprisingly variable, even in specimens 

 in which the general appearance would otherwise lead one to expect 

 that these features would be typical, and the degree of divergence 

 of the lateral margins is also somewhat variable. The hypostome 

 has L,/k or 5/5 dentition. 



The coxae are notable for the basal spur that overlaps the 

 basal margin and for the presence of twelve to twenty long hairs 

 on each (hairs may be broken or rubbed off in old or carelessly 

 collected or preserved material). The size and position of these 

 spurs always approximate those illustrated herein and are important 

 in distinguishing this species from some others. In newly molted 

 or fresh specimens, the numerous long hairs are a very character- 

 istic feature of this species. The elongate tarsi taper gradually 



- 375 - 



