REMARKS 



As already indicated, Theiler and the writer have been studying 

 variation in this species for some years and the final report is 

 nearing completion. Recent material sent by Santos Dias to Theiler 

 for identification, and returned with the note that this was typical 

 of what we were provisionally referring to as "H. near indie a " 

 pending completion of our studies, wa^ utilized~as the type series 

 for the "species" muhsami . These specimens and their description 

 and illustration correspond with what we have been considering as 

 the "H. leachii near indica " of Theiler (19A3B). Subsequent Theiler- 

 Santos Dias correspondence, however, indicates that the latter worker 

 considers muhsami as a separate species, separate and distinct from 

 "near indica ". Recently (November 1955) Dr. J. Bequaert has kindly 

 sent me his paratype specimens of "H. muhsami " and study of these 

 confirms the already mentioned TheiTer viewpoint. 



Santos Dias (195^^) reports a nyroph of "H. muhsami " from a 

 tchagra shrike in Mozambique. The likelihood""that this is actuaJ— 

 ly a specimen of H. hoodi hoodi should be considered. 



IDENTIFICATION 



H. leachii muhsami in some instances intergrades with H. 1. 

 leacHii and these specimens may be difficult or impossible To ~ 

 separate to subspecies. Criteria for separating this species 

 from others are established in the key and under IDMTIFICATION 

 of H. leachii and in the latter section the characters differen- 

 tiaTing the two subspecies are also noted. Results of a long- 

 term study of this subject will be presented subsequently. Here, 

 only a brief resume of the characters separating H. leachii 

 muhsami from the nominal subspecies is provided. ~ 



Males . These ticks are smaller and their scutal outline is 

 wider than that of the subspecies leachii . Scutal punctations 

 are only moderate in number and are generally fairly large and 

 shallow. In outline, the palpal outlines of the tv;o are quite 

 similar except that the lateral margin of muhsami is slightly 

 concave though in exceptional specimens it may be straight and 

 even more uncommonly it may be very slightly convex. The ventral 

 retrograde spur of palpal segment 3 notably is like that of leachii , 



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