the depressed caudal area, has rare, vridely scattered, mediunusize 

 punctations, or none, but atypical very small and superficial punc- 

 tations may rarely confuse this pattern. A pale parma is frequent- 

 ly present; the festoons are greatly variable in distinctness. The 

 scutum is usually strongly convex, and all specimens are definitely 

 small in size for Hyalomma ticks (scutal length no more than Zk.18 

 mm., rarely over 3.75 mm.; width no more than 2.19 nm. , rarely more 

 than 2.19 nim. ). Certain populations that key to H. excavatum but 

 measure above the upper level of this range represent distinct spe- 

 cies of uncertain identity (see pages 880 to 886). 



Females ; The knobu-like genital apron is more or less (but al- 

 ways definitely) bulging in profile; it may be circular, elongate- 

 ly triangular, or widely triangular (but if so always distinctly 

 much smaller than in H. margin atiim or similar species) in outline; 

 the circular outline Ts most characteristic and distinctive; the 

 elongately triangular outline is fairly common and usually fairly 

 distinctive; the widely triangular outline is not common but is apt 

 to be confusing. The scutum is extremely variable in color and in 

 length. width ratio, but it has very few large punctations scattered 

 in the central field, a few more in the scapular areas, and some- 

 times some to many very fine, superficial punctations over much of 

 its siirface. The scutal surface of engorged specimens frequently 

 becomes extremely rugose. Typical engorged females are comparative- 

 ly small and narrowly elongate but quite thick dorsoventrally thus 

 presenting a narrowly rectangular appearance. 



The larva and nymph (as H. savignyi ) have been described and 

 compared with those of other "species by Bernadskaia (1939C) and 

 by FeldmarU^iiihsam (1948). 



- U51 - 



