IDHITIFICAriON 



This is a member of the R. simus group (page 751). 



Males ; Males are characterized by a combination of char- 

 acters including few, large scutal punctations arranged in four 

 irregular longitudinal rows that form an especially distinctive 

 pattern posteriorly (as in R, simos senegalensis ); lateral grooves 

 varying from deep to shallow (narrow and shallow in Sudanese spec- 

 imen) but containing a row of large, deep, almost adjacent puncta- 

 tions extending from the first or second festoon to the eyes 

 (this row of punctations also extending from the eyes to the 

 scapulae but more widely spaced and not in a groove; coxa I 

 with a dorsal projection that is small but definitely pointed; 

 posteromedian groove and paramedian grooves more or less marked, 

 indicated by narrow, shallow depressions (uncommonly all but ob- 

 solete; distinct in Sudanese specimen) . The adanal shields of 

 material from southern Africa are narrowly elongate, subovate, 

 with rounded external margin, pointed anterior and posterior 

 junctvires, and slightly recurved inner margin posteriorly; those 

 of the single available Sudanese specimen (Figure 262) are broader 

 posteriorly and the externoposterior juncture forms almost a right 

 angle (see RS4ARKS above). Accessory shields are indicated only 

 by posterior points. In addition to the already mentioned scutal 

 punctations, there is a cluster of several punctations on the 

 scapulae and two to six others may be scattered on the scutvim; 

 interstitial punctations are faintly indicated. 



Females ; The scutum of specimens from Southwest Africa is 

 subcircular and either as wide as long or slightly wider than 

 long; lateral grooves are entirely absent but are replaced by 

 a convex line of three to seven large punctations; in the median 

 field four or five other large punctations are scattered and a 

 few others are clustered on the scapulae; interstitial puncta- 

 tions are fine and cover most of the scutal surface. Lateral 

 margins are slightly elevated, devoid of punctations posterior 

 of the scapulae,' and bear flat eyes. Cerviceil grooves are shoirt, 

 deep, and either convex or narrowly ovate eind converging. Porose 

 areas are small, circular, and not widely separated. Color is 

 as in males; size is slightly greater than that of males but 

 increases greatly when feeding; upon engorgement the body out- 

 line is subcircular. 



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