In the marshlands of Central Sudan cattle are frequently ±ru 

 fested by R. _s. sanguineus , sometimes in large numbers, but in 

 southern Sudan cattle are only exceptionally and never severely 

 infested. This fact may corroborate Roberts' suggestion (above) 

 that at flood periods this parasite seeks exceptional shelter and 

 hosts. 



Reports of R. s. sanguineus on cattle in tropical and southern 

 Africa are decidedly rare, though a few exceptions have been noted. 

 The incidence of cattle infestation greatly increases as one travels 

 through northern Sudan to the Mediterranean, but it is by no means 

 constant. In certain localities of Yemen and Eritrea the incidence 

 on cattle is fairly high (KH observation). 



Fotheringham and Lewis (1937) state that R. _s. sanguineus 

 "is not often found on cattle in Kenya; in fact, only on a few 

 occasions have very small numbers been collected from this host". 

 Out of 200 nymphs placed on cattle bj these investigators, only 

 five fed. On the other hand, according to Roberts (1935), "it 

 is of some importance to note that cattle in certain areas (of 



Kenya) carry quite a large population of R. sanguineus 



Cattle in this colony are a privileged class with unrestricted 

 license to wander over township areas, and even in gardens if 

 herbage is available. (These animals) thiis become a very potent 

 factor in the distribution of ticks in residential areas. House 

 dogs wandering in grass along roadsides and gardens gather up 

 these ticks and carry them, eventually into houses (x^/here) enormous 

 nimbers of R. sanguineus (are) encountered". ^Unless shown other- 

 wise, it might be assumed that, as a rule in Kenya, the presence 

 of dogs influences the incidence of attacks on cattle, rather 

 than vice versa (HH).7 



Cultural patterns of pastorail peoples probably influence 

 the presence of kennel ticks on cattle, especially in those tribes 

 where families and animals sleep in the same hut or corral, a not 

 uncommon practice in Africa. This feature may also largely ac- 

 count for the occasional finding of another dog tick, H. leachii, 

 on cattle. A survey of the present Africa, Arabian, and Near 

 East collections indicates the considerable importance of this 

 relation. In Bechuanaland, Theiler believes (corresixindence), 

 the kennel tick survives only where such conditions prevail, 

 especially X'fhere cattle, goats, sheep, dogs, and people congre- 

 gate around wells ana pans. 



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