Annals of the Transvaal Museum. 



135 



Genus AMBLYOMMA. KOCU. 

 Lvodes (ex. Latreillc (171)5). 

 Atiibhjoinina, Ivoeli (1844). 

 Ainl)hj()}iiiti(i, Koch (Xeiniiann, 181);:)). 



Eyes usually Hat, slightly salient, sometimes hemispherical, shining, 

 in a sub-marginal pit of the shield. Kostrum long ; palpi valvate. Anal 

 groove semi-circular, opening in front, uniting the sexual grooves ; usually 

 no median, ano-marginal groove. Dorsal shield often marked with designs 

 in colour. No anal plates in the male. Stigmatic plates usually triangular, 

 with rounded angles. Nearly always eleven posterior marginal festoons, 

 at least in the male. 



The presence of eyes separates thi^ genus from Ixodes and Apojiomina^ 

 mid the absence of anal shields in the male from Hijalomma. Eyes are 

 found in all degrees of development. Six forms are found in South 

 Africa. 



Males. 



A. Eyes hemis])herical. 



B. Coxae I divided into two blunt spines ; coxae IV with one 

 blunt spine ; coxae II and III unarmed . . variegatum. 



BB. Coxae all with two short spines . . . . sylvaticiun. 

 A A. Eyes fiat. 



B. Coxae I entire with a single long spine on posterior margin. 

 C. Grround colour light ; anterior longitudinal line not 

 joined by transverse line, and attenuated at posterior 

 end, so as not to reach median transverse arched band. 



liehraeum. 



■ CC. Ground colour darker ; anterior longitudinal lines of 

 equal thickness, usually joined by transverse band, and 

 reaching median transverse arched band. 



liehraeum ehariteuin. 



BB. Coxae I divided into two flat teeth. 



C. Dorsal shield constricted at level of stigmatic plates ; 

 posterior festoons appearing like overla])ping folds. 



creiiatum., 



CC. Shield not constricted, festoons not folded 

 ^ \ iDd rnwreiim. 



Females. . . 



A. Eyes hemispherical. 



B. Shield triangular ; dark coloured . . . . variegafuin. 



BB. Shield heart-shaped ; light coloured . . . . sijlvatirnin. 



AA. Eyes flat. 



B. Coxae I with a long spine on posterior margin. 



C. iVnterior angles of dorsal shield and margin of cervical 

 emargination dark coloured, like rest of shield ; general 

 colour of shield dark . . . . . . liehraeum. 



CC. General colour of shield lii>-liter ; anterior ano-]es and 

 margin of cervical emargination light reddish grey 

 in colour . . . . . . . . liehraeum ehunieum. 



i 



