The Ixodes schillingsi group: ticks of Africa and Madagascar, parasitic on primates, with descriptions of two new species (Ixodoidea, Ixodidae)

Abstract

1. This paper reviews the morphology, distribution and hosts of I. schillingsi Neumann, 1901.2. Two new species, I. rageaui from the Cameroons, and I. lemuris from Madagascar are described and figured. The latter shows obvious African affinities and is but slightly different from its African relative.3. I. schillingsi is, with the exception of Lophiomys ibeanus (crested rat), known only from Colobus monkeys, I. rageaui from monkeys of the Cercopithecus group and I. lemuris from Lemur rufifrons.

Genetic Diversity of Ixodid Ticks Parasitizing Eastern Mouse and Dwarf Lemurs in Madagascar, with Descriptions of the Larva, Nymph, and Male ofIxodes lemuris(Acari: Ixodidae)

“…RML105495). Female specimens agree with original description of Arthur (1958) and illustrations of Uilenberg et al (1979). Total body length (from tip of palps to posterior margin) of single unengorged female specimen measured, 3.28 mm.…”

“…Macrophotographic images were prepared using a stereomicroscope (Zeiss Stemi 2000-CS Stereomicroscope). Standard measurements (following Arthur, 1965) were taken from the specimens and images. In the laboratory at Georgia Southern University, macrophotographic stacked images showing dorsal and ventral views of each tick stage or sex were prepared using a Visionary Digital TM (Tempe, Arizona) 3-dimensional camera/computer system.…”

“…1A, B; Table I): Originally described by Arthur (1958) based on a single female specimen deposited in the Natural History Museum, London (accession no. 1892, 3. i.…”

“…The ticks of Madagascar were the subject of extensive studies between the 1950s and 1970s (Hoogstraal, 1953;Arthur, 1957Arthur, , 1958Arthur, , 1965Hoogstraal and Theiler, 1959;Hoogstraal et al, 1965Hoogstraal et al, , 1966Hoogstraal et al, , 1967Morel, 1966;Hoogstraal, 1968, 1969;Uilenberg et al, 1970;Hoogstraal et al, 1974;Hoogstraal and Camicas, 1977). Detailed descriptions of tick species, hosts, and habitat preferences provided solid baseline data on the phylogeography and ecology of these ectoparasites, as well as their potential role as vectors of disease agents.…”

“…Only 2 females of I. lemuris have been recovered to date; the original specimen described by Arthur (1958) was found on a brown lemur (''Lemur macaco rufus,'' today called Eulemur rufifrons). The second specimen was collected from a non-endemic rodent, Rattus rattus (Uilenberg et al, 1979).…”