Notes on African Haemaphysalis Ticks. XIV. Description of Adults of H. (Rhipistoma) paraleachi sp. n., a Carnivore Parasite of the H. (R.) leachi Group (Ixodoidea: Ixodidae)

Abstract

Haemaphysalis (Rhipistoma) paraleachi sp. n. is described from males and females taken from a civet, Viverra civetta (Schreber), in Cameroun. This tick is a large-sized member of the H. (R.) leachi group with a 5/5 or 6/6 dental formula; moderately long, curving ventral spurs of palpal segment 3; and numerous, mostly medium-sized scutal punctations. It is widely distributed in Africa. Adults parasitize small- and medium- sized carnivores. Immatures probably feed chiefly on rodents but cannot be identified with confidence until laboratory-reared samples from known parents are available for study. Haemaphysalis (Rhipistoma) paraleachi sp. n. is described from adults taken from a civet, Vi- verra civetta (Schreber), in Cameroun. A member of the leachi subgroup of the H. (R.) leachi group of African carnivore parasites, this new species is related to H. (R.) leachi (Audouin) 1827, H. (R.) moreli Camicas, Hoogstraal, and El Kam- mah (1972), and H. (R.) punctaleachi Camicas, Hoogstraal, and El Kammah (1973). Data are presented herein only for adult H. (R.) paraleachi parasitizing medium-sized car- nivores in Africa. Immature stages probably feed chiefly on rodents but cannot be identified with confidence until laboratory-reared samples from known parents are available for study.