Observations on the Subgenus Argas (Ixodoidea: Argasidae: Argas): 16. Argas (A.) moreli, new species, and keys to Neotropical species of the subgenus

Abstract

Argas (Argas) moreli , n. sp., is described from males, females, and nymphs from a house, and from unknown situations, in Junin and Arequipa Provinces, 4150 and 2329 m altitude, Peru. Probable hosts are wild birds and domestic chickens, and also humans. The peripheral integument of this distinctive species lacks the persicus -like cells seen in several other Neotropical species of the subgenus, but regularly spaced, deep sutures bounding a broad peripheral area with a small setiferous pit form “pseudo persicus -like cells.” This species may represent a phylogenetic gradient between Argas (Argas) species lacking persicus -like cells (all Faunal Regions, including Neotropical) and those having these cells (Neotropical only). Ticks identified as Argas persicus , but likely to represent A. (A.) moreli , have been reported to bite humans in Arequipa and to cause a severe pruritus.