Boophilus Species Research Articles

The infection of various tick species with Babesia bigemina, its transmission and identification.

Strains of Boophilus decoloratus and B. microplus were easily infected with a single stock of Babesia bigemina; Boophilus annulatus could be infected less easily, and it was difficult to infect Rhipicephalus evertsi. Two strains of R. appendiculatus and one strain each of R. bursa and Hyalomma anatolicum excavatum were refractory. The same stock of B. bigemina was transmitted by nymphs and adults of B. decoloratus but only by nymphs of R. evertsi. Vertical infection was not observed in R. evertsi, whereas it persisted in B. decoloratus for at least two generations. The sporokinetes in the hemolymph of R. evertsi were significantly shorter than those in the three Boophilus species.

The developmental viability and sizes of sequentially oviposited eggs of Boophilus decoloratus and Boophilus geigyi.

The viability and sizes of eggs sequentially laid up to the 10th day of oviposition by engorged Boophilus decoloratus and Boophilus geigyi were studied. The average length and breadth of eggs laid on the 1st and 2nd days of oviposition were statistically greater than at subsequent ovipositions. The eclosion periods of eggs laid from 7th to 10th day of oviposition were shorter than those of eggs laid earlier by both Boophilus species. The percentage mortality of eggs of 9th and 10th day of oviposition was significantly higher than that of the earlier ovipositions. The numbers of larvae which engorged on rabbits after hatching from eggs of 7th-10th day ovipositions were significantly fewer than those which hatched from eggs of earlier ovipositions. It is concluded that eggs of early ovipositions of B. decoloratus and B. geigyi are more viable and survive longer than those of later ovipositions. It is also suggested that the shorter eclosion period of the eggs of later ovipositions is due to the process of embryogenesis which is gradual in the eggs of early ovipositions and faster in those of later ovipositions.

THE LARVAE OF AUSTRALIAN IXODIDAE (ACARINA: IXODOIDEA)

AbstractThese studies are based on the larvae of 29 of the 52 species of Ixodidae recorded from Australia. The 29 species comprise 13 species of Ixodes, 6 species of Haemaphysalis, 1 species of Boophilus, 1 species of Rhipicephalus, 5 species of Amblyomma, and 3 species of Aponomma; larvae of 11 species are described for the first time.Descriptions, illustrations, and with the genera Ixodes and Haemaphysalis keys also, are given. The descriptions include the respective chaetotaxy patterns which are considered of value for generic and in many instances also for specific diagnosis.

A Check-list and Host-list of Ixodoidea found in Nyasaland, with Descriptions and biological Notes on some of the Rhipicephalids

The geographical distribution in the African Continent of very few of the species of Ixodoidea has been fully determined. Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latr.) and certain species of Boophilus are known to be widely distributed, while others, such as R. duttoni Neum., have been recorded from only one or two localities. The present study was primarily undertaken to determine the genera and species of ticks occurring in Nyasaland, but it is hoped it will contribute to the wider problems of the distribution in Africa of the several species.