The genus Hyalomma Koch, 1844. IX. Redescription of all parasitic stages of H. (Euhyalomma) impeltatum Schulze & Schlottke, 1930 and H. (E.) somalicum Tonelli Rondelli, 1935 (Acari: Ixodidae)

Abstract

The ticks Hyalomma (Euhyalomma) impeltatum Schulze & Schlottke, 1930 and H. (E.) somalicum Tonelli Rondelli, 1935 [a species resurrected for “Hyalomma ? species” of Hoogstraal (1956) and H. erythraeum of Kaiser & Hoogstraal (1968)] are tentatively considered to belong to the H. (E.) asiaticum group of closely related species. Amongst other features that are fairly similar, males of H. impeltatum can be distinguished from those of H. somalicum by the oval posterior margin of the conscutum, a narrow, subtriangular parma, the lack of ventral sclerotised plaques on median, paramedian and 4th festoons, and an incomplete to complete ivory-coloured stripe on the dorsal aspect of the leg segments; whereas males of H. somalicum have a broad but only slightly convex posterior conscutal margin, in most cases no parma, well-developed sclerotised ventral plaques on all festoons, and only a small ivory-coloured spot on the dorsal aspect of the leg segments. Females of H. impeltatum can be distinguished from those of H. somalicum by the bulging rather than flat preatrial fold of the genital aperture. All parasitic stages of both ticks are illustrated and redescribed, and the characteristics that distinguish the adults from those of other closely related species are detailed. Larger domestic and wild ungulates are the principal hosts of the adults of both ticks. Nymphs and larvae of H. impeltatum parasitise rodents, leporids, birds and lizards, whereas the hosts of the immature stages of H. somalicum are unknown. H. impeltatum is widely distributed in Africa north of the equator, Arabia, the Near East and south-western part of Central Asia; in contrast, H. somalicum has a more limited distribution in East Africa and possibly the Arabian Peninsular. Data on their possible disease relationships are also provided.