Rhipicephalus exophthalmos sp. nov., a new tick species from southern Africa, and redescription of Rhipicephalus oculatus Neumann, 1901, with which it has hitherto been confused (Acari: lxodida: Ixodidae)

Abstract

Rhipicephalus exophthalmos sp. nov., a species which has in the past been confused with Rhipicephalus oculatus Neumann, 1901, is described and illustrated from laboratory-reared specimens. Preferred hosts for the adults of this tick are various domestic and wild ungulates and hares. It is widely distributed in Namibia and in the south-eastern Cape Province, South Africa, with only scattered records from elsewhere. The adults of R. oculatus are redescribed and illustrated, and the immature stages are described and illustrated for the first time. All the stages feed virtually exclusively on leporids. It is common in parts of the eastern and southern Cape Province, with few records as yet from other parts of South Africa and Namibia.