Zoological Survey of the Union of South Africa. Tick survey. Part IV. Distribution of Rhipicephalus capensis, the Cape brown tick

Abstract

(l) The distribution of R. capensis has been given in terms of political Divisions, as well as in terms of vegetational coverage. (2) R . capensis shows a tendency to become inactive during the April-June period, independently of whether this is the coldest, the wettest or the driest time of the year. From the data available. it is impossible to establish a behaviour pattern for this species. (3) The factors limiting the distribution of R. capensis are difficult to establish. Extreme heat and extreme cold do not affect it. Humidity, in terms of precipitation, alone, does not play an important role- but it would seem that humidity associated with plant coverages does influence the distribution. In scrub country i.e., Karrooveld it would appear that R. capensis can support much greater aridity than it can in grass veld. It is seldom, if ever, present in the open veld of short- or mixed-grasslands; in the tall grass lands it occurs only, apparently, in the moister areas. In these eastern tall grass lands the disturbances in the distribution picture may be ascribed to the dipping practices.