Description of Madathamugadia hiepei n. sp. (nematoda: Splendidofilariinae), a parasite of a South African gecko, and its development in laboratory bred Phlebotomus dubosqi (Diptera: Psychodidae)

Madathamugadia hiepei n. sp., Splendidofilariinae, a parasite of a South African gecko Pachydactylus turneri is described together with its development obtained experimentally in Phlebotomus duboscqi (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae). This new species differs from the two small, more highly evolved groups with a short tail and atrophied postcloacal papillae, the first group consisting of two Madagascan species, M. zonosauri and M. hopluri, parasites of the Gerrhosauridae and Iguanidae, and the second containing three species from the Ethiopian Region, M. huambensis, M. versterae and M. bissani, parasites of the Scincidae. It also differs from M. ineichi, the most primitive species of the genus (cuticularised buccal capsule, no atrophy of head papillae and largest number of precloacal papillae), a parasite of the Cordylidae in South Africa. M. hiepei is close to the two species parasitic in the Gekkonidae of the Mediterranean subregion, M. ivaschkini and M. wanjii, all three of which have a post-oesophageal vulva. However, the new species can be distinguished from the Mediterranean parasites by (a) the shorter oesophagus, (b) the number and position of the cloacal papillae and (c) the microfilaria. The three filariae of this group and M. ineichi, the only ones of which aspects of the life-cycles are known, experimentally develop in phlebotomine sand flies.

Molineus cati n. sp. (Nematoda, Trichostrongylina, Molineoidea), a parasite of feral cats, Felis catus Linnaeus, 1758 in South Africa

A new species of the genus Molineus Cameron, 1923 was recovered from feral cats, Felis catus Linnaeus, 1758, in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. Because of a caudal bursa with rays of the 2-1-2 type, but with the extremities of rays 4 nearer those of rays 3 than those of rays 5, the new species is closely related to seven Neotropical Molineus spp., four parasitic in Primates, two parasitic in Mustelidae and one a parasite of Procyonidae. Amongst these species, only Molineus barbaris Cameron, 1936, a parasite of Tayra barbara (Mustelidae) from Trinidad and Molineus vexillarius (Dunn, 1961), a parasite of Tamarinus nigricollis (Primates) from Peru have rays 4 longer than two-thirds the length of rays 3, like the new species. However, the new species is differentiated from the other two in that rays 9 arise at the level of the bifurcation of the dorsal ray and not after the division as is the case with M. barbaris and M. vexillarius.

Leiperia cincinnalis Sambon, 1922 (Pentastomida) from Nile crocodiles Crocodylus niloticus in the Kruger National Park, South Africa, with a description of the male

A single male and several adult females of the pentastomid Leiperia cincinnalis were recovered from the trachea of five of six Nile crocodiles examined in 1995 and 1998. Infective larvae, pre-adult males and females, as well as mature males, occurred in clusters in the pulmonary artery but infective larvae and pre-adult females were also occasionally taken from the lungs. Irrespective of the developmental stage, the intensity of infection was 3, 6, 48, 72 and 79. Sixty-four percent of eggs recovered from the posterior part of the uterus of a patent L. cincinnalis female contained fully-developed primary larvae and these were used to infect 24 Mozambique bream Oreochromis mossambicus. Within a week of infection all the fish died and hatched primary larvae were recovered from the stomach and anterior part of the intestine. Eggs that had not hatched were found to be unsegmented. The total primary larval count in seven fish was 18, 12, 1, 25, 16, >40 and >50. Descriptions with detailed measurements are given of the females, the males, the eggs, the primary larvae and the infective larvae of L. cincinnalis.

Selected chemical parameters in the blood and metals in the organs of the Nile crocodile, Crocodylus Niloticus, in the Kruger National Park

Healthy and sick crocodiles of varying sizes were examined from the Olifants River in the central part of the Kruger National Park, the Sabi River in the southern part and the Shingwedzi River in the northern region. Blood was collected for the determination of certain parameters and samples of fat, muscle, kidney and liver tissue were collected and analyzed for their heavy metal content. The results of the blood analyses are within the range recorded in the literature, but the metal analyses were inconclusive as similar data are not available for comparison. The results of the metal analyses are presented here for use as baseline and reference data.

A check-list of the nematode parasites of South African Serpentes (snakes) and Sauria (lizards)

Published records, in combination with own data have been brought together to provide data on parasite/host relationships of reptiles that occur in the Republic of South Africa. A total of 62 nematode species belonging to 23 genera and 11 families are recorded from 20 snake and 21 lizard species. The genera Kalicephalus, Spauligodon, Ophidascaris and Abbreviata are especially well represented with between five and eight species per genus. The most nematode species were recorded from the flap-neck chameleon, Chamaeleo dilepis (eight), the puff-adder, Bitis arietans (eight) and the water monitor, Varanus niloticus (seven). All synonyms of parasites and hosts are given.

Parasites of South African wildlife. XVI. Helminths of some antelope species from the Eastern and Western Cape Provinces

The numbers and species of helminths recovered from one black wildebeest, Connochaetes gnou, three eland, Taurotragus oryx, 18 mountain reedbuck, Redunca fulvorufula, one red hartebeest, AIcelaphus buselaphus and two springbok, Antidorcas marsupialis, in the Mountain Zebra National Park, Eastern Cape Province; two black wildebeest, two grey rhebuck, Pelea capreolus, two mountain reedbuck and four springbok in the Karoo National Park, Western Cape Province; two bontebok, Damaliscus pygargus dorcas, two eland, two gemsbok, Oryx gazella and two springbok in the West Coast National Park, Western Cape Province; and a single springbok on a farm near Bredasdorp, Western Cape Province, are recorded. Nematodes belonging to a total of 12 genera and 20 species were identified. A single cestode was also recovered. Sixteen new host associations are recorded for the nematodes and one for the cestode Moniezia benedeni. Nematodirus spathiger had the widest host spectrum and with the exception of black wildebeest, was collected from all the host species examined.

Paraquimperia Africana n. sp (Nematoda : Quimperiidae), a new intestinal parasite of the eel Anguilla mossambica Peters, in South Africa

A new seuratoid nematode of the family Quimperiidae, Paraquimperia africana n. sp., is described from the small intestine of the longfin eel, Anguilla mossambica Peters, from the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The new species is characterized mainly by the presence of a ventral sucker in mature males, short spicules (147-171 microm), the number and arrangement of caudal papillae, the postesophageal position of the excretory pore, and by the slender female tail. In this new species, a variability in the number (3-5 pairs) of subventral preanal papillae was observed. Paraquimperia africana is the first representative of the genus in Africa. In view of recent reports, Paraquimperia aditum (Mueller, 1934) is considered a junior synonym of Paraquimperia tenerrima (Linstow, 1878). Paraquimperia xenentodonia Gupta and Bakshi, 1984 is considered a species inquirenda.

Experimental studies with Stronglyloides papillosus in goats

Unusual clinical and pathological observations in the field in goats and sheep suffering from Strongyloides papillosus infection prompted experimental work on this parasite. Goats were infected percutaneously with either single or multiple, low or high levels of S. papillosus. Young goats up to 12 months of age were found to be the most susceptible. Some animals, however, showed substantial resistance to infective doses. Clinical signs included transient diarrhoea, misshapen, elongated faecal pellets terminally, dehydration, anorexia, cachexia, gnashing of teeth, foaming at the mouth, anaemia and nervous signs such as ataxia, a wide-based stance, stupor and nystagmus. A 'pushing syndrome' was seen in 22% of the animals. The pathological changes are described and included enteritis, status spongiosus in the brain, hepatosis leading to rupture of the liver, nephrosis, pulmonary oedema, interstitial pneumonia and pneumonia. About 6% of the goats died acutely from fatal hepatic rupture. The development of an acquired immunity was determined. The immunity elicited an allergic skin reaction at the application site of larvae or injection sites of larval metabolites. This immunity, however, could be breached by large doses of larvae. The most profound clinicopathological changes induced by the parasites were an anaemia (most pronounced in the young goats) and hypophosphataemia. Trace element analyses provided evidence of Cu, Mn and possibly Se deficiencies in some goats.

Pentastomid infections in Nile crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus) in the Kruger National Park, South Africa, with a description of the males of Alofia simpsoni

Two Nile crocodiles were obtained from two different localities in the Kruger National Park, one a healthy specimen, the other in a severely debilitated condition. Both were males over 3 m long and both harboured the three pentastome genera Sebekia, Alofia and Leiperia. The genus Sebekia was represented by three species, Sebekia wedli Giglioli, 1922, Sebekia cesarisi Giglioli, 1922 and Sebekia okavangoensis Riley & Huchzermeyer, 1995. Of the genus Alofia two species, Alofia simpsoni Riley, 1994 and Alofia nilotici Riley & Huchzermeyer, 1995 were found. The male of A. simpsoni, formerly unknown, is described and the description of the females emended. Leiperia cincinnalis Sambon, 1922 was the only Leiperia present. Whereas Sebekia and Alofia were recovered from the bronchioles and lung parenchyma, female Leiperia occurred in the trachea and bronchi, and infective larvae as well as immature males and females, were collected from the lungs, the heart and the aorta. Adult Subtriquetra (Family Subtriquetridae) were not present in the nasopharynx of either crocodile. The intensity of infection was low in the healthy crocodile and had no negative effect on the host. In contrast, the debilitated crocodile was heavily infected and its poor condition is ascribed to its high pentastome burden. Histopathology revealed lesions in the tracheal wall and the lungs accompanied by chronic granulomata with secondary fungal infection as well as severe chronic multifocal granulomatous pneumonia.

Experimental studies on the life-cycle of Sebekia wedli (Pentastomida: Sebekidae)

Four young Nile crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus) were infected with infective pentastome larvae obtained from naturally infected Mozambique bream, Oreochromis mossambicus, and red-breasted bream, Tilapia rendalli swierstrai in the Kruger National Park. At day 95 post infection one of the crocodiles died and three female and four male S. wedli were recovered from its lungs. One pair was found in copula but the uteri of the females were not yet developed. Males and females were of about equal size. After 226 d post infection the three remaining crocodiles were sacrificed. Two of these harboured no pentastomes but eight were taken from the lungs of the third. The sex ratio had shifted in favour of the females, seven females and one male being present. One of the females recovered from the crocodiles was placed in saline and produced 3,400 eggs. These were used to infect eight guppies, Poecilia reticulata. Within 31 d two infective stages of S. wedli had developed in one of the guppies thus completing the life-cycle of the pentastome. S. wedli recovered from experimentally infected final hosts were slightly smaller than those recovered from a wild-caught final host.

Pentastomid infections in cichlid fishes in the Kruger National Park and the description of the infective larva of Subtriquetra rileyi n. sp

During 1995, studies were conducted on the pentastome fauna of the cichlid fishes Tilapia rendalli and Oreochromis mossambicus in the Kruger National Park. The prevalence of infective pentastome larvae was 40.5% in T. rendalli and 9.2% in O. mossambicus. Encapsulated nymphs of Leiperia cincinnalis were taken from the mesentery, while Sebekia wedli was either encapsulated or free-living in the swim bladder. The subtriquetrids moved about freely in the swim bladder. L. cincinnalis was present in 0.5% of T. rendalli and 0.8% of O. mossambicus and additional descriptions and measurements of the nymphs are presented. S. wedli was present in 2.5% of O. mossambicus and a new Subtriquetra species, for which the name Subtriquetra riley n. sp. is proposed, in 7.5%. This ratio in T. rendalli was 40.5% and 2.2%, respectively. Of the infected T. rendalli, 89% harboured one or two sebekiid larvae, while a single fish harboured eight. Fish infected with S. rileyi contained only one larva each. The condition factor of infected T. rendalli was compared statistically to that of uninfected fish and no significant difference found. However, infected fish were significantly shorter and lighter than uninfected ones. S. rileyi differs from the other three known Subtriquetra spp., Subtriquetra subtriquetra, Subtriquetra megacephala and Subtriquetra shipleyi in both hook size and annulus counts. Furthermore, S. subtriquetra occurs in South American crocodilians (Riley 1986), and S. megacephala and S. shipleyi in crocodilians in India (Fain 1961). This is the first record of the genus occurring in Africa and although adult specimens of S. rileyi n. sp. were not obtained, we assume that the new species is specific to Nile crocodiles.

Parasites of domestic and wild animals in South Africa. XXXV. Ixodid ticks and bot fly larvae in the Bontebok National Park

Ixodid ticks were collected during February of each year from 1983-1992 from bontebok and grey rhebok in the Bontebok National Park, Western Cape Province. When available other mammals as well as ground-nesting birds and leopard tortoises were examined. Eleven tick species were recovered. Rhipicephalus nitens followed by Rhipicephalus glabroscutatum and an Ixodes sp. (near I. pilosus) were the most abundant, while Amblyomma marmoreum infested the widest host range. The larvae of three bot files were also collected. Gedoelstia sp. and Strobiloestrus sp. larvae were recovered from bontebok and grey rhebok and larvae of Oestrus ovis only from grey rhebok.

Spauligodon timbavatiensis n. sp. (Nematoda: Pharyngodonidae) from Pachydactylus turneri (Sauria: Gekkonidae) in the northern province, South Africa

Spauligodon timbavatiensis n. sp. (Nematoda: Pharyngodonidae) from the large intestine of Pachydactylus turneri (Sauria: Gekkonidae) in the Northern Province (RSA) is described and illustrated. It is the fifth species in the Ethiopian region, the others being Spauligodon smithi from Pachydactylus bibronii and Spauligodon petersi from Mabuya sulcata, both in the Northern Cape Province, South Africa, Spauligodon morgani from Mabuya striata in Malawi, and Spauligodon dimorpha from Chamaeleo pardalis in Madagascar. The males of the new species differ from S. smithi in that the adcloacal papillae are single (bifid in S. smithi), from S. petersi in the presence of a spicule and having narrow lateral alae (wide and triangular in S. petersi) and from S. dimorpha and S. morgani in having a spicule. Furthermore, S. timbavatiensis differs from S. morgani in lacking spines on the tail. The females of the new species have a long tail and truncated egg ends as opposed to the short, spiky tail and pointed eggs of S. morgani, a spiny tail and truncated eggs as opposed to the smooth tail and pointed eggs of S. petersi and a longer oesophagus than S. smithi. Furthermore, the females of S. dimorpha and S. morgani are much larger than those of S. timbavatiensis. In addition, the excretory pore opens behind the posterior end of the oesophageal bulb in the new species, while in S. smithi and S. dimorpha it opens at the level of the end of the oesophageal bulb.

Helminths and bot fly larvae of wild ungulates on a game ranch in central province, Zambia

Helminths and bot fly larvae were collected from 11 wild ungulate species on a game ranch in the Central Province of Zambia. New host-parasite records are: Calicophoron sp. from defassa waterbuck Kobus ellipsiprymnus defassa and Kafue lechwe Kobus leche kafuensis; Avitellina centripunctata, Gaigeria pachyscelis and Gedoelstia cristata from tsessebe Damaliscus lunatus lunatus; Cooperia rotundispiculum from common reedbuck Redunca arundinum; Dictyocaulus filaria from greater kudu Tragelaphus strepsiceros; Dictyocaulus sp. from tsessebe and defassa waterbuck and Strobiloestrus sp. from sable antelope Hippotragus niger. Most of the other parasites collected are first records for Zambia and thus extend the distribution ranges of several species.

Parasites of South African wildlife. XV. Helminths of scrub hares, Lepus saxatilis in the Kruger National Park

A total of 145 scrub hares from three localities in the Kruger National Park were examined for helminths: 124 at Skukuza, 15 at Shingwedzi, and three each at Pretoriuskop and Pafuri. Trichostrongylus deflexus was the most prevalent and most abundant nematode, and was collected from hares from all four localities. Trichostrongylus falculatus was present in three localities. Trichostrongylus thomasi and Dermatoxys vlakhaasi occurred only at Skukuza in 50 and 23%, respectively, of the hares examined. The cestode Mosgovoyia pectinata and the nematode genus Impalaia were each recovered from three localities and Cooperia hungi from two. There was no apparent seasonal pattern of abundance of the worms, and the intensities of infection of male and female hares were similar. With the exception of D. vlakhaasi, all the helminths recovered in this study represent new records for scrub hares in South Africa.

Parafilariosis in African buffaloes (Syncerus caffer)

This is the first report on the occurrence of Parafilaria bassoni in the African buffalo (Syncerus caffer). Previously this parasite has been recorded only in springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis) in Namibia. Haemorrhagic perforations (bleeding points), the usual lesions seen in infected animals, were caused by gravid female parasites ovipositing embryonated eggs. These lesions occurred mainly on the dorsal and lateral sides of buffaloes. Complications of these lesions developed in a small number of buffaloes because of secondary bacterial infection [subcutaneous abscesses (3/178)] and as a consequence of a localized Type 1 hypersensitivity [large cutaneous ulcers (7/178)]. Red-billed oxpeckers (Buphagus erythrorynchus) appeared to play an important role in the epidemiology of this parasite as well as in the pathogenesis of the lesions. They reduced the likelihood of spread by ingesting blood containing embryonated eggs, and caused the development of large ulcers by feeding on superficial necrotic skin. From the results of an ELISA test it was determined that P. bassoni-infected buffaloes occur throughout the Kruger National Park complex, with a seroprevalence of approximately 34%.

Parasites of South African wildlife. XIV. Helminths of nyalas (Tragelaphus angasii) in the Mkuzi Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal

The helminthis of 58 nyalas (Tragelaphus angasil) culled in the Mkuzi Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal, during March 1991, and six culled during March 1994, were collected, identified and counted. Of these, an as yet undescribed Camelostrongylus sp., Cooperia hungl. an Onchocerca sp., Strongyloides papillosus and Moniezia benedeni are new parasite records. The individual nematode burdens of the antelope examined during March 1991 varied from one to 2327, and the total mean adult gastro-intestinal-nematode burden was 586. Those examined during March 1994 had burdens that varied from 322 to 1778, with a mean of 854. The two Camelostrongylus spp. were the most prevalent nematodes in the nyalas culled during 1991, while the trematode Cotylophoron jacksoni was most prevalent in those culled during 1994. The most numerous nematode in nyala calves during 1991 was a Cooperia rotundispiculum race, while the two Camelstrongylus 5pp. were most numerous in the adult and sub-adult nyalas from both surveys. No clear trends between rainfall and nematode burdens were evident, or was there any correlation between faecal nematode egg counts and nematode burdens. Contrary to what was observed in an earlier survey, female nyalas had larger nematode burdens than the males.

Aberrant migration of Ancylostoma caninum to the os penis of a dog

A male pitbull terrier was presented with a history of stranguria and depression. On clinical and radiological examination a suspected necrogranuloma of the caudal os penis, which obstructed the urethra, was found. The necrogranuloma was removed surgically and contained blood and necrotic tissue as well as several adult male and female Ancylostoma caninum worms. The urethral obstruction resulted in post-renal azotaemia, hydronephrosis and eventually bladder rupture. A rare case of aberrant migration of A. caninum to the os penis of a dog is described.

Parasites of domestic and wild animals in South Africa. XXXIV. Arthropod parasites of nyalas in north-eastern KwaZulu-Natal

Seventy-three nyalas (Tragelaphus angasii) in the Umfolozi, Mkuzi and Ndumu Game Reserves in northeastern KwaZulu-Natal were examined for arthropod parasites during 1983 and 1984. In addition, six animals were examined during 1994. Ten ixodid tick species, two louse species and a louse fly species were recovered. The nyalas were good hosts of all stages of development of Boophilus decoloratus, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus and Rhipicephalus muehlensi and the immature stages of Amblyomma hebraeum and Rhipicephalus maculatus. Adult male animals harboured more adult ticks, biting lice and louse flies than did adult females. B. decoloratus was generally most abundant from October to May. The larvae of R. appendiculatus peaked from April to October, nymphs from July to October and adults, on adult male nyalas, from February to May. Larvae of R. maculatus were most abundant from May to July and nymphs from June to October. The immature stages of A. hebraeum and all stages of R. muehlensi were present throughout the year.

Parasites of South African freshwater fish. VII. Nematodes of some scaled fishes from the Hartbeespoort Dam, Transvaal

The nematode parasites of 16 large-scaled yellowfish, Barbus marequensis, six silverfish, Barbus mattozi, six small-scaled yellowfish, Barbus polylepis, 52 canary kurper, Chetia flaviventris, 11 carp, Cyprinus carpio, 45 Mozambique bream, Oreochromis mossambicus and a single-banded bream, Tilapia sparrmani, caught in the Hartbeespoort Dam, Transvaal, were collected, identified and counted. Contracaecum spp. larvae were recovered from one O. mossambicus, 40 Chetia flaviventris, three Cyprinus carpio, one B. marequensis and five B. mattozi, Rhabdochona esseniae from five B. marequensis, Rhabdochona spp. from one O. mossambicus and four Cyprinus carpio, and unidentified nematode larvae from two O. mossambicus, three Chetia flaviventris, two Cyprinus carpio and from the single T. sparrmani. Burdens in the infected fishes were generally small, and small-scaled yellowfish did not harbour any worms. Only Mozambique bream and canary kurper were caught at regular intervals, but even in these species no pattern of seasonal prevalence of the nematodes was evident.

Eight new Afrotropical Spinitectus spp. (Nematoda: Cystidicolidae) from freshwater fishes with a key to the members of the genus in the region

Seven new species of the genus Spinitectus Fourment, 1883, recovered from several species of freshwater fishes from West and Central Africa, are described. The eighth species, Spinitectus allaeri Campana-Rouget, 1961 recorded by Moravec (1974) in Egypt, is assigned to Spinitectus moraveci n. sp. The new and known species have been divided into three groups according to the number of spines in the first row behind the anterior end. The Spinitectus spp. in Group A have fewer than 20 spines in the first row and the group contains Spinitectus mormyri Campana-Rouget, 1961, Spinitectus thurstonae Ogden, 1967 and Spinitectus micropectus n. sp. Those in Group B have between 20 and 40 spines in the first row and comprise the species S. allaeri, Spinitectus menzalei Hugot, 1979, Spinitectus maleficius n. sp., Spinitectus macilentus n. sp., Spinitectus minusculus n. sp., Spinitectus macherius n. sp., Spinitectus mucronatus n. sp. and Spinitectus moraveci n. sp. Group C species have more than 45 spines in the first row and consist of Spinitectus polli Campana-Rouget, 1961, Spinitectus petterae Boomker, 1993, Spinitectus zambezensis Boomker, 1993, and Spinitectus monstrosus n. sp. The species that are quite distinctive are S. mucronatus, which has characteristic spinulation and lateral floats on the eggs; S. monstrosus, which has characteristic spinulation and an exceptionally long left spicule; S. micropectus, which has approximately 80 rows of large spines and six post-cloacal papillae and S. maleficius, that has approximately 20 rows of large spines and seven post-cloacal papillae. The remaining species can be differentiated by the number of spines in the first row, the number of post-cloacal papillae, the number of labial papillae and, in the females, the distance between the anus and the vulva and the position of the gravid uterine coils in relation to the anterior end. S. moraveci differs from S. allaeri in that the first six rows of spines are raised, giving the anterior end an inflated appearance, in the number of post-cloacal papillae, and in that the distance between the anus and the vulva is considerably shorter. There are distinct morphological similarities between the Spinitectus species recovered from Heterobranchus isopterus and/or Clarias vanderhorsti (Clariidae) in Liberia, Ivory Coast and Sierra Leone, those recovered from Mormyrus spp. (Mormyridae) in western Zaire, Angola and Cameroon, and those recovered from Mastacembelus spp. (Mastacembelidae) in eastern Zaire.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Helminth and arthropod parasites of indigenous goats in the northern Transvaal

Helminth and arthropod parasites of 60 female indigenous goats of three age groups on a farm in the northern Transvaal were collected, identified and counted. Anoplocephalid tapeworms were present in the two younger groups of goats, while larvae of Taenia hydatigena were recovered from all three groups. Eight species and two genera of nematodes were found in the youngest goats, five species and three genera in the middle group and six species and two genera in the oldest goats. Strongyloides papillosus was the most numerous and most prevalent nematode in the youngest goats, while Haemonchus contortus was most numerous and most prevalent in both older groups. Adult H. contortus was most abundant during the summer months, while S. papillosus occurred in the youngest goats during the cooler months (April to September). No pattern of seasonal abundance could be established for the other nematodes. Only ixodid ticks were recovered and of the nine species present, the immature stages of Amblyomma hebraeum were most numerous and prevalent. Boophilus decoloratus was present from October to January and in August, and the adults of a Rhipicephalus sp. (near R. pravus) from January to March and during May. Rhipicephalus simus was present from October to January.