A review of some ticks (Acarina: Ixodidae) of sea birds Part II. The taxonomic problems associated with the Ixodes auritulus-percavatus group of species

Abstract

1. Ixodes auritulus group of ticks and Ixodes percavatus group of ticks are both characterized by having the palpal article I drawn out to a horn anteriorly, but in the percavatus group there is a strong meso-dorsal ‘spur’ on this article, which is lacking in the auritulus group.2. The mutilated types of I. auritulus and I. percavatus sp. revocata are re-described and electotypes established for both.3. Variations from I. auritulus sensu stricto are described from Peru and Guatemala, and a revised description given of the male, female and nymph from Snares Island.4. I. percavatus and I. zumpti sp.nov. have been diagnosed from material from Nightingale Island, Tristan da Cunha. Ticks from Marion Island are identified as a new species, I. pterodromae. Female and nymphs from the Paris Museum originally identified by Neumann as I. auritulus now fall into the percavatus group and are named I. cornuae sp.nov.