Notes on Ticks. IV. Relating to the Genus Ixodes and including a description of three new Species and two new Varieties

Abstract

Female (Fig. 1): Colour: scutum, basis capituli, coxae, distal parts of femur and proximal portions of tarsi and intervening articles are blackish brown, the remaining hard parts shading to yellowish-brown. (Dorsal aspect) Body (partly gorged) short and broad. Scutum about as long as broad, 0·87 × 0·85 mm., very slightly emarginated, with rounded scapular angles, antero-lateral borders almost straight, lateral angles situated at the anterior third of the length, posterior border rounded; cervical grooves deep, far apart, but slightly concave outwardly and slightly divergent, fading near the postero-lateral borders; surface glossy, somewhat rugose; punctations few, mostly fine. Capitulum with base roughly equilateral-triangular, short pointed cornua and sinuous dorsal ridge; porose areas not depressed, subcircular, near ridge, the interval less than their width and hollowed. Palps slender, article 1 small, articles 1–2 almost fused, broadest at the distal third of article 3 which is rounded distally; (Ventral aspect) hypostome club-shaped, 4|4 merging to 3|3 and 2|2 posteriorly where the median unarmed ridge broadens, teeth sharp, 12 per external file; basis capituli constricted where the short pointed recurved auriculae arise, posterior margin straight with rounded angles. Venter: vulva between coxae II; anal grooves form a small closed ring situate near the posterior border; spiracle ovoid, macula central. Legs slender; coxa I with short internal and stout external spur; stout external spurs on coxae II–IV progressively decreasing in size; trochanters with slight spurs; tarsus 4 tapering gradually, the distal pseudo-article about thrice as long as the basal; pads large but shorter than the claws.