Description of a new species of Ixodes Latreille, 1795 (Acari: Ixodidae), parasite of shrew tenrecs (Afrotheria: Tenrecidae) and rodents (Rodentia: Muridae) on Madagascar.

ABSTRACT

Ixodes (Afrixodes) ambohitantelensis n. sp. (Acari Ixodidae) is described based on females ex endemic shrew tenrecs (Afrosoricida Tenrecidae) and an introduced rodent (Rodentia Muridae) from Madagascar. Females of this new species are similar to those of other species of the subgenus Afrixodes Morel, 1966, known from Madagascar, from which they can be distinguished by the size of scutum, size of scutal setae, shape of alloscutal setae, development of genital apron, size of auriculae, size of anterior angle of basis capituli, size of palpi, dental formula on hypostome, development of syncoxae, and size and development of spurs on coxae I and IV.