Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
small, oval, deep, tilted, and separated from each other by a distance equal to
approximately twice the diameter of one pit. Palpi are quite similar to those of
male except that each segment is comparatively slightly more elongate, and baso-
ventral spur of segment II is blunter and usually somewhat more lateral than that of
male. Hypostome is similar to that of male though slightly more elongate and with
a few more denticles (11
13) in each file.
Scutum: Scutum is from 1.1 to 1.3 times as wide as long, and margins are grad-
ually rounded. Cervical grooves and punctations are similar to those of male.
Genital operculum is sub-quadrate.
Legs: Legs are essentially as in male except that ventral spurs of trochanters are
reduced, those of I and II extending only slightly beyond basal margin and those of
III and IV usually smaller or obsolete.
Nymph (
Figures 2.83 and 2.84
)
59
This stage differs notably from adults in that the palpi are widely salient basolater-
ally and the basoventral spur of segment II is comparatively reduced. Mean body
length is approximately 1.5 mm.
Capitulum: Basis capitulum is dorsally about 2.7 times as wide as long; cornua
are reduced to very short, widely triangular spurs no more than one-fourth as long
as the base of basis capituli. Palpi are widely salient (leachi-type). Hypostome is
almost as long as palpi and stout; lateral outlines are parallel; dental formula is 2/2,
with seven or eight denticles in a file.
Scutum: Cervical grooves are narrow, deep, elongate, slightly converging pits
on anterior one-third and narrow, shallow, and slightly diverging grooves on central
one-third of scutum. Punctations are rare.
Larva (
Figures 2.83 and 2.84
)
59
Capitulum: Basis capitulum is 3 times as wide as long; lateral margins and poste-
rior margin between cornua are straight; cornua are reduced to minute spurs or
rounded angles.
Scutum: Scutum is 1.3 times as wide as long; outline, cervical grooves, and
punctations are as illustrated.
Ecology
59
Available data suggest that this is a forest-inhabiting species. H. hystricis appears
to be a tick of low to intermediate altitudes (near sea level to 7,000 ft elevation),
which in these latitudes are subtropical or comparatively temperate in climatic
character. All carefully documented continental records, as well as that from
Sumatra, are from mountainous areas. In the Ryukyu Islands, authentic data are
from lowlands, and on Taiwan this tick has been recorded from sea level to
7,000 ft altitude. The altitudinal distribution of H. hystricis presumably includes
