Hyalomma (Hyalommina) kumari

Apanaskevich, Dmitry A., Horak, Ivan G. & Geevarghese, Geevarghese, 2009, The genus Hyalomma Koch, 1844. VIII. Redescription of three Hyalommina Schulze, 1919 species (Acari: Ixodidae) from South Asia with notes on their biology, Zootaxa 2050, pp. 31-55 : 32-34

Hyalomma (Hyalommina) kumari group

( Figs. 1–18 )

Species composition. Hyalomma brevipunctata Sharif, 1928 , H. hussaini Sharif, 1928 and H. kumari Sharif, 1928 .

Description. Male ( Figs. 1 , 2 , 7 , 8 , 13 , 14 )

Conscutum ( Figs. 1 , 7 , 13 ): pale marbling absent; narrowly oval in shape; broadest posterior to midlength; slight narrowing in region of spiracular plates; cervical and lateral grooves shallow, up to 1/4-1/3 length of conscutum; marginal grooves long, almost reaching eyes; posteromedian groove does not reach median festoon (or may reach it in H. hussaini ); paramedian grooves well defined, pit-like; caudal field inconspicuous; parma always absent; 11 distinct festoons. Genital structures ( Figs. 2 A, 8A, 14A) as illustrated. Anal shields ( Figs. 2 B, 8B, 14B): 2 pairs, subanal plates absent; adanal plates short, broad, lateral margin slightly convex or straight, anteromedian margin concave, median projection absent, posteromedian margin straight, posterior margin straight. Sclerotized plaques present ventrally on median and paramedian festoons. Spiracular plate ( Figs. 2 C, 8C, 14C): dorsal prolongation long and not clearly separable from body of plate; perforated portion of prolongation straight, curving at its apex. Circumspiracular setae sparse.

Basis capituli ( Figs. 2 D, E, 8D, E, 14D, E): with prominent lateral projections dorsally and ventrally; dorsal posterior margin straight or slightly concave; cornua modest. Palpi ( Figs. 2 F, 8F, 14F): segment I with 2 or 3 ventromedian setae. Hypostome ( Figs. 2 G, 8G, 14G): club-shaped; denticulate portion nearly twice as long as denticle-free portion (small scale-like projections posterior to last large denticle are not considered denticles).

Coxae ( Figs. 2 H, 8H, 14H): posteromedian and posterolateral spurs of coxae I long, posterolateral spur slightly longer than posteromedian spur, juxtaposed, tapering to apices; median margin of coxae I without triangular projection; coxae II–IV each with distinct, subtriangular posterolateral spur, and with slight, broadly arcuate, posteromedian spur. Segments of legs uniformly yellow- or red-brown.

Female ( Figs. 3 , 4 , 9 , 10 , 15 , 16 )

Scutum ( Figs. 3 , 9 , 15 ): pale marbling absent; slightly longer than broad; posterolateral angles moderate; cervical and lateral grooves shallow, extending medially to posterior margin of scutum. Spiracular plates ( Figs. 4 C, 10C, 16C): perforated portion of dorsal projection curved, broad. Circumspiracular setae sparse.

Basis capituli ( Figs. 4 D, E, 10D, E, 16D, E): with prominent dorsal and ventral lateral projections; dorsal posterior margin very slightly concave or straight; dorsal cornua inconspicuous. Palpi ( Figs. 4 F, 10F, 16F): segment I with 3 or 4 ventromedian setae. Hypostome ( Figs. 4 G, 10G, 16G): club-shaped; denticulate portion nearly twice as long as denticle-free portion.

Coxae ( Figs. 4 H, 10H, 16H): posteromedian and posterolateral spurs of coxa I long, posterolateral spur slightly longer than posteromedian spur, juxtaposed, tapering to apices; median margin of coxae I without triangular projection; coxae II–IV each with distinct, broadly triangular posterolateral spur, with rounded apex; and each with slight, broadly arcuate, posteromedian spur. Segments of legs uniformly yellow- or redbrown.

Nymph ( Figs. 5 , 11 , 17 )

Scutum ( Figs. 5 A, 11A, 17A): posterior margin of scutum broadly rounded. Setae of alloscutum ( Figs. 5 B, 11B, 17B): narrowing to denticulate apex. Spiracular plates ( Figs. 5 C, 11C, 17C): oval; dorsal prolongation indistinct, short, broad, blunt at apex; submarginal row of perforations incomplete.

Basis capituli ( Figs. 5 D, E, 11D, E, 17D, E): subtriangular dorsally with long and acute lateral saliences. Palpi (segment II) ( Figs. 5 D, E, 11D, E, 17D, E): palpal segment II proximally narrow, gradually expanding distally. Hypostome ( Figs. 5 E, 11E, 17E): transition of denticulate portion to denticle-free portion abrupt; denticulate portion approximately 2/3 of hypostome length.

Coxae ( Figs. 5 F, 11F, 17F): coxa I with long, very broad, juxtaposed, subtriangular spurs nearly equal in length; coxae III and IV each with moderate spur, spurs conspicuously decrease in size from coxae II to IV; coxal pore present (at least on coxae I).

Larva ( Figs. 6 , 12 , 18 )

Scutum ( Figs. 6 A, 12A, 18A): posterior margin of scutum broadly rounded; posterolateral depressions absent.

Basis capituli ( Figs. 6 B, C, 12B, C, 18B, C): subtriangular dorsally; apex of dorsolateral projections directed laterally; dorsolateral projections distinct and acute from ventral aspect. Hypostome ( Figs. 6 C, 12C, 18C): transition of denticulate portion to denticle-free portion abrupt; denticulate portion approximately 2/3 of hypostome length.

Coxae ( Figs. 6 D, 12D, 18D): coxa I with large, long triangular spur tapering at apex directed posteriorly or medially; coxae II and III each with slight spur – arcuate on coxae II and triangular on coxae III.

Hosts. All species of the H. kumari group are three-host ticks ( Geevarghese & Dhanda 1987).

The principal hosts of the adults are various wild and domestic ungulates. Carnivores are apparently secondary or occasional hosts. Larvae and nymphs are specific to various groups of small mammals ( Geevarghese & Dhanda 1987; Kaiser & Hoogstraal 1963, 1964; Sharif 1928; Singh & Dhanda 1965). Geographic distribution. South Asia and neighboring regions of Central Asia.

Disease relationships. Little is known about the vector status of the South Asian Hyalommina species, except that the organism causing Q-fever, Coxiella burnetti , has been isolated from H. hussaini in India ( Geevarghese & Dhanda 1987).

Figures

FIGURE 1. Hyalomma brevipunctata, male, conscutum. Scale bar = 1 mm. All setae are omitted.

FIGURE 2. Hyalomma brevipunctata, male. A—genital structures; B—anal plates; C—spiracular plate (a—anterior, d—dorsal); D—gnathosoma dorsally; E—gnathosoma ventrally; F—palp ventrally; G—hypostome; H—coxae. Scale bars: A = 200 μm; B, D, E, H = 500 μm; C, F, G = 400 μm. All setae are omitted except drawing F where only setae of palpal segment IV are omitted.

FIGURE 3. Hyalomma brevipunctata, female, scutum. Scale bar = 1 mm. All setae are omitted.

FIGURE 4. Hyalomma brevipunctata, female. A—genital structures; B—longitudinal cut through preatrial fold of genital aperture schematically (a—anterior, p—posterior); C—spiracular plate (a—anterior, d—dorsal); D—gnathosoma dorsally; E—gnathosoma ventrally; F—palp ventrally; G—hypostome; H—coxae. Scale bars: A = 200 μm; C, F, G = 400 μm; E, D, H = 500 μm. All setae are omitted except drawing F where only setae of palpal segment IV are omitted.

FIGURE 5. Hyalomma brevipunctata, nymph. A—scutum; B—seta of alloscutum; C—spiracular plate (a—anterior, d—dorsal); D—gnathosoma dorsally; E—gnathosoma ventrally; F—coxae. A = 400 μm; B, C = 50 μm; D, E, F = 200 μm. All setae are omitted except drawings D and E where only setae of palpal segment IV are omitted.

FIGURE 6. Hyalomma brevipunctata, larva. A—scutum; B—gnathosoma dorsally; C—gnathosoma ventrally; D—coxae. Scale bars: A = 150 μm; B, C, D = 100 μm. All setae are omitted except drawings B and C where only setae of palpal segment IV are omitted.

FIGURE 7. Hyalomma hussaini, male, conscutum. Scale bar = 1 mm. All setae are omitted.

FIGURE 8. Hyalomma hussaini, male. A—genital structures; B—anal plates; C—spiracular plate (a—anterior, d—dorsal); D—gnathosoma dorsally; E—gnathosoma ventrally; F—palp ventrally; G—hypostome; H—coxae. Scale bars: A = 200 μm; B, D, E, H = 500 μm; C, F, G = 400 μm. All setae are omitted except drawing F where only setae of palpal segment IV are omitted.

FIGURE 9. Hyalomma hussaini, female, scutum. Scale bar = 1 mm. All setae are omitted.

FIGURE 10. Hyalomma hussaini, female. A—genital structures; B—longitudinal cut through preatrial fold of genital aperture schematically (a—anterior, p—posterior); C—spiracular plate (a—anterior, d—dorsal); D—gnathosoma dorsally; E—gnathosoma ventrally; F—palp ventrally; G—hypostome; H—coxae. Scale bars: A = 200 μm; C, F, G = 400 μm; E, D, H = 500 μm. All setae are omitted except drawing F where only setae of palpal segment IV are omitted.

FIGURE 11. Hyalomma hussaini, nymph. A—scutum; B—seta of alloscutum; C—spiracular plate (a—anterior, d—dorsal); D—gnathosoma dorsally; E—gnathosoma ventrally; F—coxae. A = 400 μm; B, C = 50 μm; D, E, F = 200 μm. All setae are omitted except drawings D and E where only setae of palpal segment IV are omitted.

FIGURE 12. Hyalomma hussaini, larva. A—scutum; B—gnathosoma dorsally; C—gnathosoma ventrally; D—coxae. Scale bars: A = 150 μm; B, C, D = 100 μm. All setae are omitted except drawings B and C where only setae of palpal segment IV are omitted.

FIGURE 13. Hyalomma kumari, male, conscutum. Scale bar = 1 mm. All setae are omitted.

FIGURE 14. Hyalomma kumari, male. A—genital structures; B—anal plates; C—spiracular plate (a—anterior, d—dorsal); D—gnathosoma dorsally; E—gnathosoma ventrally; F—palp ventrally; G—hypostome; H—coxae. Scale bars: A = 200 μm; B, D, E, H = 500 μm; C, F, G = 400 μm. All setae are omitted except drawing F where only setae of palpal segment IV are omitted.

FIGURE 15. Hyalomma kumari, female, scutum. Scale bar = 1 mm. All setae are omitted.

FIGURE 16. Hyalomma kumari, female. A—genital structures; B—longitudinal cut through preatrial fold of genital aperture schematically (a—anterior, p—posterior); C—spiracular plate (a—anterior, d—dorsal); D—gnathosoma dorsally; E—gnathosoma ventrally; F—palp ventrally; G—hypostome; H—coxae. Scale bars: A = 200 μm; C, F, G = 400 μm; E, D, H = 500 μm. All setae are omitted except drawing F where only setae of palpal segment IV are omitted.

FIGURE 17. Hyalomma kumari, nymph. A—scutum; B—seta of alloscutum; C—spiracular plate (a—anterior, d—dorsal); D—gnathosoma dorsally; E—gnathosoma ventrally; F—coxae. A = 400 μm; B, C = 50 μm; D, E, F = 200 μm. All setae are omitted except drawings D and E where only setae of palpal segment IV are omitted.

FIGURE 18. Hyalomma kumari, larva. A—scutum; B—gnathosoma dorsally; C—gnathosoma ventrally; D—coxae. Scale bars: A = 150 μm; B, C, D = 100 μm. All setae are omitted except drawings B and C where only setae of palpal segment IV are omitted.