Argasidae (Acari: Ixodida) parasites of wild and domestic animals in Senegal: 1 - Review and distribution

Abstract

A list of argasid ticks occurring in Senegal is given. It includes 11 recognized species (six Argasinae and five Ornithodorinae). Argas (A.) hermanni, A. (Persicargas) persicus and Argas (P.) near walkerae were collected from domestic poultry. A. (P.) arboreus and A. (P.) streptopelia were recorded respectively from egrets and wild doves in different ecological areas in Senegal. Carios (C.) vespertilionis was found associated with insectivorous bats of the genera Tadarida, Taphozous, Scotoecus, Scotophilus and Pipistrellus. A. (Reticulinasus) camicasi were recorded infesting fruit-eating bats of the genus Rousettus, Alectorobius (A.) maritimus was found from breeding sites of terns and A. (A.) capensis associated with terns in the Langue de Barbarie National Park (PNLB) and with pelicans in the Bird National Park of Djoudj (PNOD). A. (Theriodoros) sonrai inhabits the burrows of Sciuromorpha and Myomorpha rodents and is widely distributed in Senegal, Ornithodoros (O.) savignyi is localized in northern Senegal in sandy areas under trees around wells. Two other species of which systematic positions remain to be elucidated are known from nests of pelicans in the Park of Djoudj and from Microchiroptera bats in the sudano-sahelian area. A. (P.) near walkerae and O. (O.) savignyi are reported for the first time in Senegal. The occurrence of A. (A.) maritimus in Senegal is confirmed. The lists of common and incidental hosts are given as well as distribution according to main ecological divisions.