The taxonomic status of the species of the genera Rhipicephalus Koch and Boophilus Curtice (Acarina: Ixodidae) occurring in Australia.

Abstract

A taxonomic study has been made of the species of Rhipicephalus Koch and Boophilus Curtice occurring in Australia. It was concluded that only one species of each genus is present and determination of these as R. sanguineus (Latreille) and B. microplus (Canestrini) respectively, was confirmed. A redescription is given of the male, female, nymph, and larva of each species based on Australian material, the morphological variations observed are noted, and the host range and geographical distribution are discussed.