Ornithodoros puertoricensis, a New Tick from Rats in Puerto Rico

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Abstract
This n. sp. is closely related to what has been called 0talaje of Mexico, from which it differs particularly in its smaller size and details of the structure of the hood and tarsus I. It is parasitic on domestic rats in San Juan, P.R.; and of 750 living rats examined, more than 25% were found to be infested. Larvae were obtained from trapped rats and when nymphs emerged they were fed upon white rats in the laboratory, and thus reared to maturity. One month to 6 weeks are required for a replete larva to transform to an adult; the feeding of nymphs and adults on rats is accomplished in 20 to 40 min. The number of nymphal stages is not determinate, adults may emerge after the 4th ecdysis or after the 5th ecdysis. A list is given of the other spp. of ticks known to occur in Puerto Rico.
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