Dorsal view of an engorged female Bothriocroton (Ap.) aurigans(Copyright http://www.nhc.ed.ac.uk). (click on thumbnail for larger image).

Dorsal view of an engorged male Bothriocroton (Ap.) concolor(Copyright http://www.nhc.ed.ac.uk). (click on thumbnail for larger image).

Number of species in genus

6 species (Barker & Murrell 2004, Beati et al. 2008)

Species list

B. (Aponomma) auruginans (Schulze, 1936)
B. (Aponomma) concolor (Neumann, 1899)
B. glebopalma (Keirans, King & Sharrad, 1994)
B. (Aponomma) hydrosauri (Denny, 1834)
B. (Aponomma) oudemansi (Neumann, 1910) 
B. (Aponomma) undatum (Fabricius, 1775)

Identifying features of genus

Adults

• Anal groove: Present and embracing the anus posteriorly 
• Eyes: Absent
• Festoons:  Present and numbering 11
• Hypostomal dentition: in the adults 2/2 or 3/3 with internal row much smaller than other rows
• Basis capituli: Subpentagonal in shape
• Ornamentation: Iridescent ornamentation on the scutum absent, but B. glebopalma and B. undatum have white ornamentation.
• Palpi: Usually elongate, with article 2 being especially long.
• Ventral plates (males only): Absent, but small ventral plaques may be present
• Coxae: With two spurs in all instars
• Trochanters: With a single subterminal ventral spur (absent in B. glebopalma ).
• Hosts: Varanid lizards, wobat (Vombatus and Lasiorhinus species) and echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) 
• Distribution: Australia and New Guinea

Nymphs

Larvae

• Anal groove: Absent
• Palpi: Long with 4 articles
• Festoons: Present and numbering 11
• Number of large wax glands near s6: Three pair of large wax glands between MD2 and MD3 (s6 )
• Tibial setae: ad2 and pd2 on legs 2-3 absent
• Eyes: Absent
• Post hypostomal setae: 1 pair present
• Parma: With lyrifissure pair iSv6 present

Species occuring in New Zealand

As of June 2008 no species from this genus have recorded as being resident in New Zealand

Species that are considered to be a risk

The hosts of Boriocroton are largely reptiles.  It is therefore unlikely that members of this genus will gain entry to New Zealand via attachment to humans and/or compainion aninals such as dogs and cats.  Furthermore the movement of reptiles into New Zealand via the pet trade is small.  It is therfore considered  Bothriocroton are unlikely to gain entry into New Zealand and are not considered to be of a high risk.  However, if a Bothriocroton species did establish in New Zealand it is possible that it would pose a risk to our reptile fauna.

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Species previously intercepted at border

Region of origin/species

Australia: B. (Aponomma) hydrosauri

General comments

Species in the genus Bothriocroton were traditionally assigned to Aponomma.  However based on the evidence presented in Klompen et al. (2002) 5 species of Australian Aponomma were transferred to the genus Bothriocroton while the remaining 20 species of Aponomma were transferred into the genus Amblyomma.  Although B. (Aponomma) hydrosauri has been intercepted at New Zealands border it is unlikely that members of Boriocroton present a significant threat to New Zealands Animal production systems.  However, members of this genus may potentially represent a threat to herptiles that are endemic to New Zealand

• Restricted to Australia and New Guinea
• Hosts include varanid lizards, wombat and echidna
• Not known to vector any diseases
  

Useful references

Barker SC & Murrell A  2004.  Systematics and evolution of ticks with a list of valid genus and species names.  Parasitology, 129: S15-S36.

Camicas, JL, hervy JP, Adam, F & Morel PC 1998.  Les Tiques de Monde.  Nomenclature, stades decrits, hotes, repartition.  The ticks of the world.  Nomenclature, described stages, hosts, distribution (Acarida, Ixodida). France , Orstom Editions.

Horack IG, Camicas, J-L & Kierans, JE 2002. The Argasidae, Ixodidae and Nuttalliellidae (Acari: Ixodida): a world list of valid tick names.  Experimental and Applied Acarology, 28: 27-54.