Dorsal and ventral views of a male and female Rhipicentor bicornis with identifying features of the genus Rhipicentor arrowed (Copyright Nuttall and Warburton 1908) (click on thumbnail for larger image).

Ventral view of a male Rhipicentor bicornis (Copyright Walker et al 2003, 2007) (click on thumbnail for larger image).

Number of species in genus

2 species (Barker & Murrell 2004)

Species list

Rhipicen. bicornis Nuttall & Warburton, 1908
Rhipicen. nuttalli Cooper & Robinson, 1908

Identifying features of genus

Adults

• Anal groove: Present and embracing the anus posteriorly
• Eyes: Present
• Festoons: Present
• Basis capituli: Hexagonal with prominent lateral angles
• Ornamentation: Inornate
• Palpi:  Short and and about as long as basis capituli
• Coxae: All coxa with two spurs 
• Ventral plates (males only): without ventral plates
• Coxa 4 (Males): bearing two long spurs

Larvae

• Anal groove: Absent
• Palpi: Short (length < 2x width)
• Lateral large wax glands: Present and located between setae s6 (Md3) and S1 (Md5)
• Added or additional large wax glands: None
• Festoons: Present and numbering 9
• Eyes: Present
• Post hypostomal setae: 1 pair present

Species occuring in New Zealand

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

Species previously intercepted at border

As of June 2009 no species from this genus have been intercepted at New Zealands border

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General comments

Rare genera that is unlikely to be intercepted at New Zealands borders

• Only occurs in Central and Southern Africa
• Hosts of adults typically large mammals, including domestic dogs, cattle, donkeys etc
• Hosts of immature life stages are smaller mammals
• Rhipicen. nuttalli can cause paralysis in dogs
  

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.