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MUSEUM (NATURAL HISTORY) —

ORI EXPEDITION

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THE TRUSTEES OF ee

$

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MADE AND PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN BY

JARROLD AND SONS, LTD., NORWICH AND LONDON

2. SIPHONAPTERA

By Dr. Kari Jorpan, F.R.S.

(With 6 Text-Figures and Plate IV)

TuouGH the collection of fourteen species represents but a small percentage

of the fleas occurring in the countries visited by the Expedition, the material

is nevertheless of particular interest, not only containing four new species,1

but enabling us to supplement the original accounts of several of the other

species. No fewer than five of the fourteen species belong to Ctenophthalmus

Kolenati; the fact that two of them are new may be taken as evidence that

still more species of this genus await discovery in tropical Africa. The distri-

bution of Ctenophthalmus presents a puzzling problem, there being two centres:

1. The Palaearctic Region with very numerous species, a few occurring

as far south as North Africa and Burma, a single one being found in the Ne-

arctic Region, and none being known from Japan, Southern India, the Malay

Archipelago and Australia.

2. Tropical Africa with eighteen species and some subspecies, none

of them very closely related to Palaearctic species, only one species being found

in South Africa.

The area of the Aethiopian species is separated from the Palaearctic centre

of distribution by the Sahara without any Ctenophthalmus and the Mediter-

ranean belt with but few species of the genus. We have here the interesting

contradiction that in the Oriental Region the genus avoids the tropics, whereas

in Africa it flourishes in the tropical districts and is poorly represented in the

temperate south; a puzzle as yet unsolved.

The genera Dinopsyllus and Xiphopsylla, of which several species were

collected, are purely Aethiopian, and the new bat-flea is likewise of an Aethio-

pian type.

Xenopsylla brasiliensis Baker 1904

UGANDA: Ruwenzori, Kilembe, on Avrvicanthis abyssinicus, 15 3g, 12 9.

Xenopsylla cheopis Rothschild 1903

UGANDA: Ruwenzori, Kilembe, on Arvicanthis abyssinicus, I 3.

1 Preliminary diagnoses of these four species were published by the author in 1937 (Novita-

tes Zool., 40: 329-332), the full descriptions being given here for the first time.

1, 2

42 RUWENZORI EXPEDITION

Ctenocephalides felis strongylus Jordan 1925

Ucanpa: Mt. Sabinio, Kigezi, on Lophuromys aquilus, 1 3.

Ctenophthalmus singularis Jordan 1936

Kenya: East side of Mt. Elgon, 11,000 ft., on Otomys tropicalis elgonis, I 3,

2 2; Otomys jacksoni, 3 3 2 2. Originally described from specimens obtained

on Mt. Elgon.

Ctenophthalmus cabirus Jordan and Rothschild 1913

UGANDA: Ruwenzori, Kilembe, on Arvicanthus abyssinicus, 4 3; Lemnis-

comys striatus, 2 3,42; Otomys bacchante, 2 3; Lophuromys aquilus, 1 31 9.

Ctenophthalmus eumeces Jordan and Rothschild 1913

KENYA: East side of Mt. Elgon, 11,000 ft., 11.1935, on Rhabdomys pumilio

diminutus, 1 3; Otomys tropicalis elgonis, I &.

IXst-\

Fig. 1.—Ctenophthalmus stenurus Jordan.

Ctenophthalmus stenurus Jordan 1937 (Text-Fig. 1)

A near relation of Ct. ewmeces Jordan and Rothschild 1913, differs very

markedly in the genitalia. Process P of clasper (Text-Fig. 1), very broad,

SIPHONAPTERA 43

truncate, apical margin straight, without the sinus present in Cé. ewmeces; a row

of six long bristles, four close to apical margin, one near rounded ventral angle

and the sixth at ventral margin; on upper half of apical margin about eight

slender bristles, some of them on outside, the others on inside of margin. The

finger F of the clasper is the same type as in Ct. ewmeces, but very much narrower

in its apical half, while in the lower half it is strongly convex on the posterior

(= ventral) side; the elongate-triangular apical setiferous portion bears

dorsally seven spiniform bristles on one finger and eight on the other; at the

ventral margin there is a cluster of three or four thin bristles a short distance

from lower angle of P and three more between this cluster and apex. Ventral

arm of IX.st. broader and shorter than in Ct. ewmeces, being especially broad

proximally; at margin about eight bristles, of which two are long, three smallish

and three short, on side seven thin short ones. Phallosome of the ewmeces-type,

the dorsal and ventral apical hooks longer.

Length 2-6 mm.; hind-femur 0-41 mm.

Kenya: East side of Mt. Elgon, 11,000 ft., ii.1935, on Rhabdomys pumilio

diminutus, I 3g.

Se =

IX. st “Vin. st.

—

Fig. 2.—Ctenophthalmus edwardsi Jordan.

Ctenophthalmus edwardsi Jordan 1937 (Text-Figs. 2, 3)

A third species of group A (cf. Nov. Zool. 1913, 20: 545), agreeing with the

diagnosis of the group except in the number of bristles on the metepimerum

44 RUWENZORI EXPEDITION

being sometimes reduced to nine. As in Ct. audax Jordan and Roths-

child 1913 and Ct. triodontus Rothschild 1907, the first and second genal spines

are much broader than in other species, the second spine being almost round

at apex (these spines, by a pen-slip, are referred to as bristles in the description

of Ct. audax), and the subapical ventral bristle on the innerside of the mid- and

hind-femora is slender. The species differs much in the modified segments.

g. Process P of the clasper (Text-Fig. 2), as broad as dorsally long, ventrally

and dorsally slightly rounded and apically truncate, close to dorsal and ventral

Fig. 3.—Ctenophthalmus edwardsi Jordan. 9.

apical angles a small sinus; a transverse row of four long strong bristles, the

upper two lateral, the third submarginal and the fourth marginal; dorsally a

patch of about six slender bristles. Sclerite F unlike that of any other African

species; roughly triangular, almost gradully widening from base, posterior

(= ventral) margin a little longer than anterior margin and this a little longer

than apical one; the apex medianly strongly convex, and between this convex

portion and the ventral angle more or less incurved. Ventral arm of [X.st.

broader and shorter than in the allied species, slightly variable in length; its

apex ventrally strongly rounded, bearing about twenty bristles, of which

three or four ventral ones are long, about the same size as the dorsal ones of

process P of clasper. Phallosome (= armature and other accessories of ejacu-

latory duct) nearly as in Ct. audax apically very wide vertically, with two

SIPHONAPTERA 45

ventral hooks each side (Par), the proximal one longer and narrower, more

sharply pointed than the apical one.

9. Asin the allied species, VII.st. with deep sinus, which is rounded in the

new species, with the lobes above and below it of nearly even length (Text-Fig. 3)

ventral lobe narrow. The row of long bristles of VIII.t. distant from ventral

margin; proximally the segment with a broadish incrassation of the chitin,

as indicated in figure. Stylet much shorter than in the allied species. Sper-

matheca not essentially different, its head very long.

Length of $ 2:3-2:6 mm.; 9 2-7-3:2 mm.; hind-femur of $ 0:37-0:40 mm.;

2 0:40-0:43 mm.

Kenya: East side of Mt. Elgon, 11,000 ft., on Tachyoryctes, 3 3, 8 9;

Otomys jacksont, 4 3.

It is interesting to note that in this species, as in many others, the number

of lateral plantar bristles on the fifth segment of the hind-tarsus is often reduced

from four to three. There being frequently four bristles on one side of the

segment and three on the other, it is quite obvious that the bristle which has

been reduced or has disappeared is the third lateral one, i.e. the bristle (rarely

both bristles) of the fourth pair, counting the proximal ventral pair as the first.

Dinopsyllus lypusus Jordan and Rothschild 1913

UGANDA: Ruwenzori, Kilembe, on Oenomys bacchante, 3 3, 7 2; Arvi-

canthis abyssinicus, 6 2; Lemniscomys striatus, 2 3. Mabungo, Kigezi, xi.1934,

on Ictonyx striatus, 2 °.

Dinopsyllus longifrons Jordan and Rothschild 1913

Kenya: East side of Mt. Elgon, 11,000 ft., 11.1935, on Otomys jacksont,

34,62; Rhabdomys pumilio diminutus, 1 3; Otomys tropicalis elgonis, I 3.

This series is very uniform and leaves no doubt that the g and 9 belong

to the same species. The 9 differ from those we have hitherto considered to be

2 of D. longifrons in having apical spines on abdominal tergite I, none of our

9 from other districts of Kenya (and Uganda) with numerous spines on tergites

II to IV having a vestigial comb on I. This difference may mean that we have

two races, one from the mountains (Elgon and Aberdare), and the other from

lower elevations; or that all the 9 without apical spines on I belong to

D. lypusus Jordan and Rothschild 1913. All the above Mt. Elgon examples have

three rows of bristles on the pronotum and bear the following numbers of apical

spines on the abdominal terga (the numbers in brackets are those of the right

side):

46 RUWENZORI EXPEDITION

Gan ai II Ill IV V OT | II III IV Vv

5(5) | LO( 9) | 11(Zo) | 13(14) | 6(6) r(2).| 5(Z0) | zo(g) | x12(x1}} 2(2)

2(2) | (ro) | 11( 9) | 14(12) | 6(4) (I) | (10) | Ix(II) | 12(Xo) | x(2)

3(1) | 8( 8) | r1(z0) | 12(zz) | 6(4) 5(3) | 8( 9) | r0( 9) | 9(2z) | (x)

5(5) | Ix(o) | 11(12) | 12(13) | 7(6) 4(r) | 8( 8) ; 8( 9)] 9( 9)) 2(2)

" 3(2) | 811) | 11(z0) | r2(z2).| 5(5) 1(I) | 9{ 8) | ro( 9) | rx(zI)| 2(2)

T(z) |. 8(77) | Lo(ro) | TEE) |e2()

Average. (both sides:together): ¢ 1-6:6, I] 18-8, ITT 21-2; 1V 25:0; 9 1.3°7,

P6253 19°35 1M 2162, V-322:

Dinopsylilus semnus Jordan 1937 (Text-Fig. 4)

Close to D. hirsutus Rothschild 1908, of which only a single 2 is known,

found by Wollaston on Mus univittatus lunaris on Mt. Ruwenzori at 8000 ft.

D. echinus Jordan and Rothschild 1913, from Kenya, Uganda and Lake Kivu,

VO

vi me)

Vill.st. J Z a “

SCD e

ae

Fig. 4.—Dinopsyllus semnus Jordan.

is another nearly related species; the new species and D. hirsutus, however,

can easily be separated from D. echinus and all the other known Dinopsvili by a

character which has not yet been mentioned in the descriptions. In all species

there are some small bristles on the side of the ninth tergite between the stigma

of tergum VIII and the sensory plate (sensilium) of [X.t. In D. hirvsutus and

SIPHONAPTERA 47

D. semnus the bristles are much larger and more numerous than in other species,

forming a conspicuous patch. Another distinction convenient for diagnostic

purposes obtains in the g only: the posterior rim of the sensory plate (sen-

silium) bears each side one, rarely two, slender bristles, whereas in the 3 of

D. semnus (and presumably also in the unknown ¢ of D. hirsutus) there are

six or seven, of which one is half as long as the lower antepygidial bristle.

The present species is distinguished from D. hirsutus as follows: Pronotal

comb with 44 spines in 4, 46 in 9 (in 9 D. hirsutus 43). Metepimerum with 35

(33) bristles in g, 32 (19) in 9 (D.h. 24 on both sides). Apical spines on abdomi-

nal terga II to V in 3 4 (4), 4 (4), 4 (4), 2 (2), m 25 (4), 5 (4), 4 (3), x (Z) (m

D.h. 5 (4), 3 (3), 2 (2), 0 (0)). Bristles on tergite [X behind stigma of VIII in $17

(17), in 2 19 (172) (in D. dirsutus g (8) only). Lateral bristles on basal abdominal

sternum (ventral ones excluded) in ¢ 21 (24), in 2 28 (34) (in D. hirsutus 18 (17)).

Modified segments. ¢ (Text-Fig. 4); VIII.st. with more bristles at and

near upper and lower angles than in D. echinus 3, the median area bare of bristles

larger. Finger F broad, little more than thrice as long as broad, more convex

ventrally than dorsally. Apex of vertical arm of IX.st. broader than usual;

apical half of ventral arm very distinctive, the apex being little more rounded

dorsally than ventrally, but feebly incurved below the tip, and the row of

ventral bristles being continuous and extending to near the median joint of the

segment. 9; VII.st. similar to that of D. hirvsutus, but its apical margin hardly

at all incurved, the rounded lobes of D. hirsutus and D. echinus being absent.

Marginal projection of VII.t. below antepygidial bristles as short and as strongly

rounded off as in D. echinus. VIII.t. from stigma downward with an upper

and a lower setiferous area separated almost sharply by a bare interspace,

upper area with twenty-one bristles in the new species and fifteen or sixteen

in D. hirsutus.

Length 6-0 mm.; hind-femur o-5 mm.

UGANDA: Mt. Sabinio, Kigezi, xi.1934, on Cricetomys, I 3 1 9.

Xiphiopsylla lippa Jordan 1933 (Text-Fig. 5)

Kenya: East side of Mt. Elgon, 11,000 ft., II, 1935, on Olomys jacksont,

34,48; Tachyoryctes spec., I 9.

The spermatheca and bursa copulatrix being lost in the original 9, we

give a sketch of these organs from a 9 of the present series.

Xiphiopsylla hippia Jordan and Rothschild 1913

The same locality and date as the last, on Otomys yacksomt. 1 3. The occur-

rence of this species together with X. lippa is of interest, being evidence that the

two insects are not geographical races, but distinct species.

48 RUWENZORI EXPEDITION

Fig. 5.—Xiphiopsylla lippa Jordan.

Ischnopsyllus ectopus Jordan 1937 (Text-Fig. 6)

Near I. ashworthit Waterston 1913, but distinguished from all African Ischno-

psylli by the reduction of the metathoracic and abdominal combs.

Genal process truncate, its upper angle projecting, lower angle strongly

rounded. On pronotum three rows of bristles; comb with nineteen spines. On

mesopleura seven bristles, on metepimerum four one side, five the other

(r, 2, 1 and 2, 2,1). Comb of metanotum represented by two very short spines

each side, less than twice as long as broad. Abdominal tergite I with two spines

each side, close together, twice as long as broad, on II and III one each side;

bristles on tergites III and IV 7, 13, and on sternites II and III two bristles,

on IV, V and VI four, on VIT six, on the two sides together. Legs (incomplete)

similar to those of J. ashworthr.

Modified segments. VIII.st. (Text-Fig. 6) ventrally produced into a short

lobe, which bears four long bristles at and near apex, and on side seven or eight

shorter ones, some of them minute (most of the bristles missing in the specimen) ;

in I. ashworthi the lobe is very much longer (i.e. the upwards portion of the

segment much narrower in a horizontal sense), apically truncate and provided

with two rows of long bristles, one row apical, the other close to it subapical.

Clasper much longer than in J. ashworthz, its apex obliquely truncate, not sinuate,

lower angle very strongly rounded, with three long bristles, upper angle very

much less rounded, subacuminate; manubrium very broad. Sclerite F straight

from near base, apically rounded on ventral (= posterior) side, ventral margin

slightly incurved before the rounded apical portion; about a dozen small

SIPHONAPTERA 49

bristles in apical half on the two sides of F, the longest one at beginning of

apical curve of ventral margin. IX.st. strongly elbowed as in J. ashworthi, apical

lobe triangular. Paramere (Par.) of phallosome long, narrow, pointed, slightly

curved downwards.

Length (specimen extended in mounting) 2-5 mm.; hind-femur 0-48 mm.

Kenya: Mt. Elgon, from a bat taken in a cave at Kapretwa, Kitale,

6000 ft. I ¢.

/ -VAILst.

Fig. 6 —Ischnopsyllus ectopus Jordan.

REFERENCES

Baker, 1904. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., 27.

Jordan, 1925. Novitates Zoologicae, 32.

1933. Novitates Zoologicae, 39.

1937. Novitates Zoologicae, 40 : 329-332.

Jordan and Rothschild, 1913. Novitates Zoologicae, 20.

Kolenati, 1857. Parasiten der Chiropteren.

Rothschild, 1903. Ent. Mo. Mag. (2), 14.

1907. Novitates Zoologicae, 14.

1908. Ent. Mo. Mag. (2), 19.

Waterston, Ig13. Proc. R. Phys. Soc., Edinburgh, 19.

ll, 2b

Plate IV

Mt. ELGoN

Heath Zone on Mt. Elgon, alt. 11,000 feet, Koitoboss summit in background towards left.

Most of the rats from which Ctenophthalmus edwardsi Jord. and other fleas were obtained

were captured in this area

PRESENTED

15 MAR 1939

PLATE IV

III

VOL.

RUWENZORI EXPEDITION

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