Ticks of Domestic Animals in Africa - Alan R Walker - Science Writer

Amblyomma gemma Dönitz, 1909.
General.
Amblyomma gemma is a species which needs to be distinguished
from other Amblyomma species of more importance to domestic
animals.
Differential diagnosis.
Amblyomma gemma is grouped with Amblyomma cohaerens and
Amblyomma hebraeum, all have flat eyes close to the margin of
the scutum. The female is very similar to Am. hebraeum but the
enamel of Am. gemma is more extensive and has fine connections
between the central and lateral spots. Also the medium
size punctations of Am. gemma are confined to the anterior area
of the scutum. The male of Am. gemma has 6 of 11 festoons
with enamel ornamentation and medium punctations around the
eyes. Amblyomma gemma and Am. hebraeum are distributed
far apart from each other. Amblyomma gemma does however
overlap in distribution with Amblyomma lepidum, but the latter
species has convex eyes.
Hosts.
Amblyomma gemma adults feed on domestic animals such as
cattle and camels, but large herbivores such as giraffes and buffaloes
are the preferred hosts of this tick species.
Life cycle and seasonal occurrence.
This species is a three-host tick.
Disease.
Amblyomma gemma is not known to be important to the health
of domestic animals.
Habitat and distribution.
This tick has been recorded from areas with climates ranging
from temperate (highland), through steppe to desert. It is mainly
distributed in eastern Ethiopia, northern and southern Somalia,
Kenya and north-eastern Tanzania.
Distribution of Amblyomma gemma.
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