A NEW Rhipicephalus species (Family: Ixodidae) FROM CATTLE IN MANIPUR, INDIA

The present paper deals with the occurrence of a species of tick belonging to the genus Rhipicephalus. The species under this genus have usual morphological features viz., having a hard sclerotized scutum which completely cover the dorsal surface of the body in males but present a small shield just behind the capitulum in female, basis capitulum is hexagonal in shape, mouth part anterior in position, eyes if present are located near the lateral margin of the scutum, presence of adanal plate in male, presence of festoons, etc. The present specimen, was encountered amongst a group of ticks that had been collected from cattle (Bos indicus) from Singda Kadangban (24°54'9'' N, 93°53'2''E), Imphal West District, Manipur, India. On detail microscopic observation, under (CH20i) the present specimen was found to possess certain prominent variation differentiating from that of the known species, closest one being Rhipicephalus bursa on some distinct morphological characters like accessory adanal plate, adanal plate, sub-anal plate, spiracle, spiracle area, etc. These morphological variations are quite prominent and authentically support to the erection as a new species, to accommodate it under the genus Rhipicephalus giving the name of species as R. kadangbandi, taking the locality of occurence.