A new species of soft tick (Ixodoidea: Argasidae) from the New Zealand lesser short-tailed bat, Mystacina tuberculata Gray: Tuhinga 23

Tuhinga 23: 29-37

ABSTRACT: Carios quadridentatus, a new species of argasid tick associated with the New Zealand lesser short-tailed bat, is described and illustrated from larval material. This is the second species of soft tick found in New Zealand, bringing the total number of tick species breeding in New Zealand to 11. The taxonomic history of bat ticks is discussed, together with the affinities of the new species with the Australian bat-tick fauna.

KEYWORDS: Argasidae, Carios, soft tick, lesser short-tailed bat, New Zealand, new species.