Arthropod parasites of elephant shrews, with particular reference to ticks

Elephant-shrews from sub-Saharan Africa are infested by a large variety of arthropod parasites including ticks, mites, fleas, lice and the larvae of a calliphorid fly. Lists of the ectoparasites recorded from these animals are presented. Of particular importance are the ixodid ticks infesting elephant- shrews, as several of these can cause toxicosis, particularly paralysis in domestic animals, while others serve as important vectors of disease. Twenty-seven ixodid tick species belonging to six genera recorded from elephant-shrews are listed. Both host- and tick-dependent factors must be examined in order to determine the ecology of ticks infesting elephant-shrews and their relationship to disease in domestic and wild animals.