The tick vectors of cowdriosis in Angola

Amongst the Amblyomma species presently known to be capable of transmitting Cowdria ruminantium six have been recorded in Angola. A. pomposum is the most important and widely distributed. Of secondary importance are A. variegatum, which prevails in Cabinda and Moxico provinces, and A. astrion which occurs in the littoral and transition strips and on Camabatela plateau. A. sparsum and A. tholloni which are specific parasites of wild hosts are considered accidental vectors. A. hebraeum was introduced recently in the territory but its distribution is unknown at present. For each of these species the hosts, distribution, ecology and seasonal abundance are listed.