Studies on ticks of veterinary importance in Nigeria. XII. Oviposition and eclosion in five species of ixodid ticks in contrasting habitats.

The preoviposition and oviposition periods, the eclosion periods and numbers of eggs laid by adult ticks of five species, namely Amblyomma variegatum, Boophilus decoloratus, B. geigyi, Hyalomma rufipes and H. truncatum, maintained in a natural habitat were compared with those maintained in semi-natural and artificial habitats. Within the natural habitats, "open" and "shady" sites were distinguished. Maximum oviposition occurred during the peak of the rains in engorged A. variegatum and B. decoloratus, and the numbers of eggs laid by those kept in the natural and semi-natural habitats were significantly lower in the dry season than in the rainy season. Maximum oviposition in engorged H. rufipes kept in the natural habitat occurred during the early rains while minimum oviposition took place during the peak of the rains. Oviposition in engorged H. truncatum was poor among those kept in the natural habitat during the peak and end of the rains. Engorged A. variegatum and B. decoloratus kept in shady sites of the natural habitat laid significantly more eggs than in all other habitats at all seasons, while for H. truncatum and H. rufipes, numbers of eggs laid in the open site were significantly higher than those laid in other habitats at all seasons. In all species investigated, success in oviposition was aided by moisture provided by light to moderate rainfall, while excessive moisture in terms of heavy rainfall adversely affected oviposition.