| abstract | Ornithodoros (Proknekalia) vansomereni, n. subgen., n. sp., is described from males, females, and nymphs taken from nests of the striped swallow, Hirundo (Cecropis) abyssinica unitatis Sclater and Mackworth-Praed, and the red-rumped swallow, H. (C.) danrica etnini Reichenow, in rock caves in Eastern Province, Kenya. Other birds, such as the cliff chat, constructing nests adjacent to those of swallows, may also be parasitized. This tick is related to the swallow nest-parasites 0. peusi Schulze of Greece and 0. peringueyi Bedford and Hewitt of South Africa. The new subgenus Proknekalia is designated for this highly distinctive group of 3 species. The subgeneric taxon Aviaogadenus Pospelova-Shtrom is a nomen nudum. |