Ornithodoros (Acarina : Ixodoidea : Argasidae) parasites of seabirds and african atlantic sea coast

The distribution of species belonging to the Ornithodoros (Alectorobius) ca pensis group along the atlantic sea coasts is reviewed. O, capensis prevail s in the west and the southern areas of the Afrotropical (ethiopian) region . O. maritimus is reported from the Palearctic area. Between these two zone s O. cheikhi has been recently reported. It is possible this last species e xtends to the Palearctic area where O. maritimus has been reported from Mor occo by the observation of adult specimens. Indeed larval studies are neces sary to distinguish O. cheikhi from O. maritimus. Further studies are to be performed to specify this distribution.