Rhipicephalus gertrudae is a species of tick in the family Ixodidae. The specific epithet honors South African parasitologist Dr. Gertrud Theiler.Brouria Feldman-Muhsam. 1960. The South African Ticks Rhipicephalus capensis Koch and R. gertrudae n. sp. Journal of Parasitology, 46(1):101-108; "We propose to call the new species R. gertrudae in honor of Dr. Gertrud Theiler, through whose courtesy most of our material was obtained." The species was first circumscribed by Dr. Brouria Feldman-Muhsam.
Rhipicephalus gertrudae is moderate-sized, about 4 mm in length, heavily punctate, and reddish-brown in color. Adults are generalist hematophagous parasites, feeding primarily on domestic and wild herbivores such as cattle and sheep; the immatures are specialist hematophagous parasites of murid rodents. Heavy infestations have caused infant mortality in Chacma baboons in Namibia, through infestation of the muzzle causing inflammation of the nose and mouth that prevents suckling.
Distribution Namibia and South Africa.
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