Rensch's rule in avian lice: contradictory allometric trends for sexual size dimorphism.

Rensch's rule (RR) postulates that in comparisons across closely related species, male body size relative to female size increases with the average size of the species. This holds true in several vertebrate and also in certain free-living invertebrate taxa. Here, we document the validity of RR in avian lice using three families (Philopteridae, Menoponidae, and Ricinidae). Using published data on the body length of 989 louse species, subspecies, or distinct intraspecific lineages, we applied phylogenetic reduced major axis regression to analyse the body size of females vs. males while accounting for phylogenetic non-independence. Our results indicate that philopterid and menoponid lice follow RR, while ricinids exhibit the opposite pattern. In the case of philopterids and menoponids, we argue that larger-bodied bird species tend to host lice that are both larger in size and more abundant. Thus, sexual selection acting on males makes them relatively larger, and this is stronger than fecundity selection acting on females. Ricinids exhibit converse RR, likely because fecundity selection is stronger in their case.

Chewing Lice of Swan Geese (Anser cygnoides): New Host-Parasite Associations.

Chewing lice (Phthiraptera) that parasitize the globally threatened swan goose Anser cygnoides have been long recognized since the early 19th century, but those records were probably biased towards sampling of captive or domestic geese due to the small population size and limited distribution of its wild hosts. To better understand the lice species parasitizing swan geese that are endemic to East Asia, we collected chewing lice from 14 wild geese caught at 3 lakes in northeastern Mongolia. The lice were morphologically identified as 16 Trinoton anserinum (Fabricius, 1805), 11 Ornithobius domesticus Arnold, 2005, and 1 Anaticola anseris (Linnaeus, 1758). These species are known from other geese and swans, but all of them were new to the swan goose. This result also indicates no overlap in lice species between older records and our findings from wild birds. Thus, ectoparasites collected from domestic or captive animals may provide biased information on the occurrence, prevalence, host selection, and host-ectoparasite interactions from those on wild hosts.

Chewing lice (Phthiraptera) from wild birds in southern Portugal.

This study was carried out to determine chewing louse species of wild birds in the Ria Formosa Natural Park, located in southern Portugal. In addition, the hypothesis that bird age, avian migration and social behaviour have an impact on the louse prevalence was tested. Between September and December of 2013, 122 birds (belonging to 10 orders, 19 families, 31 genera and 35 species) captured in scientific ringing sessions and admitted to the Wildlife Rehabilitation and Investigation Centre of Ria Formosa were examined for lice. Twenty-six (21.3%) birds were found to be infested with at least one chewing louse species. The chewing lice identified include 18 species. Colonial birds (34.9%) and migratory birds (29.5%) had statistically significant higher prevalence than territorial birds (6.8%) and resident birds (13.1%), respectively. This paper records 17 louse species for the first time in southern Portugal: Laemobothrion maximum, Laemobothrion vulturis, Actornithophilus piceus lari, Actornithophilus umbrinus, Austromenopon lutescens, Colpocephalum heterosoma, Colpocephalum turbinatum, Eidmanniella pustulosa, Nosopon casteli, Pectinopygus bassani, Pseudomenopon pilosum, Trinoton femoratum, Trinoton querquedulae, Craspedorrhynchus platystomus, Degeeriella fulva, Falcolipeurus quadripustulatus, Lunaceps schismatus. Also a nymph of the genus Strigiphilus was collected from a Eurasian eagle-owl. These findings contribute to the knowledge of avian chewing lice from important birds areas in Portugal.

Chewing lice of genus Ricinus (Phthiraptera, Ricinidae) deposited at the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Saint Petersburg, Russia, with description of a new species.

We revised a collection of chewing lice deposited at the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Saint Petersburg, Russia. We studied 60 slides with 107 specimens of 10 species of the genus Ricinus (De Geer, 1778). The collection includes lectotype specimens of Ricinus ivanovi Blagoveshtchensky, 1951 and of Ricinus tugarinovi Blagoveshtchensky, 1951. We registered Ricinus elongatus Olfers, 1816 ex Turdus ruficollis, R. ivanovi ex Leucosticte tephrocotis and Ricinus serratus (Durrant, 1906) ex Calandrella acutirostris and Calandrella cheleensis which were not included in Price's world checklist. New records for Russia are R. elongatus ex Turdus ruficollis; Ricinus fringillae De Geer, 1778 ex Emberiza aureola, Emberiza leucocephalos, Emberiza rustica, Passer montanus and Prunella modularis; Ricinus rubeculae De Geer, 1778 ex Erithacus rubecula and Luscinia svecica; Ricinus serratus (Durrant, 1906) ex Alauda arvensis. New records for Kyrgyzstan are R. fringillae ex E. leucocephalos and ex Fringilla coelebs. A new record for Tajikistan is R. serratus ex Calandrella acutirostris. The new species Ricinus vaderi Valan n. sp. is described with Calandra lark, Melanocorypha calandra; from Azerbaijan, as a type host.

Six new species of Myrsidea Waterston, 1915 (Phthiraptera: Menoponidae) from New World jays of the genus Cyanocorax Boie (Passeriformes: Corvidae), with notes on the chorionic structure of eggs.

The only species of previously named Myrsidea Waterston, 1915 from Neotropical jays of the genus Cyanocorax Boie (Passeriformes: Corvidae), Myrsidea fallax Kéler, 1938 (type-host Cyanocorax cyanomelas Vieillot), is redescribed and six new species of lice in the genus Myrsidea are described: Myrsidea pseudofallax n. sp. [type-host C. c. chrysops (Vieillot)]; M. moriona n. sp. [type-host C. m. morio (Wagler)]; Myrsidea daleclaytoni n. sp. [type-host C. v. violaceus Du Bus de Gisignies]; Myrsidea lindolphoi n. sp. [type-host C. caeruleus (Vieillot)]; Myrsidea melanocyanei n. sp. [type-host C. melanocyaneus chavezi (Miller & Griscom)]; and Myrsidea cristatelli n. sp. [type-host C. cristatellus (Temminck)]. A key to the identification of both sexes of these seven species is provided. Immature stages of M. daleclaytoni n. sp. (all instars) and M. cristatelli n. sp. (nymph III) are described. External chorionic architecture of the eggs is described and illustrated for six Myrsidea spp. from corvine birds: M. picae (Linnaeus, 1758) ex Pica p. pica L.; M. cornicis (DeGeer, 1778) ex Corvus c. corone L.; M. isostoma (Nitzsch in Giebel, 1866) ex Co. f. frugilegus L.; M. interrupta (Osborn, 1896) ex Co. brachyrhynchus Brehm; M. fallax ex Cy. cyanomelas; and M. moriona n. sp. ex Cy. m. morio. This is the first review of the data on Myrsidea spp. infesting Neotropical Corvidae.

Elaphopsocoides, a new genus of Psocidae (Psocodea: ´Psocoptera´) from Valle del Cauca, Colombia.

Two new species of Elaphopsocoides n. gen. from Valle del Cauca, Colombia, are here described and illustrated. The new genus is related to Elaphopsocus Roesler, but differs from it mostly in the hypandrial projections and in phallosome structure. The female subgenital plate has a distinct, median, posterior projection. The types are deposited in the Entomology Museum, Universidad del Valle (MUSENUV), Santiago de Cali, Colombia.

Female penis, male vagina, and their correlated evolution in a cave insect.

Sex-specific elaborations are common in animals and have attracted the attention of many biologists, including Darwin [1]. It is accepted that sexual selection promotes the evolution of sex-specific elaborations. Due to the faster replenishment rate of gametes, males generally have higher potential reproductive and optimal mating rates than females. Therefore, sexual selection acts strongly on males [2], leading to the rapid evolution and diversification of male genitalia [3]. Male genitalia are sometimes used as devices for coercive holding of females as a result of sexual conflict over mating [4, 5]. In contrast, female genitalia are usually simple. Here we report the reversal of intromittent organs in the insect genus Neotrogla (Psocodea: Prionoglarididae) from Brazilian caves. Females have a highly elaborate, penis-like structure, the gynosome, while males lack an intromittent organ. The gynosome has species-specific elaborations, such as numerous spines that fit species-specific pouches in the simple male genital chamber. During prolonged copulation (~40-70 hr), a large and potentially nutritious ejaculate is transferred from the male via the gynosome. The correlated genital evolution in Neotrogla is probably driven by reversed sexual selection with females competing for seminal gifts. Nothing similar is known among sex-role reversed animals.

Psocoptera (Insecta: Psocodea) from the National Natural Park Gorgona, Cauca, Colombia

The Psocoptera fauna of Gorgona National Natural Park, Colombian pacific, consists of 75 species in 42 genera and 21 families. 1 730 specimens were collected in the period November 2007-June 2011. Five families, 20 genera and nine species are new records for Colombia, and two genera and ten species are new to science. The psocid fauna of the island constitutes an extension of the continental fauna. Rev. Biol. Trop. 62 (Suppl. 1): 243-256. Epub 2014 February 01.

La fauna de Psocoptera (Psocodea) del Parque Nacional Natural Gorgona, consiste de 75 especies en 42 géneros y 21 familias. 1 730 especimenes fueron recolectados en el periodo entre noviembre de 2007 y junio de 2011. Cinco familias, 20 géneros y nueve especies son nuevos registros para Colombia, y dos géneros y diez especies son nuevos para la ciencia. La fauna de Psocoptera de la isla constituye una extensión de la fauna continental.

[Recommendations to researchers who will study lice (Phthiraptera) of wild birds (Aves) in Turkey]. / Türkiye'de Yabani Kuslardaki (aves) Bitler (phthiraptera) Üzerine Çalisacak Arastiricilara Tavsiyeler.

Lice (Antennata: Phthiraptera) fauna in Turkey is not a well-known field. A large number of lice species described up to date parasitize birds. Most bird species of nearly 500 species in Turkey have not been examined from the perspective of louse specimen. No louse was seen on some examined species, and that is why lice fauna on poultry have not been searched out well. This paper emphasizes on what researchers need to pay attention in the course of research, which features and knowledge they need to have, and which morphological criteria they need to examine during diagnosis of lice.

Trinoton querquedulae (Linnaeus, 1758) (Phthiraptera: Amblycera, Menoponidae) - a rare parasite of the Eider duck Somateria mollissima (Linnaeus, 1758).

In October 2006 an individual of the Common Eider (Somateria mollissima) was examined and one female of Trinoton querquedulae was found on one of the remiges. This species of lice was recorded for the first time in Poland on the studied host. Up till now, T querquedulae has been noted only on this duck species in Belgium. Considering the extremely scarce information available, this species of lice is most probably rare in the Common Eider.

An annotated checklist of parasitic lice (Insecta: Phthiraptera) from the Galápagos Islands.

We list all described species and subspecies of parasitic lice from the Galápagos Islands, based on literature and specimen records. A total of eight families, 47 genera, and 104 species and subspecies of parasitic lice are listed, of which 26 are new species records and eight are new genus records. Also, we report 17 new host-louse associations. The checklist includes 17 endemic species (16 from birds, one from a mammal), 79 native species and subspecies (78 from birds, one from a mammal), and eight species and subspecies (five from birds, three from mammals) introduced by human agency. Nine species assigned in error to the Galápagos Islands in the literature are discussed and deleted from the fauna. For each valid species and subspecies we give information on its taxonomic history, type material, host associations, geographic distribution, biogeographical status, systematic relationships, and relevant literature references. We also give a brief summary of louse biology, and an account of the history of louse collecting, expeditions, collections, and research relating to Galápagos Islands lice. We include a host-parasite list, and a list of hosts which breed in the Galápagos Islands but without lice recorded from them. Also, we formally designate four lectotypes from the Kellogg Collection.

Chewing lice (Phthiraptera) from wild birds in Senegal, with descriptions of three new species of the genera Brueelia and Philopteroides.

A total of 170 wild birds from Senegal, belonging to 48 species and 9 orders, were searched for lice in 2005 and 2007. Chewing lice were found on 58 birds of 18 species and 5 orders (Columbiformes, Cuculiformes, Coraciiformes, Galliformes and Passeriformes). Twenty-two species of chewing lice of 13 genera were determined. Other nine samples of chewing lice that represent a new host-parasite association were determined at generic level only, because only one sex or nymph of these lice were found. Our records represent the first louse records from passerines Camaroptera brachyura (Cisticolidae), Chalcomitra senegalensis (Nectariniidae), Corvinella corvina (Laniidae), Laniarius barbarus (Malaconotidae), Prinia erythroptera (Cisticolidae) and Turdus pelios (Turdidae). Descriptions and illustrations are given for Brueelia chalcomitrae Najer et Sychra sp. nov. ex Chalcomitra senegalensis (Nectariniidae), Brueelia priniae Najer et Sychra sp. nov. ex Prinia subflava (Cisticolidae), and Philopteroides terpsiphoni Najer et Sychra sp. nov. ex Terpsiphone viridis (Monarchidae).

Repeated adaptive divergence of microhabitat specialization in avian feather lice.

BACKGROUND: Repeated adaptive radiations are evident when phenotypic divergence occurs within lineages, but this divergence into different forms is convergent when compared across lineages. Classic examples of such repeated adaptive divergence occur in island (for example, Caribbean Anolis lizards) and lake systems (for example, African cichlids). Host-parasite systems in many respects are analogous to island systems, where host species represent isolated islands for parasites whose life cycle is highly tied to that of their hosts. Thus, host-parasite systems might exhibit interesting cases of repeated adaptive divergence as seen in island and lake systems.The feather lice of birds spend their entire life cycle on the body of the host and occupy distinct microhabitats on the host: head, wing, body and generalist. These microhabitat specialists show pronounced morphological differences corresponding to how they escape from host preening. We tested whether these different microhabitat specialists were a case of repeated adaptive divergence by constructing both morphological and molecular phylogenies for a diversity of avian feather lice, including many examples of head, wing, body and generalist forms. RESULTS: Morphological and molecular based phylogenies were highly incongruent, which could be explained by rampant convergence in morphology related to microhabitat specialization on the host. In many cases lice from different microhabitat specializations, but from the same group of birds, were sister taxa. CONCLUSIONS: This pattern indicates a process of repeated adaptive divergence of these parasites within host group, but convergence when comparing parasites across host groups. These results suggest that host-parasite systems might be another case in which repeated adaptive radiations could be relatively common, but potentially overlooked, because morphological convergence can obscure evolutionary relationships.

Bio-ecology of the louse, Upupicola upupae, infesting the Common Hoopoe, Upupa epops.

Abstract The population characteristics of the louse, Upupicola upupae (Shrank) (Mallophaga: Philopteridae: Ishnocera), infesting the Common Hoopae, Upupa epops L. (Aves: Upupiformes), were recorded during 2007-08 in District Rampur, Uttar Pradesh India. The pattern of frequency distribution of the louse conformed to the negative binomial model. The lice and its nits were reared in vitro at 35 ± 1° C, 75-82 % RH, on a feather diet. The data obtained was used to construct the life table and to determine the intrinsic rate of natural increase (0.035 female/day), the net reproductive rate was 3.67 female eggs/female, the generation time was 37 days, and the doubling time of the population was 19 days. The chaetotaxy of the three nymphal instars has also been noted to record their diagnostic characteristics. Information on egg morphology and antennal sensilla is also presented.

Evolution of cryptic coloration in ectoparasites.

Cryptic coloration is a classic example of evolution by natural selection. However, it has been studied almost exclusively in predator-prey systems, despite the fact that it may evolve in other groups, such as ectoparasites. The principle defense of hosts against ectoparasites is grooming behavior, which has a visual component. Host-imposed selection should lead to the evolution of background matching if it helps ectoparasites escape from grooming. Here we use sister taxa comparisons to show that avian feather lice (Phthiraptera: Ischnocera) have evolved coloration that matches the host's plumage, except in the case of head lice, which are protected from grooming. We also show covariation of parasite and host color within a single species of louse. Thus, cryptic coloration has evolved both within and between species of feather lice. Other examples of the evolution of crypsis presumably exist among the 70,000 known species of ectoparasites that collectively represent five animal phyla.

Chewing lice (Phthiraptera) on manakins (Passeriformes: Pipridae) from Costa Rica, with description of a new species of the genus Tyranniphilopterus (Phthiraptera: Philopteridae).

One hundred and seventy individuals of five species of manakins (Passeriformes: Pipridae) were examined for chewing lice (Phthiraptera) in Costa Rica. Six species of chewing lice were identified. Chewing lice or their eggs were found on 26% individuals (28 positive/109 examined) of Long-tailed Manakins (Chiroxiphia linearis), the most numerous manakin species examined. There were significant differences in prevalences and intensities of infestation between males and females. No lice were found on females (n = 28) compared to 35% (24 positive/69 examined) prevalence in males. In older males, the higher prevalence and mean intensity of infestation was found. Description and illustrations are given for a new species of the genus Tyranniphilopterus Mey, 2004 from Long-tailed Manakin-Tyranniphilopterus toledo Sychra, sp. n. Both sexes of Tyranniphilopterus bruneri (Carriker, 1903) are redescribed. New host records are Long-tailed Manakin and White-collared Manakin (Manacus candei) for Ricinus invadens; White-ruffed Manakin (Corapipo altera) for Ricinus pessimalis; Long-tailed Manakin for Myrsidea andyolsoni. These are the first louse records from Long-tailed Manakin.

New records of chewing lice (Phthiraptera) from some bird species in Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: This study was carried out to detect chewing-lice found on some birds in Turkey. METHODS: For this aim, a Eurasian collared dove (Streptopelia decaocto), a budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus) and a marbled duck (Marmaronetta angustirostris) were examined for the louse. RESULTS: Columbicola bacillus (Giebel, 1866) was found on a Eurasian collared dove (Streptopelia decaocto), Afrimenopon waar (Eichler, 1947) on a budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus) and Anatoecus icterodes (Nitzsch, 1818) on a marbled duck (Marmaronetta angustirostris). CONCLUSION: All three louse species were recorded for the first time in Turkey. Anatoecus icterodes was reported for the first time from marbled duck in the worldwide. Therefore, marbled duck is a new host for Anatoecus icterodes.

Chewing lice (Phthiraptera) species on wild birds in Cappadocia region, Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed on 70 injured wild birds belonging to 7 different species in the Cappadocia region between 2005 and 2009. All birds were inspected for ectoparasites and 29 of 70 (41.4%) birds were found to be infested by at least one chewing louse species. METHODS: All lice were cleared in 10% KOH, mounted in Canada balsam on slides and identified under a light microscope. RESULTS: The lice were identified as Laemobothrion maximum, Craspedorrhynchus platystomus, Degeeriella fulva and Colpocephalum nanum from the long-legged buzzards (Buteo rufinus), as C. platystomus, L. maximum, D. fulva and C. nanum from the common buzzards (Buteo buteo), as D. fulva and Colpocephalum sp. from the honey buzzard (Pernis apivorus), as Colpocephalum milvi and L. maximum from the black kites (Milvus migrans), as Strigiphilus barbatus from the long-eared owl (Asio otus), as Comatomenapon elongatum from the great egret (Egretta alba) and as Colpocephalum zebra from the white stork (Ciconia ciconia). CONCLUSION: Honey buzzard was found as a new host for Degeeriella fulva and Colpocephalum sp. and these lice were recorded for the first time in this study. Colpocephalum milvi from the black kite and Comatomenapon elongatum from the great egret have been reported for the first time with this study in Turkey.

Redescription of Gyropus parvus (Ewing, 1924) (Insecta: Phthiraptera: Amblycera: Gyropidae) from tucos-tucos (Rodentia: Ctenomyidae: Ctenomys ) in Patagonia, Argentina.

A detailed redescription of Gyropus parvus (Insecta: Phthiraptera: Amblycera: Gyropidae) is given based on specimens collected from the type host, Ctenomys colburni Allen 1903 , and the type locality, Estancia Huanuluán, Provincia de Rio Negro, Argentina. We expand and provide new chaetotaxy. New scanning electron microscopy images showing microstructural details of adults and eggs of G. parvus obtained from topotype specimens are included. Sexual dimorphism was mainly shown by differences in body size and abdominal chaetotaxy, with females being 17.5% larger than males and with more setae in each cluster. Significant differences between males and females were also observed in sternal plate measurements. Features described here show homogeneity within type host population. This information contributes to our knowledge of intra- and inter-specific variability for parasite populations. Our investigation constitutes the first collection of G. parvus from the type host and locality since it was described.