Phylogenomics and host-switching patterns of Philopteridae (Psocodea: Phthiraptera) feather lice.

Philopteridae feather lice are a group of ectoparasitic insects which have intimate relationships with their avian hosts. Feather lice include an enormous number of described species; however, the relationships of major lineages have been clouded by homoplasious characters due to convergent evolution. In this study, a comprehensive phylogenomic analysis of the group is performed which includes 137 feather louse species. Several other analyses are also completed including dating analysis, cophylogenetic reconstructions, and ancestral character estimation to understand the evolution of complex morphological and ecological traits. Phylogenetic results recover high support for the placement of major feather louse lineages, but with lower support for long-branched enigmatic genera found at the base of the tree. The results of dating analyses suggest modern feather lice began to diversify approximately 49 million years ago following the adaptive radiation of their avian hosts. Cost-based cophylogenetic reconstructions recover a high frequency of host switching, while congruence-based methods indicate a significant level of congruence between host and parasite trees. Ancestral state reconstructions favour a generalist ancestor and water bird host at the root. The analyses completed provide insight into the evolution of a diverse group of ectoparasitic insects which infest a wide variety of avian hosts. The results represent the most comprehensive phylogenetic hypothesis of the group to date and provide a framework for future classification of the family into natural groupings.

A new subgenus and eight new species of Guimaraesiella Eichler, 1949 (Phthiraptera: Ischnocera: Philopteridae: Brueelia-complex).

The species of the chewing louse genus Guimaraesiella Eichler, 1949 parasitic on drongos (Dicruridae) are reviewed and placed in the new subgenus Dicrurobates, which is described herein together with eight new species, including one species from non-dicrurid hosts. The new species are: Guimaraesiella (Dicrurobates) carbonivora n. sp. from Dicrurus bracteatus carbonarius Bonaparte, 1850; Guimaraesiella (Dicrurobates) latitemporalis n. sp. from Dicrurus hottentottus brevirostris (Cabanis, 1851) and Dicrurus hottentottus ssp. (Linnaeus, 1766); Guimaraesiella (Dicrurobates) lurida n. sp. from Dicrurus leucophaeus Vieillot, 1817; Guimaraesiella (Dicrurobates) luzonica n. sp. from Dicrurus balicassius (Linnaeus, 1766); Guimaraesiella (Dicrurobates) nana n. sp. from Dicrurus hottentottus samarensis Vaurie, 1947; Guimaraesiella (Dicrurobates) regis n. sp. from Dicrurus annectans (Hodgson, 1836), Dicrurus paradiseus paradiseus (Linnaeus, 1766) and Dicrurus paradiseus rangoonensis (Gould, 13836); Guimaraesiella (Dicrurobates) transvaalensis n. sp. from Dicrurus adsimilis apivorus Clancey, 1976; and Guimaraesiella (Dicrurobates) campanula n. sp. from Oriolus larvatus rolleti Salvadori, 1864 and Prionops plumatus poliocephalus (Stanley, 1814). Also, Guimaraesiella (Dicrurobates) sexmaculata (Piaget, 1880) and Guimaraesiella (Dicrurobates) dicruri (Ansari, 1955) are redescribed and illustrated. A key to identify adults of all 10 species included in the subgenus is provided.

A revision of Strigiphilus (Insecta: Phthiraptera: Philopteridae) from Japan.

The Japanese species of the genus Strigiphilus Mjöberg, 1910 (Insecta: Phthiraptera: Philopteridae) are revised. Six species are recorded, including a new species belonging to the cursitans species-group: Strigiphilus stenocephalus new species, described from the type host Otus bakkamoena semitorques and based on specimens originally identified and reported by Uchida (1949) as Strigiphilus rostratus (Burmeister, 1838). A lectotype for Strigiphilus laticephalus (Uchida, 1949) (type host: Strix aluco yamadae) is designated and redescribed, and this louse species is synonymized under Strigiphilus cursor (Burmeister, 1838). Strigiphilus ceblebrachys (Denny, 1842), S. heterogenitalis Emerson Elbel, 1957 and S. tuleskovi Balát, 1958 are recorded for the first time in Japan. Also, Strix uralensis and Otus sunia japonicus are recorded as new hosts for Strigiphilus heterogenitalis and S. tuleskovi respectively.

Review of Chinese species of the Oxylipeurus-complex (Phthiraptera: Philopteridae), with descriptions of two new genera and five new species.

Chewing lice of the Oxylipeurus-complex known from China are described and illustrated. The genera Megalipeurus Kéler, 1958 and Reticulipeurus Kéler, 1958 are considered valid, resurrected from synonymy and redescribed. Two new genera are described: Cataphractomimus new genus and Sinolipeurus new genus, which are proposed for species that do not fit into any previously described genus within the Oxylipeurus-complex. The following species are redescribed and illustrated: Reticulipeurus mesopelios (Nitzsch [in Giebel], 1866); Reticulipeurus robustus (Rudow, 1869); Reticulipeurus reevesi (Clay, 1938); Reticulipeurus baileyi (Clay, 1938); Reticulipeurus crossoptilon (Clay, 1938); Reticulipeurus ithaginis (Clay, 1938); Sinolipeurus tetraophasis (Clay, 1938) new combination. Several species previously placed in the genus Oxylipeurus are given new generic combinations. In addition, the following five new species are described and illustrated: Megalipeurus sinensis new species ex Arborophila gingica (Gmelin, 1789); Cataphractomimus mirapelta new species ex Lophophorus lhuysii Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1866; Cataphractomimus impervius new species ex Lophophorus sclateri sclateri Jerdon, 1870; Cataphractomimus junae new species and Sinolipeurus sichuanensis new species ex Tragopan temminckii (J.E. Gray, 1831).

Brueelia (Phthiraptera: Ischnocera: Philopteridae) of North American Nine-Primaried Oscines (Aves: Passeriformes: Passerida) with Descriptions of Nine New Species.

Nine new species of chewing lice in the genus Brueelia Kéler, 1936 , are described from North American hosts. They are Brueelia thorini n. sp. from Haemorhous mexicanus frontalis (Say, 1822) and Haemorhous mexicanus potosinus Griscom, 1928; Brueelia straseviciusi n. sp. from Haemorhous purpureus (Gmelin, 1789); Brueelia mattsonae n. sp. from Coccothraustes vespertinus brooksi (Grinnell, 1917); Brueelia novemstriata n. sp. from Icterus wagleri wagleri Sclater, 1857, and I. parisorum Bonaparte, 1838; Brueelia benkmani n. sp. from Pheucticus melanocephalus (Swainson, 1827); Brueelia arizonae n. sp. from Passerina caerulea (Linnaeus, 1758); Brueelia hellstromi n. sp. from Piranga ludoviciana (Wilson, 1811); Brueelia dolorosa n. sp. from Spinus pinus pinus (Wilson, 1810); and Brueelia melancholica n. sp. from Spinus tristis (Linnaeus, 1758). Brueelia limbata ( Burmeister, 1838 ) is redescribed and illustrated from North American material. A key for these North American species is provided.

Five New Species of Guimaraesiella (Phthiraptera: Ischnocera) from Broadbills (Aves: Passeriformes: Calyptomenidae: Eurylaimidae).

Five new species of Guimaraesiella Eichler, 1949 are described and illustrated from hosts in the Eurylaimidae and Calyptomenidae. They are Guimaraesiella corydoni n. sp. from Corydon sumatranus laoensis Meyer de Schauensee, 1929 ; Guimaraesiella latirostris n. sp. from Eurylaimus ochromalus Raffles, 1822 ; Guimaraesiella cyanophoba n. sp. from Cymbirhynchus macrorhynchus malaccensis Salvadori, 1874 and C. m. siamensis Meyer de Schauensee and Ripley, 1940 ; Guimaraesiella altunai n. sp. from Calyptomena viridis caudacuta Swainson, 1838 ; and Guimaraesiella forcipata n. sp. from Eurylaimus steerii steerii Sharpe, 1876 . These represent the first species of Guimaraesiella described from the Calyptomenidae and Eurylaimidae, as well as the first species of this genus described from the Old World suboscines.

New Genus and Two New Species of Chewing Lice from Southeast Asian Trogons (Aves: Trogoniformes), with a Revised Key to the Philopterus-complex.

PURPOSE: To describe a new genus and two new species of chewing lice from Southeast Asian trogons (Trogoniformes). These lice belong in the Philopterus-complex. METHODS: Slide-mounted lice were examined in a light microscope, illustrated by means of a drawing tube, and described using standard procedures. RESULTS: The new genus and species were successfully described. CONCLUSIONS: The genus Vinceopterus n. gen. is described from two species of Southeast Asian trogons (Trogoniformes: Harpactes). It presently comprises two species: Vinceopterus erythrocephali n. sp. from three subspecies of the Red-headed Trogon Harpactes erythrocephalus (Gould, 1834), and Vinceopterus mindanensis n. sp. from two subspecies of the Philippine Trogon Harpactes ardens (Temminck, 1826). Vinceopterus belongs to the Philopterus-complex, and thus likely constitutes a genus of head lice. Vinceopterus is the second new genus of chewing lice discovered on Southeast Asian trogons in recent years, the first genus of presumed head lice on trogons worldwide, and the fifth genus of chewing lice known from trogons globally. A translated and revised key to the Philopterus-complex is provided, as well as notes on the various chewing lice genera known from trogons.

Twelve new species of Guimaraesiella (Phthiraptera: Ischnocera: Philopteridae) from "babblers" (Passeriformes: Leiothrichidae, Pellorneidae, Timaliidae) with a description of a new subgenus and a key to its species.

The chewing louse subgenus Cicchinella new subgenus is erected and described for species of Guimaraesiella Eichler, 1949, parasitizing Old World babblers (Leiothrichidae, Pellorneidae, Timaliidae). The subgenus is divided into three species groups based on chaetotaxy, head and genitalia of both sexes. Two species are redescribed: Guimaraesiella (Cicchinella) sehri (Ansari, 1955) from Trochalopteron lineatum lineatum (Vigors, 1831) and T. lineatum setafer (Hodgson, 1836), and Guimaraesiella (Cicchinella) avinus (Ansari, 1956) from Trochalopteron subunicolor subunicolor Blyth, 1843. In addition, 12 new species are described and illustrated: Guimaraesiella (Cicchinella) falcifrons n. sp. from Actinodura cyanouroptera sordidior (Sharpe, 1888); Guimaraesiella (Cicchinella) iuga n. sp. from Alcippe peracensis peracensis Sharpe, 1887; Guimaraesiella (Cicchinella) gombakensis n. sp. from Turdinus abbotti abbotti (Blyth, 1845); Guimaraesiella (Cicchinella) mcgrewi n. sp. from Alcippe morrisonia Swinhoe, 1863; Guimaraesiella (Cicchinella) tenella n. sp. from Cyanoderma ruficeps davidi (Oustalet, 1899); Guimaraesiella (Cicchinella) retusa n. sp. from Trochalopteron milnei sinianum Stresemann, 1930; Guimaraesiella (Cicchinella) philiproundi n. sp. from Trochalopteron melanostigma schistaceum (Deignan, 1938) and Trochalopteron peninsulae Sharpe, 1887; Guimaraesiella (Cicchinella) hannesundinae n. sp. from Heterophasia picaoides wrayi (Ogilvie-Grant, 1910); Guimaraesiella (Cicchinella) pallidobrunneis n. sp. from Heterophasia melanoleuca melanoleuca (Blyth, 1859); Guimaraesiella (Cicchinella) hampuslybecki n. sp. from Heterophasia auricularis (Swinhoe, 1864); Guimaraesiella (Cicchinella) scottvillai n. sp. from Liocichla steerii Swinhoe, 1877 and Guimaraesiella (Cicchinella) ambusta n. sp. from Leiothrix argentauris rubrogularis Kinnear, 1925. A key to identify the species of Cicchinella, and both a checklist and a host-louse list of the species of Cicchinella known from the Old World babblers are provided.

Twelve new species of Priceiella (Phthiraptera: Ischnocera: Philopteridae) from Old World babblers, with keys to species of two subgenera and checklists of species for the genus.

Twelve new species of chewing lice in the genus Priceiella Gustafsson Bush, 2017, are described from Old World "babblers" (Leiothrichidae, Paradoxornithiidae, Pellorneidae and Timaliidae). Eight species belong to the subgenus Thescelovora Gustafsson Bush, 2017: Priceiella (Thescelovora) calcicola n. sp. from Turdinus crispifrons crispifrons; Priceiella (Thescelovora) fuscicaena n. sp. from Malacopteron magnum magnum and Malacopteron cinereum cinereum; Priceiella (Thescelovora) orichalca n. sp. from Turdinus brevicaudatus leucostictus and four other host species; Priceiella (Thescelovora) chanthaburiana n. sp. from Megapomatorhinus hypoleucos tickelli and Pomatorhinus schisticeps klossi; Priceiella (Thescelovora) macrocephala n. sp. from Megapomatorhinus hypoleucos wrayi; Priceiella (Thescelovora) coleyae n. sp. ex Stachyris striolata tonkinensis; Priceiella (Thescelovora) austini n. sp. ex Pomatorhinus ruficollis intermedius; and Priceiella (Thescelovora) ornata n. sp. ex Psittiparus gularis fokiensis. The remaining four species belong to the subgenus Camurnirmus Gustafsson Bush, 2017: Priceiella (Camurnirmus) najeri n. sp. from Garrulax monileger stuarti and three other hosts; Priceiella (Camurnirmus) bohsae n. sp. from Garrulax strepitans; Priceiella (Camurnirmus) lindquistae n. sp. ex Ianthocincla chinensis chinensis; Priceiella (Camurnirmus) sonorae n. sp. ex Garrulax maesi maesi. We redescribe and illustrate Priceiella (Camurnirmus) rhinocichlae (Eichler, 1957). Keys to species of two subgenera, a comprehensive checklist of all the species of Priceiella, and a host-louse list are provided.

Confirmation of the identity of the type host of the louse Halipeurus fallacis (Phthiraptera: Philopteridae).

Alexander (1954: 489) recorded a petrel (Aves: Procellariiformes) captured alive on board a ship in the Indian Ocean by Mr W.W.A. Phillips who, after removing some lice, liberated it the following morning. Alexander (1954) identified that petrel as the species "Pterodroma aterrima Bonaparte", now placed in the genus Pseudobulweria. The lice were kept in the collection of the then British Museum (Natural History), now the Natural History Museum, London, England. Jouanin (1955) published a new species of petrel from the Indian Ocean as Bulweria fallax. Jouanin (1957: 19) discussed the identity of the petrel identified by Alexander (1954) as Pterodroma aterrima, stating that the descriptive data given by Alexander (1954) did not clearly fit either P. aterrima or B. fallax. However, considering the geographical coordinates where the bird was captured, Jouanin (1957) believed it was more likely Bulweria fallax.

New records of chewing lice (Insecta, Phthiraptera) from Brazilian birds (Aves) collected by Helmut Sick (1910-1991)

ABSTRACT We list the genera and species of chewing lice collected from birds by Helmut Sick, mainly from central Brazil, and particularly during the Roncador-Xingu Expedition, between 1943 and 1949. From the 123 samples studied, a wide variety of chewing louse genera and species were found, including 34 species as new records for Brazil, 37 species recorded from new Brazilian localities and 23 new host records. All material is deposited in the ectoparasite collection of the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo.

Three new species of the genus Philopteroides Mey, 2004 (Phthiraptera, Ischnocera, Philopteridae) from New Zealand.

We describe and illustrate three new species of chewing lice in the genus Philopteroides parasitic on passerines (Order Passeriformes, families Acanthizidae, Rhipiduridae and Petroicidae) from New Zealand. They are: Philopteroides pilgrimi sp. n. from Gerygone igata igata; Philopteroides fuliginosus sp. n. from Rhipidura fuliginosa placabilis and Rhipidura fuliginosa fuliginosa; and Philopteroides macrocephalus sp. n. from Petroica macrocephala macrocephala and Petroica macrocephala dannefaerdi. The identity of Docophorus lineatus Giebel, 1874 is discussed based on its morphology and host association. We also transfer Tyranniphilopterus beckeri to the genus Philopteroides, and provide a key to identify adults of 12 of the 13 species now included in Philopteroides.

Two new species of Brueelia Kéler, 1936 (Ischnocera, Philopteridae) parasitic on Neotropical trogons (Aves, Trogoniformes).

Two new species of Brueelia are described and illustrated. These new species and their type hosts are: Brueelia sueta ex Pharomachrus pavoninus (Spix, 1824), the Pavonine Quetzal and Brueelia cicchinoi ex Trogon viridis Linnaeus, the White-tailed Trogon. Both new species differ from the only Brueelia described on Trogon mexicanus by many morphological features, including those present in the male genitalia and female vulvar margin. Partial sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene for these two new species differ from one another by 13.6% uncorrected p-distance. Whereas Brueelia cicchinoi is only 0.3% divergent from previously published COI sequences identified as Brueelia sp. from the Mexican Trogon melanocephalus Gould, 1936 and Trogon massena Gould, 1938. We also found Brueelia cicchinoi on Trogon melanurus, Trogon collaris and Pharomachrus pavoninus. Thus Brueelia cicchinoi is found on multiple trogoniform hosts across an extremely large geographic distribution and has one of the largest number of host associations among Brueelia species.

Struthiolipeurus rheae Harrison, 1916 (Phthiraptera: Philopteridae) infestando avestruzes (Struthio camelus) em uma criação no Município de Três Rios, RJ / Struthiolipeurus rheae Harrison, 1916 (Phthiraptera: Philopteridae) infesting ostriches (Struthio camelus) in one farming in the Municipality of Três Rios, RJ

No Brasil, a criação de avestruzes foi iniciada no final do Século XX, para suprir o mercado internacional de carne, plumas e couro. As plumas têm importância econômica nos setores industrial e artesanal. Os piolhos podem causar prurido intenso, que, dependendo da intensidade de infestação, pode levar à depreciação das plumas. No Estado do Rio de Janeiro, são desconhecidas as espécies de piolhos que infestam avestruzes. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar os piolhos que ocorrem nas aves pertencentes a um criatório comercial no Município de Três Rios. Nos anos de 2003 a 2006, mensalmente, as avestruzes foram examinadas, para verificar a presença de ectoparasitos. Quando constatada a infestação, algumas plumas foram retiradas, colocadas em sacos plásticos e enviadas ao laboratório para exame. Após serem coletados das plumas, os ectoparasitos foram examinados ao microscópio estereoscópio, clarificados em hidróxido de potássio a 10%, desidratados em álcool etílico e montados em lâmina com balsamo do Canadá natural, para observação em microscópio óptico. Baseando-se na observação das características, foi possível determinar os espécimes coletados como pertencentes à espécie Struthiolipeurus rheae.

In Brazil ostriches farming began at the end of 20th Century, to supply the international market of meat, feathers and leather. Feathers are economically important to industry and artisanal sectors. Lice can cause intense pruritus that depending on the intensity of infestation can lead to depreciation of feathers. In Rio de Janeiro there are unknown species of lice infesting ostriches. Thus the objective of this study was to identify the lice that happen in birds from commercial farms in the Municipality of Três Rios. From 2003 to 2006 ostriches were monthly examined for the presence of ectoparasites. When infestations were detected some feathers were removed, placed into plastic bags and sent to the laboratory for further analysis. After removed from feathers, ectoparasites were examined using a stereoscope, followed by clarification in 10% potassium hydroxide and dehydrated in ethanol. Permanent slides were mounted in natural Canada balsam for observation in optical microscope. Based on observed characteristics, it was possible to determine that collected specimens belong to the species Struthiolipeurus rheae.

Struthiolipeurus rheae Harrison, 1916 (Phthiraptera: Philopteridae) infestando avestruzes (Struthio camelus) em uma criação no Município de Três Rios, RJ

In Brazil ostriches farming began at the end of 20th Century, to supply the international market of meat, feathers and leather. Feathers are economically important to industry and artisanal sectors. Lice can cause intense pruritus that depending on the intensity of infestation can lead to depreciation of feathers. In Rio de Janeiro there are unknown species of lice infesting ostriches. Thus the objective of this study was to identify the lice that happen in birds from commercial farms in the Municipality of Três Rios. From 2003 to 2006 ostriches were monthly examined for the presence of ectoparasites. When infestations were detected some feathers were removed, placed into plastic bags and sent to the laboratory for further analysis. After removed from feathers, ectoparasites were examined using a stereoscope, followed by clarification in 10% potassium hydroxide and dehydrated in ethanol. Permanent slides were mounted in natural Canada balsam for observation in optical microscope. Based on observed characteristics, it was possible to determine that collected specimens belong to the species Struthiolipeurus rheae.

No Brasil, a criação de avestruzes foi iniciada no final do Século XX, para suprir o mercado internacional de carne, plumas e couro. As plumas têm importância econômica nos setores industrial e artesanal. Os piolhos podem causar prurido intenso, que, dependendo da intensidade de infestação, pode levar à depreciação das plumas. No Estado do Rio de Janeiro, são desconhecidas as espécies de piolhos que infestam avestruzes. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar os piolhos que ocorrem nas aves pertencentes a um criatório comercial no Município de Três Rios. Nos anos de 2003 a 2006, mensalmente, as avestruzes foram examinadas, para verificar a presença de ectoparasitos. Quando constatada a infestação, algumas plumas foram retiradas, colocadas em sacos plásticos e enviadas ao laboratório para exame. Após serem coletados das plumas, os ectoparasitos foram examinados ao microscópio estereoscópio, clarificados em hidróxido de potássio a 10%, desidratados em álcool etílico e montados em lâmina com balsamo do Canadá natural, para observação em microscópio óptico. Baseando-se na observação das características, foi possível determinar os espécimes coletados como pertencentes à espécie Struthiolipeurus rheae.