New genus and species of lice in the Oxylipeurus-complex (Phthiraptera, Ischnocera, Philopteridae), with an overview of the distribution of ischnoceran chewing lice on galliform hosts

By

Gustafsson, Daniel R.
Tian, Chunpo
Ren, Mengjiao
Li, Zhu
Sun, Xiuling
Zou, Fasheng

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2024

Original Publication

Deutsche entomologische Zeitschrift

Volume

71

Series / Issue

Issue: 1

Pages

85--109

Subjects

chewing lice , Galliformes , new genus , Oxylipeurus-complex , Phthiraptera

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Berlin Nicolai'sche Verlags-Buchandlung 1881-

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/dez.71.111874

 

Abstract

Here, we describe a new genus of lice (Phthiraptera, Ischnocera) in the Oxylipeurus-complex, parasitising galliform hosts in the genera Tragopan Cuvier, 1829. This genus, Pelecolipeurus gen. nov., is separated from other members of the complex by the unique shape of the male subgenital plate and stylus, the male genitalia and other characters. The only previously-known species in the genus is Lipeurus longus Piaget, 1880, which is here tentatively re-described as Pelecolipeurus longus (Piaget, 1880), based on specimens from a non-type host, Tragopan temminckii (Gray, 1831). In addition, we describe a new species, Pelecolipeurus fujianensis sp. nov., based on specimens from Tragopan caboti (Gould, 1857). An overview of the distribution patterns of ischnoceran lice on galliforms is presented, which suggests that host phylogeny, host biogeography and host biotope, as well as elevation of host range, may all be important factors that have structured louse communities on landfowl. We transfer the genus Afrilipeurus from the Oxylipeurus-complex to the Lipeurus-complex and include an emended key to the Oxylipeurus-complex.