Biology, ecology, and evolution of chewing lice

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Publication Type Book Chapter
School or College College of Science
Department Biology
Creator Clayton, Dale H.
Other Author Johnson, Kevin P.
Title Biology, ecology, and evolution of chewing lice
Date 2003
Description Chewing lice are small, dorsoventrally compressed insects and are parasites of virtually all birds (Fig. 1) and some mammals (Fig. 2). Many chewing lice are host specific, being found on only a single species of host. All chewing lice are permanent ectoparasites and complete their entire life cycle on the body of the host, where they feed mainly on feathers, dead skin, blood, or secretions. Chewing lice on mammals apparently do not ingest hair, rather they feed on skin and skin products (Waterhouse 1953). Some species of lice feed on the eggs and molting stages of mites and other lice, including members of their own species (Nelson and Murray 1971). Lice also ingest microbes, such as bacteria and fungi, which are of unknown nutritive value.
Type Text
Publisher Illinois Natural History Survey
Volume 24
First Page 451
Last Page 475
Subject Chewing lice
Subject LCSH Mallophaga; Mallophaga -- Ecology; Mallophaga -- Evolution
Language eng
Bibliographic Citation Johnson, K. P. & Clayton, D. H. (2003). Biology, ecology, and evolution of chewing lice, in Roger D. Price, Ronald A. Hellenthal, Ricardo L. Palma, (eds). The chewing lice: world checklist and biological overview, 24, 451-75.
Rights Management (c) Illinois Natural History Survey
Format Medium application/pdf
Format Extent 1,290,014 bytes
Identifier ir-main,6629
ARK ark:/87278/s6xw53dc
Setname ir_uspace
ID 706703
Reference URL https://collections.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s6xw53dc
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