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Philopteridae

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Philopteridae
Guimaraesiella tovornikae and Sturnidoecus sp., parasites of birds
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Psocodea
Suborder: Troctomorpha
Infraorder: Nanopsocetae
Parvorder: Phthiraptera
Superfamily: Ischnocera
Family: Philopteridae
Nitzsch, 1818
Type genus
Philopterus
Nitzsch, 1818
Genera

Numerous, see text

The Philopteridae are a family of Ischnocera, chewing lice. They are parasitic on birds.[1]

Philopteridae are a highly diverse family with more than 2,700 described species. They probably evolved from a generalist species parasitizing water birds, with a subsequent adaptive radiation facilitated by host switching. Individual species specialize in inhabiting different parts of the body (head, body, wings). Species inhabiting the same part of the host tend to show similar morphology, even if not closely related – they show convergent evolution.[1]

Genera[edit]

Some notable species are also listed.[2]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b de Moya, Robert S. (2022). "Phylogenomics and host-switching patterns of Philopteridae (Psocodea: Phthiraptera) feather lice". International Journal for Parasitology. 52 (8): 525–537. doi:10.1016/j.ijpara.2022.03.005.
  2. ^ "Family Philopteridae Nitzsch, 1818". order Psocodea: Psocodea Species File. Retrieved 2019-10-18.