Chewing lice (Insecta: Phthiraptera) found on Griffon Vultures (Gyps fulvus) from a wild breeding colony in central Spain.

Abstract

The Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) is a social species which breeds in colonies and feeds in groups. This can facilitate horizontal transmission of ectoparasites between conspecifics. In 2015, in the province of Guadalajara, Spain, 28 vultures from a wild population were examined for ectoparasites, 24 of which were parasitized by chewing lice (Phthiraptera). Three species of lice were identified: Laemobothrion (Laemobothrion) vulturis, Colpocephalum turbinatum and Falcolipeurus quadripustulatus. Data on the prevalence and richness of louse species in the vulture population are also presented.