Abstract
South Texas is a highly variable region encompassing multiple habitat types and harboring a wide diversity of organisms. However, the parasite fauna in this region is poorly known, especially for avian ectoparasites such as lice. To better understand avian louse diversity and host associations in South Texas, we examined a total of 507 birds for chewing lice. Lice were morphologically identified to genus and phylogenetic analysis was performed using one mitochondrial (COI) and two nuclear (18S rRNA and EF-1α) genes. Of the birds examined, 69 (13.5%) were parasitized by lice resulting in a total of 63 host associations across 45 bird species, 29 of which were previously unrecorded. The predominant taxa encountered during this study included two of the most diverse louse genera, Myrsidea and Brueelia. Molecular analyses revealed 21 distinct genetic lineages, 17 of which are associated with novel host associations and may represent new species. This study represents the first extensive examination of avian louse host associations and relationships in Texas and reveals that there is still much to be learned about ectoparasite diversity in the New World.
Highlights
Chewing lice (Insecta: Phthiraptera) are small, dorsoventrally flattened ectoparasites found on numerous bird and mammal species [1,2]
A total of 507 bird specimens from two sampling localities in South Texas were examined for chewing lice
There were 221 birds collected from San Antonio Viejo Ranch (10.4% were parasitized) and 286 birds collected from El Sauz (16.1% parasitized; Table 1), this difference in parasitism rates was not statistically significant (Fisher’s exact test, p = 0.0685)
Summary
Chewing lice (Insecta: Phthiraptera) are small, dorsoventrally flattened ectoparasites found on numerous bird and mammal species [1,2]. Phoresis is not uncommon, it is more frequently used by ischnoceran than amblyceran lice [1,7,8]. Some louse species and genera can be host generalists, parasitizing multiple host species over a large geographic area. Sometimes these host generalists may represent cryptic species [9], but many times these lice have wide host and geographic associations. Close morphological examinations as well as genetic assessments of lice are needed to better understand host associations, louse relationships, and to determine if generalist species are harboring cryptic species or have a widespread host and geographic range
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