The population dynamics of Solenopotes ferrisi (Anoplura: Linognathidae) on the Columbian black-tailed deer Odocoileus hemionus columbianus

Abstract

A digestion technique was used to quantitatively analyze the absolute sucking louse population on 71 Columbian black-tailed deer from northern California over a 3-year period. Infestations were compared on the basis of host anatomy, age, sex, habitat, and season of collection. The distribution of lice was determined by dividing the host into six regions. A total of 19 598 Anoplura (all Solenopotes ferrisi) was collected from 51 of 71 deer sampled with a mean infestation of 389 lice per infested deer and a range of 1 to 3968. These prevalence and abundance figures are much higher than previously recorded for Solenopotes on black-tailed deer. Lice were more abundant on fawns and on deer shot in the winter and spring. Lice exhibited a marked preference for the anterior regions of hosts, particularly when few lice were present.