Species Of Lice Research Articles

An annotated checklist of sucking lice (Phthiraptera: Anoplura) from domestic and wild mammals in Malaysia, with lists of hosts and pathogens

Literature records of sucking lice (Phthiraptera: Anoplura) from Malaysia were checked and reviewed, resulting in a list of 34 established species belonging to 11 genera (Ancistroplax, Atopophthirus, Enderleinellus, Haematopinus, Hamophthirius, Hoplopleura, Linognathus, Neohaematopinus, Pedicinus, Polyplax and Sathrax). Furthermore, three local and six cosmopolitan louse species are regarded as dubious in Malaysia, due to misidentifications or lack of locality records. Also, pathogens known to be associated with the sucking lice are listed. The alarming conservation status of some Malaysian mammalian host species and their sucking lice warrant more research and imminent action to preserve the biodiversity of the country. This paper presents the first complete checklist of anopluran lice from both Peninsular Malaysia and Malaysian Borneo, including localities, literature references and a host-louse list.

Complex host/symbiont integration of a multi-partner symbiotic system in the eusocial aphid Ceratovacuna japonica.

Some hemipteran insects rely on multiple endosymbionts for essential nutrients. However, the evolution of multi-partner symbiotic systems is not well-established. Here, we report a co-obligate symbiosis in the eusocial aphid, Ceratovacuna japonica. 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing unveiled co-infection with a novel Arsenophonus sp. symbiont and Buchnera aphidicola, a common obligate endosymbiont in aphids. Both symbionts were housed within distinct bacteriocytes and were maternally transmitted. The Buchnera and Arsenophonus symbionts had streamlined genomes of 432,286bp and 853,149bp, respectively, and exhibited metabolic complementarity in riboflavin and peptidoglycan synthesis pathways. These anatomical and genomic properties were similar to those of independently evolved multi-partner symbiotic systems, such as Buchnera-Serratia in Lachninae and Periphyllus aphids, representing remarkable parallelism. Furthermore, symbiont populations and bacteriome morphology differed between reproductive and soldier castes. Our study provides the first example of co-obligate symbiosis in Hormaphidinae and gives insight into the evolutionary genetics of this complex system.

Secondary structure construction and molecular identification of rRNA 18S V4 region E23-5–E23-6 of parasitic lice of Hominidae

The parasitic lice of Hominidae are a class of blood-sucking insects, having a large fragment expansion region in ribosome 18S V4 region. In this study, the value of the E23-5–E23-6 stem-loop structure in the insertion region for molecular identification of lice were explored through motif analysis and secondary structure construction. Five pubic lice samples from China were morphologically identified, and primers for the rRNA 18S V4 region were designed for molecular identification. The V4 sequence of the parasitic lice of Hominidae was retrieved from GenBank for sequence analysis. The five samples were identified as pubic lice based on V4 region, which were of the same specie but geographically different from Australian strains in Genbank, with the identity of 99.06-99.46%. Compared with the human lice, both the chimpanzee lice and pubic lice had large indel fragments in the V4 region. Comparison results showed that Muscle and MAFFT had better alignment and phylogeny results than Clustal. The large expansion region, comprising E23-5 and E23-6, was located between E23-4 and E23-7. The V4 secondary structure showed that the stem-loop structures of the lice parasitizing on pubic area, human, and chimpanzee were different in the E23-5 and E23-6, which could effectively distinguish the three parasitic lice and divide the human lice into five genotypes. This is suitable not only for the identification of three lice species in higher taxonomic ranks but also for genotype identification of human lice in lower taxonomic ranks. The difference between the stem-loop structure is more intuitive than that between the primary sequences.

Identification of ectoparasites from domestic pigs of rangamati district

Ectoparasite infestations have direct and indirect negative impacts on its host. Ectoparasite fauna of pigs of Bangladesh is not well documented. Our objective was to detect the ectoparasite fauna among the pigs in Rangamati district of Bangladesh. We examined, 480 pigs from 104 households by close inspection and detected one species of louse (e.g., Haematopinus suis), three species of ticks (Amblyoma testudinarium, Haemaphysalis bispinosa, and Rhipicephalus sanguineus), and one species of flea (Ctenocephalides canis). Pathology and economic losses due to the detected ectoparasites in Rangamati district need further investigation for the betterment of the local pig industry. Bangladesh J. Agri. 2022, 47(1): 88-94

Lightella neohaematopini: A new lineage of highly reduced endosymbionts coevolving with chipmunk lice of the genus Neohaematopinus.

Sucking lice (Anoplura) are known to have established symbiotic associations multiple times with different groups of bacteria as diverse as Enterobacteriales, Legionellales, and Neisseriales. This diversity, together with absence of a common coevolving symbiont (such as Buchnera, in aphids), indicates that sucking lice underwent a series of symbiont acquisitions, losses, and replacements. To better understand evolution and significance of louse symbionts, genomic and phylogenetic data are needed from a broader taxonomic diversity of lice and their symbiotic bacteria. In this study, we extend the known spectrum of the louse symbionts with a new lineage associated with Neohaematopinus pacificus, a louse species that commonly parasitizes North American chipmunks. The recent coevolutionary analysis showed that rather than a single species, these lice form a cluster of unique phylogenetic lineages specific to separate chipmunk species (or group of closely related species). Using metagenomic assemblies, we show that the lice harbor a bacterium which mirrors their phylogeny and displays traits typical for obligate mutualists. Phylogenetic analyses place this bacterium within Enterobacteriaceae on a long branch related to another louse symbiont, “Candidatus Puchtella pedicinophila.” We propose for this symbiotic lineage the name “Candidatus Lightella neohaematopini.” Based on the reconstruction of metabolic pathways, we suggest that like other louse symbionts, L. neohaematopini provides its host with at least some B vitamins. In addition, several samples harbored another symbiotic bacterium phylogenetically affiliated with the Neisseriales-related symbionts described previously from the lice Polyplax serrata and Hoplopleura acanthopus. Characterizing these bacteria further extend the known diversity of the symbiotic associations in lice and show unique complexity and dynamics of the system.

Mining Ultraconserved Elements From Transcriptome and Genome Data to Explore the Phylogenomics of the Free-living Lice Suborder Psocomorpha (Insecta: Psocodea)

Abstract The order Psocodea includes the two historically recognized groups Psocoptera (free-living bark lice) and Phthiraptera (parasitic lice) that were once considered separate orders. Psocodea is divided in three suborders: Trogiomorpha, Troctomorpha, and Psocomorpha, the latter being the largest within the free-living groups. Despite the increasing number of transcriptomes and whole genome sequence (WGS) data available for this group, the relationships among the six known infraorders within Psocomorpha remain unclear. Here, we evaluated the utility of a bait set designed specifically for parasitic lice belonging to suborder Troctomorpha to extract UCE loci from transcriptome and WGS data of 55 bark louse species and explored the phylogenetic relationships within Psocomorpha using these UCE loci markers. Taxon sampling was heavily focused on the families Lachesillidae and Elipsocidae, whose relationships have been problematic in prior phylogenetic studies. We successfully recovered a total of 2,622 UCE loci, with a 40% completeness matrix containing 2,081 UCE loci and an 80% completeness matrix containing 178 UCE loci. The average number of UCE loci recovered for the 55 species was 1,401. The WGS data sets produced a larger number of UCE loci (1,495) on average than the transcriptome data sets (972). Phylogenetic relationships reconstructed with Maximum Likelihood and coalescent-based analysis were concordant regarding the paraphyly of Lachesillidae and Elipsocidae. Branch support values were generally lower in analyses that used a fewer number of loci, even though they had higher matrix completeness.

Taxonomy of wild birds’ lice at the campus of Chittagong University, Chattogram, Bangladesh

Lice of five wild bird species, of diversified feeding habits and phylogeny viz., Sturnus contra, Acridotheres tristis, A. fuscus, Pycnonotus cafer and Streptopelia chinensis – have been investigated between 2014 and 2018 from the Chittagong University Campus and adjoining areas. A total of six lice species, viz., Menacanthus eurysternus (Burmeister), Sturnidoecus sturni (Clay), Bruelia zohrae (Ansari), Myrsidea kathleenae (Hellenthal and Price), Columbicola turturis (Uchida) and Nitzschiella lativentris (Uchida), were identified and described. Among them, five were strictly host specific – S. sturni (in S. contra), B. zohrae (in A. fuscus), M. kathleenae (in P. cafer), C. turturis (in S. chinensis), and N. lativentris (in S. chinensis). The remaining species, M. eurysternus, had wide specificity – occurring in all the three sturnid species investigated, i.e., S. contra, A. tristis and A. fuscus. Closely related hosts were found to share similar parasite species whereas unrelated host possess completely different lice species. Of the five hosts, three (S. contra, A. fuscus, and Streptopelia chinensis) were found to be infested by two lice species each, whereas, A. tristis and P. cafer hosted by a single lice species each. Bangladesh J. Zool. 50 (1): 51-66, 2022

Plaster beetle (psocid) infestation in buildings : Environmental management and control — a pragmatic approach

Plaster beetles (psocids) are active stocky and soft-bodied insects that are commonly found in new-build apartments, flats and housing blocks. They are also commonly called barklice or booklice because of their superficial resemblance to certain species of lice, and because they are found, sometimes in very large numbers, on mouldy books and papers in damp buildings or their basements and under loose, damp bark. Plaster beetles are either pale grey or pale brown in colour and may or may not have wings. They are common but harmless, unpleasant nuisance pests. Many live on bark and leaf surfaces feeding on algae, fungi or lichens. Others are found in leaf litter or in caves. A small number have extended their range to include buildings and building materials such as thatch, stored food stocks and museum exhibits. Plaster beetle infestation is mainly caused by damp and residual moisture, resulting in high levels of relative humidity (> 65–75 per cent) in the structural voids, ducting and insulation thereby allowing mould infestation. Psocids primarily feed on fungi and moulds for a few months in newly built houses after the completion of a building. Spraying with chemical treatments will deal with the symptoms of the problem but will not deal with the underlying causes of the infestation, namely damp, residual moisture and moulds. Heating treatment offered by some companies, whereby the building is heated to 45°C, should kill off psocids in the building; however, this does not address the underlying cause(s) of the problem and there is a risk of reinfestation. The author has advocated non-destructive investigations of buildings combined with correct diagnosis and identification of type and viability of both plaster beetle and mould infestation, as not all mould infestations are equally toxic or pathogenic. The author strongly believes, based on scientific, practical experience and successful case studies over the last 35 years, that environmental control of plaster beetle infestation and preventative maintenance are preferable to remedial conventional chemical spraying treatments. Rectifying building defects combined with drying out the building fabric and preventative maintenance should in most cases forestall the need for major interventions, and it is beyond doubt that these steps reduce the risk of reinfestation in buildings. The environmentally sustainable approach and the ongoing monitoring of the environmental conditions in buildings ensures the long-term health of building materials, health of the occupants and structures.

Diversity and distribution of ectoparasite taxa associated with Micaelamys namaquensis (Rodentia: Muridae), an opportunistic commensal rodent species in South Africa.

South Africa boasts a rich diversity of small mammals of which several are commensal and harbour parasites of zoonotic importance. However, limited information is available on the parasite diversity and distribution associated with rodents in South Africa. This is particularly relevant for Micaelamys namaquensis (Namaqua rock mouse), a regionally widespread and locally abundant species that is often commensal. To address the paucity of data, the aims of the study were to record the ectoparasite diversity associated with M. namaquensis and develop distribution maps of lice and mites associated with M. namaquensis and other rodents in South Africa. Micaelamys namaquensis individuals (n = 216) were obtained from 12 localities representing multiple biomes during 2017–2018. A total of 5591 ectoparasites representing 5 taxonomic groups – fleas, lice, mesostigmatid mites, chiggers and ticks was recorded. These consisted of at least 57 taxa of which ticks were the most speciose (20 taxa). Novel contributions include new host and locality data for several ectoparasite taxa and undescribed chigger species. Known vector species were recorded which included fleas (Ctenocephalides felis, Dinopsyllus ellobius and Xenopsylla brasiliensis) and ticks (Haemaphysalis elliptica, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus and Rhipicephalus simus). Locality records indicate within-taxon geographic differences between the 2 louse species and the 2 most abundant mite species. It is clear that M. namaquensis hosts a rich diversity of ectoparasite taxa and, as such, is an important rodent species to monitor in habitats where it occurs in close proximity to humans and domestic animals.

Morphometry Identification of Lice on Male Javan Langur (Trachypithecus auratus)

A rehabilitation center for Javan Lutung animals in East Java carries out routine checks on rehabilitated animals to prevent diseases that can affect health. Diseases that can infect these endangered animals are not only diseases that are inside the body but also outside the body such as lice infestation. The purpose of this study was to identify the species of louse that attack Javan langurs in an effort to increase information on ectoparasite species in these endemic animals. The sample was obtained from an adult Javan langur, then the sample was preserved by the unstained Slide mounting method. The results were observed using a microscope and body length was measured using the ImageJ software. The results showed that the ectoparasite shape has a flat-dorsoventral body with a total body length of 1.65 mm. From morphometry and morphological characteristics, the samples identified were the male species of Pedicinus ancoratus.

Phylogenomics and host-switching patterns of Philopteridae (Psocodea: Phthiraptera) feather lice

Philopteridae feather lice are a group of ectoparasitic insects which have intimate relationships with their avian hosts. Feather lice include an enormous number of described species; however, the relationships of major lineages have been clouded by homoplasious characters due to convergent evolution. In this study, a comprehensive phylogenomic analysis of the group is performed which includes 137 feather louse species. Several other analyses are also completed including dating analysis, cophylogenetic reconstructions, and ancestral character estimation to understand the evolution of complex morphological and ecological traits. Phylogenetic results recover high support for the placement of major feather louse lineages, but with lower support for long-branched enigmatic genera found at the base of the tree. The results of dating analyses suggest modern feather lice began to diversify approximately 49 million years ago following the adaptive radiation of their avian hosts. Cost-based cophylogenetic reconstructions recover a high frequency of host switching, while congruence-based methods indicate a significant level of congruence between host and parasite trees. Ancestral state reconstructions favour a generalist ancestor and water bird host at the root. The analyses completed provide insight into the evolution of a diverse group of ectoparasitic insects which infest a wide variety of avian hosts. The results represent the most comprehensive phylogenetic hypothesis of the group to date and provide a framework for future classification of the family into natural groupings.

Fragmented mitochondrial genomes of seal lice (family Echinophthiriidae) and gorilla louse (family Pthiridae): frequent minichromosomal splits and a host switch of lice between seals

BackgroundThe mitochondrial (mt) genomes of 15 species of sucking lice from seven families have been studied to date. These louse species have highly dynamic, fragmented mt genomes that differ in the number of minichromosomes, the gene content, and gene order in a minichromosome between families and even between species of the same genus.ResultsIn the present study, we analyzed the publicly available data to understand mt genome fragmentation in seal lice (family Echinophthiriidae) and gorilla louse, Pthirus gorillae (family Pthiridae), in particular the role of minichromosome split and minichromosome merger in the evolution of fragmented mt genomes. We show that 1) at least three ancestral mt minichromosomes of sucking lice have split in the lineage leading to seal lice, 2) one minichromosome ancestral to primate lice has split in the lineage to the gorilla louse, and 3) two ancestral minichromosomes of seal lice have merged in the lineage to the northern fur seal louse. Minichromosome split occurred 15-16 times in total in the lineages leading to species in six families of sucking lice investigated. In contrast, minichromosome merger occurred only four times in the lineages leading to species in three families of sucking lice. Further, three ancestral mt minichromosomes of sucking lice have split multiple times independently in different lineages of sucking lice. Our analyses of mt karyotypes and gene sequences also indicate the possibility of a host switch of crabeater seal louse to Weddell seals.ConclusionsWe conclude that: 1) minichromosome split contributes more than minichromosome merger in mt genome fragmentation of sucking lice, and 2) mt karyotype comparison helps understand the phylogenetic relationships between sucking louse species.

Culture Isolate of Rickettsia felis from a Tick.

Although the cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis, has been identified as the primary vector of Rickettsia felis, additional flea, tick, mite, and louse species have also been associated with this bacterium by molecular means; however, the role of these arthropods in the transmission of R. felis has not been clarified. Here, we succeeded in culture isolation of R. felis from a host-seeking castor bean tick, Ixodes ricinus, the most common tick in Slovakia. The bacterial isolation was performed on XTC-2 cells at 28 °C using the shell-vial technique. An evaluation of the growth properties was performed for both the XTC-2 and Vero cell lines. We observed R. felis in the infected host cells microscopically by Gimenez staining and immunofluorescence assay. The R. felis isolate was purified by gradient ultracentrifugation and visualized by electron microscopy. Fragments of the genes gltA, ompA, ompB, htrA, rpoB, sca4, rffE, and rrs were amplified and compared with the corresponding sequences of the type strain URRWXCal2 and other R. felis culture -isolated strains. We did not detect any nucleotide polymorphisms; however, plasmid pRFδ, characteristic of the standard strain, was absent in our isolate. Herein, we describe the first successful isolation and characterization of a tick-derived R. felis strain “Danube”, obtained from an I. ricinus nymph.

Comparative analyses of the fragmented mitochondrial genomes of wild pig louse Haematopinus apri from China and Japan.

The wild pig louse Haematopinus apri is one of the commonest ectoparasites of wild pigs. In the present study, the entire mitochondrial (mt) genome of wild pig louse H. apri from China was sequenced and compared with previously characterized wild pig louse H. apri from Japan. We identified all of the 37 mt genes in the wild pig louse H. apri from China which are on nine circular minichromosomes. Each mt minichromosome is 2.9 kb–4.2 kb size and contains 2–8 genes and one non-coding region (1543 bp-2534 bp). The number of minichromosomes, gene content and gene order in the both mt genomes of wild pig louse H. apri from China and Japan are the same. The identity of the both mt genomes (except for non-coding regions) was 98.3% between wild pig louse H. apri from China and Japan. The entire mt genome sequence (except for non-coding regions) of wild pig louse H. apri from China is longer (3 bp) than that from Japan. For the 13 protein-coding genes, this comparison showed sequence differences in each gene at both the nucleotide (0.8%–2.4%) and amino acid (0.4%–3.5%) levels. The most conserved of these genes was the nad6, whereas the nad2 was least conserved at the nucleotide levels. This is the first comprehensive comparison of the mt genomes of a louse species from different geographic locations. This useful data provides additional genetic markers to study the phylogeny, systematics and population genetics of wild pig louse H. apri.

IIb-RAD-sequencing coupled with random forest classification indicates regional population structuring and sex-specific differentiation in salmon lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis).

The aquaculture industry has been dealing with salmon lice problems forming serious threats to salmonid farming. Several treatment approaches have been used to control the parasite. Treatment effectiveness must be optimized, and the systematic genetic differences between subpopulations must be studied to monitor louse species and enhance targeted control measures. We have used IIb‐RAD sequencing in tandem with a random forest classification algorithm to detect the regional genetic structure of the Norwegian salmon lice and identify important markers for sex differentiation of this species. We identified 19,428 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from 95 individuals of salmon lice. These SNPs, however, were not able to distinguish the differential structure of lice populations. Using the random forest algorithm, we selected 91 SNPs important for geographical classification and 14 SNPs important for sex classification. The geographically important SNP data substantially improved the genetic understanding of the population structure and classified regional demographic clusters along the Norwegian coast. We also uncovered SNP markers that could help determine the sex of the salmon louse. A large portion of the SNPs identified to be under directional selection was also ranked highly important by random forest. According to our findings, there is a regional population structure of salmon lice associated with the geographical location along the Norwegian coastline.

Hitchhiking into the future on a fly: Toward a better understanding of phoresy and avian louse evolution (Phthiraptera) by screening bird carcasses for phoretic lice on hippoboscid flies (Diptera)

AbstractMany phoretic relationships between arthropods are understudied because of taxonomic impediments. We here illustrate for avian lice riding on hippoboscid flies how new natural history data on phoretic relationships can be acquired quickly with modern and cost‐effective barcoding techniques. Most avian lice are host‐specific, but some can arrive on new hosts by hitchhiking on hippoboscid flies that feed on bird blood. Our summary of the literature yielded 254 published records which we here show to belong to two large and 13 small interaction networks for birds, flies, and lice. In order to generate new records, we developed a protocol based on screening bird carcasses sourced with the help of citizen scientists. The inspection of 131 carcasses from Singapore led to the first record of a Guimaraesiella Eichler (Ischnocera: Philopteridae) louse species riding on Ornithoica momiyamai Kishida flies collected from a pitta carcass. Phoresy may explain why this louse species is now known from three phylogenetically disparate hosts (Pitta moluccensis (Müller), Ficedula zanthopygia (Hay); Pardaliparus elegans Lesson). A second new case of phoresy enhanced a large interaction network dominated by Ornithophila metallica (Schiner), a cosmopolitan and polyphagous hippoboscid fly species. Overall, we argue that many two‐ and three‐way phoretic relationships between arthropods (e.g., mites, pseudoscorpions, beetles, flies) can be resolved with cost‐effective large‐scale NGS barcoding, which can be used to partially overcome taxonomic impediments by pre‐sorting specimens for taxonomic revision.

First report of ectoparasites from black rats (Rattus rattus Linnaeus, 1758) in oasis regions from Algeria

Black rats are considered a carrier of arthropods that are vectors of diseases to animals and humans. No studies have ever been reported on ectoparasites of this rodent in Algeria. Where Rattus rattus was introduced recently in the south-eastern oasis and has taken refuge in palm groves. To identify the ectoparasites, richness, and prevalence of this species, we have collected 6237 arthropods from four species of lice, five mites, one tick, and flea’s larvae, were collected from 462 infested rats of 484 (95.5%) total collected rats. The results showed that lice especially Polyplax spinulosa (n = 2888) and P. serrata (n = 1456) were the most trapped ectoparasites followed by Ornithonyssus bacoti (n = 1415). Otherwise, Atricholaelaps sp. (n = 10) was the least population. In addition, adult males of black rat were depicted as the most attacked category compared to females and other classes because of their mobility. Statistics confirm this ascertainment for sex (P = 0.0007) and age groups (P < 0.000). Hence, R. rattus is a favourable host target to parasites when transmission conditions allow it. All inventoried species were significantly greater (P < 0.0000) in summer than winter and decreased rainfall.

Composition and Distribution on a Host of Avian Lice of White Storks in North-Eastern Algeria

The diversity and spatial distribution of ectoparasites of a large colony of white stork Ciconia ciconia at Dréan, in north-eastern Algeria, were investigated during two consecutive breeding seasons. The results indicated that nestlings were infested by the following four louse species: Colpocephalum zebra (Burmeister, 1838), Neophilopterus incompletus (Denny, 1842), Ardeicola ciconiae (Linnaeus, 1758), and Ciconiphilus quadripustulatus (Burmeister, 1838). Overall, the distribution of chewing lice exhibited a clustered distribution, with C. zebra being the most frequent species, with a prevalence of 39.6% and 41.0% in 2011 and 2012, respectively. Our results also suggested niche partitioning among the four louse species within the host’s body parts. A generalized additive model indicated that size, sex, and year influenced the abundance of ectoparasites; the abundance of chewing lice increased with the size of the host and was greater in females, as well as in the first year of study. Further studies are needed to explore the spatio-temporal variability in white storks’ lice infestations.

A new species of sucking louse (Psocodea: Phthiraptera: Anoplura: Hoplopleuridae) from the pale field rat, Rattus tunneyi (Rodentia: Muridae), in Australia.

We describe and illustrate a new species of sucking louse, Hoplopleura tunneya new species, from the Australian pale field rat, Rattus tunneyi Thomas (Rodentia: Muridae). Currently, 22 species of the genus Hoplopleura Enderlein, 1904 (Phthiraptera: Anoplura: Hoplopleuridae) are known from Australian endemic rodents. Among the seven new endemic rodent species of the genus Rattus in Australia, R. tunneyi is one of five hosts to Hoplopleura lice. In addition, we give a list of all the species of Hoplopleura known from Australian endemic rodents. Including the introduced species Polyplax spinulosa, the total number of sucking louse species known from Australian endemic rodents is now 24.

Spatial distribution of chewing lice (Phthiraptera: Menoponidae, Philopteridae) infesting Canada geese and mallards (Aves: Anatidae), in Manitoba, Canada

Abstract Canada geese, Branta canadensis (Linnaeus) (Anseriformes: Anatidae), and mallards, Anas platyrhynchos Linnaeus (Anseriformes: Anatidae), are infested by several species of chewing lice (Phthiraptera: Menoponidae, Philopteridae). We examined the spatial distribution of lice upon these hosts. Hosts were dissected into five body regions: head and neck, wings, back, underside, and tail. Canada geese (n = 20) were infested with six species of lice. Anaticola anseris (Linnaeus) (n = 423) and Anatoecus spp. (n = 510) were restricted to the wings and head, respectively, whereas Ornithobius goniopleurus Denny (n = 1919) and Ciconiphilus pectiniventris (Harrison) (n = 757) were spread over multiple body regions. Trinoton anserinum (Fabricius) (n = 2) was present in insufficient numbers to reach conclusions about its distribution. Mallards (n = 8) were infested with four species of lice. Anaticola crassicornis (Scopoli) (n = 121) and Anatoecus dentatus (Scopoli) (n = 244) were restricted to the wings and head, respectively. Holomenopon maxbeieri Eichler (n = 52) infested multiple body regions, and Trinoton querquedulae (Linnaeus) (n = 27) were found mainly on the wings. Chewing lice infesting mallards and Canada geese partition their hosts in accordance with their own morphological and ecological requirements.