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

• Published in: The Canadian Entomologist
• Main Authors: Grossi, Alexandra A., Galloway, Terry D.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 2022
• Subjects: Insect Science; Molecular Biology; Physiology; Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics; Structural Biology; Canada; Branta canadensis
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.4039/tce.2022.27; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0008347X2200027X

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.