Musserellus gen. nov., and Five New Species of Fleas (Siphonaptera: Stivaliidae) From Murid Rodents in Sulawesi and West Papua, Indonesia

• Published in: Journal of Medical Entomology
• Main Authors: David K. Mardon, Lance A. Durden
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: Entomological Society of America 2016
• Subjects: Rattus rattus
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1093/jme/tjw012

A new stivaliid flea genus, Musserellus, and five new species are described. The new genus is compared with its closest morphological relatives, the genera Rectidigitus Holland and Metastivalius Holland. Musserellus vanpeeneni sp. nov., Musserellus wattsi sp. nov., Musserellus whitei sp. nov., and Musserellus marshalli sp. nov. are described from endemic murid rodents in Sulawesi, Indonesia, while Musserellus dunneti sp. nov. is described from Rattus rattus in West Papua, Indonesia. Host associations and the biogeographical relevance of the faunal connection between Sulawesi and New Guinea shown by Musserellus are briefly discussed.