Life Sciences Commons^™

Genomic Approaches To Uncovering The Coevolutionary History Of Parasitic Lice [Review], Kevin P. Johnson

Harold W. Manter Laboratory: Library Materials

Next-generation sequencing technologies are revolutionizing the fields of genomics, phylogenetics, and population genetics. These new genomic approaches have been extensively applied to a major group of parasites, the lice (Insecta: Phthiraptera) of birds and mammals. Two louse genomes have been assembled and annotated to date, and these have opened up new resources for the study of louse biology. Whole genome sequencing has been used to assemble large phylogenomic datasets for lice, incorporating sequences of thousands of genes. These datasets have provided highly supported trees at all taxonomic levels, ranging from relationships among the major groups of lice to those among …

How Birds Combat Ectoparasites, Dale H. Clayton, Jennifer A. H. Koop, Christopher W. Harbison, Brett R. Moyer, Sarah E. Bush

Harold W. Manter Laboratory: Library Materials

Birds are plagued by an impressive diversity of ectoparasites, ranging from feather-feeding lice, to feather-degrading bacteria. Many of these ectoparasites have severe negative effects on host fitness. It is therefore not surprising that selection on birds has favored a variety of possible adaptations for dealing with ectoparasites. The functional significance of some of these defenses has been well documented. Others have barely been studied, much less tested rigorously. In this article we review the evidence--or lack thereof--for many of the purported mechanisms birds have for dealing with ectoparasites. We concentrate on features of the plumage and its components, as well …

Lice Of Public Health Importance And Their Control, Harry D. Pratt, Kent S. Littig

Harold W. Manter Laboratory: Library Materials

Lice have been intimately associated with man for centuries. Infestations with lice occur today in the United States and many other countries despite great efforts to maintain high standards of public health. Public health agencies are often called upon if infestations include or expose large groups of people, particularly those in public institutions such as schools, jails, hospitals, or homes for the aged.

The three sucking lice that infest humans are: the body louse (Pedlculus humanus humanus), the head louse (Pediculus humanus capitis), and the crab louse (Pthirus pubis). The body louse is the …

Mallophaga From Apteryx, And Their Significance, With A Note On The Genus Rallicola, Launcelot Harrison

Harold W. Manter Laboratory: Library Materials

Regards the skins of five species of Apteryx in the collection at the Cambridge University Museum in England. From these were collected three species of Mallophaga belonging to the genus Rallicola. These are described with discussion about the significance of this occurrence upon Apteryx, from which no Mallophaga have previously been recorded.