Difference between revisions of "Flea Structure"

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[[Image: flea.jpg|thumb|right|250px|''Robert Hooke's famous flea from Micrographia'' Muriel Gottrop, WikiMedia Commons]]
 
[[Image: flea.jpg|thumb|right|250px|''Robert Hooke's famous flea from Micrographia'' Muriel Gottrop, WikiMedia Commons]]
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[[Image:Flea Diagram.jpg|thumb|right|150px|''Flea Diagram'' <br> AI2 2007, Wikimedia Commons]]
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[[Image:Flea Diagram.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Flea Diagram - Wikimedia Commons]]
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==Overview==
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=Overview=
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Fleas make up the taxonomical order ''Siphonaptera'' containing approximately 2500 species all of which are very similar in morphology. All are obligate blood feeders, which is apparent in the morphology of the mouthparts. Though they are all small, between 1 and 6mm, there is considerable sexual dimporphism, the females being larger than the males. The body of the flea is laterally flattened to allow for easy movement between hair and feathers and also to improve jumping.
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Fleas make up the taxonomical order ''Siphonaptera'' containing approximately 2500 species all of which are very similar in morphology. All are obligate blood feeders, which is apparent in the morphology of the mouthparts. Though they are all small, between 1 and 6mm, there is considerable sexual dimporphism, the females being larger than the males. The body of the flea is laterally flattened  
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The terms '''ctenidia''' and '''combs''' can be used interchangably for spines on the head/thorax. Spines on the cheeks are referred to as '''genal''' and spines on the thorax are called '''pronotal''' combs. The presence and location of the chitinous spines are important in differentiating between the different flea species. The chitinous anal struts are also used for identification and help the flea larvae with vigorous motility.
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==Head==
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[[Category:Fleas]]
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The head holds the mouthparts, eyes and antennae of the flea. The eyes of the flea, when present, are little more than photosensitive spots either side of the head. As an adaptation to allow easy movement between the hairs or feathers of the host the fleas antennae are short and sunken into the head so as not to protrude. The head may also hold backwards facing '''ctenidia''' or combs that protrude ventrally from the head and are an adaptation to prevent their easy removal from the hairs and skin of the host by preening or grooming. On the head these combs are referred to as '''genal ctenidia''' to differentiate them from the combs found on the body. The presence, number and position of these combs is an important feature in flea identification.
 
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===Mouthparts===
 
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The mouthparts of the flea are adapted to piercing and sucking to enable feeding on the blood of the host. The most prominent feature are the well developed maxillary palps.
 
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==Body==
 
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The first section or '''pronotum''' of the body behind the head may hold further '''ctenidia''' to prevent easy removal. when these combs are present on the body they are often referred to as '''pronotal ctenidia'''. The remainder of the body caudally is the abdomen containing the digestive and reproductive organs of the flea. At the posterior end of the body are the fleas genitalia.
 
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==Legs==
 
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Fleas are 6 legged, the two front pairs are considerably shorter than the most caudal pair. They are made up of 5 parts; coxa, femur, tibia, tarsus and claw from proximal to distal. The increased length of the most caudal legs is an adaptation to increase the distance that the flea can jump. This allows the flea to easily move between hosts, one of them major reasons for their veterinary importance.
 
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==Flea Larvae==
 
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Flea larvae are long and maggot like in appearance. They have a distinctive brown head and a coat of chitinous spines. The presence of chitinous anal struts aids the larvae in vigorous motility as well as being a point for idetification. The mouthparts of the larvae are adapted to chewing as they feed on detritus and the droppings of adult fleas. These droppings contain blood from the adults feed and gives the larvae a deep red colour.
 
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[[Category:Fleas|A]]
 
 
[[Category:To_Do_-_Parasites]]
 
[[Category:To_Do_-_Parasites]]
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[[Category:To_Do_-_NickJ]]

Revision as of 19:56, 20 July 2010


 This article is still under construction.


Robert Hooke's famous flea from Micrographia Muriel Gottrop, WikiMedia Commons
Flea Diagram - Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Fleas make up the taxonomical order Siphonaptera containing approximately 2500 species all of which are very similar in morphology. All are obligate blood feeders, which is apparent in the morphology of the mouthparts. Though they are all small, between 1 and 6mm, there is considerable sexual dimporphism, the females being larger than the males. The body of the flea is laterally flattened The terms ctenidia and combs can be used interchangably for spines on the head/thorax. Spines on the cheeks are referred to as genal and spines on the thorax are called pronotal combs. The presence and location of the chitinous spines are important in differentiating between the different flea species. The chitinous anal struts are also used for identification and help the flea larvae with vigorous motility.

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