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| − | ===Introduction===
| + | [[Category:To_Do_-_Parasites]] |
| − | [[File:Damalinia equi.jpg|thumb|150px|right|Chewing louse <br>Courtesy of The Donkey Sanctuary]]
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| − | [[Image:Sucking Louse.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Sucking Louse ''Pediculosis humanus'' <br> Smith VS et al. 2004, WikiMedia Commons]]
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| − | Lice are obligate ectoparasites of every avian and most mammalian species. They are only a few millimeters long and like [[Fleas|fleas]], are wingless but unlike fleas are dorsoventrally flattened.
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| − | Lice are host specific, permanent parasites which cause [[Pediculosis|pediculosis]]. The louse saliva and faeces contain allergenic substances which cause irritation, rubbing, licking and skin damage leading to decreased host productivity.
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| − | Mammalian lice species have a single pair of claws on the ends of stout legs, whereas avian lice species have a double claw on each leg.
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| − | There are two main groups of veterinary importance, the ''Mallophaga'' (chewing lice) and ''Anoplura'' (sucking lice)
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| − | ===Chewing Lice (''Mallophaga'')===
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| − | [[:Category:Chewing Lice|Chewing lice]] are also known as biting lice. They have a broad head, and the thorax narrower than the head. These lice have rasping mouthparts, and feed on epithelial scales, scabs, feathers and other bodily debris.
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| − | Species occur on both mammals and birds.
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| − | ===Sucking Lice (''Anoplura'')===
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| − | [[:Category:Sucking Lice|Sucking lice]] have a narrow head, and the thorax wider than the head. They have powerful legs, and piercing mouthparts, used to feed on blood and tissue fluids. Heavy infestations can cause [[:Category:Anaemia|anaemia]].
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| − | Species occur only on mammals.
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| − | [[Category:Lice|A]] | |