Difference between revisions of "Lice"

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#REDIRECT[[:Category:Lice]]
 
 
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==Phthiraptera introduction==
 
[[Image:Arthropod classifiation.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Arthropod Classification - copyright nabrown RVC]]
 
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|fleas]] are dorsoventrally flattened.
 
 
 
Lice are host specific, permanent parasites which cause [[Parasitic skin infections - Pathology#Lice|pediculosis]]. The louse saliva and faeces contain allergenic substances which cause irritation, rubbing, licking and skin damage leading to decreased host productivity.
 
 
 
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.
 
 
 
There are two main groups of veterinary importance, the mallophaga (chewing lice) and anoplura (sucking lice).
 
 
 
==Mallophaga==
 
''Also known as '''chewing lice''' or '''biting lice''' ''
 
 
 
*Broad head
 
 
 
*Thorax narrower than the head
 
 
 
*Rasping mouthparts
 
 
 
*Feeds on epithelial scales, scabs, feathers and other bodily debris
 
 
 
*Species occur on both mammals and birds
 
 
 
==Anoplura==
 
[[Image:Sucking Louse.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Sucking Louse ''Pediculosis humanus'' - From: Genetic Analysis of Lice Supports Direct Contact between Modern and Archaic Humans Reed DL, Smith VS, Hammond SL, Rogers AR, Clayton DH PLoS Biology Vol. 2, No. 11, e340 doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.0020340]]
 
''Also known as '''sucking lice''' ''
 
 
 
*Narrow head
 
 
 
*Thorax wider than the head
 
 
 
*Powerful legs
 
 
 
*Piercing mouthparts
 
 
 
*Feed on blood and tissue fluids
 
 
 
*Heavy infestations can cause anaemia
 
 
 
*Species occur only on mammals
 
 
 
==Life cycle==
 
 
 
*The whole life cycle takes '''2-3 weeks'''
 
 
 
*The louse spends its whole life on the animal
 
**It can however survive for one week off the animal
 
 
 
*In some species [[WikiWords#P|parthenogenesis]] can occur
 
 
 
*Close contact transmission can occur
 
 
 
'''1. Eggs'''
 
 
 
*Known as nits
 
 
 
*Cemented to hairs
 
 
 
'''2. Nymphs'''
 
 
 
*Nymphs hatch from the egg (no larval stage)
 
 
 
*Undergoes several moults
 
 
 
'''3. Adults'''
 
 
 
*Females can lay up to '''10 eggs per day'''
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
<big> '''[[Pediculosis]]'''
 
 
 
'''[[Lice - Cattle]]
 
 
 
'''[[Lice - Sheep]]
 
 
 
'''[[Lice - Pigs]]
 
 
 
'''[[Lice - Horses]]
 
 
 
'''[[Lice - Dogs]]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
===Cats===</big>
 
 
 
*One chewing louse
 
**''Felicola''
 
 
 
===Poultry===
 
 
 
*Several species of chewing lice
 
**''Lipeurus spp.'' are the most pathogenic
 
***The 'wing louse' and the 'head louse'
 
**''Menacanthus spp.'' are also pathogenic
 
***Lays its eggs in clusters around the [[The Avian Vent and Cloaca - Anatomy & Physiology|cloaca]]
 
 
 
*No sucking lice
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
==[[Insecta Flashcards - WikiBugs#Lice|Lice Flashcards]]==
 
[[Category:Parasites]]
 

Latest revision as of 23:18, 19 May 2010

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