Review of the systematics, biology and ecology of lice from pinnipeds and river otters (Insecta: Phthiraptera: Anoplura: Echinophthiriidae)

Abstract

We present a literature review of the sucking louse family Echinophthiriidae, its five genera and twelve species parasitic on pinnipeds (fur seals, sea lions, walruses, true seals) and the North American river otter. We give detailed synonymies and published records for all taxonomic hierarchies, as well as hosts, type localities and repositories of type material; we highlight significant references and include comments on the current taxonomic status of the species. We provide a summary of present knowledge of the biology and ecology for eight species. Also, we give a host-louse list, and a bibliography to the family as complete as possible.

Uncovering deep mysteries: The underwater life of an amphibious louse

“…Thus, even though there has been collected many data on the biology of pinnipeds and on some aspects of the ecological association with their parasitic partners (see Leonardi and Palma, 2013), the diving physiology of these lice remains unexplained. Considering the above stated, this work is aimed at describing the response of Antarctophthirus microchir from South American sea lions, Otaria flavescens to immersion, and examining the underwater survival of lice submitted to different conditions of temperature and oxygen in water.…”

Heartworm (Acanthocheilonema spirocauda) and seal louse (Echinophthirius horridus) infections in harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) from the North and Baltic Seas

“…before the PDV epidemics. Prevalence and intensity of infection with seal lice in pinnipeds reportedly differ among regions (Leonardi and Palma, 2013), with 41% infections in harbour seals reported from the Wadden Sea (Wipper, 1974), 39% in Scottish waters (Thompson et al, 1998) and 45% on the Pacific coast of North America (Dailey and Fallace, 1989). Age-dependent infections with immature seals carrying highest burdens (Thompson et al, 1998;Wipper, 1974) are common.…”

Tandem host‐parasite dispersal inferred from similarities in phylogeographical patterns among Little Penguins and their ‘terrestrial’ ectoparasites

“…As a result, the lice have been able to maintain considerable genetic contact across their range (Banks et al, ). Previous studies of terrestrial ectoparasites that are exposed to marine conditions have focussed on the sucking lice of seals and the river otter (Echinophthiriidae) and have only described parasite loads, transmission dynamics within colonies, preferred attachment locations, and morphological adaptations to marine conditions (Kim, , ; Kim & Emerson, ; Leonardi & Lazzari, ; Leonardi & Palma, ; Murray & Nicholls, ; Murray, Smith, & Soucek, ). The present study therefore represents one of the first to characterise the dispersal capacity of a seemingly host‐species specific terrestrial ectoparasite exposed to marine conditions on an aquatically dispersing host (but see McCoy et al, ; McCoy, Boulinier, et al, ; Wessels et al, ).…”