The morphology and systematics of Mallophaga infesting New Zealand Anatidae

Abstract

Fourteen species of Mallophaga representing seven genera were collected from the New Zealand Anatidae. The "Plastic bag technique" was used in the field to delouse live birds. A large number of external, morphological characters of seven species have been studied to determine,(a) the variation of the characters within the group and evaluate their importance in classification, and (b) to standardise the terminology used. The species were Ciconiphilus pectiniventris (Harrison), Holomenopon tadornae (Gervais), Trinoton querquedulae (Linnaeus), Acidoproctus gottwaldhirschi Eichler, Anaticola crassicornis (Scopoli), Anatoecus icterodes (Nitzsch) and Ornithobius fuscus Le Souef. Each species is a representative example of one of the seven genera found on the Anatidae. It has been shown that the oesophageal sclerite and lingual glands are present in three species of Ornithobius namely O, bucephalus Giebel, O. fuscus Le Souef and O. goniopleurus Denny. Similar structures are absent in Acidoproctus gottwaldhirschi. This feature is significant as it substantiates the independant status of Acidoproctus. The Systematics and Classification of all the species found on the New Zealand Anatidae is given. The species include the seven cited above, together with Trinoton anserinum (J.C. Fabricius), Trinoton nigrum Le Souef, Anaticola magnificus Ansari, Anatoecus dentatus (Scopoli), Anatoecus atratus new species, Ornithobius bucephalus (Giebel) and Ornithobius goniopleurus Denny. The following species have been redescribed to meet present day requirements: Ciconiphilus pectiniventris, Holomenopon tadornae, Trinoton nigrum, Acidoproctus gottwaldhirschi, Anaticola magnificus, Ornithobius bucephalus, Ornithobius goniopleurus and Ornithobius fuscus Le Souef. A key to the identification of the genera and species found on the New Zealand Anatidae, the diagnosis of the other species and the description of a new species are included.