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Type: Article
Published: 2008-01-14
Page range: 55–62
Abstract views: 56
PDF downloaded: 1

A new species of sucking louse (Phthiraptera: Anoplura) from Australia, and a key to the Australian species of Hoplopleura

Department of Molecular and Life Sciences, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, Queensland, 4702, Australia
Department of Molecular and Life Sciences, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, Queensland, 4702, Australia
Phthiraptera Anoplura Australia Hoplopleura Muridae Zyzomys

Abstract

A new species of sucking louse, Hoplopleura zyzomydis, is described and illustrated from the common Australian rock rat Zyzomys argurus (Thomas, 1889) (Rodentia: Muridae), collected in northwest Queensland, Australia. This is the first record of a sucking louse from the genus Zyzomys, and its morphology is contrasted with other Australian Hoplopleura species. Hoplopleura zyzomydis is unique in having a combination of short dorsal principal thoracic setae and setae absent from paratergal plates 4–6. A key to the Australian species of Hoplopleura is presented.

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