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Species of louse From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Antarctophthirus microchir is a parasite found on pinnipeds (commonly known as sea lions and seals) and is an ectoparasite with the ability to live on the surface of mammals while tolerating submersion in salt water.[1][2]
Antarctophthirus microchir | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Psocodea |
Family: | Echinophthiriidae |
Genus: | Antarctophthirus |
Species: | A. microchir |
Binomial name | |
Antarctophthirus microchir (Trouessart and Neumann, 1888) | |
Larval stages: Eggs and first larval stage are mainly found on seal pups, which have less contact with water during the beginning of their lives. It is shown that the parasitic eggs have less resistance to water.
Nymph: Legs and spine are developed.
Adult: Exterior structures are developed. The haustellum functions as a suction and provides stability of the lice on mammal surface.
All stages of A. microchir were found on aquatic mammals, suggesting the lice completes the entire life cycle within the host.
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