Files and links (1)
CC BY-NC-ND V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
A critically co-endangered feather louse Forficuloecus pezopori n. sp. (Phthiraptera: Philopteridae) detected through conservation intervention for the western ground parrot Pezoporus flaviventris (Psittaculidae)
International journal for parasitology. Parasites and wildlife, Vol.24, 100931
2024
PMID: 38655449
Abstract
Forficuloecus pezopori Martin, Keatley & Ash n. sp. from the western ground parrot Pezoporus flaviventris North, 1911 (Psittaculidae) is proposed based on combined evidence from morphology and COI mitochondrial DNA. Phylogenetically, the new species is closest to its two known congeners from Western Australia: F. josephi Price, Johnson & Palma, 2008 from Bourke's parrot Neopsephotus bourkii (Gould, 1841) and the scarlet-chested parrot Neophema splendida (Gould, 1841), and F. palmai Guimarães, 1985 from the Australian ringneck parrot Barnardius zonarius (Shaw, 1805). Morphologically it is distinguishable by abdominal chaetotaxy and characters of the male genitalia, and is most similar to F. josephi and F. greeni Guimarães, 1985; the latter has no representative sequence data. Forficuloecus pezopori is the eleventh species of its genus and the only metazoan parasite known from P. flaviventris, which is among Australia's most endangered vertebrates. The new louse is apparently restricted to P. flaviventris and is therefore co-endangered, facing at least the same likelihood of extinction as its host. We recommend ongoing translocation and field monitoring efforts for P. flaviventris include monitoring but not treatment for lice infestations in otherwise healthy individuals, and that the care management plan for captive P. flaviventris considers that F. pezopori is similarly imperilled.
[Display omitted]
•The first metazoan parasite known from the western ground parrot.•The new louse is likely restricted to its host and thus also critically endangered.•Conservation interventions for the parrot ought to consider the louse.•Host interventions are opportunities to discover and conserve parasites.
Details
- Title
- A critically co-endangered feather louse Forficuloecus pezopori n. sp. (Phthiraptera: Philopteridae) detected through conservation intervention for the western ground parrot Pezoporus flaviventris (Psittaculidae)
- Authors/Creators
- Storm Blas Martin - Murdoch University, Centre for Sustainable Aquatic EcosystemsSarah Keatley - Murdoch UniversityAlisa Wallace - Wildlife Hospital, Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo, New South Wales, AustraliaRebecca J. Vaughan-Higgins - Murdoch University, Centre for Terrestrial Ecosystem Science and SustainabilityAmanda Ash - Murdoch University, Centre for Biosecurity and One Health
- Publication Details
- International journal for parasitology. Parasites and wildlife, Vol.24, 100931
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ltd on behalf of Australian Society for Parasitology
- Identifiers
- 991005657667307891
- Copyright
- © 2024 The Authors.
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Centre for Terrestrial Ecosystem Science and Sustainability
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
Metrics
3 File views/ downloads
53 Record Views