Family TRICHODECTIDAE

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Introduction

The Trichodectidae Kellogg, 1896 comprise 351 described species and subspecies (Lyal 1985) that parasitise eutherian mammals. Seven introduced species occur in Australia; each is restricted to a single species of domestic mammal. Lyal (1985) reviewed in detail the taxonomy and phylogeny of this family.

Trichodectids may be distinguished from other Ischnocera found in Australia by the presence of antennae with three segments and tarsi with single claws. Roberts' (1952) key to the species of lice of domestic animals in Australia is instructive, although it relies considerably on the identity of the species of host for identification of the lice.

Of the trichodectid lice in Australia, Bovicola ovis, the Sheep Body Louse, is by far the most important economically. Arundel & Sutherland (1988) gave a fine account of the biology, pathology and control of B. ovis, and of trichodectid lice of cattle, goats and horses in Australia.{80471}

General References

Lyal, C.H.C. 1985. A cladistic analysis and classification of trichodectid mammal lice (Phthiraptera: Ischnocera). Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History) Entomology 51: 1-346

Roberts, D.W. & Strand, M.A. 1977. Pathogens of medically important arthropods. Bulletin of the World Health Organisation 55(Suppl. 1): 1-419

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