Forficuloecus wilsoni Price, Johnson

Price, Roger D., Johnson, Kevin P. & Palma, Ricardo L., 2008, A review of the genus Forficuloecus Conci (Phthiraptera: Philopteridae) from parrots (Psittaciformes: Psittacidae), with descriptions of four new species, Zootaxa 1859, pp. 49-62 : 56

Forficuloecus wilsoni Price, Johnson , and Palma, new species

( Figs. 15–17)

Type host. Platycercus venustus (Kuhl, 1820) , the Northern Rosella.

Male. Dorsal abdomen as in Fig. 16. Tergal setae: II–VII, 6–10; VIII, 6–7. Tergite IX with well developed lateral plates, distinct median gap between them. Sternal setae: II, 2–3; III–VI, 6–11; VII, 3–6. Genitalia ( Fig. 17) with evenly curved parameres and very long penis shaped as shown.

Female. Dorsal abdomen as in Fig. 15. Tergal setae: II, 12–13; III, 9–13; IV, 12; V–VI, 8–11; VII, 8; VIII, 6–7. Sternal setae: II, 2; III–V, 8–10; VI, 7–8; VII, 4–6.

Type material. Holotype male ( ANIC), ex P. venustus , AUSTRALIA: Northwest Territory, Pine Creek, 24 Oct. 2002, D.H. Clayton, ANWC 33998 & 99. Paratypes (UU, INHS): 2 males, 4 females, same data holotype.

Remarks. Both sexes of F. w i l s o n i and F. palmai Guimarães represent the largest members of this species group. However, both sexes of F. w i l s o n i have consistently fewer tergal setae on most abdominal segments and males are distinctive by their strongly defined tergite IX and details of the genitalia ( Fig. 17 vs Fig. 20).

Etymology. This species is named for Robert Wilson, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Alaska, in recognition of his assistance in collecting lice from a wide range of avian hosts.