Reticulipeurus Kéler, 1958

Gustafsson, Daniel R., Lei, Lujia, Chu, Xingzhi & Zou, Fasheng, 2020, Review of Chinese species of the Oxylipeurus - complex (Phthiraptera: Philopteridae), with descriptions of two new genera and five new species, Zootaxa 4742 (2), pp. 201-255 : 212-214

Reticulipeurus Kéler, 1958

Reticulipeurus Kéler, 1958: 332 .

Oxylipeurus ; Price et al. 2003: 202, 231 (in partim).

Type species: Lipeurus tetraonis Grube, 1851 , by original designation.

Diagnosis. Reticulipeurus is morphologically similar to Cataphractomimus and Sinolipeurus , all sharing the following characters: (1) the reticulation of several abdominal plates (the exact extent of clearly visible reticulation is variable within Reticulipeurus ), (2) morphology of the mesosome (antero-lateral corners with hooked extensions, distal margin rugose, gonopore originating at proximal end), (3) a rounded frons, and (4) an enlarged male scape and pedicel, with the scape bearing a tooth-like projection.

Reticulipeurus can be separate from Cataphractomimus by the characters given above, under the diagnosis of Cataphractomimus . Reticulipeurus can be separated from Sinolipeurus by the following characters: (1) dorsal preantennal suture present in Reticulipeurus ( Fig. 7 ), but absent in Sinolipeurus ( Fig. 19 ); (2) male tergopleurites IX+X and XI fused and both medianly continuous in Reticulipeurus ( Fig. 7 ), but separate and tergopleurite XI medianly separate in Sinolipeurus ( Fig. 19 ); (3) differences in postantennal head chaetotaxy ( Figs 93, 95 ); (4) male genitalia proportionately smaller in Reticulipeurus ( Figs 42–59 ) than in Sinolipeurus ( Figs 63–68 ); (5) mesosome with large, lateral rugose nodi in distal end in Sinolipeurus ( Fig. 65 ), but without such nodi in Reticulipeurus ( Fig. 47 ); (6) parameres gently curved or roughly straight in Reticulipeurus ( Fig. 46 ), but S-shaped in Sinolipeurus ( Fig. 64 ); (7) gonopore markedly different in structure ( Figs 47 , 65 ); (8) stylus long and slender, arising from center of subgenital plate, with underlying posterior extension of subgenital plate in Sinolipeurus ( Fig. 86 ), but short and blunt, arising subterminally, without underlying extension of subgenital plate in Reticulipeurus ( Fig. 80 ); (9) head setae as2–3 marginal in Reticulipeurus ( Fig. 5 ), but clearly dorsal in Sinolipeurus ( Fig. 19 ); (10) marginal pterothoracic setae grouped in two distinct clusters on each side in Sinolipeurus ( Fig. 19 ), but all in one cluster or in a short row in Reticulipeurus ( Fig. 5 ); (11) mandibular seta present in Reticulipeurus ( Fig. 6 ) (this seta is a microseta and not always clearly visible in all specimens), but absent in Sinolipeurus ( Fig. 19 ).

Description.

Both sexes. Head slender, frons rounded, either narrowly ( Fig. 5 ) or broadly ( Fig. 15 ). Marginal carina uninter- rupted. Dorsal preantennal suture present, arising at ads and medianly continuous. Extensive internal thickenings present posterior to marginal carina across most of head, in some species in double lines (e.g. Fig. 6 ). Head chaetotaxy as in Figs 5 and 93 (those of R. polytrapezius are different, see below); as2–3 marginal; avs3 situated far anterior, near vsms1–2; mds present as microsetae which may be hard to see; mts3 macroseta; s1–3, s5, s7 present, sizes as in Fig. 93 . Coni short, at most about half-length of female scape. Antennae sexually dimorphic ( Figs 5–6 ): male scape, pedicel and flagellomere I modified. Eyes not prominent. Gular plate indistinct.

Prothorax with 1 dorsal anterior seta (pdas), 1 pronotal marginal-lateral seta (pmls) and 1 pronotal postspiracular seta (ppss) on each side. Pterothorax with 1 anterior and 1 posterior submarginal meso-metanotal seta (asmns and psmns, respectively), 1 pterothoracic trichoid seta (ptrs) and 1 pterothoracic thorn-like seta (pths) on each side. Marginal pterothoracic setae in single cluster or short row on each side ( Fig. 5 ). Leg chaetotaxy as in Fig. 89 ; cII-v3 and cIII-v3 dorsal. Postero-lateral corners of pterothorax not extended into horns. Shape of abdomen and degree of visible reticulation differing among species ( Figs 5 , 13 ).

Male. In most species, the scape has a prominent tooth-like projection ( Fig. 27 ), but in species without such projection, the scape is much larger than in the female; flagellomere I with hook-shaped extension distally, and may have extensive rugose area on dorsal margin ( Fig. 28 ). Abdominal plates as in Fig. 5 ; tergopleurites II–VIII separated medianly; tergopleurites IX+X and XI fused, each medianly continuous. Inter-tergal plates absent. Sternal plates present on segments II–VII. Subgenital plate formed by fusion of sternal plates VII–IX+X, not incised laterally between segments; accessory sternal plate may be present on anterior end of segment IX+X ( Fig. 5 ); stylus short, blunt, arising subterminally, typically not extending far beyond distal margin of abdomen ( Fig. 80 ) (the stylus is typically longer, spatulate and arising terminally in species parasitising species of Arborophila Hodgson, 1837 ). Male genitalia as in Figs 42–59 : basal apodeme slender, often with similar width throughout; mesosome seemingly fused to basal apodeme proximally, antero-laterally with prominent hooks on each side and distal section with extensive rugose area (in R. polytrapezius with second rugose area more anteriorly); gonopore short, not approaching distal margin of mesosome, not fused distally; ventral sclerite wider than long, typically with at least one pore near lateral ends on each side; parameres generally slender, tapering gently, either roughly straight or curing gently; pst1–2 typically separated ( Fig. 49 ), but may be close together ( Fig. 55 ).

Female. Abdominal plates as in Fig. 6 . Tergopleurites II–VIII separated medianly; tergopleurite IX+X medianly continuous, either separate from tergopleurite XI ( Fig. 6 ), or fused with it ( Fig. 8 ). Sternal plates present on segments II–VII. Subgenital plate varying between species, often diffuse and much reduced; either medianly continuous ( Fig. 70 ) or separated medianly ( Fig. 71 ); lateral accessory vulval plates absent; subvulval plates present; vulval margin concave, but shape differing between species and with numerous marginal setae and one submarginal seta on each side ( Figs 70–75 ). In lice parasitising species of Arborophila the vulval margin is folded into large, semicircular lobes. Distal ends of abdomen may be extended into claspers in lice parasitising species of Arborophila .

Host distribution. Species of Reticulipeurus are parasitic on members of the families Cracidae , Numididae and Phasianidae in the order Galliformes .

Geographical range. Almost cosmopolitan, except Antarctica and unknown from wild, native birds in Australasia, Oceania, and other islands lacking native galliform hosts.

Remarks. Besides the species treated here, we have not examined any specimen of most of the species of Reticulipeurus listed below. Therefore, our inclusion of those species in Reticulipeurus is based on Clay’s (1938) Oxylipeurus Group VI, Złotorzycka (1966) and Kéler (1958). A thorough revision of this genus is necessary to establish whether all the species included below belong to this genus, but that task is beyond the scope of this paper. Louse species from hosts in the Cracidae (including Clay’s “Group V”) are tentatively included here based on Carriker (1944), Kéler (1958) and Mey (2009), but we have not examined any specimen of any of the species from cracid hosts. Synonyms follow Price et al. (2003).

Although Clay (1938) included Oxylipeurus tetraophasis in her Group VI, we consider this species to belong to a separate genus (see below) because it shows significant differences from Reticulipeurus , in particular the structure and chaetotaxy of the head and the morphology of the male genitalia. Furthermore, Clay (1938) included Oxylipeurus agriocharis Clay, 1938 , Oxylipeurus corpulentus Clay, 1938 , Oxylipeurus ocellatus Clay, 1938 and Lipeurus polytrapezius Burmeister, 1838 in her Group VI. These species are morphologically very distinct and should be grouped in a separate genus. Also, Lipeurus dentatus Sugimoto, 1934 was included in Group VI by Clay (1938), but it is morphologically distinct from all other species in the Oxylipeurus- complex and should be placed in a monotypic genus. However, considering that all these species have not been recorded from China, they are not treated further here. Oxylipeurus forcipatus ( Piaget, 1885) may also belong in Reticulipeurus , but we have not examined Piaget’s specimens to confirm its inclusion.

In addition to the specimens redescribed below, we have examined four unidentified Chinese specimens of Reticulipeurus deposited at the NHML from three other host species, as follows: one male from Lerwa lerwa (Hodgson, 1833) , which is too poorly preserved to be described, two females from Crossoptilon harmani Elwes, 1881 and one female from Arborophila gingica . Considering that many of the useful characters to identify lice of the Oxylipeurus -complex are in the male genitalia, female-only samples cannot be reliably identified at this time. However, when the species of Reticulipeurus parasitising members of the host genus Arborophila have been revised, it might be possible to identify females.

Figures

FIGURE 89. Reticulipeurus robustus (Rudow, 1869) ex Lophura nycthemera. Chaetotaxy of male legs, dorsal and ventral views. Abbreviations: a = anterior seta; c = coxa; dm = distal marginal seta; f = femur; t = trochanter; tb = tibia; tr = tarsi.

FIGURES 7–8. Reticulipeurus robustus (Rudow, 1869) ex Lophura nycthemera. 7, male habitus, dorsal and ventral views. 8, female habitus, dorsal and ventral views. Abbreviations: mds = mandibular seta.

FIGURES 19–20. Male habitus, dorsal and ventral views. 19, Sinolipeurus tetraophasis (Clay, 1938) ex Tetraophasis obscurus. 20, Sinolipeurus sichuanensis new species ex Tragopan temminckii. Legs have been rotated for clarity.

FIGURES 92–95. Male dorsal temporal chaetotaxy. 92, Cataphractomimus mirapelta new species ex Lophophorus lhuysii. 93, Reticulipeurus robustus (Rudow, 1869) ex Lophura nycthemera. 94, Megalipeurus sinensis new species ex Arborophila gingica. 95, Sinolipeurus tetraophasis (Clay, 1938) ex Tetraophasis obscurus. Reticulation, antennae, coni, nodi, and carinae omitted for clarity. Exact position and size of setae differ slightly among species in each genus. Abbreviations: mts1–5 = marginal temporal setae 1–5; os = ocular setae; pas = preantennal seta; pns = post-nodal seta; pos = pre-ocular seta; pts = posttemporal seta; s1–7 = sensilla 1–7. Figures drawn at different scales.

FIGURES 33–44. Male genitalia. 33–35, Cataphractomimus impervius new species ex Lophophorus sclateri sclateri. 33, genitalia, dorsal view. 34, paramere, dorsal view. 35, mesosome, ventral view. 36–38, Cataphractomimus mirapelta new species ex Lophophorus lhuysii Geoffroy. 36, genitalia, dorsal view. 37, paramere, dorsal view. 38, mesosome, ventral view. 39–41, Cataphractomimus junae new species ex Tragopan temminckii. 39, genitalia, dorsal view. 40, paramere, dorsal view. 41, mesosome, ventral view. 42–44, Reticulipeurus mesopelios (Nitzsch [in Giebel], 1866) ex Chrysolophus pictus. 42, genitalia, dorsal view. 43, paramere, dorsal view. 44, mesosome, ventral view. All figures drawn to same scale. Abbreviations: pst1–2 = parameral setae 1–2.

FIGURES 45–56. Male genitalia. 45–47, Reticulipeurus robustus (Rudow, 1869) ex Lophura nycthemera. 45, genitalia, dorsal view. 46, paramere, dorsal view. 47, mesosome, ventral view. 48–50, Reticulipeurus reevesi (Clay, 1938) ex Syrmaticus reevesi. 48, full genitalia, dorsal view. 49, paramere, dorsal view. 50, mesosome, ventral view. 51–53, Reticulipeurus baileyi (Clay, 1938) ex Crossoptilon auritum. 51, genitalia, dorsal view. 52, paramere, dorsal view. 53, mesosome, ventral view. 54–56, Reticulipeurus crossoptilon (Clay, 1938) ex Crossoptilon crossoptilon crossoptilon. 54, genitalia, dorsal view. 55, paramere, dorsal view. 56, mesosome, ventral view. All figures drawn to same scale.

FIGURES 57–68. Male genitalia. 57–59, Reticulipeurus ithaginis (Clay, 1938) ex Ithaginis cruentus. 57, full genitalia, dorsal view. 58, paramere, dorsal view. 59, mesosome, ventral view. 60–62, Megalipeurus sinensis new species ex Arborophila gingica. 60, genitalia, dorsal view. 61, paramere, dorsal view. 62, mesosome, ventral view (the V-shaped sclerite is internal, but here is drawn with complete lines to illustrate shape and structure). 63–65, Sinolipeurus tetraophasis (Clay, 1938) ex Tetraophasis obscurus. 63, genitalia, dorsal view. 64, paramere, dorsal view. 65, mesosome, ventral view. 66–68, Sinolipeurus sichuanensis new species ex Tragopan temminckii. 66, genitalia, dorsal view. 67, paramere, dorsal view. 68, mesosome, ventral view. All figures drawn to same scale. Abbreviations: pst1–2 = parameral setae 1–2.

FIGURES 85–87. Male terminalia, ventral views. 85, Megalipeurus sinensis new species ex Arborophila gingica. 86, Sinolipeurus tetraophasis (Clay, 1938) ex Tetraophasis obscurus. 87, Sinolipeurus sichuanensis new species ex Tragopan temminckii.

FIGURES 79–81. Male terminalia, ventral views. 79, Reticulipeurus mesopelios (Nitzsch [in Giebel], 1866) ex Chrysolophus pictus. 80, Reticulipeurus robustus (Rudow, 1869) ex Lophura nycthemera. 81, Reticulipeurus reevesi (Clay, 1938) ex Syrmaticus reevesi.

FIGURES 5–6. Reticulipeurus mesopelios (Nitzsch [in Giebel], 1866). 5, male habitus, dorsal and ventral views. 6, female habitus, dorsal and ventral views. Male drawn from Chrysolophus pictus; female from Chrysolophus amhearstiae. Leg II of the male is also drawn from a specimen from C. amherstiae, and therefore not drawn attached to the body.

FIGURES 15–16. Reticulipeurus ithaginis (Clay, 1938) ex Ithaginis cruentus. 15, male habitus, dorsal and ventral views. 16, female habitus, dorsal and ventral views.

FIGURES 13–14. Reticulipeurus crossoptilon (Clay, 1938) ex Crossoptilon crossoptilon crossoptilon. 13, male habitus, dorsal and ventral views. 14, female habitus, dorsal and ventral views.

FIGURES 25–28. Male antennae. 25, Reticulipeurus robustus (Rudow, 1869) ex Lophura nycthemera. 26, Reticulipeurus reevesi (Clay, 1938) ex Syrmaticus reevesi. 27, Reticulipeurus baileyi (Clay, 1938) ex Crossoptilon auritum. 28, Reticulipeurus crossoptilon (Clay, 1938) ex Crossoptilon crossoptilon crossoptilon. All figures drawn to same scale.

FIGURES 69–70. Female subgenital plates and terminalia, ventral views. 69, Cataphractomimus impervius new species ex Lophophorus sclateri sclateri. 70, Reticulipeurus mesopelios (Nitzsch [in Giebel], 1866) ex Chrysolophus amhearstiae. Abbreviation: LAVP = lateral accessory vulval plates.

FIGURES 71–72. Female subgenital plates and terminalia, ventral views. 71, Reticulipeurus robustus (Rudow, 1869) ex Lophura nycthemera. 72, Reticulipeurus reevesi (Clay, 1938) ex Syrmaticus reevesi).