Reticulipeurus (Forcipurellus), 2023

Gustafsson, Daniel R. & Zou, Fasheng, 2023, Species of Reticulipeurus Kéler, 1958 (Phthiraptera, Ischnocera, Oxylipeurus- complex) parasitic on species of Arborophila, with description of a new subgenus and three new species, Zootaxa 5284 (3), pp. 496-520 : 514-515

Reticulipeurus (Forcipurellus) species 1

Hosts

Arborophila brunneopectus brunneopectus (Blyth, 1855) —bar-backed partridge.

Arborophila brunneopectus albigula (Robinson & Kloss, 1919) .

Arborophila brunneopectus henrici (Oustalet, 1896) .

Remarks. We examined a single male and eight females from three different host subspecies. The male has a partially distorted head, and the female from the same host subspecies has a distorted abdomen. The head outline of the female from A. b. brunneopectus is similar to those of the females from the other host subspecies, indicating that they are likely conspecific. However, as the only male is poorly preserved, we prefer not to describe this species until more specimens become available. These specimens are similar to R. (F.) formosanus , but they have a more pointed preantennal head, different male genitalia shape, and larger vulval lobes with generally more setae on each side (19–23 vms). Price et al. (2003: 324) listed two species of Oxylipeurus under Arborophila brunneopectus (Blyth) , i.e. “ Oxylipeurus formosanus ” and “ Oxylipeurus unicolor ” ( Piaget, 1880) [now in Megalipeurus ], but our material does not appear to belong to either of these species.

Specimens examined. Ex Arborophila brunneopectus brunneopectus . 1♁, 1♀, Bam Maea , Lomlo Mountain , Kok Sathon, Dansai, Loei Province, Thailand, 16 Feb. 1955, coll. R . E. Elbel, RE4664, B-31204, Brit. Mus. 1960- 104, NHMUK010682412 ( NHMUK) .

Ex Arborophila brunneopectus albigula . 2♀, South Annam [ Vietnam], Aug. 1902, coll. R . Meinertzhagen , 3666, NHMUK010682697 ( NHMUK) .

Ex Arborophila brunneopectus henrici : 5♀, Laos, May 1901, coll. R . Meinertzhagen , 3665, NHMUK010682696 ( NHMUK) .