Columbicola bacillus (Giebel)

Adams, Richard J., Price, Roger D. & Clayton, Dale H., 2005, Taxonomic revision of Old World members of the feather louse genus Columbicola (Phthiraptera: Ischnocera), including descriptions of eight new species, Journal of Natural History 39 (41), pp. 3545-3618 : 3549-3558

Columbicola bacillus (Giebel)

( Figures 11, 12 )

Lipeurus bacillus Giebel 1866: 379 . Type host: Streptopelia t. turtur (L.).

Columbicola baculus baculus Eichler 1942b: 273 . Type host: Streptopelia d. decaocto (Frivaldszky) .

Columbicola baculus confusissimus Eichler 1947: 264 . Type host: Streptopelia d. decaocto .

Columbicola hopkinsi Ansari 1955: 47 . Type host: Streptopelia t. tranquebarica (Hermann) .

Description

Very similar to C. columbae . Male head with APW, 0.113 –0.137 (0.123); HW, 0.24–0.27 (0.252); HL, 0.49–0.56 (0.528); HL/ HW, 1.96–2.24 (2.09). Genitalia as in Figure 11 ; GW, 0.078 –0.098 (0.089); anterior mesosomal pore surrounded by narrow pigmented

Columbiform host species ‡ Columbicola species and species groups §

jambu elbeli R magnificus (*) reedi Q n. sp.

tannensis emersoni S wallacii emersoni S superbus emersoni S richardsii (*) emersoni S purpuratus (*) curtus S greyii emersoni S pulchellus emersoni S rivoli (*) wecksteini S n. sp.

melanospilus emersoni S

Alectroenas madagascariensis (*) brygooi S sganzini brygooi S

Ducula aenea (*) cavifrons Q perspicillata (*) longiceps Q concinna (*) mendesi Q n. sp. emersoni S pacifica longiceps Q oceanica cavifrons Q rufigaster longiceps Q chalconota longiceps Q pistrinaria longiceps Q rosacea mendesi Q n. sp.

pickeringii cavifrons Q latrans longiceps Q goliath (*) becheti H pinon (*) harrisoni Q melanochroa cavifrons Q badia (*) cavifrons Q (*) sikoraae Q lacernulata cavifrons Q cineracea longiceps Q bicolor longiceps Q

Cryptophaps poecilorrhoa (*) grandiusculus B

Gymnophaps albertisii (*) galei M n. sp.

Host unknown paradoxus Q

‡ Host names and taxonomic sequence from Dickinson (2003).

§ Host associations from current paper and Price et al. (2003).

(*) Indicates type host.

A columbae group; B guimaraesi group; C meinertzhageni group; D streptopeliae group; E theresae group; F angustus group;

G effeminatus group; H becheti group; I fortis group; J tasmaniensis group; K mjoebergi group; L fradei group; M galei group;

N fulmeki group; O veigasimoni group; P palmai group; Q longiceps group; R clayae group; S emersoni group; T baculoides group; U extinctus group; V passerinae group; W gracilicapitis group; X tendeiroi group; Y species group unknown.

border; mesosome with small posterior projection. TL, 2.06–2.38 (2.21). Female APW, 0.118 –0.147 (0.132); HW, 0.24–0.27 (0.259); HL, 0.52–0.61 (0.559); HL/ HW, 2.00–2.35 (2.16). Ventral terminalia as in Figure 12; 3–5 setae (0.012 –0.019) on each side of subgenital plate. TL, 2.38–2.77 (2.54) .

Material

17 males, 8 females, ex S. turtur , England, Spain, Egypt, Israel (7) . 11 males, 14 females, ex S. decaocto , Israel, India (3) . 1 male, ex S. tranquebarica , India (1) . 4 males, 3 females, ex S. ‘‘ risoria ’’5 S. roseogrisea (Sundevall) , Australia ( West Perth Zoo ) (1).

Remarks

Tendeiro (1965) considered C. bacillus a subspecies of C. columbae ; however, based on morphometric, genitalic, and setal differences, Clayton and Price (1999) recognized C. bacillus as a valid species. Both sexes have, in general, a greater HL/HW ratio than C. columbae . The anterior mesosomal pore of the males is surrounded by only a narrow band of pigmentation compared to the much wider band found on C. columbae . Females have narrower average dorsoanterior plate widths and head widths than C. columbae , as well as fewer subgenital plate setae. Columbicola bacillus is found on numerous species of Streptopelia throughout Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, and Africa. It may also have been introduced to the Americas on S. decaocto , which was introduced to Florida from the Bahamas in the 1970’s, and now has many established breeding pairs in the southeastern United States ( Romagosa 2002). Columbicola bacillus may also be periodically ‘‘introduced’’ on escaped S. risoria , the domesticated form of S. roseogrisea ( Clayton and Price 1999) , which, unlike S. decaocto , does not appear to establish viable long term breeding populations.

Columbicola stresemanni Eichler ( Figures 13, 14 ) Columbicola columbae stresemanni Eichler 1942b: 281 . Type host: Columba bollii Godman.

Description

Nearly identical to C. claviformis (Denny) , differing as follows. Anterior head region more acutely pointed, anterior lateral head margins straighter, and antennae slightly longer. Male head as in Figure 13 , with HL, 0.53–0.60 (0.567); HW, 0.29–0.32 (0.308); HL/HW, 1.79– 1.91 (1.84). Thorax with PW, 0.26; MW, 0.31. TL, 2.25–2.35 (2.30). Female head as in Figure 14 ; APW, 0.152; HW, 0.32; HL, 0.61; HL/HW, 1.91. Thorax with PW, 0.25; MW, 0.35. TL, 2.69. For both sexes, illustrations of genitalia either not shown or not visible in available specimen. Tendeiro (1965) described the genitalia of both sexes as being of same type as in C. columbae .

Material

1 female paratype of C. columbae stresemanni , ex Columba bollii , Canary Islands (1).

Remarks

Although C. stresemanni was originally described as a subspecies of C. columbae , the overall shape and dimensions of this louse are much closer to those of C. claviformis , with which it may, in fact, prove to be conspecific. Even with the poor condition of the available specimen, the separation from C. columbae is straightforward, but there is not enough detail visible to determine its status beyond that. For these reasons, this louse is recognized as a valid species; however, additional well preserved specimens will be needed to examine details of the louse chaetotaxy and genitalia. No males were available for this study, so Figure 13 was redrawn from Eichler (1942b), and the measurements were taken from Tendeiro (1965). Although it is in no way direct evidence of the relatedness of their parasites, it is interesting to note that the respective hosts of C. stresemanni and C. claviformis , Columba bollii and C. palumbus L., are also quite closely related (del Hoyo et al. 1997).

Columbicola claviformis (Denny)

( Figures 15–17 ) Nirmus claviformis Denny 1842: 51 . Type host: Columba palumbus L.

Description

Columbicola claviformis similar to C. columbae , differing as follows. Head, thorax broader, HL/ HW ratio lower. Male head as in Figure 15 ; HW, 0.29–0.32 (0.299); HL, 0.49–0.57 (0.542); HL/ HW, 1.69–1.93 (1.81). Thorax with PW, 0.22–0.26 (0.245); MW, 0.30–0.35 (0.328). Genitalia as in Figure 16 ; posterior mesosome squared or weakly rounded, 3 mesosomal pores on each side; GW, 0.103 –0.120 (0.108). TL, 1.98–2.30 (2.20). Female APW, 0.152 –0.172 (0.157); HW, 0.30–0.33 (0.318); HL, 0.56–0.64 (0.597); HL/ HW, 1.70–1.97 (1.88). Thorax with PW, 0.24–0.27 (0.256); MW, 0.32–0.41 (0.354). Ventral terminalia as in Figure 17 ; subgenital plate groove narrow, expanding posteriorly, with 3–5 setae (0.015 –0.034) on each side. TL, 2.43–2.82 (2.62) .

Material

17 males, 25 females, ex C. palumbus , Ireland, Scotland, Morocco, Azores (5) .

Remarks

This species is quite similar to C. columbae and C. bacillus , differing in overall body dimensions, as well as the structure of the male genitalia. It is especially close to C. stresemanni , differing subtly in head shape and antennal length. It should be noted that individuals collected from C. palumbus azorica E. Hartert were slightly shorter than those collected from mainland hosts. They also showed a slightly smaller HL/HW ratio and longer subgenital plate setae; however, these differences are so minor that any formal division between these specimens and those from the mainland would be premature.

Columbicola tschulyschman Eichler

( Figures 18–21 )

Columbicola tschulyschman Eichler 1942a: 28 . Type host: Columba rupestris turkestanica Buturlin. Columbicola montschadskyi Blagoveshtchensky 1951: 308 . Type host: Columba livia neglecta Hume.

Description

Head broadly rounded, PMHS long, hair-like ( Figures 18 , 20 ). Male HW, 0.33–0.36 (0.344); HL, 0.51–0.54 (0.524); HL/ HW, 1.47–1.61 (1.53); SL, 0.132 –0.147 (0.140). Thorax with PW, 0.25–0.28 (0.258); MW, 0.33–0.37 (0.348). Genitalia as in Figure 19 ; parameres long, relatively straight; mesosome with shallow anterior groove bordered by 2 pores; GW, 0.083 –0.093 (0.087). TL 2.08–2.25 (2.16). Female similar to male except as follows. Head as in Figure 20 , with HW, 0.36–0.38 (0.369); HL, 0.55–0.60 (0.581); HL/ HW, 1.53–1.62 (1.57). Thorax with PW, 0.26–0.28 (0.269); MW, 0.36–0.38 (0.373). Ventral terminalia as in Figure 21 ; subgenital plate groove wide, 2–4 setae (0.010 –0.015) on each side. TL, 2.51–2.69 (2.59) .

Material

17 males, 17 females, ex C. leuconota Vigors , Nepal (4) . 1 male, 1 female, ex C. livia intermedia Strickland , Nepal (1).

Remarks

This louse shares long hair-like PMHS with C. mckeani Tendeiro , but differs in its smaller HL/ HW ratio and distinctive genitalia. This species is clearly a member of the columbae group, as indicated by its mesosomal structure and the numerous subgenital plate setae. It has been recorded from several species in the genus Columba in Central Asia and, although no specimens from the type host are available, the specimens examined for this project were compared to the measurements and drawings given in Tendeiro (1965) and found to be identical. Blagoveshtchensky (1951) described C. montschadskyi from a large series of lice from Columba livia neglecta ; Tendeiro (1960) synonymized C. montschadskyi with C. tschulyschman based on the similar morphology of the head, male genitalia, and overall measurements.

Columbicola turturis (Uchida)

( Figures 22, 23 ) Lipeurus turturis Uchida 1917: 212 . Type host: Streptopelia orientalis (Latham) .

Description

Male HW, 0.25–0.28 (0.264); HL, 0.53–0.57 (0.551); HL/ HW, 2.04–2.12 (2.09). Thorax with PW, 0.21–0.24 (0.223); MW, 0.27–0.29 (0.281). Genitalia as in Figure 22 ; GW, 0.093 –0.098 (0.095); mesosome with deep anterior groove, with 1 large, 2 small pores on each side. TL, 2.20–2.41 (2.31). Female HW, 0.28–0.30 (0.286); HL, 0.59–0.65 (0.615); HL/ HW 2.10 – 2.24 (2.15). Thorax with PW, 0.23–0.26 (0.241); MW, 0.28–0.32 (0.301). Ventral terminalia as in Figure 23 ; subgenital plate groove broad with irregular lateral edges, 4–7 setae (0.010 –0.021) on each side. TL, 2.69–2.96 (2.78) .

Material

7 males, 8 females, ex S. orientalis , Thailand, Korea, Japan, India (6).

Remarks

This species is superficially similar to C. columbae , separated by differences in genitalia structure, HL/HW ratio, and HL. It shares an exceptionally broad subgenital plate groove with C. keleri Tendeiro ; however, in C. turturis the groove is more elongate with slight lateral anterior expansions.

Columbicola keleri Tendeiro

( Figures 24, 25 ) Columbicola keleri Tendeiro 1965: 127 . Type host: Columba hodgsonii Vigors.

Description

Similar to C. turturis , but genital structure of both sexes unique. Male HW, 0.27–0.29 (0.284); HL, 0.56–0.59 (0.574); HL/ HW, 1.93–2.18 (2.02). Thorax with PW, 0.22–0.25 (0.232); MW, 0.25–0.30 (0.280). Genitalia as in Figure 24 ; GW, 0.093 –0.103 (0.098); mesosome with deep anterior groove, 4 small pores on each side. TL, 2.23–2.35 (2.28). Female HW, 0.29–0.31 (0.302); HL, 0.62–0.65 (0.640); HL/ HW 2.06 – 2.17 (2.12). Thorax with PW, 0.24–0.25 (0.245); MW, 0.30–0.33 (0.309). Ventral terminalia as in Figure 25 ; subgenital plate groove broadly oval with irregular lateral edges; 5–9 setae (0.010 –0.022) on each side, increasing in length posteriorly. TL, 2.65–2.77 (2.71) .

Material

12 male, 10 female paratypes of Columbicola keleri , ex Columba hodgsonii , India (2).

Remarks

In nearly all morphometric dimensions, C. keleri is identical to C. turturis , thus requiring genitalic details to confirm identification. The C. keleri mesosome is more elongate with four pores on each side, compared to C. turturis with a shorter mesosome and only three pores on each side. The broad, ovoid subgenital plate groove of C. keleri contrasts with C. turturis having a laterally compressed groove. Columbicola keleri also has a greater number of subgenital plate setae than C. turturis .

Figures

Figures 1–18. Columbicola columbae: (1) dorsal-ventral male. Columbicola male: (2) metanotal margin with two long, two short setal pattern; (3) metanotal margin with three long, one short setal pattern; (4) dorsoanterior head—a5anterior medial head setae (AMHS), b5posterior medial head setae (PMHS); (5) genitalia, width (GW); (6) body measurements—head length (HL), dorsoanterior head plate width (APW), head width (HW), scape length (SL), prothorax width (PW), metathorax width (MW), total length (TL). C. columbae: (7) male dorsal head (arrow5medioposterior head setae); (8) male genitalia; (9) female dorsal head; (10) female ventral terminalia. C. bacillus: (11) male genitalia; (12) female ventral terminalia. C. stresemanni: (13) male dorsal head; (14) female dorsal head. C. claviformis: (15) male dorsal head; (16) male genitalia; (17) female ventral terminalia. C. tschulyschman: (18) male dorsal head.

Figures 19–39. Columbicola tschulyschman: (19) male genitalia; (20) female dorsal head; (21) female ventral terminalia. C. turturis: (22) male genitalia; (23) female ventral terminalia. C. keleri: (24) male genitalia; (25) female ventral terminalia. C. guimaraesi: (26) male dorsal head; (27) male genitalia; (28) female dorsal head; (29) female ventral terminalia. C. grandiusculus: (30) male dorsal head; (31) male genitalia; (32) female ventral terminalia. C. vitiensis: (33) male genitalia; (34) female ventral terminalia. C. meinertzhageni: (35) male dorsal head; (36) female dorsal head; (37) male genitalia; (38) female ventral terminalia. C. browni: (39) male dorsal head.