Polyplax auricularis Kellogg & Ferris

Reeves, Will K., Durden, Lance A., Ritzi, Christopher M., Beckham, Katy R., Super, Paul E & Oconnor, Barry M., 2007, Ectoparasites and other ectosymbiotic arthropods of vertebrates in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, USA, Zootaxa 1392, pp. 31-68 : 34

Polyplax auricularis Kellogg & Ferris

Ex Peromyscus maniculatus (deer mouse): 1N, NC, Haywood Co., Purchase Knob, 20 Oct. 2002, K. Walters, L­3047; 1F, TN, Sevier Co., Walker Prong, 15 Jun. 1953, R. Traub & D. Pfitzer ( Durden et al. 1997a); 1M, TN, Sevier Co., Brushy Mount, 7 Apr. 2002, K. Walters, L­3006.

This louse is a widespread ectoparasite of sigmodontine rodents (some species of Onychomys , Peromyscus and Reithrodontomys ) in North and Central America ( Durden & Musser 1994). Polyplax auricularis appears to be more common in northern latitudes or at higher elevations in southern latitudes.