Columbicola mjoebergi, Eichler, 1943

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 : 3581-3583

publication ID	https://doi.org/ 10.1080/00222930500393368
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/CB3C8797-C31C-870D-FE15-19ABFB3CFBBB
treatment provided by	Felipe
scientific name	Columbicola mjoebergi
status

Treatment

11. mjoebergi View in CoL species group

The two species in this group are both found on the host genus Geopelia . They have the anterior head carina rounded, complete; body elongate ( Figure 1 View Figures 1–18 ); each side of metanotum with two long, two short setae ( Figure 2 View Figures 1–18 ). Male antenna with enlarged scape, spur on third segment ( Figure 108 View Figures 95–111 ); mesosome rectangular, lateral edges thickened, each side with three pores ( Figure 110 View Figures 95–111 ). Female subgenital plate groove broad, elongate; without lateral setae ( Figures 111 View Figures 95–111 , 113 View Figures 112–130 ).

Columbicola mjoebergi Eichler

( Figures 108–111 View Figures 95–111 )

Columbicola mjoebergi Eichler 1943: 58 View in CoL . Type host: Geopelia View in CoL s. striata View in CoL (L.).

Columbicola fradeorum Tendeiro 1973b: 352 View in CoL . Type host: Streptopelia chinensis tigrina (Temminck) View in CoL . New synonymy.

Description

Male head as in Figure 108 View Figures 95–111 ; medioposterior head setae short, not reaching posterior margin; HW, 0.25–0.26 (0.254); HL, 0.50–0.54 (0.520); HL/ HW, 2.00–2.08 (2.05). Thorax with PW, 0.20–0.22 (0.205); MW, 0.25–0.27 (0.260). Genitalia as in Figure 110 View Figures 95–111 ; mesosome with small posterior extension, short but distinct anterior extension; GW, 0.083 –0.100 (0.089). TL, 2.06–2.33 (2.21). Female head as in Figure 109 View Figures 95–111 ; HW, 0.26–0.28 (0.265); HL, 0.52–0.57 (0.549); HL/ HW, 2.00–2.19 (2.07). Thorax with PW, 0.20–0.22 (0.210); MW, 0.26–0.29 (0.275). Ventral terminalia as in Figure 111 View Figures 95–111 ; subgenital plate groove expanded laterally. TL, 2.45–2.56 (2.51) GoogleMaps .

Material

8 males, 8 females (including holotype male, allotype female of C. mjoebergi ), ex G. striata , Sumatra, Reunion Island, Philippines (3). Holotype male of C. fradeorum , ex S. chinensis tigrina , Thailand (1).

Remarks

Males of C. mjoebergi are distinguished by their unique mesosomal structure; females are distinguished by the pentagonal shape of the subgenital plate groove, and by the lack of lateral subgenital plate setae.

Tendeiro (1973b) described the species C. fradeorum from a single male taken from S. chinensis tigrina , along with several specimens of C. fulmeki Eichler , the normal species found on this host. Although Eichler provided an adequate description of C. fradeorum , he apparently did not compare it directly to other species of Columbicola . Our comparison of the holotype to several C. mjoebergi specimens indicates no difference in gross morphology or genitalic structure, leading us to synonymize C. fradeorum with C. mjoebergi . Collection of the single specimen from S. chinensis is not altogether surprising, given that S. chinensis and G. striata are both often kept in captivity in Thailand. Straggling of lice between species of captive birds is known to be somewhat common.

Columbicola mjoebergi may also prove to be conspecific with C. timorensis Tendeiro. However , the limited number and poor quality of C. timorensis specimens prevents us from drawing a firm conclusion, as discussed below.

Columbicola timorensis Tendeiro

( Figures 112, 113 View Figures 112–130 )

Columbicola turturis timorensis Tendeiro 1979: 64 View in CoL . Type host: Geopelia maugei (Temminck) View in CoL .

Description

Female head as in Figure 112 View Figures 112–130 ; APW, 0.132 –0.137; HW, 0.25–0.26; HL, 0.53–0.54; HL/ HW, 2.08–2.12. Thorax with PW, 0.19–0.20; MW, 0.25. Ventral terminalia as in Figure 113 View Figures 112–130 ; subgenital plate groove broad, slightly peaked, without obvious lateral setae. TL, 2.45–2.48. Male unknown GoogleMaps .

Material

Holotype female, 1 female paratype of C. turturis timorensis , ex G. maugei, Timor (1).

Remarks

Columbicola timorensis was originally described by Tendeiro (1979) as a subspecies of C. turturis , but the rationale for this classification was never given. Despite the poor condition of the two available specimens, C. timorensis is smaller, has a shorter subgenital plate groove, and lacks subgenital plate setae. Hence, C. timorensis is distinct from C. turturis and merits consideration as a different species.

In contrast, the relationship of C. timorensis to C. mjoebergi is unclear. The specimens of C. timorensis are poorly prepared and contain a good deal of debris that obscures the terminalia. Overall, C. timorensis and C. mjoebergi are quite similar morphologically and, although the C. timorensis subgenital plate groove appears low and broad, this may be an artifact of preparation. Additional collecting and future examination of specimens may well show these forms to be conspecific. However, until such specimens are available, the most appropriate course of action is to continue recognizing the two forms as separate species.