TABLE OF CONTENTS
Suborder Amblycera (Amblyceran Lice): Morphology and Characteristics
Suborder Amblycera comprises a group of chewing lice that are ectoparasites of birds and mammals. They are characterized by a strongly rounded and blunt head, biting mouthparts, visible maxillary palps, and distinctive thoracic and tarsal structures. Understanding the morphology and characteristics of Amblyceran lice is important for their identification and differentiation from other groups of lice.
Amblycera is derived from “Ambly,” meaning blunt, and “cera,” meaning horn.
Morphology and Characteristics
- Head is strongly rounded and blunt.
- Antennae are short and usually 4–5 segmented, with the 3rd segment (first flagellomere) pedunculate (stalked) and concealed in lateral grooves of the head.
- In some species, the antenna shows sexual dimorphism; the male has an elongate antenna and a swollen first segment with an appendage on the 3rd segment.
- Mouthparts are adapted for biting. Mandibles lie parallel to the head and bite horizontally.
- Maxillary palp is visible and may be confused with the antenna.
- Prothorax is free; mesothorax and metathorax are fused together.
- Parasitic in birds and mammals.
- Tarsi have two claws in all bird lice and one claw in mammals, except Heterodoxus spp.
