We analysed population dynamics of the louse Antarctophthirus microchir in pups of the South American sea lion, Otaria flavescens, at the Punta León rookery (Argentina) over a period of 2 years. A total of 136 pups were aged and marked at the beginning of the lactation period ashore, then sampled for lice at different times within 30 days. Sampling was restricted to the chest and belly, two sit...

Coevolution is evolution in one species in response to selection imposed by a second species, followed by evolution in the second species in response to reciprocal selection imposed by the first species. Although reciprocal selection is a prerequisite of coevolution, it has seldom been documented in natural populations. We examined the feasibility of reciprocal selection in a simple host-parasi...

A surging interest in the evolution of consistent trait correlations has inspired research on pigment patterns as a correlate of behavioural syndromes, or "animal personalities". Associations between pigmentation, physiology and health status are less investigated as potentially conserved trait clusters. In the current study, lice counts performed on farmed Atlantic salmon Salmo salar naturally...

This study was done from September 2006 to May 2007. A total of 105 Menz breed sheep from Yemenze Gera Midir district in the Amhara National Regional State, Ethiopia. The spatial distribution of sheep keds (Melophagus ovinus) and chewing lice (Bovicola ovis) on Menz breed sheep were examined which were naturally infested. The densities if sheep keds and lice were determined through counting aft...

Songbirds host one of the largest, and most poorly understood, groups of lice: the Brueelia-complex. The Brueelia-complex contains nearly one-tenth of all known louse species (Phthiraptera), and the genus Brueelia has over 300 species. To date, revisions have been confounded by extreme morphological variation, convergent evolution, and periodic movement of lice between unrelated hosts. Here we ...

The occurrence of hide damage light flecks and spots was determined on tanned hides from 28 herds during a period of 8 to 12 months. Light flecks and spots are described as small areas of grain loss up to 3 mm in diameter that are seen on dyed crust cattle leather. Damage was found on 75.8% of all hides. The neck and shoulders were the anatomical region with the highest prevalence of damage. Si...

Head lice infestation caused by Pediculus humanus capitis De Geer. (Phthiraptera) is one of the most important public health problem in children worldwide. Currently, head lice resistance to chemical pediculicide are increasing, thus new alternative pediculicides from herb or plant are needed for head lice treatment. The aim of this study were to evaluate toxicity of five herbal extracts from A...

The increasing resistance of head lice Pediculus humanus capitis to many drugs has highlighted the need for new alternatives control in adults. effect two types extracts (aqueous and alcoholic) Citrullus colocynthis fruit on adult was tested vitro. results showed that alcoholic extract with a concentration 20% similar efficacy killing Natroba 9% w/w, values ranging between 87% 98% within 18 min...

Background: Head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) are obligate ectoparasites of mankind, and are mainly transmitted head to head directly from one person to another. Human head lice treatment is faced with some challenges such as lack of complete treatment and the need for treatment repeatedly. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of two pediculicide products (substances used to t...