Dr. Murai Éva - Gubányi András szerk.: Parasitologia Hungarica 27. (Budapest, 1994)

Chewing lice parasitizing mammals in Central Europe, with notes on louse taxonomy and biogeography József RÉKÁSI Benedictiner Secondary School, H-9090 Pannonhalma, Hungary (Received 25 June, 1994) Abstract: The chewing louse (Mallophaga: Amblycera, Ischnocera, Rhynchophthirina) fauna of Central Europe is updated. In addition to the bee of the native mammal fauna, domesticated mammal species and species reported from zoos are also discussed. Recent changes in the nomenclature and taxonomy are considered, with the common synonyms indicated and geographical ranges also described. A host-parasite checklist and the complete list of the literature on mammalian chewing lice collected in Hungary are given. Key words: Phthiraptera, Mallophaga, Amblycera, Ischnocera, Rhynchophthirina, Mammalia INTRODUCTION Chewing lice of birds and mammals have been recognized as a group with ordinary rank within the phylum Arthropoda, class Insecta, since the XlXth century. On the basis of the presence or absence of the mandibles situated on the ventral side of the head, two suborders are identified, i.e. Amblycera and Ischnocera (Eichler 1963). In amblyceran lice maxillary palps are present, the antennae can be inserted into holes and the three segments of the thorax are free. Ischnoceran lice lack maxillary palps and the antennae are free. The rhynchophthirian lice resemble true chewing lice in many details; however, the mouthparts are situated at the end of the head rather than on the ventral side. These are not typical sucking mouthparts: they are inserted into the epidermis of the host and abrade capillaries and tissues to facilitate blood flow. The taxonomic position of this group was questionable, but Eichler (1941) strongly emphasized its separate rank. Königsmann (1961) placed the suborders Amblycera and Ischnocera into the order Phthiraptera while leaving unchanged the position of Anoplura and Rhynchophthiria. The taxonomic sense of the term Mallophaga is lost in this system. However, the tradition of previous nomenclature and the disagreement among pre-