Philopteridae is a family of feather lice. They are parasite on birds, primarily consuming downy feathers.
Philopteridae is a highly diverse family with more than 2,700 described species, and constitutes 30% of the order Psocodea, half of all described Phthiraptera (lice), and the majority of parvorder Ischnocera. Most bird groups are infested with members of this family. Different species show convergent morphology, converging on one of a few forms, depending on which area of the host they hide in.
Over 2,700 species of Philopteridae have been described, making up 30% of species described in order Psocodea, around half of species described in infraorder Phthiraptera (and therefore half of all lice species), and the majority of species described in the parvorder Ischnocera. They likely evolved from a generalist species parasitizing water birds. The diversification of the family followed adaptive radiation of their water bird hosts, with the origin of the family estimated to have occurred around 49 million years ago. Individual species within the family show convergent morphology, with many showing specialization in inhabiting different parts of the body.
Species within Philopteridae have undergone convergent evolution, with different adaptations in response preening behaviors by their bird hosts. To evade preening, many species have converged on three main forms, each corresponding to hiding in a different location on the host. These are the wing form, which is long and slender, allowing lice to hide between wing feathers; the head louse form, with a triangular grooved head to attach to head feathers; and the body louse form, with a plump abdomen with round head margin to hide in the downy feathers on the body of the bird.
Members of Philopteridae almost exclusively consume downy feathers, as opposed to Amblycera bird lice, which additionally consume skin debris and other secretions.
Philopteridae rarely move around their host, remaining immobile for large parts of their lives, and are less likely than other bird lice to abandon their host upon death.
Notable genera with articles are listed below.
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