Harrisoniella hopkinsi
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Harrisoniella hopkinsi | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Harrisoniella hopkinsi | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Psocodea |
| Infraorder: | Phthiraptera |
| Family: | Philopteridae |
| Genus: | Harrisoniella |
| Species: | H. hopkinsi |
| Binomial name | |
| Harrisoniella hopkinsi Eichler, 1952 | |
Harrisoniella hopkinsi is a species of phtilopterid louse that lives on and eats the feathers of albatrosses. The species was first described by W. Eichler in 1952.[1]
This species is dark brown with an elongated head, and extremely large – H. hopkinsi is one of the largest feather lice, with males reaching up to 9 millimetres (0.35 in) long.[2] They live mostly on the wing feathers, but are quite able to move if disturbed or if their host bird should die.[3] There are usually fewer than half a dozen adult specimens found on a single host bird; low compared with other species of feather lice, which may number in the hundreds.[3] Harrisoniella hopkinsi has been found on the feathers of the wandering albatross (Diomedea exulans) and the southern royal albatross (Diomedea epomophora).[3]
