02248nas a2200181 4500008004100000022001400041245007300055210006900128260001200197300001600209490000800225520165700233100003001890700002401920700002401944700002901968856006901997 2013 eng d a0932-011300aLousy mums: patterns of vertical transmission of an amphibious louse0 aLousy mums patterns of vertical transmission of an amphibious lo c09/2013 a3315 - 33230 v1123 a

In this study, we document patterns of vertical transmission of the amphibious louse Antarctophthirus microchir (Echinophthiriidae) in pups of South American sea lion, Otaria flavescens, from Patagonia. Vertical transmission is fundamental for the long-term stability of A. microchir populations because only pups stay long enough (1 month) on land for the louse to reproduce. A total of 72 pups ≤7 days old from a single rookery were captured and examined for lice. Infection parameters and population structure of A. microchir did not differ among pups collected at the beginning, middle, and end of the reproductive season, suggesting that patterns of early vertical transmission are not affected by the increase of rookery size during this period. Over 60% of 1-day-old pups were infected with A. microchir, and recruitment increased in pups up to 3 days old and then leveled off. In 1-day-old pups, significantly more adults than nymphs were found, but the pattern was reversed in older pups. The number of first-stage nymphs was significantly smaller than that of second- and third-stage nymphs, as it was the number of males vs. females, particularly in 1-day-old pups. Three non-exclusive hypotheses could account for these patterns, i.e., recruitment merely reflects the population structure of A. microchir is cows; the relative ability of lice to pass from cows onto pups increases in advanced instars; and/or natural selection favors transmission of adults, especially females, because they accrue greater fitness. The importance of latter hypothesis should not be underestimated in a species with a tight reproductive schedule.

1 aLeonardi, María, Soledad1 aCrespo, Enrique, A.1 aRaga, Juan, Antonio1 aAznar, Francisco, Javier uhttp://phthiraptera.info/sites/phthiraptera.info/files/68779.pdf01363nas a2200181 4500008004100000022001300041245016600054210006900220260001100289300001400300490000700314520068800321100003001009700002401039700002401063700002501087856006901112 2012 eng d a0968432800aScanning electron microscopy of Antarctophthirus microchir (Phthiraptera: Anoplura: Echinophthiriidae): Studying morphological adaptations to aquatic life0 aScanning electron microscopy of iAntarctophthirus microchir iPht c9/2012 a929 - 9360 v433 aThe members of the Family Echinophthiriidae (Phthiraptera: Anoplura) are unique among insects because they infest hosts with an amphibious lifestyle. During their evolution they developed morphological traits that are reflected in unique features. The SEM is a helpful tool to analyze them. Knowing in detail the external structure of these lice is the first step to understand the whole process that derived from the co-adaptation of lice and pinnipeds to the marine environment. For the first time, we studied the external structure of all stages of an echinophthiriid louse. The results are discussed in the light of their evolutionary, functional, and ecological implications.1 aLeonardi, María, Soledad1 aCrespo, Enrique, A.1 aRaga, Juan, Antonio1 aFernández, Mercedes uhttp://phthiraptera.info/sites/phthiraptera.info/files/61602.pdf00504nas a2200157 4500008004100000245004700041210004600088260001900134300001000153490000700163100003000170700002400200700002400224700002900248856006900277 2011 eng d00aInsectos oceánicos: los piojos buceadores0 aInsectos oceánicos los piojos buceadores cJune-July 2011 a58-640 v211 aLeonardi, María, Soledad1 aCrespo, Enrique, A.1 aRaga, Juan, Antonio1 aAznar, Francisco, Javier uhttp://phthiraptera.info/sites/phthiraptera.info/files/61595.pdf02529nas a2200181 4500008004100000245010400041210006900145300001200214490000800226520190400234100003002138700002402168700001802192700001502210700002402225700002902249856006902278 2012 eng d00aLife begins when the sea lion is ashore: microhabitat use by a louse living on a diving mammal host0 aLife begins when the sea lion is ashore microhabitat use by a lo a444-4520 v1023 aAmong Anoplura, the family Echinophthiriidae includes species that infest pinnipeds and otters. Previous evidence obtained from pinnipeds infested by echinophthiriids, specifically from seals, indicates that flippers are the preferred infestation sites, while lice from fur seals select areas in the pelage. Westudied habitat selection of Antarctophthirus microchir on South American sea lion pups (Otaria flavescens Shaw, 1800) from Patagonia, Argentina, during the austral summer of 2009. We found a clear pattern of habitat selection: eggs are laid on the dorsal surface; nymphs 1 hatch there and then migrate to the belly, where they develop into adults and copulate; and then ovigerous females return to the dorsal surface. On the one hand, nymphs 1 are characterised by their low locomotory ability; therefore, the fact that they migrate as soon as they hatch suggests a clear pressure leading to microhabitat restriction. On the other hand, the described pattern of microhabitat selection seems to respond to the physiological requirements of each stage, which vary according to the physiological process considered, e.g. oviposition, morphogenesis hatching and development. Accordingly, it appears that A. microchir would prefer the host’s ventral area for development and copulation and the dorsal area for oviposition. However, the causes of this pattern are not clear, and many factors could be involved. Considering that sea lion pups periodically soak at high tides, and that prolonged immersion and very high humidity are known to be lethal for lice eggs, selecting the dorsal area would be advantageous for oviposition because it dries much faster. Furthermore, because humidity should be retained for longer periods on the ventral surface of the pup, wetter conditions on the sea lion would prevent desiccation of the nymphs in the very arid environment where O. flavescens breeds.1 aLeonardi, María, Soledad1 aCrespo, Enrique, A.1 aVales, D., G.1 aFeijoo, M.1 aRaga, Juan, Antonio1 aAznar, Francisco, Javier uhttp://phthiraptera.info/sites/phthiraptera.info/files/61577.pdf02120nas a2200169 4500008004100000245015700041210006900198260000900267300001600276490000700292520135300299100003001652700002401682700002401706700002501730856019501755 2009 eng d00aRedescription of Antarctophthirus microchir (Anoplura: Echinophthiriidae) from the South American Sea Lion, Otaria flavescens, from Patagonia, Argentina0 aRedescription of Antarctophthirus microchir Anoplura Echinophthi c2009 a1086 - 10920 v953 a

Antarctophthirus microchir was originally described from Phocarctos hookeri on the basis of 1 female and 1 male only. We redescribe adults and describe, for the first time, the 3 nymphal stages from specimens collected from Otaria flavescens from Patagonia, using light and scanning electron microscopy. The present material can be distinguished from other Antarctophthirus species by the presence of a fringe of setae on the back of the head, only present in Antarctophthirus trichechi and Antarctophthirus callorhini. However, A. trichechi also possess a prominent proboscis with large hooks, and A. callorhini presents less abundant and nonuniform abdominal scales in shape and size. Other differential features of A. microchir are the pattern of ovoid and uniform scales and longitudinal grooves in the surface of spines. Nymphal stage 1 differs from 2 and 3 mainly by the absence of scales and thorax without ventral spines or hairs. Nymphal stages 2 and 3 may be distinguished by the disposition of the occipital apophyses. Antarctophthirusmicrochir has been reported from 5 sea lion species from both hemispheres. Considering the conservative morphology, and ecological and evolutionary features of sucking lice, we raise the question of whether A. microchir from different sea lion hosts may represent a complex of cryptic species.

1 aLeonardi, María, Soledad1 aCrespo, Enrique, A.1 aRaga, Juan, Antonio1 aFernández, Mercedes uhttps://bioone.org/journals/journal-of-parasitology/volume-95/issue-5/GE-2050.1/Redescription-of-Antarctophthirus-microchir-Anoplura--Echinophthiriidae-from-the-South/10.1645/GE-2050.1.short02168nas a2200205 4500008004100000245016300041210006900204260000900273300001400282490000800296520143000304100002901734700003001763700001701793700001801810700001701828700002401845700002401869856006901893 2009 eng d00aPopulation dynamics of Antarctophthirus microchir (Anoplura: Echinophthiriidae) in pups from South American sea lion, Otaria flavescens, in Northern Patagonia0 aPopulation dynamics of Antarctophthirus microchir Anoplura Echin c2009 a293 - 3030 v1363 aWe 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 sites where lice were especially abundant. This concentration on ventral areas might protect lice from thermal stress in the austral summer. Infestation patterns in pups ≤3 days old suggested that the potential for transmission increased from first nymphs to adults. Population trends of each instar with pup age, based on standardised values of abundance, were conserved between years, reflecting the basic dynamics of recruitment and reproduction. However, trends based on log-transformed abundances varied significantly between years; apparently, environmental conditions affected growth of lice populations differently each year. Stage-based deterministic models for population growth of A. microchir suggested generation times from 18 to 23 days. Accordingly, only 2 lice generations might be produced before pups start going to the sea. Shortening the cycle to accommodate a third generation might be risky, whereas a 2-generation cycle might at least result in larger females producing higher numbers of viable offspring.1 aAznar, Francisco, Javier1 aLeonardi, María, Soledad1 aVera, Berón1 aVales, D., G.1 aAmeghino, S.1 aRaga, Juan, Antonio1 aCrespo, Enrique, A. uhttp://phthiraptera.info/sites/phthiraptera.info/files/48307.pdf