Morphometric variation in the Mallophaga of the Australian magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen Latham)

Ischnocera were collected from live and road-killed Australian magpies in order to examine morphometric variation between lice from different host-types. Lice from the body (Bruelia sp. ) showed little variation between host-types, but lice from the neck (Philopterus sp.) of Tasmanian magpies were quite distinct from those from mainland magpies. There was some differentiation between Philopterus from different mainland magpie populations, but differences were not consistent between males and females. These relationships correlate well with those described for the hosts.