The species of Strigiphilus (Mallophaga: Philopteridae) parasitic on the barn owls Tyto (Tytonidae)

Strigiphilus rostratus (Burmeister) is redescribed and a new species parasitic on Tyto alba (Scopoli) in Trinidad is described. The known distribution of these two species is given, and there is a discussion on the possible significance of this as evidence on the dispersal and relationships of Tyto species and their subspecies. It is emphasised that more material is required from Tyto throughout its range and especially from the Oriental and Australasian Regions.