Sucking lice of the Polyplax genus (Phthiraptera) on small mammals (Insectivora, Rodentia) in Slovakia

A total of 4,532 sucking lice belonging to six species, viz. Polyplax gracilis, P. hannswrangeli, P. reclinata, P. serrata, P. spinigera, P, spinulosa were collected from 44,896 examined individuals of 28 small mammal species in Slovakia during 1964- 1999. P. serrata and P. spinulosa occur frequently throughout Slovakia. P. reclinata is relatively rare, occurring more often in lowland areas than mountains. P. spinigera is not common, occurring mainly in the lowlands and mountain basins. The distribution Centre of P. hannswrangeli lies in the Zapadne Tatry, Vysoke Tatry, Belianske Tatry and Nizke Tatry Mts. This louse sometimes occurs in the Popradska kotlina basin, Muranska planina plateau, the Oravske Beskydy, Kysucke Beskydy, Velka Fatra and Oravska Magura Mts at altitudes exceeding 700 m a.s.l., i.e. the 5(th) vegetation tier (fire-beech) and higher. P. gracilis is a very rare species found in Slovakia for the first time.