First Report of the sucking lice (Psocodea: Phthiraptera: Anoplura) Enderleinellus krochinae Blagoveshtchensky, 1965 and Neohaematopinus syriacus Ferris, 1923 on Persian squirrel Sciurus anomalus Güldenstädt, 1785 (Rodentia: Sciuridae) from Iran

Background and objectives: Sciurus anomalus Güldenstädt, 1785 (Rodentia: Sciuridae) is a rodent commonly called the Persian squirrel (also Caucasian squirrel). This medium-sized tree squirrel is one of 29 species in the genus Sciurus and is native to temperate, broadleaf, and mixed forests in the Irano-Anatolian region of western Asia. Herein, we report a mixed louse infestation in a Persian squirrel from western Iran for the first time.

Methodology: On 5th December 2023, a freshly dead adult male squirrel was found in the Hamedan city suburb and transferred to the Laboratory of Parasitology. During examinations, tiny moving creatures were observed between body hairs. They were diagnosed to be sucking lice. The lice were collected, cleared in KOH, mounted on glass slides with Canada Balsam, and identified according to the original descriptions or keys.

Results: 33 louse specimens were collected and identified as Enderleinellus krochinae Blagoveshtchensky, 1965 (n = 27; 6 ♂, 21 ♀) and Neohaematopinus syriacus Ferris, 1923 (n = 6; 2 ♂, 4 ♀). Most of the morphological characteristics of female and male specimens were consistent with previous descriptions.

Discussion and Conclusion: Herein, two sucking louse species, i.e., Enderleinellus krochinae and Neohaematopinus syriacus, are added to the Phthiraptera fauna of Iran. Also, we report for the first time a mixed infestation of one individual Persian squirrel with two louse species. Furthermore, the morphological characteristics of males and females of both species are described. Considering the wide distribution of this mammal in the Zagros Mountains (northwestern and western provinces) and its recent invasion to the southern slopes of the Alborz Mountains, the co-distribution of louse species identified herein needs to be elucidated. In addition, examination of Persian squirrel lice for louse-borne pathogens is recommended.