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The crested ibis has survived a dramatic population decline during the twentieth century, declining from a range across much of China, Japan, the Korean peninsula and nearby Russia, to a known world population of seven individuals. These formed the basis of a successful breeding program in Shaanxi, China. We examined ibises in this breeding program for ectoparasites, to establish whether any of the three chewing louse species known from this host had survived this severe host population bottleneck. We recovered representatives of three species of lice, identified as the same species as those previously known from the wild populations: Ardeicola nippon, Colpocephalum nipponi, and Ibidoecus meinertzhageni. Of these, the two first species were recovered from almost all examined hosts, whereas I. meinertzhageni was more rare. As these lice are host specific, this implies that all three louse species remarkably survived this bottleneck, and are now thriving in both the reintroduced and captive populations of crested ibis. This constitutes an unintentional success story in the conservation of parasitic species. We provide the first photos of all three species, as well as a preliminary assessment of their conservation status, and discuss the future of chewing louse conservation.

Two new species of the genus Melinirmus Mey, 2017, are described from Australian honeyeaters (Meliphagidae). These are: Melinirmus coromandelica n. sp. ex Ptilotula penicillatus penicillatus (Gould, 1837) and Melinirmus palmai n. sp. ex Anthochaera carunculata (Shaw, 1790). A checklist of all known species of Brueelia -complex chewing lice known from the Meliphagidae is provided.

Closely related chewing lice in the Philopterus -complex are typically morphologically homogeneous, with the most significant differences often being in the male genitalia. However, in many groups within this complex the male genitalia are reduced and lacking one or more element, with the remaining components often at least partially fused. This is not least the case in the genus Philopteroides Mey, 2004, in which the male mesosome is often reduced and other characters are largely homogeneous throughout the genus. A phylogeny of the group based on a combination of mitochondrial and nuclear genes suggests that the species presently placed in Philopteroides belong to three different clades, which do not form a monophyletic group together. We here redefine Philopteroides morphologically, and describe two of these clades as new genera: Stasiasticopterus n. gen. for the species on bulbuls, and Coronedax n. gen. for species on monarch flycatchers. These genera can be separated from each other and from Philopteroides only by some characters of the male genitalia, but possibly also by characters of the preantennal head and female genitalia. In addition, we describe a new species of Coronedax , Coronedax longiceps sp. n. and provide an overview of the morphology of the male genitalia in the three genera treated.

Here, we describe a new genus of lice (Phthiraptera, Ischnocera) in the Oxylipeurus -complex, parasitising galliform hosts in the genera Tragopan Cuvier, 1829. This genus, Pelecolipeurus gen. nov. , is separated from other members of the complex by the unique shape of the male subgenital plate and stylus, the male genitalia and other characters. The only previously-known species in the genus is Lipeurus longus Piaget, 1880, which is here tentatively re-described as Pelecolipeurus longus (Piaget, 1880), based on specimens from a non-type host, Tragopan temminckii (Gray, 1831). In addition, we describe a new species, Pelecolipeurus fujianensis sp. nov. , based on specimens from Tragopan caboti (Gould, 1857). An overview of the distribution patterns of ischnoceran lice on galliforms is presented, which suggests that host phylogeny, host biogeography and host biotope, as well as elevation of host range, may all be important factors that have structured louse communities on landfowl. We transfer the genus Afrilipeurus from the Oxylipeurus -complex to the Lipeurus -complex and include an emended key to the Oxylipeurus -complex.

A total of 266 wild passerine birds (Passeriformes) representing eight species and nine subspecies from three islands of the Archipelago of the Azores were examined for ectoparasites. Two species of louse-flies Ornithomya avicularia and Ornithoica turdi (Diptera: Hippoboscidae), three species of fleas Ceratophyllus gallinae , Ceratophyllus sp. and Dasypsyllus gallinulae (Siphonaptera: Ceratophyllidae), and 11 species of chewing lice belonging to the genera Menacanthus, Myrsidea (Phthiraptera: Menoponidae), Ricinus (Phthiraptera: Ricinidae), Brueelia , Guimaraesiella , Philopterus , Sturnidoecus and Turdinirmus (Phthiraptera: Philopteridae) were recorded. At least one species of ectoparasite was found on 114 birds of six species. Guimaraesiella tovornikae and Myrsidea sylviae from Sylvia atricapilla are redescribed. Records of Ceratophyllus sp. and Sturnidoecus sp. from Turdus merula represent new parasite-host associations. Phoresy of Guimaraesiella amsel on Ornithoica turdi was also found. Parasitological parameters such as prevalence, intensity and abundance and geographic distribution of recorded ectoparasites are provided. Un total de 266 passereaux sauvages (Passeriformes) de trois îles de l’archipel des Açores, représentant huit espèces et neuf sous-espèces, ont été examinés pour la recherche d’ectoparasites. Deux espèces de mouches-araignées, Ornithomya avicularia et Ornithoica turdi (Diptera : Hippoboscidae), trois espèces de puces, Ceratophyllus gallinae , Ceratophyllus sp. et Dasypsyllus gallinulae (Siphonaptera : Ceratophyllidae), et onze espèces de mallophages appartenant aux genres Menacanthus, Myrsidea (Phthiraptera : Menoponidae), Ricinus (Phthiraptera : Ricinidae), Brueelia , Guimaraesiella , Philopterus , Sturnidoecus et Turdinirmus (Phthiraptera : Philopteridae) sont signalées. Au moins une espèce d’ectoparasite a été trouvée sur 114 oiseaux de six espèces. Guimaraesiella tovornikae et Myrsidea sylviae , de Sylvia atricapilla, sont redécrits. Les signalements de Ceratophyllus sp. et Sturnidoecus sp. chez Turdus merula représentent de nouvelles associations parasites-hôtes. La phorésie de Guimaraesiella amsel sur Ornithoica turdi a également été trouvée. Les paramètres parasitologiques des ectoparasites signalés, tels que la prévalence, l'intensité, l'abondance et la répartition géographique, sont fournis.

Thirteen species of chewing lice in the Brueelia -complex are redescribed and illustrated. They are: Brueeliablagovescenskyi Balát, 1955, ex Emberizaschoeniclus (Linnaeus, 1758); B.breueri Balát, 1955, ex Chlorischloris (Linnaeus, 1758); B.conocephala (Blagoveshchensky, 1940) ex Sittaeuropaea (Linnaeus, 1758); B.ferianci Balát, 1955, ex Anthustrivialis (Linnaeus, 1758); B.glizi Balát, 1955, ex Fringillamontifringilla Linnaeus, 1758; B.kluzi Balát, 1955, ex Fringillacoelebs Linnaeus, 1758; B.kratochvili Balát, 1958, ex Motacillaflava Linnaeus, 1758; B.matvejevi Balát, 1981, ex Turdusviscivorus Linnaeus, 1758; B.pelikani Balát, 1958, ex Emberizamelanocephala Scopoli, 1769; B.rosickyi Balát, 1955, ex Sylvianisoria (Bechstein, 1792); B.vaneki Balát, 1981, ex Acrocephalusschoenobaenus (Linnaeus, 1758); Guimaraesiellahaftorni (Balát, 1958) ex Turdusiliacus Linnaeus, 1758; G.lais (Giebel, 1874) ex Lusciniamegarhynchos (Brehm, 1831). Redescriptions are made from type material where available. Holotypes are identified in Balát’s material when possible, and lectotypes are designated for B.blagovescenskyi , B.breueri , B.glizi , B.ferianci , B.kluzi , B.kratochvili , B.pelikani , and B.rosickyi ; a neotype of Nirmuslais Giebel, 1874 is designated. Brueeliaweberi Balát, 1982, is placed as a synonym of Brueeliaconocephala (Blagoveshchensky, 1940).

Chewing lice (Insecta: Phthiraptera) are abundant ectoparasites of birds and mammals. They are adapted to life in the plumage or pelage of their hosts and virtually never leave the host during their life cycle. Most species are highly host specific. This study was carried out to determine species richness, abundance, and prevalence of chewing lice of wild forest birds in the southern region of China. Between July 2012 and June 2016, 2,210 birds (belonging to 8 orders, 45 families, and 215 species) were captured by mist nets and examined for chewing lice. In total, 622 birds of 117 species were parasitized by lice belonging to 89 species in 25 genera from 2 suborders (Amblycera and Ischnocera). Of these, 28 louse species represent new host–louse records for China and 10 worldwide. Chewing louse prevalence varied significantly among host species. There was no evidence of a correlation between climate zones and louse prevalence, but host guild affected prevalence significantly, with insectivorous birds having the lowest prevalence. Louse prevalence was positively correlated with host body mass and bill length, but mean intensity was only correlated with host body mass. These findings contribute further knowledge of avian chewing lice.

Babblers (Passeriformes: Leiothrichidae, Pellorneidae, Timaliidae) are parasitized by more genera of lice of the Brueelia complex than any other group of songbirds. However, the relationships of these louse groups are poorly known. We here try to resolve the relationships between Guimaraesiella (Guimaraesiella), Guimaraesiella (Cicchinella), and their putative sister group Priceiella by using mitochondrial cytochrome c subunit 1 (COI), 12S, and 16S sequences. Our data indicate that G. (Cicchinella) forms a monophyletic group of lice from babblers, but the relationship between G. (Guimaraesiella), G. (Cicchinella), and Priceiella could not be resolved. Moreover, the position of the third lineage of babbler-specific lice, containing only the aberrant species Guimaraesiella montisodalis, is unresolved. Morphologically, this species is different from all other Guimaraesiella in several characters and may represent a distinct lineage. We present some data indicating that (1) the Nanling Mountain range may be a biogeographical barrier to chewing lice and (2) host participation in mixed-species feeding flocks may influence host associations in Brueelia-complex chewing lice.

Seven new species of chewing lice in the genus PriceiellaGustafsson and Bush, 2017, are described and illustrated based on specimens collected in south China. They are Priceiella (Camurnirmus) tanydrepanus n. sp. from Garrulax castanotis castanotis (Ogilvie-Grant, 1899); Priceiella (Camurnirmus) nanlingensis n. sp. from Garrulax maesi maesi (Oustalet, 1890); Priceiella (Thescelovora) brutifrons n. sp. from Turdinus brevicaudatus stevensi (Kinnear, 1925); Priceiella (Thescelovora) chuae n. sp. from Pellorneum albiventre cinnamomeus (Rippon, 1900); Priceiella (Thescelovora) catanachei n. sp. from Stachyris strialata swinhoei Rothschild, 1903; Priceiella (Thescelovora) dehongensis n. sp. from Stachyris nigriceps yunnanensis La Touche, 1921; and Priceiella (Thescelovora) rotundiceps n. sp. from Pomatorhinus ruficollis styani Seebohm, 1884. Several of these new species constitute the second species of Priceiella known from the host, suggesting that local endemism may be high in this louse genus. We also provide new host records for Priceiella (Thescelovora) coleyaeGustafsson et al., 2018, and Priceiella (Thescelovora) austiniGustafsson et al., 2018, and correct the type host subspecies for the latter. Finally, we amend the subgenus descriptions of CamurnirmusGustafsson and Bush, 2017, and ThescelovoraGustafsson and Bush, 2017. As a result of these changes, Priceiella najeriGustafsson et al., 2018, is moved to subgenus Thescelovora. An updated checklist of the genus Priceiella is provided.

Five new species of chewing lice in the genus BrueeliaKéler, 1936, are described from North American jays and allies. They are Brueelia mexicana n. sp. from Aphelocoma woodhouseii cyanotisRidgway, 1887; Brueelia bonnevillensis n. sp. from Aphelocoma woodhouseii nevadaePitelka, 1945; Brueelia diblasiae n. sp. from Cyanocitta stelleri frontalis (Ridgway, 1873); Brueelia tempestwilliamsae n. sp. from Gymnorhinus cyanocephalaWied-Neuwied, 1841; Brueelia mcnewae n. sp. from Nucifraga columbiana (Wilson, 1811). An identification key to the Brueelia on corvid hosts is provided.