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Hayer S, Sturm BP, Büsse S, Büscher TH, Gorb SN. Louse flies holding on mammals' hair: Comparative functional morphology of specialized attachment devices of ectoparasites (Diptera: Hippoboscoidea). J Morphol 2022; 283:1561-1576. [PMID: 36254816 DOI: 10.1002/jmor.21523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Hippoboscidae and Nycteribiidae of the dipteran superfamily Hippoboscoidea are obligate ectoparasites, which feed on the blood of different mammals. Due to their limited flight capability, the attachment system on all tarsi is of great importance for a secure grasp onto their host and thus for their survival. In this study, the functional morphology of the attachment system of two hippoboscid species and two nycteribiid species was compared in their specificity to the host substrate. Based on data from scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy, it was shown that the attachment systems of both Hippoboscidae and Nycteribiidae (Hippoboscoidea) differ greatly from that of other calyptrate flies and are uniform within the respective families. All studied species have an attachment system with two monodentate claws and two pulvilli. The claws and pulvilli of the Hippoboscidae are asymmetric, which is an adaptation to the fur of even-toed ungulates (Artiodactyla). The fur of these mammals possesses both, thinner woolen and thicker coat hair; thus, the asymmetry of the attachment system of the hippoboscid species enables a secure attachment to all surfaces of their hosts. The claws and pulvilli of the nyceribiid species do not show an asymmetry, since the fur of their bat (Chiroptera) hosts consists of hairs with the same thickness. The claws are important for the attachment to mammals' fur, because they enable a secure grip by mechanical interlocking of the hairs through the claws. Additionally, well-developed pulvilli are able to attach on thicker hairs of Artiodactyla or on smooth substrates such as the skin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Hayer
- Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Beeke P Sturm
- Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Sebastian Büsse
- Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Thies H Büscher
- Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Stanislav N Gorb
- Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
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Hua Y, Wang J, Wang H, Zhang W, Vitekere K, Jiang G. What determines the success of the species identification? The identification of 10 deer (Cervidae) species in China based on multiple parameters of hair morphology. WILDLIFE BIOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.2981/wlb.00673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yan Hua
- Y. Hua, J. Wang, H. Wang, W. Zhang, K. Vitekere and G. Jiang ✉ , College of Wildlife and Natural Protected Area, Northeast Forestry Univ., CN-150040 Harbin, PR China. JW, HW, KV and GJ also at: Feline Research Center of National Fores
| | - Jiao Wang
- Y. Hua, J. Wang, H. Wang, W. Zhang, K. Vitekere and G. Jiang ✉ , College of Wildlife and Natural Protected Area, Northeast Forestry Univ., CN-150040 Harbin, PR China. JW, HW, KV and GJ also at: Feline Research Center of National Fores
| | - Hong Wang
- Y. Hua, J. Wang, H. Wang, W. Zhang, K. Vitekere and G. Jiang ✉ , College of Wildlife and Natural Protected Area, Northeast Forestry Univ., CN-150040 Harbin, PR China. JW, HW, KV and GJ also at: Feline Research Center of National Fores
| | - Wei Zhang
- Y. Hua, J. Wang, H. Wang, W. Zhang, K. Vitekere and G. Jiang ✉ , College of Wildlife and Natural Protected Area, Northeast Forestry Univ., CN-150040 Harbin, PR China. JW, HW, KV and GJ also at: Feline Research Center of National Fores
| | - Kasereka Vitekere
- Y. Hua, J. Wang, H. Wang, W. Zhang, K. Vitekere and G. Jiang ✉ , College of Wildlife and Natural Protected Area, Northeast Forestry Univ., CN-150040 Harbin, PR China. JW, HW, KV and GJ also at: Feline Research Center of National Fores
| | - Guangshun Jiang
- Y. Hua, J. Wang, H. Wang, W. Zhang, K. Vitekere and G. Jiang ✉ , College of Wildlife and Natural Protected Area, Northeast Forestry Univ., CN-150040 Harbin, PR China. JW, HW, KV and GJ also at: Feline Research Center of National Fores
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