Sensory Equipment of the Antennal Flagellum of Several Species of Damalinia (Phthiraptera: Trichodectidae)

The morphology of Colpocephalum pectinatum (Phthiraptera: Amblycera: Menoponidae) under scanning electron microscopy

Here, we describe under scanning electron microscopy (SEM) the morphology of Colpocephalum pectinatum (Phthiraptera, Menoponidae), an ectoparasite found in burrowing owls, Athene cunicularia. We devote particular attention to the morphology of the main structures of the head (antennae and mouth-parts) and legs (tarsi and femoral ctenidia). Moreover, we describe the main peripheral sensory organs, located in the labial palpi and the distal end of antennae. We also detected that the structure of antennae and antennal sensilla arrangement are very similar to that described for other Colpocephalum and Menoponid species, and we discuss the function of each type of sensilla. We suggest that SEM studies combined with other microscopy and physiological techniques could be useful for elucidate the function of each structure, lice behaviour, as well as their taxonomy.

Sensory features of the human louse antenna: new contributions and comparisons between ecotypes

Body and head lice are known to be exclusive ectoparasites of human hosts. Current genomic and transcriptomic data suggest that both louse types represent ecotypes of the same species. They exhibit morphological and physiological differences that probably arose from living in different biotopes. Sensory traits represent suitable candidates to be affected by environmental heterogeneity. Therefore, through scanning electron microscope studies, this study analysed and compared the sensory structures of both ecotypes' antennae. Seven types of sensory structures were identified in both ecotypes: bristles, tuft organs, pore organs, single pore and three morphotypes of sensilla basiconica. Notably, the single pore and the morphotypes of sensilla basiconica were described for the first time in the body louse antenna. This study's comparative analysis mainly revealed size differences across the sensory structures of the ecotypes. Bristles of the flagellomere 2 of the body louse antenna were longer than the head louse bristles. In addition, the pore organs of the head louse antenna presented a higher diameter than those of the body louse. The possible relevance of size differences regarding the biotopes exploited by the body louse and the head louse is discussed. Yet, physiological studies may help to fully understand the phenotypical differences of both ecotypes.

The Sensory Machinery of the Head Louse Pediculus humanus capitis: From the Antennae to the Brain

Insect antennae are sophisticated sensory organs, usually covered with sensory structures responsible for the detection of relevant signals of different modalities coming from the environment. Despite the relevance of the head louse Pediculus humanus capitis as a human parasite, the role of its antennal sensory system in the highly dependent relation established with their hosts has been barely studied. In this work, we present a functional description of the antennae of these hematophagous insects by applying different approaches, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), anterograde antennal fluorescent backfills, and behavioral experiments with intact or differentially antennectomized lice. Results constitute a first approach to identify and describe the head louse antennal sensilla and to determine the role of the antenna in host recognition. SEM images allowed us to identify a total of 35-40 sensilla belonging to seven different morphological types that according to their external architecture are candidates to bear mechano-, thermo-, hygro-, or chemo-receptor functions. The anterograde backfills revealed a direct neural pathway to the ipsilateral antennal lobe, which includes 8-10 glomerular-like diffuse structures. In the two-choice behavioral experiments, intact lice chose scalp chemicals and warm surfaces (i.e., 32°C) and avoided wet substrates. Behavioral preferences disappeared after ablation of the different flagellomeres of their antenna, allowing us to discuss about the location and function of the different identified sensilla. This is the first study that integrates morphological and behavioral aspects of the sensory machinery of head lice involved in host perception.

Scanning electron microscopy of legs of two species of sucking lice (Anoplura: Phthiraptera)

Pretarsal, tarsal and tibial structures of the forelegs, midlegs and hindlegs of Pediculus humanus of humans and of Haematopinus apri Goureau, 1866 (Phthiraptera), a parasite of feral hogs, were studied using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Details of the tibial thumb-like process (tl) with the spine of the thumb (spn), tarsal apophysis (ta) and the coupled finger-like process (cfl) can be observed in the leg photomicrograph of both species. A frontal view of the leg in open position shows the articulation of the claw: the structures of an open-closed system, a tooth row (te), rack-system (rs) and two telescopic columns (tc) which are present near the base of the claw in both species. In H. apri, we observed a pad-like structure, the flap-like tibial lobe (fl) on the ventral surface on the tarsus, the euplantulae, with several sensilla basiconica, which is present in each leg.

Structures of the preantennal region of several species of Damalinia (Phthiraptera: Trichodectidae)

A comparative study was made of the structures of the preantennal region of nine species of Damalinia Mjöberg, 1910 (Phthiraptera: Trichodectidae). Variability in the form of the head, ventral carina, pulvinus, mandibles, and labrum was observed by light and scanning electron microscopy. According to previous studies, the form of the head is possibly influenced by the density and texture of the hair of the host. The ventral carina, which maybe sharp or blunt, and the pulvinus, a membranous lobe, of these parasite species of different hosts, were studied. Photographs of the mandibles and labrum show a high variability according to species.