Ischnocera

The Ischnocera is a large superfamily of lice. They are mostly parasitic on birds, but including a large family (the Trichodectidae) parasitic on mammals. The genus Trichophilopterus is also found on mammals (lemurs), but probably belongs to the "avian Ischnocera" and represents a host switch from birds to mammals. It is a chewing louse, which feeds on the feathers and skin debris of birds. Many of the avian Ischnocera have evolved an elongated body shape. This allows them to conceal themselves between the feather shafts and avoid being dislodged during preening or flight.

Ischnocera
Undetermined Strigiphilus species from a Ural owl (Strix uralensis), side view
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Psocodea
Suborder:	Troctomorpha
Infraorder:	Phthiraptera
Superfamily:	Ischnocera
Families[1]
Bovicolidae Dasyonygidae Goniodidae Heptapsogasteridae Lipeuridae Philopteridae (paraphyletic) Trichodectidae Trichophilopteridae

The taxonomy of the group is in need of revision, as several phylogenetic studies have found the group to be paraphyletic, specifically in regards to the two major families Philopteridae and Trichodectidae. In order to resolve this, in 2020 de Moya et al. proposed retaining the majority of the species (including Philopteridae) within Ischnocera, and then moving Trichodectidae to its own grouping called Trichodectera.^[2]

Ischnocera currently consists of the following families:^[1]

• Philopteroidea
  • Goniodidae
  • Heptapsogasteridae
  • Lipeuridae
  • Philopteridae (paraphyletic)
  • Trichophilopteridae
• Trichodectoidea
  • Bovicolidae
  • Dasyonygidae
  • Trichodectidae