Overview
This is the largest family of lice, and contains numerous genera and species found on all orders of birds in all parts of the world. About 100 native species in about 45 genera have been recorded from Australia, including the one endemic genus of the family (
Dahlemhornia
from the emu,
Dromaius
novaehollandiae
). Several introduced species have been recorded from domestic poultry and introduced feral birds. Roberts (1952) lists those from domestic poultry and the pigeon, among the more important being
Lipeurus
caponis
,
Cuclotogaster
heterographus
,
Goniodes
dissimilis
and
Goniocotes
gallinae
on fowls, and
Anatoecus
dentatus
and
Anaticola
crassicornis
on ducks.
Columbicola
columbae
is common on the domestic pigeon.
Description
Head relatively large; mouth-parts mandibulate. Antennae not concealed, usually filiform, 3-5-segmented; mandibles vertical; maxillary palps absent; meso- and metathorax usually fused. Antennae 5-segmented; tarsi with paired claws; on birds.