The Picicola (Mallophaga: Philopteridae) of the Passeriformes (Aves)

TLDR: Six species of Picicola from the Passeriformes but excluding the family Pittidae are discussed and a key is provided and one new species is described from Basileuterus coronatus regulus.

Abstract: Six species of Picicola from the Passeriformes but excluding the family Pittidae are discussed and a key is provided. One new species is described from Basileuterus coronatus regulus; P. rubina is synonymized and the lectotype for P. bimaculatus is designated. iformes.) Hopkins and Clay (1952) recognized seven species of Picicola from the Piciformes and six from the Passeriformes. In 1958 Clay discussed the po sition of Picicola within the Degeeriella complex. Since that time, Dalgleish (1969) has revised the species from the Picidae and formed three species groups, and Somadder and Tandan (1977) have dealt with nine species from the Pittidae. This paper deals with six Picicola species from 14 other Passeriform families. These Picicola differ from the species groups discussed by Dal gleish and Sommader and Tandan in that the sides of the marginal carina of the head are nearly broken where the carina curves around the frons and are on this account assigned to the foedus group. I have tried to parallel Dalgleish's use of diagnostic features where pos sible in the hope that two complementary keys would result. Peters (1948) and Gruson (1976) were used for the nomenclature of hosts. The dimensions provided for each species of Piciola were taken from all of the specimens listed in the "Material Examined" sections. All of the members of the foedus group have a carina which is nearly divided (here called the lateral notch) at the point where the sides curve around the frons, and a varying number of setae and their associated "ca nals" in the portion of the carina anterior to the lateral notch. All of the specimens show a preantennal suture at the posterior edge of the frontal plate, however, in some specimens it is difficult to see.