Hystrichopsyllidae

Definition

A family of fleas (order Siphonaptera) comprising at least 40 genera and approximately 610 described species. Members are primarily ectoparasites of small mammals, especially rodents and insectivores, with many species showing narrow host specificity. The family is morphologically diverse and includes both nest-dwelling and fur-dwelling forms; some genera serve as vectors of zoonotic pathogens including Yersinia pestis.

Etymology

Example

Ctenophthalmus and Neopsylla are species-rich genera within Hystrichopsyllidae, commonly recovered from rodent nests during plague surveillance fieldwork.

Related Terms

• Siphonaptera
• Pulicidae
• Ceratophyllidae
• flea
• Ectoparasite
• plague vector
• host specificity
• nest flea

Usage Notes

Distinguished from Pulicidae (dog and cat fleas) and Ceratophyllidae by genitalic and chaetotaxy characters; identification to genus typically requires cleared slide-mounted specimens. The family is particularly diverse in the Holarctic and includes important sylvatic plague reservoirs.