Pedicinidae

Definition

A family of sucking lice (order Psocodea) containing the single genus Pedicinus, ectoparasites specialized on Old World monkeys and apes. Pedicinidae represents one of two major lineages of primate lice, with Pedicinus species diverging from the gorilla- and human-associated genus Pthirus approximately 22.5–2.5 million years ago.

Etymology

From the type genus Pedicinus (Latin pediculus, 'little louse') + -idae (family suffix)

Example

Pedicinus obtusus, a species in Pedicinidae, infests macaques and is distinguished from Pthirus pubis (the human pubic louse) by both host association and morphological features of the antennae and tarsi.

Related Terms

• Pedicinus
• Pthirus
• Psocodea
• Anoplura
• sucking louse
• Ectoparasite
• phthirapteran

Usage Notes

Historically treated as a family within Anoplura (sucking lice), now placed in Psocodea following molecular phylogenetics. The family is notable for its strict host specificity to primates and for providing calibration points in co-phylogenetic studies of lice and primate evolution. Not to be confused with Pediculidae, the family containing Pediculus (human head and body lice).