Polyplax
Enderlein, 1904
Mouse Lice
Polyplax is a of sucking lice in the Polyplacidae. are permanent of small mammals, primarily rodents. The genus has distribution across Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australasia. At least one species, Polyplax serrata, comprises distinct cryptic lineages with different specificity strategies.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Polyplax: //ˈpɒlɪˌplæks//
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Images
Habitat
Permanent living exclusively on the fur of small mammal , particularly rodents. The environment is relatively stable and simplified compared to free-living .
Distribution
: Europe, Africa, Asia-Temperate, Asia-Tropical, and Australasia. Specific records for Polyplax serrata include northwest Czech Republic and several German localities.
Diet
Blood; feed exclusively on vertebrate blood throughout the entire .
Host Associations
- Apodemus flavicollis - primary (S lineage - strict ; N lineage - )
- Apodemus sylvaticus - primary (N lineage - only)
Life Cycle
Permanent that live exclusively on their throughout the entire . Host specificity varies by lineage, with some showing strict specialization and others broader host ranges.
Behavior
Two distinct ecological strategies have been observed in Polyplax serrata: (S lineage) versus (N lineage) -use strategies. These strategies have evolved rapidly despite highly similar and sympatric occurrence.
Ecological Role
Maintains an obligate mutualistic relationship with the bacterial Legionella polyplacis, which supplies essential B vitamins. Serves as a model for studying --microbiome interactions in simplified systems.