Primate-parasite
Guides
Pediculidae
Ape Lice
Pediculidae is a family of sucking lice (suborder Anoplura) that includes obligate ectoparasites of primates. The family contains Pediculus humanus, the human head and body louse, which exists as two morphologically similar but ecologically distinct forms: P. h. capitis (head louse) and P. h. humanus (body louse). Pediculidae also includes P. schaeffi, which infests chimpanzees and bonobos. These lice are wingless, dorsoventrally flattened insects with specialized mouthparts for piercing skin and feeding on blood. They complete their entire life cycle on the host and are of significant medical importance as vectors of epidemic typhus, trench fever, and relapsing fever.
Pthiridae
Pubic Lice
Pthiridae is a family of sucking lice containing the single genus Pthirus with two extant species: Pthirus pubis (human pubic louse) and Pthirus gorillae (gorilla louse). These obligate ectoparasites are highly host-specific, with each species restricted to a single primate host. The two species diverged approximately 3-4 million years ago, possibly associated with a host switch from gorillas to humans. Members of this family possess dorsoventrally flattened bodies and broad, crab-like claws adapted for grasping coarse hair.