Rallicola extinctus explained

Rallicola extinctus is an extinct species of phtilopterid louse.^[1] The parasite was only known to live on the now extinct huia and is thought to have become extinct with its host.^[2] Like its host, it was endemic to New Zealand's North Island.

Taxonomy

It was initially placed in its own separate genus, Huiacola, which means "huia inhabitant", but this is now considered a subgenus.

External links

• Article containing an image of R. extinctus.

Notes and References

1. Palma, R. L. (1999): Amendments and additions to the 1982 list of chewing lice (Insecta: Phthiraptera) from birds in New Zealand. Notornis 46(3): 373–387. PDF fulltext
2. Mey, Eberhard (1990): Eine neue ausgestorbene Vogel-Ischnozere von Neuseeland, Huiacola extinctus (Insecta, Phthiraptera). Zoologischer Anzeiger 224(1/2): 49-73. [German with English abstract] PDF fulltext