Harrisoniella hopkinsi | |
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Harrisoniella hopkinsi | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Psocodea |
Family: | Philopteridae |
Genus: | Harrisoniella |
Species: | H. hopkinsi
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Binomial name | |
Harrisoniella hopkinsi Eichler, 1952
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Harrisoniella hopkinsi is a species of phtilopterid louse that lives on and eats the feathers of albatrosses. The species was first described by W. Eichler in 1952.[1]
This species is dark brown with an elongated head, and extremely large – H. hopkinsi is one of the largest feather lice, with males reaching up to 9 millimetres (0.35 in) long.[2] They live mostly on the wing feathers, but are quite able to move if disturbed or if their host bird should die.[3] There are usually fewer than half a dozen adult specimens found on a single host bird; low compared with other species of feather lice, which may number in the hundreds.[3] Harrisoniella hopkinsi has been found on the feathers of the wandering albatross (Diomedea exulans) and the southern royal albatross (Diomedea epomophora).[3]