Adesh Kumar* and Rakesh Kumar**

Bio Bulletin (2015), Vol. 1(1): 38-49, Kumar and Kumar 40
ISSN NO. (Print): 2454-7913
ISSN NO. (Online): 2454-7921
Description of life history stages of chicken louse, Menacanthus
cornutus (Phthiraptera: Amblycera) infesting domestic fowl
Adesh Kumar*
and Rakesh Kumar**
*
Parasitology Laboratory, Department of Zoology
Govt. P.G. College, Ranikhet (Almora)-263647, (Uttarakhand), INDIA
**
Department of Veterinary Physiology,
College of Veterinary & Animal Sciences
C.S.K. Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishavavidyalya
Palampur (Kangra), (Himachal Pradesh), INDIA
(Corresponding author: Adesh Kumar)
(Published by Research Trend, Website: www.biobulletin.com)
(Received 12 February 2015; Accepted 08 May 2015)
ABSTRACT: Amblyceran as well as ischnoceran lice species exhibited hair like structure known
as setae. Setae are species specific and vary in number, length and arrangement on particular
body regions from one lice species to other. The present study was undertaken to describe the
correct position and arrangement of setae on taxonomically important body parts of life history
stages of amblyceran louse, Menacanthus cornutus infesting domestic fowl. All stages of M.
cornutus vary to each other in body shape, dimensions, colour and sclerotisation of different
body parts. The first instar nymph has less number of tergal and sternal setae as compared to the
second instar nymph. The gular plate of first instar nymph wanting of setae but second instar
nymph has four setae. The anterior tergal setae in second instar nymph found absent but 2-3
anterior sternal setae are recorded on IV-VII segment whilst in third instar nymph sparsely beset
anterior tergal and sternal setae was recorded. The gular plate of second instar nymph has 4 setae
but gular plate of third instar nymph bear 6 setae. The gular plate in adult has 8 setae but the gular
plate of third nymph instar showed 6 setae. The numbers of setae in sternal ctenidial patches
remained less in third instar nymph in comparison to adults. The sexual dimorphism limited to
male with smaller dimensions, less number of abdominal chaetotaxy and differences associated
with genital features of posterior abdomen. The sexual dimorphism has shown by female as more
elliptical and long abdomen, densely beset abdominal chaetotaxy and anal fringe with dorsal and
ventral setae. A row of setae on subgenital plate of female was also present.
Key words: Chaetotaxy, chewing lice, Menacanthus cornutus, Gallus gallus domesticus
INTRODUCTION
The external body dimensions and characteristic
morphological features are generally used in
systematic studies of amblyceran as well as
ischnoceran phthirapteran ectoparasites rather
than the host species it parasitized.
The lice species of related taxa looked alike and
their identification is a challenging task. The three-
instar nymphs of any lice species appear to
be quite similar (except size) and it is very hectic
to differentiate each other.
Bio Bulletin 1(1): 40-50(2015)
(Published by Research Trend, Website: www.biobulletin.com)

The workers like Martin (1934), Wilson (1939),
Conci (1956) and Agarwal (1967) have
occasionally described the nymph morphology,
while studying the biology of certain lice species.
The publication of Kessel (1942), Eichler (1948,
1963), Keler (1952) and Conci (1952) are quite
valuable regarding morphological features of
selected phthirapteran species. Mey (1994) has
made comprehensive attempt to deduce the
phylogeny of ischnoceran bird biting lice (86
species of 51 genera) by comparing the adult and
nymph morphological features. Price & Hellenthal
(1996), Saxena et al. (1998), Smith (2000), Beg et
al. (2004) and Rajput (2009) have also discussed
the significance of nymph morphology. Crystal
(1949) and Piotrowski and Kadulski (1970) have
described the morphology of nymph instars of two
mammalian lice species, Tricodectes canis and
Cervicola eyeri.
The eminent workers have done exhaustive work
to record the morphological features of avian as
well as mammalian lice and provided key for the
identification of species and cleared doubts about
the specific characters of members of certain taxa.
They have also given neotype of some species
(e.g. Price and Werneck 1948; Clay 1970;
Lakshminarayana and Price 1980; Lyal 1985).
Recently, some workers reported new species of
genus Myrsidea and Picicola from avian hosts and
have also described their morphological features
and provided identification key. For instance, Price
and Weckstein (2005) have described five new
species from jacamars and puffbirds, Meyer et al.
(2008) one new species from rufous-sided
broadbill of genus Picicola, Dalgleish and Price
(2005) reported two new species from contingas,
Price and Johnson (2006) four new species from
Malagasy warblers, Sychra et al. (2007) two new
species from buntings, cardinals and tanagers,
Price and Dalgleish (2007) thirteen new species
from emberizidae and Price et al. (2008) five new
species from antshrikes and antbirds of genus
Myrsidea. Few workers like Zlotorzycka (1990),
Zlotorzycka and Modrejewska (1992) and
Zlotorzycka et al. (1995) have recorded the
surface ultra structure of selected phthirapteran
species with the help of SEM.
Herein the present work, attempt has been made
to describe the morphological features of three
instar nymphs, adult male and female
Menacanthus cornutus (Schömmer 1913) (Insecta,
Phthiraptera, Amblycera) parasitizing domestic
fowl, Gallus gallus domesticus.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The feathers loaded with fresh eggs of
Menacanthus cornutus (Schommer 1913) have
been gently cut from oviposition sites of louse over
the body of domestic fowl to avoid the injury
caused by plucking the feathers. The fresh egg
looks glistening white due to the reflection of light
and having turgid surface. Thereafter, the
collected feathers were carefully trimmed and
placed in petridish lined with filter papers. In
addition to feather diet, lice were also offered
blood diet by soaking the cotton wool in
anticoagulant added chicken blood. The mouth of
petridish covered with muslin cloth and tied with
rubber band, the culture dishes then placed in
desiccators maintained at 35±1ºC and 75% R.H.
The first instar nymphs were hatched on the 4-6
day of incubation. The second and third instar
nymphs were obtained by rearing the fresh looking
healthier first and second instar nymphs
respectively under similar aforesaid conditions.
The three categories of nymphs have been
separately preserved in 70% alcohol.
The miniature lice (nymphs) treated with 10%
KOH for 12 hours and then washed thrice with
water. The specimens were then passed through
10% acetic acid (30 minutes). Few of them were
stained (aqueous fuchsin/eosine), dehydrated in
different grades of alcohol (ascending series),
cleared in xylene and mounted in DPX.
Furthermore, the glycerol mounts of all life stages
(nymphs as well as adult male and female) of M.
cornutus have been prepared. First of all
specimens were kept in mixture of glycerol and
alcohol for 5-6 days in cavity blocks at 35±1ºC in
incubator. Thereafter, the specimens were
mounted on glass slides in pure glycerol solution.
The slides were double sealed with nail polish.
The glycerol mount further helped in recording the
correct position of setae over the body of different
stages.
The mounted specimens were studied under the
light microscope to record the morphology and
chaetotaxy. The drawing of each stage has also
been made to illustrate the right position of setae
of M. cornutus with the help of picture tube
attached with trinocular research microscope
(Nikon Made).
OBSERVATION
Male of M. cornutus (Fig.1):
The male is smaller (1.59 mm) than female and
the body appears narrower (0.49 mm) however,
slightly broader than the width of temples portion
(0.40 mm). The colour is straw yellowish seldom

louse gives darkish appearance. The head is
rounded having shallow lateral head notch and
temples are rounded in shape. The occipital region
laterally angulated and central portion is convexed
towards prothorax. The prothorax is acutely
angulated from lateral angels and posterior region
is convex with long marginal setae. The
mesothorax is small and fused with metathorax.
Metathorax is quite clear with angulated lateral
angels and narrower anterior end. The tergal
segments are undivided and abdomen is broadest
at V
th
segment. The antennae are four segmented
and remained concealed in the antennal sinus and
do not exhibited sexual dimorphism. The male
genitalia feebly sclerotised and extended from
terminal segment up to succeeding three
abdominal segments. Prosternal, mesosternal,
metasternal and gular plates are well-developed
and bearing marginal setae. The ctenidial (group
of small setae) patches are pronounced on the
lateral end of sternal plates from segments III-VII
th
.
The abdominal sternal anterior setae are present
between the ctenidial patches and row of marginal
setae remained undisturbed and passing below
the ctenidial patch. The legs are stout and having
mixed type setae (e.g. long, medium, small and
minute). The spiracles are present on the lateral
ends of tergal plates on III-VIII
th
segments.
Fig. 1. Diagramatic representation of chaetotaxy of male Menacanthus cornutus.
Chaetotaxy- Head (Fig.1): Marginal carina, 1;
anterior and mid-dorsal head setae, 4 (minute);
lateral anterior head setae, 4 (1 long and 3 short);
subocular (comb), 16; postocular, 3 (1 long and 2
short); anterior subocular, 2. Marginal temporal, 7
(2 very long, 1 long, 2 short and 2 small); occipital,
4 on each half. Labrum, 4; ventral carina, 3; sub
marginal, 2 (1 minute and 1 short);
hypopharyngeal setae, 6; gular plate, 8 (anterior
smaller than the posterior setae).

Thorax (Fig.1): Marginal prothorax setae: 10;
prothorax central minute setae, 2; the lateral angel
bears 3 setae (1 short and 2 small); marginal
metathorax, 4 on each half; lateral angels of
metathorax bears 7 setae (2 long, 1 anterior
minute and 4 minute along with the lateral sides);
prosternal plate, 4 minute; mesosternal plate, 10;
metasternal, 10.
Abdomen (Fig.1): Marginal tergal setae: I, 12; II,
14; III, 20; IV, 21-22; V-VI, 24-25, VII, 18-19, VIII,
10. Anterior tergal setae: II, 9; III-V, 23; VI, 21; VII,
19; VIII, 12. Postspiracular setae: 1 (I-II, short; III,
long; IV-VIII, very long). Dorsal portion of pleurites:
I-II, 5 (2 long marginal and 3 anterior minute); III-V,
4 (2 long and 2 minute); VI, 3 (2 short marginal
and 1 minute); VII, 2 marginal; VIII, 1 marginal
small. Terminal segment: 3 marginal setae (1 very
long and 2 small); subterminal, 2 on each half.
Marginal sternal setae: I, 2; II, 12; III, 22; ctenidial
setae, 11; IV, 24; ctenidial, 19; V, 23; ctenidial, 26;
VI, 19; ctenidial, 17; VII, 17; ctenidial, 11; VIII, 9;
ctenidial, 8. Terminal segment, 4 marginal (two
long and two small); sub terminal, 2 (short) on
each half. Ventral Pleurite setae: II, 6 (4 marginal
and 2 anterior); III, VI-VII, 8 (4 marginal and 4
anterior); IV, 10 (4 marginal and 6 anterior); V, 9 (4
marginal and 5 anterior); VIII, 7 (1 long, 3 short
marginal and 3 anterior).
Dimensions in mm (Fig. 1): Head length, 0.29;
Head Width, 0.40; Prothorax Length, 0.17;
Prothorax Width, 0.32; Metathorax Length, 0.14;
Metathorax Width, 0.38; Abdominal Length, 0.84,
Abdominal Width, 0.49; Genitalia length, 0.35;
Genitalia width, 0.09; Total Length, 1.59.
Female M. cornutus (Fig. 2):
The female is larger in size (1.77 mm) than to
male and having flat and broader abdomen. The
colour of female is somewhat more darkish than
male. The rest of characters like temporal
margins, occipital region, metathorax and
antennae are similar to those of male. The
abdominal sternal plate and plurites are more
pronounced comparatively to male. The body is
broadest at abdominal segment IV
th
(0.77 mm).
The terminal segment of female bears anal fringe
(comb) consisting of large number of ventral and
dorsal setae. The abdominal sternal plates
exhibited ctenidial patches (group of setae) more
distinct on III-VII
th
segments. However, the size of
setae in ctenidial patches remains similar to the
anterior sternal setae. Postspiracle setae of
abdominal on II
nd
tergal plate is very long. The
female are quite visible on host body due to its
large size and darkish colour. The number of
tergal and sternal setae are densely beset in
female than do exhibited by male.
Chaetotaxy- Head (Fig. 2): Marginal carina, 1;
mid-dorsal head setae, 1; latero anterior head
setae, 3 (1 long and 2 short); postocular, 3 (1 long,
1 short and 1 small); anterior subocular, 2 long.
Marginal temporal, 7 (3 long, 1 short and 3 small);
occipital, 4 on each half. Labrum: 3; ventral carina,
1; submarginal, 1; hypopharyngeal plate, 6; gular
plate, 8 (posterior longer than the anterior setae).
Thorax (Fig. 2): Marginal prothorax, 5 on each
half; antero lateral angel prothorax setae, 3 (1
long, 1 spine like at the angle region and 1 minute
along the lateral side of prothorax); marginal
metathorax, 4 on each half; antero lateral angel
metathorax setae, 7 (1 long, 1 spine like at angle,
1 minute and 4 minute along the side). Prosternal
plate, 4; mesosternal plate, 10; metasternal plate,
10.
Abdomen (Fig. 2): Marginal tergal setae, I, 8-9; II,
18; III, 21; IV, 24; V, 26; VI, 23; VII, 20; VIII, 7.
Anterior tergal setae: III, 22; IV, 25; V, 34; VI, 26;
VII, 24-25; VIII, 10. Postspiracular: 1 (II segment
bears very long; I, IV, VI, of medium length and III,
VII-VIII have long setae). Terminal segment setae:
1 long and 7 marginal of mixed length type on
each half. Dorsal pleural setae; I, 4 (1 marginal
short and 3 anterior minute); II-III, 5 (1 marginal
and 4 minute anterior); IV, 4 (2 marginal and 2
anterior minute); V, 5 (2 marginal and 3 anterior
minute); VI, 5 (3 marginal and 2 anterior); VII-VIII,
2 (1 marginal and 1 anterior).
Sternal setae: marginal sternal setae, I, 4; II, 17;
ctenidial, 4; III, 24; ctenidial, 23; IV, 28; ctenidial,
35; V, 27; ctenidial, 32; VI, 30; ctenidial, 20; VII,
19; ctenidial, 19; VIII, 10; ctenidial, 10. Anterior
sternal setae: II, 9; III, 14, IV, 15; V, 14; VI, 13; VII,
14; VIII, 6. Ventral plurites: II, IV, VII, 8 (4 marginal
and 4 anterior); III, V, VI 9 (4 marginal and 5
anterior setae); VIII, 7 (4 marginal and 3 anterior).
Terminal segment: The remainders of the sub
genital plate bear 16-19 marginal setae; the anal
fringe also present with 45-50 ventral setae and
50-55 dorsal fringe setae. The lateral side of
terminal segment bears 1, long setae on each
side.
Abdominal Width, 0.77; Total Length, 1.77.
First instar nymph (Fig. 3):
The first instar nymph has large head as
compared to rest proportion of the body. The
colour of the body is creamy white. The shape of

head has appeared to be triangular and having
more width than to its length. The head notch is
present but not very distinct. The temples are less
rounded. The occipital and anterior carina is not
well developed.
The maxillary palps and antennae are quite visible
with three segments and fourth remained in
developing stage. Out of four segments of
antennae first is not fully developed, second is
somewhat squares in shape.
Fig. 2. Diagramatic representation of chaetotaxy of female Menacanthus cornutus.
The proximal portion of third narrower and distal
end flattened to accommodate the last segment
which is cylindrical and bearing some sensory
hairs at the distal end. Both the maxillary palp and
antennae are projected out from the margins of
head. The prothorax laterally rounded and convex
posterior end overlapping the mesothorax.
Metathorax plate is not well sclerotised and having
narrower anterior and broader posterior end. The
metathorax lateral angels are not acutely
angulated. The gular plate appear but feebly
sclerotised and devoid of any setae. The chitinous
frame work for supporting the mandible is also
visible. Oesophageal sclerites are lightly
sclerotised. The tergal plates are very light and
can not be demarked separately. The ctenidial
patches on the abdominal sternal plates are
absent. The legs are strong and bear two claws on
each leg. The spiracles are very small and present
on III-VIII
th
segments.
Chaetotaxy (Fig. 3): Head marginal carina, 3;
latero anterior head setae, 2 (1 long and 1
minute); anterior subocular, 2 (short); postocular, 1
(long); subocular, 5 (comb); marginal temporal, 5
(2 long and 3 short); marginal occipital, 3 (2 long
and 1 small) on each half. Labrum: 3; ventral
marginal carina, 1; submarginal, 2 (1 long and 1
minute).
half; lateral angel prothorax, 2 (1 short and 1
minute); marginal metathorax, 4 on each half;
lateral angel metathorax, 3 (1 long and 2 minute);
central metathorax, 2; prosternal plate, 2 minute;
metasternal plate, 2.
Abdomen (Fig. 3): Marginal tergal setae, I-VII, 8;
VIII, 6; post spiracular, 1 (I-III short, IV-VIII very

long); dorsal pleurites, I-III, 3 marginal and 1
anterior minute; IV-VIII, 2 marginal and 1 minute
anterior; terminal segment, 1 very long with 3 short
marginal; sub marginal, 2 on each half. Marginal
sternal setae: I, 2; II-VI, 6; VII-VIII, 4. Terminal
segment, 5 (2 long and 3 minute); anterior
submarginal, 2 (long) on each half. Ventral
pleurites: II-IV, 1; V-VIII, 3.
Fig. 3. Diagramatic representation of chaetotaxy of first instar nymph of Menacanthus cornutus male.
Second instar nymph (Fig. 4):
The second instar nymph has elongated body with
oval shaped abdomen. The colour of second instar
nymph is yellow. The anterior margin of head
became rounded as compared to first instar
nymph. The head lateral slit or notch became
more distinct. The temples rounded and are
broadest portion of head. The occipital are
angulated laterally and convex centrally. The
maxillary palps and antennae are four segmented
and still remained projected from the margins of
head region. The oesophageal sclerites and gular
plate are lightly pigmented. The chitinous frame
work supporting the mandibles has developed and
gives quite visibility. The abdomen is broadest at
fourth segment (0.54 mm). The lateral angels of
prothorax and metathorax are more angulated
comparatively to first instar nymph. The tergal
plates are still feebly sclerotised and very lightly
delimited. The prosternal, mesosternal and
metasternal plates are developed and bear setae
at margins. The abdominal sternal plates are
feebly sclerotised and provided very fade
demarcation between them. The ctenidial patches
are also absent.
Chaetotaxy (Fig. 4): Head marginal carina, 3;
mid-dorsal head setae, 1; latero anterior head
setae, 2 (1 long and 1 short); subocular, 7 (comb);
postocular, 2 (1 long and 1 medium); anterior
subocular, 2; marginal temporal, 5 (3 long and 2
small) on each half; marginal occipital, 3 on each
half (outer are small and inner setae long); labrum,
3; ventral marginal carina, 1; hypopharyngeal
plate, 4 (short); gular plate, 4.
half; central minute, 1; lateral angel prothorax, 2 (1
short and 1 spine like on the angel); marginal
metathorax, 4 on each half; lateral angel, 3 (2
short and 1 small); prosternal plate, 4-5;
mesosternal plate, 4-5; metasternal plate, 6.
Abdomen (Fig. 4): Marginal tergal, I, 8; II-VII, 10;
VIII, 6; post spiracular, 1 (I short; II-IV medium
length; V-VIII very long); dorsal pleurites, I-III, V,
VII, 3 (2 marginal and 1 anterior minute); IV, VI, 5
(4 marginal and 1 anterior minute); terminal
segment, 1 very long with 2 short marginal and 2
short subterminal on each half. Marginal sternal
setae: I, 2; II, 6; III-IV and VI, 10-11; V, 11-12; VII,
8; VIII, 6. Anterior sternal setae, IV-VII, 2. Ventral
pleurites: II-IV and VI-VIII, 2; V-VI, 3. Terminal
segment, 6 marginal (1 long, 2 short, 3 small);
subterminal, 2 short.

Metathorax Width, 0.35; Abdominal Length, 0.73, Abdominal Width, 0.54; Total Length, 1.32.
Fig. 4. Diagramatic representation of chaetotaxy of second instar nymph of Menacanthus cornutus.
Third instar nymph (Fig. 5):
The third instar nymph gives the appearance
almost of adult lice except bit light sclerotisation of
body parts. The colour of nymph remained
yellowish. The head is rounded anteriorly and
become wider at ocular region. Temples are
broader and more rounded comparatively to the
second instar nymph. Prothorax and metathorax
are acutely angulated at the lateral angels. The
fourth abdominal segment gives the broadest
abdominal width (0.66 mm). However, the body
appears straight at III-V
th
segments. The anterior
tergal and sternal setae appeared in the present
stage but are sparsely occurred. The ctenidial
patches on the sternal plates have given their
manifestation but the numbers of setae are less as
compared to adult. The tergal and sternal plates
are still feebly pigmented. The maxillary palps and
antennae are fully developed and become larger
than to the second instar nymph.
Chaetotaxy (Fig. 5): Marginal carina, 2; mid-
dorsal head setae, 2; latero anterior head setae, 4
(1 long, 2 short and 1 minute); subocular comb,
10; postocular, 4 (1 very long, 1 short and 2
minute); anterior subocular, 2; marginal temporal,
7 (2 very long, 1 medium length, 1 short and 3
small); ventral marginal carina, 1, labrum, 3;
anterior submarginal, 4 (2 short and 2 small); gular
plate, 6 (posterior are longer than anterior setae);
marginal occipital, 4 (inner longer than outer
setae) on each half.
half; lateral angel prothorax, 3 (1 long, 1 spine like
at lateral angel and 1 minute); central minute
prothorax, 2; marginal metathorax, 4 on each half;
lateral angel metathorax, 4 (1 long, 1 short and 2
minute); prosternal plate, 2; mesosternal plate, 8;
metathorax plate, 8.
Abdomen (Fig. 5): Marginal tergal setae, I, 10-11;
II-III and VI, 14-15; IV-V, 16; VII, 13; VIII, 8.
Anterior tergal: II, 2; III, 6; IV, 12; V-VI, 10; VII, 8;
VIII, 2. postspiracular: 1 (I-III, medium length and
VI-VIII, very long), segment IV has longer setae
than V segment. Dorsal pleurites: I, 3 (1 marginal
and 2 anterior minute); II, 4 (2 marginal and 2
anterior minute); III, 5 (2 marginal and 3 anterior);
IV-V and VII, 6 (3 marginal and 3 anterior); VI, 4 (2
marginal and 2 anterior); VIII, 5 (3 marginal and 2
anterior). Terminal segment: marginal, 7 (1 long
and 6 small), subterminal, 3 on each half.

Fig. 5. Diagramatic representation of chaetotaxy of third instar nymph of Menacanthus cornutus.
Marginal sternal setae: I, 2; II, 8; ctenidial, 4; III,
17; ctenidial, 6; IV, 17; ctenidial, 9; V, 16; ctenidial,
10; VI, 14; ctenidial, 11; VII, 11; ctenidial, 6; VIII, 8;
ctenidial, 2. On the segments II-VIII ctenidial
patches are present at the lateral ends of sternal
plates therefore anterior setae are present
between the patches. Sternal anterior: II, 5; III, 7;
IV, 7; V, 6; VI, 5; VII, 5; VIII, 2. Ventral pleurites: I-
III, 5 (3 marginal and 2 anterior minute); IV, 6 (3
marginal and 3 anterior); V, 4 (3 marginal and 1
anterior); VI, 6 (4 marginal and 2 anterior); VII, 6 (2
marginal and 4 anterior); VIII, 3 (1 marginal and 2
anterior). Terminal segment: terminal/marginal, 1
long; subterminal, 2 (1 long and 1 short) on each
half; the anal fringe also visible with having only 20
setae.
DISCUSSION
In the present study it has been recorded that
nymph instars of each molting stage of M.
cornutus vary to each other in respect of body
dimensions, colour and number and arrangement
of setae over body. However, the pronounced
differences are lies in the body size, length and in
the dimensions of body parts. The similar
differences in external morphology of
phthirapteran nymph stages have been reported
by Martin (1934), Kessel (1942), Eichler (1948,
1963), v Keler (1952), Clay (1958), Conci (1952,
1956), Modrzejewska and Zlotorzycka (1987) and
Mey (1994).
Some closely related lice species like Hoplopleura
intermedia complex, H. captiosa, H. intermedia, H.
thurmonae and H. johnsonae have exhibited quite
similarity in their morphological structure and yet
the nymphs are distinctly different from each other
(Kim 1966; Johnson 1972). The occurrences of
spiracular opening have also varied in some
species and seldom showed sexual dimorphism.
For instance, Felicola subrostratus normally has
three pairs of abdominal spiracles; the respective
species is widely spread and parasitized many
host but in Madagaskar the species occurred on
Eupleres goudoti host and has three or two pairs
of spiracles and specimens had also manifested
asymmetry (Lyal 1985). The lice species
Tricodectes potus female has three pairs of
abdominal spiracles and male has two, it is so far

the only known example of lice sexual dimorphism
manifested by spiracle numbers. In the present
work except size, no other characteristic features
in nymph instars have been recorded which could
be quite unique to adult. The phenomenon like
spiracular sexual dimorphism had also found
absent in M. cornutus. Furthermore, the nymphs of
more specialized group can be characterized by
peculiar modifications of setae (gradual
modification in to adult). For instance, the lice
species Eulaemobothrion cubense in successive
instars the number of setae transform into thick
thorns on osculum (successively grow to create
definite sets in adult) (Eichler 1963). The workers
like Clay (1958), Eichler (1963) and Mey (1994)
have been recommended the diagnosis of
individual nymph instars through progression of
chaetotaxy.
In the present study, it has also been recorded
that first instar nymph of M. cornutus differ from
second and third instar nymphs regarding
demonstration of less number of tergal and sternal
marginal setae. The first instar nymph has creamy
white colouration whilst, second and third have
yellow body colour. The shape of head in first
nymph is triangular wherein second and third it
became semilunar. The gular plate in first instar
nymph has been poorly sclerotised and wanting of
setae whereas gular plate of second instar nymph
bear two setae but still very light in sclerotisation.
The abdomen of first instar nymph is straight and
narrower in appearance, which became flat and
elliptical in second instar nymph. The antennae of
first instar nymph are not fully developed since the
first segment remained indistinct while in second
instar nymph, antennae become large and
segments are easily distinguishable. The
prothorax of first instar nymph has somewhat
rounded at lateral angels but prothorax is
angulated in second instar nymph.
The nymph instars of Menopon gallinae the other
menoponid louse usually co-existed with M.
cornutus have also varied from miniature lice
(nymph instars) of M. cornutus. The first instar
nymph of M. gallinae is smaller in size (length,
0.80-0.84 mm; width, 0.30-0.36 mm) (Saxena et
al. 1998) comparatively to M. cornutus (length,
0.97 mm; width, 0.34 mm). Prothorax of first instar
nymph of M. gallinae has acutely angulated with
three marginal setae while in M. cornutus the
prothorax is somewhat rounded at lateral angels
and having four marginal setae. The gular plate of
first instar nymph of M. gallinae has 3-4 setae
while the gular plate of first instar nymph of M.
cornutus devoid of setae (Saxena et al. 1998).
The second nymph instar of M. cornutus is almost
similar in shape and colour to third instar nymph
but vary in the possession of less number of tergal
and sternal setae and also in body dimensions.
The lateral prothorax angels in third instar nymph
are more angulated and bear longer spine setae
comparatively to second instar nymph. The gular
plate of third instar nymph has three and
hypopharyngeal plate with four setae wherein in
second instar nymph the number remained two
respectively. The anterior tergal and sternal setae
are present in third instar nymph but second instar
nymph exhibited anterior sternal setae on III-VI
segments but number limited to 2-3 on each. The
number of setae on the pro, meso and metasternal
plates almost similar in second and third instar
nymphs. The second instar nymph of M. gallinae
has 6 and 8 marginal setae on occipital and
prothorax respectively while second instar nymph
of M. cornutus bear 8 and 10 marginal setae on
respective regions. The size of second instar
nymph of M. gallinae is smaller (length, 0.91-0.95
mm; width, 0.40-0.46 mm) than to second instar
nymph of M. cornutus (length, 1.32 mm width,
0.54 mm) (Saxena et al. 1998).
The third instar nymph of M. cornutus is differing in
size (length, 1.53 mm; width, 0.66 mm) than to
adult (length, 1.77 mm; width, 0.77 mm). The
sclerotisation of third instar nymph is feeble and
colour remained still yellowish. The anterior tergal
and sternal setae are sparsely beset and less in
number to exhibit by adult M. cornutus. The gular
plate of adult has 10 setae in contrast to 6 setae
on gular plate of third instar nymph. Unlike to the
adult hypopharyngeal plate in third instar nymph it
has been still feebly sclerotised. The rest of body
character like head shape, elliptical abdomen,
legs, occipital region, temples, antennae and
maxillary palps, prosternal, mesosternal and
metasternal plates are similar to adult M. cornutus.
The third instar nymph of M. gallinae has also
showed differences comparatively to third instar
nymph of M. cornutus regarding body dimension
and arrangement of setae. The third instar nymph
of M. gallinae measures 1.50-1.54 mm in length
and 0.60-0.64 mm in width (Saxena et al. 1998)
whereas, the length of third instar nymph of M.
cornutus is 1.53 mm and 0.66 mm width. The
anterior tergal and sternal setae are absent in third
instar nymph of M. gallinae but herein M. cornutus
has been recorded. In third instar nymph the gular
plate of M. gallinae has eight while M. cornutus
bear six setae.
The male and female of M. cornutus are easily
distinguishable to each other. The male is smaller
(length, 1.59 mm; width, 0.49 mm) as

comparatively to female (length, 1.77 mm; width,
0.77 mm). The abdomen of male is somewhat
narrower and straight in appearance while female
abdomen is more elliptical and densely sclerotised
than to male. The male genitalia is visible but
poorly sclerotised and female has anal fringe with
large number of ventral and dorsal setae of
medium length. The subgenital plate in female has
also bear a row of marginal setae. The sexual
dimorphism limited to male with smaller
dimensions, less number of abdominal chaetotaxy
and differences associated with genital features of
posterior abdomen.
Thorough look on literature has revealed that
during the course of transformation of miniature
lice into adult generally followed a common
pattern. For instance the coulouration of young
molted lice always remained yellow. The body size
on each molting increases and some time
overlapping between third instar nymph and adult.
The dark colorations of body with succeeding
stage is determined by the degree of
sclerotisation. However, by now feeble
sclerotisation of some body parts (e.g. legs,
marginal carina, ventral carina and mandibular
framework) of first nymph instar has exhibited dark
colorations. The antennae are always 4-5
segments. The progression of setae with each
transformation stage from first nymph instar to
adult is general trend during the development. In
the majority of cases, the abdominal tergal plates
of first instar hardly ever delimited and wanting of
sclerotisation. The sclerotisation of tergal, sternal
and pleural plates have been documented almost
in all cases with each molting stage.
The present work is agree with Smith (2000) who
had noted the ontogenic transformation in shapes
of head of three instar nymphs of four avian lice
and recommended the use of nymph morphology
to establish phylogeny and taxonomy of avian lice.
Since in present study, the shape of head of first
instar nymph vary to all other stages which might
be informative regarding the phylogeny of
respective lice.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We are thanks Principal, B. L. J. Government
Degree College, Purola (Uttarkashi) for providing
laboratory facilities and to Uttarakhand Council for
Science and Technology (UCOST), Dehradun,
India for providing financial help to Dr. Adesh
Kumar in form of project (Grant No.
UCS&T/R&D/LS/10/06/405).
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