Cytogenetic Features of Human Head and Body Lice (Phthiraptera: Pediculidae)

Journal of Medical Entomology
María José BressaA C Toloza

Abstract

The genus Pediculus L. that parasitize humans comprise two subspecies: the head lice Pediculus humanus capitis De Geer and the body lice Pediculus humanus humanus De Geer. Despite the 200 yr of the first description of these two species, there is still a long debate about their taxonomic status. Some authors proposed that these organisms are separate species, conspecifics, or grouped in clades. The sequencing of both forms indicated that the difference between them is one gene absent in the head louse. However, their chromosomal number remains to be determined. In this study, we described the male and female karyotypes, and male meiosis of head and body lice, and examined the chromatin structure by means of C-banding. In P. h. humanus and P. h. capitis, the diploid chromosome complement was 2 n = 12 in both sexes. In oogonial prometaphase and metaphase and spermatogonial metaphase, it is evident that chromosomes lack of a primary constriction. No identifiable sex chromosomes or B chromosomes were observed in head and body lice. Neither chiasmata nor chromatin connections between homologous chromosomes were detected in male meiosis. The meiotic behaviour of the chromosomes showed that they are holokinetic. C-banding revealed the...Continue Reading

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Citations

Dec 22, 2017·Medical and Veterinary Entomology·A G DE LA FiliaL Ross
Feb 11, 2020·Parasite : Journal De La Société Française De Parasitologie·Jose E Pietri, Ritesh Ray
May 7, 2019·Frontiers in Physiology·Isabel Ortega InsaurraldeRomina B Barrozo
Mar 16, 2017·Genetics·Christina N HodsonSteve J Perlman

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