After a hiatus due to being wrapped up in a variety of other projects, Friday Night Lice is returning to the Frost Curators’ Blog! Join us for a tale with many interesting characters from all around the world. Just this week, we encountered lice from Alaska, South Africa, Tasmania, Oregon, Nigeria, and Mexico.
This week’s specimen was found on Phoca vitulina, commonly known as a harbor seal, in Colorado in 1934.
The slide also housed 5 other specimens, making it look like a family reunion was commencing under the microscope. This view of the slide also provides some perspective of just how large these lice are to the naked eye…
The specimen is in the Anoplura collection at the Frost Entomological Museum, which has been in heavy rotation in imaging this week as we fine-tune the Odonata imaging template and SOP. Again, just marvel at this louse’s size!
Please comment if you think you know the identity. Next Friday its name and background information will be revealed. Stay tuned, and keep exploring until then!
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