Here’s a louse who’s host is a bit closer to us, phylogenetically speaking, than any of the previous weeks’ lice:
Not too many long hairs and spines on the body of this species. Those three brownish bumps (sclerites) along each edge of the abdomen are called paratergites. Do you have any hypotheses as to their function? Here’s a better view:
István Mikó says
Do they serve as sites of origins for dilator muscles of abdominal spiracles?
Andy Deans says
That was my first guess! I don’t know, though, as all the specimens I’ve observed have been cleared of all soft tissues. I have other ideas as well …