Taxonomic revision of Old World members of the feather louse genus Columbicola (Phthiraptera: Ischnocera), including descriptions of eight new species Author Adams, Richard J. Author Price, Roger D. Author Clayton, Dale H. text Journal of Natural History 2005 2005-12-23 39 41 3545 3618 http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930500393368 journal article 10.1080/00222930500393368 1464-5262 5220802 7. effeminatus species group This group contains a single species from the host genus Caloenas . It has both sexes with anteriorly expanded sagittal thickening just posterior to dorsoanterior head plate; similar antennae ( Figures 94 , 95 ); body elongate; each side of metanotum with two long, two short setae ( Figure 2 ). Male genitalia ( Figure 96 ) with posterior portion of mesosome hourglass– shaped, anterior portion rounded, with four pores. Female subgenital plate ( Figure 97 ) triangular, without apparent groove; row of spiniform setae across abdomen posterior to plate. Columbicola effeminatus Tendeiro ( Figures 94–97 ) Columbicola effeminatus Tendeiro 1984: 85 . Type host: Caloenas nicobarica (L.). Description Male head ( Figure 94 ) with APW 0.147; HW , 0.29–0.31; HL, 0.61–0.63; HL/ HW , 2.03–2.10. Thorax with PW , 0.24–0.25; MW , 0.29–0.30. Genitalia as in Figure 96 ; parameres thick, broadly rounded, small medial extensions near mesosome; GW, 0.130 –0.147 . TL, 2.69–2.81. Female similar to male, most dimensions only slightly larger. Head ( Figure 95 ) with APW , 0.132 –0.157 ; HW , 0.31–0.32; HL, 0.61–0.64; HL/ HW , 1.97–2.00. Thorax with PW , 0.25–0.26; MW , 0.31–0.32. Ventral terminalia unique ( Figure 97 ); subgenital plate pointing posteriorly, with 4–5 short lateral setae. TL, 2.82–2.96 . Material Holotype male, allotype female, 1 male , 1 female paratypes of Columbicola effeminatus , ex Caloenas nicobarica , Papua New Guinea (1). Remarks The males of this species are the only Columbicola among those with two long and two short metathoracic setae that do not have an enlarged scape or spur on the third antennal segment. The genitalia of both sexes are unique. The lack of an enlarged male scape may be associated with the reasonably close overall size of the two sexes. The females in many other species of Columbicola are distinctly larger than the males and, when they mate, the male slides under the female, grasping her around the thorax with his antennae. A male C. effeminatus would probably not be able to grasp a female with its filiform antennae, implying a different mating strategy for these lice.