; class Insecta, order Phthiraptera)
Suborder of lice characterized by piercing mouth-parts (made up of three stylets), and by the fusion of all three parts of the thorax. All species are obligate parasites of placental mammals and feed on blood, this being digested with the aid of symbiotic bacteria. Some species are vectors of disease in humans and other animals. There are 15 families, 43 genera, and about 500 species known. Approximately 840 species of mammal are known to harbour Anoplura, and more are expected to be discovered.
Subjects: Zoology and Animal Sciences.