A new species of Rallicola (Insecta: Phthiraptera : Philopteridae) from the North Island brown kiwi

Abstract

Rallicola (Aptericola) rodericki new species is described and illustrated from specimens collected on North Island brown kiwis (Apteryx australis mantelli Bartlett, 1850) from Little Barrier Island, New Zealand. The published host-louse association between A a. mantelli and Rallicola (Aptericola) gadowi Harrison, 1915 is discussed and deduced to be erroneous. Evidence is also presented supporting the opinion of some 19th century ornithologists that A. a. mantelli was established on Little Barrier Island before the introduction of further birds of the same subspecies at the beginning of the 20th century. © Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand.