PROC. ENTOMOL. SOC. WASH. 
105(4). 2003. pp. 915-924 
REVIEW OF THE GENUS SAEMVNDSSONIA TIMMERMANN 
(PHTHIRAPTERA: PHILOPTERIDAE* FROM THE ALCIDAE 
(AVES: CHARADRHFORMES), INCLUDING A NEW SPECIES AND 
NEW HOST RECORDS 
Roger D. Price, Ricardo L. Palma, and Dale H. Clayton 
(RDP) 4202 Stanard Circle, Fort Smith, AR 72903-1906, U.S.A. (e-mail: ipricelice@ 
aol.com); (RLP) Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. P.O. Box 467, Wellington. 
New Zealand (e-mail: ricardop@tepapa.govt.nz); (DHC) Department of Biology, 257 
South 1400 East, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT X4112-()840. U.S.A. (e-mail: 
Clayton @ biology.utah.edu ) 
Abstract. — We describe the new species Saemiindssonia boschi recently collected from 
Least Auklets (Aethia piisilla (Pallas)) in Alaska and review the 11 names previously 
applied to Saemuiulssonia Timmermann species from alcids. Saetnundssonia procax (Kel- 
logg and Chapman) is relegated to a new junior synonym of 5. giylle (O. Fabricius). 
along with the previously recognized junior synonym 5. inegacepludns (Denny). The nine 
previously described valid species are redescribed and illustrated and four new host re- 
cords are documented from alcids. Finally, a key is provided for the identification of the 
ten recognized species of alcid Saemiindssonia. 
Key Words: chewing lice, Saemundssonia, Phthiraptera, Philopteridae. Alcidae 
Recent fieldwork by DHC in Alaska 
yielded a series of lice from Least Auklets, 
Aethia piisilla (Pallas), and Crested Auk- 
lets, A. cristatella (Pallas). Examination of 
this material revealed a new species of Sae- 
mundssonia Timmermann from the Least 
Auklet. In describing this new species, we 
review the status of all 1 1 species-level 
names cunently applied to the alcid lice of 
the genus Saemundssonia. We here rede- 
scribe the nine valid species, describe the 
new species, establish a new junior syno- 
nym and continue to recognize a previously 
established synonym, give four new host re- 
cords, and provide a key for the identifi- 
cation of these ten species. 
The material examined for this study is 
held in the following institutions: National 
Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian 
Institution. Washington. D.C. (USNM): De- 
partment of Biology, University of Utah. 
Salt Lake City (UU); University of Min- 
nesota. St. Paul (UM); K. C. Emerson Mu- 
seum, Oklahoma State University, Stillwa- 
ter (OSU): Museum of New Zealand Te 
Papa Tongarewa, Wellington (MONZ); and 
Essig Museum of Entomology, University 
of California, Berkeley (UC). 
Genus Saemundssonia Timmermann 
Saemundssonia Timmermann 1936: 97. 
Type species: Docophorus gonothora.x 
Giebel, by original designation. 
This large genus contains over 100 rec- 
ognized species and subspecies, primarily 
from hosts in the avian order Charadriifor- 
mes and, to a lesser extent, from the orders 
Procellariiformes, Gruiformes, Pelecanifor- 
mes, and Anseriformes. Typical species of 
this genus appear much as in Fig. 2, with a 
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON 
broad triangular head. The head hears a 
prominent dorsoanterior plate with a con- 
spicuous darkly pigmented medioposterior 
process (Figs. 4-7). The abdomen is round- 
ed, with at least tergites III-VIII divided at 
the midline. The abdominal sternum has 
only sparse chaetotaxy and lacks evident 
sclerites except for those associated with 
the terminalia. The male genitalia have a 
prominent pair of parameres, a large basal 
plate, and relatively complex mesosomal 
structures. 
In our treatment of the ten species of al- 
cid SaetmtndssDnia. we divide the species 
into three species groups. This separation is 
based on the chaetotaxy of the metanotal 
margin and the divided or undivided state 
of male tergite IX. 
In the following descriptions, all mea- 
surements are in millimeters. Abbreviations 
are DPL, dorsoanterior head plate length; 
TW, temple width: HL. head length at mid- 
line including the hyaline margin; PW, pro- 
thorax width; MW, metathorax width; 
AWV. abdomen width at segment V; TL, 
total length; GL, male genitalia length from 
start of basal apodeme to tip of parameres. 
Figures of similar structures are shown at 
the same magnification: whole drawings 
(Figs. 2-3, 13-14) at 75 X. the dorsoanterior 
head plates (Figs. 4-7, 12, 15-17) at 125x, 
and the male genitalia (Figs. 1. 8-11, 18- 
20) at 180X. Host classification follows that 
of Sibley and Monroe (1990). 
winiiisuziiine species group 
The three species of this group are char- 
acterized by having the metanotal margin 
with 13-16 (usually 14) setae distributed 
across the segment (Figs. 2-3) and the male 
with undivided tergite IX. 
Saemundssonia boschi Price, Palnia. and 
Clayton, new species 
(Figs. 1-4) 
Type host. — Aetliia inisilhi (Pallas). 
Male. — As in Fig. 2. Dorsoanterior head 
plate (Fig. 4) with posterior process seated 
within body of plate; DPL, 0.21-0.24. Ab- 
domen (Fig. 2) with one or both sides with 
setae mediad of spiracle on tergite III, 3; 
IV-VI, 4; VII, 2; VIII, I. Median sternal 
setae on each side of II-VII, respectively, 
short, short, long, long, 2 long, and long. 
Genitalia (Fig. 1 ) with slender, evenly 
curved parameres and mesosomal structures 
as shown. Dimensions: TW, 0.39-0.42; HL, 
0.50-0.54: PW, 0.23-0.26; MW, 0.30-0.34; 
AWV, 0.46-0.58: TL, 1.34-1.44; GL, 0.34- 
0.38. 
Female. — Similar to male. DPL, 0.24- 
0.28. Abdomen (Fig. 3) with setae mediad 
of spiracle on tergite VII, 3-4; VIII, 1-2. 
Dimensions: TW 0.44-0.47; HL, 0.56- 
0.60; PW, 0.27-0.31; MW, 0.35-0.44; 
AWV, 0.61-0.85: TL, 1.70-1.93. 
Type material. — Ex A. pusillo, the Least 
Auklet, holotype male in USNM, St. Lawr- 
ence Island, Alaska, 3-4 August 2001, 
LEAU 201, D. H. Clayton. Paratypes, all 
ex A. piisilla: 15 males, 9 females, same as 
holotype, but coded as LEAU 202, 203, 
206, 207, 208, 210, 211. 212, 213, 216, 
221, 222, and 224; 1 male. 1 female, St. 
Lawrence Island, Bering Sea, 2 June 1913, 
Brooks: 1 female, St. Paul Island, Alaska, 
9 July 1964: 3 males. 3 females, Buldir Is- 
land, Aleutian Islands, Alaska, 12-15 July 
1997, F. M. Hunter: 16 males, 8 females, 
same except August 1998: 7 males, 8 fe- 
males, same except 20-30 July 2001, J. Ha- 
gelin: paratypes distributed ainong USNM, 
UU. UM, OSU. and MONZ. 
Remarks. — This new species is distin- 
guished from all other alcid Saemundsson- 
ia by the combination of its large number 
of marginal metanotal setae distributed 
across the segment, most abdominal ter- 
gites IV-VI each with 4 setae mediad of 
the spiracle, its consistently small dimen- 
sions, and the unique male genitalia. The 
morphologically closest species to S. bos- 
chi appears to be S. niergiili (Denny), but 
the latter has fewer marginal metanotal se- 
tae, a smaller and different-shaped dor- 
soanterior head plate, and a similar type of 
male genitalia but with a distinct apical in- 
VOLUME 105. NUMBER 4 
Figs. 1-10. 1-,^, Scuimiinl.ssonia hosclu. 1, Male genitalia. 2, Dorsoventra! male. .^. Female nietanotal margin 
and doisoventral abdomen. 4-7. Male dorsoanterior head plate (note darkly pigmented niedioposterior proces.s). 
4. S. hi'schi. ,5. .V. nKiiii.siiziiiiit: 6, S. merguli. 1. S. moiuereyi. 8-10. Male genitalia. 8. 5. wumisiiziime. 9, S. 
ntcifiiili. 10. 5. nuiiilcrcxi. 
ward flexion of the lateral mesosomal pusilla represents a new .specie.s, but he re- 
sclerites (Fig. 9 vs. Fig. 1). ported his conclusion in abstract form 
Bosch (1983:269) was the first to rec- only, without naming or describing the 
ognize that the Saemiindssonia from A. new louse. Our extensive search of the 
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON 
subsequent literature has revealed no for- 
mal description of that new species. More- 
over. Bosch (personal communication. Jan- 
uary 2002) informed us he has not pub- 
lished the description of the new species 
or any further paper on the alcid Sae- 
mundssonia. 
Etymology. — This new species is named 
after Dr. H. Bosch, Stuttgart. Germany, in 
recognition of his early observations on re- 
lationships within the alcid Saemitndssonia. 
Saemiindssonia winnisiizitme (Uchida) 
(Figs. 5. 8) 
Philoptenis wiimisiizuine Uchida 1949: 
533. Type host: Aethia crisratella (Pal- 
las). 
Male. — Much as for S. boschi. except as 
follows. Dorsoanterior head plate as in Fig. 
5; DPL. 0.21-0.27. Tergal setae mediad of 
spiracle on abdominal segment 111. 3: IV- 
VI. 4 (rarely 5): Vll. 2 (less often 3); VIll. 
1. Genitalia (Fig. 8) with thickened para- 
meres flexed near distal third and mesoso- 
mal structures as shown. Dimensions: TW, 
0.43-0.47; HL. 0.52-0.58; PW. 0.27-0.31: 
MW, 0.35-0.41; AWV. 0.51-0.67: TL. 
1.48-1.66; GL. 0.43-0.51. 
Female. — Much as for S. boschi. except 
as follows. DPL. 0.23-0.29. Tergal .setae 
mediad of spiracle on III. 3 (rarely 2 or 4); 
IV- VI. 4 (rarely 5); VII, 3-5; Vlll. 1-2. Di- 
mensions: TW. 0.48-0.52; HL, 0.58-0.64; 
PW, 0.30-0.33; MW, 0.40-0.46; AWV, 
0.64-0.83; TL, 1.65-1.96. 
Material. — Ex A. crisratella, the Crested 
Auklet, 63 males. 38 females, Alaska (25 
host individuals). Ex A. pygmaea (Gmelin), 
the Whiskered Auklet, 57 males. 58 fe- 
males. Alaska (50 host individuals). 
Remarks. — This species is distinguished 
from other alcid Saemundssonia. except for 
S. boschi, by its metanotal and abdominal 
chaetotaxy. It is clearly separated from S. 
boschi by its unique male genitalia struc- 
ture, including thicker flexed parameres and 
different shape of the median penis and lat- 
eral mesosomal sclerites. and by its much 
larger dimensions. 
Our abdundant material from both the 
Crested Auklet and the Whiskered Auklet 
convinces us that the lice on these hosts are 
conspecific. and that they represent a spe- 
cies well apart from that found on the Least 
Auklet. 
Saemundssonia insolita (Kellogg) 
Docophonis insolitiis Kellogg 1896: 94. 
Type host: Plychoramphus aleiiticiis 
(Pallas). 
Male. — Unavailable. 
Female. — Similar to S. hosclii. but with 
DPL. 0.20. and abdominal tergites III-VII 
each having only 3 setae mediad of spira- 
cle. 
Material. — Ex P. aleitliciis. the Cassin's 
Auklet. 3 females (including syntype of D. 
insolitus in UC). California. British Colum- 
bia. 
Remarks. — We were handicapped in ful- 
ly determining the status of this species by 
the lack of male specimens. The females we 
examined had only 3 setae mediad of the 
spiracle on abdominal tergites Ill-Vll. as 
illustrated by Kellogg (1896). We believe 
this difference, because it was consistent, is 
sufficient to justify continued recognition of 
5. insolita as a distinct species. 
nierguli species group 
The four species of this group are char- 
acterized by having the metanotal margin 
with 10-12 (usually 12) setae distributed 
across the segment and the male with an 
undivided tergite IX. 
Saenuiiidssonia nierguli (Denny) 
(Figs. 6. 9) 
Docophorus nierguli Denny 1842: 42. Type 
host: Alle alle (L.). 
Male. — Dorsoanterior head plate as in 
Fig. 6; DPL. 0.19-0.20. One or both sides 
with setae mediad of spiracle on abdominal 
tergite III, 3; IV-VI. 4; VII, 2; VIII. 1. Ster- 
nal setae as for S. boschi. Genitalia (Fig. 9) 
VOLUME 105, NUMBER 4 
919 
with slender evenly curved parameres and 
lateral sclerites of mesosome with apical 
portion distinctly flexed inwardly. Dimen- 
sions: TW. 0.41-0.43; HL, 0.49-0.53; PW. 
0.26-0.28: MW. 0.31-0.35; AWV, 0.55- 
0.60: TL. 1.29-1.38; GL. 0.32-0.34. 
Female. — Similar to male, except DPL. 
0.20-0.22, and setae on each side of tergite 
VII. 3-4; VIII. 2 (rarely 1). Larger dimen- 
sions: TW. 0.45-0.48; HL. 0.53-0.59: PW. 
0.29-0.31; MW. 0.37-0.41; AWV. 0.77- 
0.88; TL. 1.62-1.73. 
Material. — Ex A. cille. the Dovekie. 6 
males, 5 females. Faroe Islands. Newfound- 
land. Florida. 
Remarks. — This is the first of four spe- 
cies that have only 12. less often 10 or 11. 
setae distributed across the metanotal mar- 
gin, thereby differing from the preceding 
three species. While the male genitalia have 
similarities to both S. boschi and S. numi- 
siiziiiiie. additional differences associated 
with the dorsoanterior head plate and di- 
mensions support these separations. 
Saeinimdssonia montercyi (Kellogg) 
(Figs. 7. 10) 
Docophonis montereyi Kellogg 1896: 87. 
Type host: Synthliborainphus antiqiius 
(Gmelin). 
Male. — Much as for S. merguli. Dor- 
soanterior head plate as in Fig. 7; DPL. 
0.18-0.21. Genitalia (Fig. 10) with evenly 
curved parameres but lacking protruding 
median penal structure. Larger dimensions: 
TW. 0.45-0.50; HL. 0.53-0.57; PW. 0.27- 
0.32: MW, 0.35-0.38; AWV. 0.58-0.64; 
TL. 1.38-1.52; GL, 0.32-0.37. 
Female. — Much as for male. DPL. 0.20- 
0.22. Each side of tergite VII with only 3 
(less often 2) setae mediad of spiracle. 
Large dimensions: TW. 0.50-0.56; HL, 
0.57-0.62; PW, 0.30-0.33; MW, 0.40-0.43: 
AWV, 0.73-0.95; TL, 1.72-1.92. 
Material. — Ex S. antiqiius. the Ancient 
Murrelet. lectotype male, 19 male, 25 fe- 
male paralectotypes of D. montereyi in UC, 
California; 1 female, Alaska. Ex Brachx- 
nimphus nuinuoralits (Gmelin), the Mar- 
bled Murrelet. 4 males, 5 females. Alaska. 
California. 
Remarks. — The conspicuously unique 
mesosomal structures of the male genitalia 
and the large dimensions, especially the 
temple width, enable reliable separation of 
this species from S. nieii>iili. 
Scu'iuunilssonia fraterciilae (Overgaard) 
(Figs. 11-12) 
Docophonis fraterciilae Overgaard 1942: 
10. Type host: Fraterciiki arctica (L.). 
Male. — Dorsoanterior head plate as in 
Fig. 12: DPL. 0.21-0.25. Setae mediad of 
spiracle on abdominal tergite III. 2-3: IV. 
4_5; V, 5-6; VI. 4-6; VII. 3-4; VIII. 1. 
Sternal setae close to those in Fig. 2. but 
with short seta on IV instead of long. Gen- 
italia (Fig. 11) with stout evenly curved 
parameres and mesosomal details as shown. 
Dimensions: TW. 0.48-0.52; HL. 0.60- 
0.65; PW. 0.30-0.33; MW, 0.38-0.43; 
AWV. 0.66-0.71; TL. 1.61-1.77; GL. 0.40- 
0.45. 
Female.— Smiilar to male. DPL. 0.20- 
0.23. Setae mediad of spiracle on abdomi- 
nal tergite V-VI. 4 7: VIII. 1-2. Dimen- 
sions: TW 0.53-0.57; HL. 0.61-0.66; PW. 
0.34-0.37: MW, 0.43-0.45; AWV, 0.72- 
0.85; TL, 1,84-2.06. 
Material. — Ex F. arctica. the Atlantic 
Puffin, 4 males, 4 females. Faroe Islands. 
Newfoundland. Ex F. comiciilata (Nau- 
mann). the Horned Puffin. 1 female. Alas- 
ka. Ex F. cirrhata (Pallas), the Tufted Puf- 
fin. 1 male. 1 female, Alaska. 
Remarks. — Overgaard (1942) provides 
such an excellent description of S. frater- 
ciilae. including the illustration of the male 
genitalia, that there is no doubt our material 
is representative of his species. 
Saeniundssonia acutipccta (Kellogg) 
Docophonis aciitipectiis Kellogg 1896: 84. 
Type host: Cerorhinca inonocerata (Pal- 
las). 
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON 
Male. — Unavailable. 
Female. — Essentially as for S. fnitercii- 
lae. except single short median sternal seta 
on each side of II-V and short + long pair 
on VI-VII (much as in Figs. 13-14). 
Material. — Ex C. nioiiocerata. the Rhi- 
noceros Aiiklet, 3 females (including 
"Type" of D. aciitipectus in UC). Oregon, 
California. 
Remarks. — Bosch (1983:269) suggested 
placing S. fraterculae as a subspecies of 5. 
ciciitipecta. The only differentiating feature 
we note between the females of these two 
species involves an often difficult-to-dis- 
cern sternal chaetotaxy. In view of this, and 
with the absence of a male of S. acutipecta. 
it seems premature to endorse his action at 
this time. 
iiiylle species group 
The three species of this group are 
characterized by having the metanotal 
margin usually with 3 setae on each side 
(less often 4 on one side), with a wide 
central space without setae (Figs. 13-14). 
and the male with tergite IX medially di- 
vided. 
Sai'iiiKuclssonla s;rylk' (O. Fabricius) 
(Figs. 13-15, 18) 
Pedicidus iiiylle O. Fabricius 1780: 218. 
Type host: Cepplnis g)ylle (L.). 
Docophonts megacephalus Denny 1842: 
44. Type host: Cepphiis grylle (L.). 
Docophorus proca.v Kellogg and Chapman 
1899: 54. Type host: Cepplnis coliiiiiha 
Pallas. New synonymy. 
Male. — Dorsoanterior head plate (Fig. 
15) unusually broad; DPL. 0.16-0.19. Ab- 
domen as in Fig. 14. Setae mediad of spi- 
racle on abdominal tergite III, 2; IV-VII, 3 
(less often 4); VIII. 1. Single short median 
sternal seta on each side of II— V, median 
short + long setal pair on VI-VII. Genitalia 
(Fig. 18) with long curved parameres and 
median slender penis flanked by relatively 
short mesosomal sclerites each with 4 sen- 
silla. Dimensions: TW. 0.47-0.50: HL. 
0.51-0.53; PW, 0.29-0.30: MW, 0.36-0.40; 
AWV, 0.64-0.75; TL, 1.34-1.50; GL, 
0.40-0.46. 
Female. — Much as for male. Abdomen 
as in Fig. 13. Dimensions: TW, 0.51-0.57; 
HL, 0.54-0.59; PW, 0.31-0.34; MW, 0.41- 
0.46; AWV, 0.69-0.93; TL, 1.50-1.87. 
Material. — Ex C. grylle. the Black Guil- 
lemot, 4 males, 6 females, Faroe Islands, 
Newfoundland, Labrador. Ex C. cohtmba, 
the Pigeon Guillemot, 3 males, 16 females 
(including 5 female syntypes of D. proccix 
in UC), Alaska, Oregon, California. 
Remarks. — This species can be separated 
from the seven previously described species 
by its unique configuration of the metanotal 
marginal setae typical of this group. Each 
of the other two species of the giylle spe- 
cies group has a unique paramere and me- 
sosomal genitalic strticture, making them 
easy to distinguish from this species as 
well. 
We concur with the earlier synonymy of 
D. nwgacephalus given by Hopkins and 
Clay (1952). Furthermore, our examination 
of D. procax. including syntype specimens, 
leaves us with no doubt that it, too, is a 
junior synonym of S. giylle. Bosch (1983) 
also concluded that D. procax was a junior 
synonym of S. giylle. 
Saewiiiidssonia celUlo.xa ( Burmeister) 
(Figs. 16, 19) 
Docophorus celidoxiis Burmeister 1838: 
426. Type host: AIca tarda L. 
Male. — Near S. grylle. Dorsoanterior 
head plate long, narrow (Fig. 16); DPL, 
0.18-0.21. Abdominal tergite on VII with 
2-3 setae mediad of each spiracle. Sternum 
VI with medium + long setal pair, VII with 
only single long seta. Genitalia (Fig. 19) 
large, with parameres and associated me- 
sosomal sclerites as shown. Dimensions: 
TW, 0.48-0.51; HL, 0.53-0.55; PW, 0.30- 
0.35; MW, 0.38-0.42; AWV, 0.64-0.78; 
TL. 1.50-1.62; GL, 0.48-0.51. 
Female. — Head as for male, but slightly 
larger. Abdomen as for S. gnile. Dimen- 
VOLUME 105. NUMBER 4 
Figs. 11-20. II, \2. Siicmiindssonia fnitiiciiUic. I 1 . Male genitalia. 1 2, Male dorsoanterior head plate. 13, 
14. 5. gryltc. M. Female metanotal margin and dorsoventral abdomen. 14, Male metanotal margin and dorso- 
ventral abdomen. 15-17. Male dorsoanterior head plate. 15. .S'. i^rxllv. 16, S. ccliJo.ui. 17. S. cilvn. 18-20, Male 
genitalia. 18, 5. giyllc. 19, .V. celidoxa. 20. S. culvn. 
sions: TW. 0.53: HL. 0.59: PW, O.Mr. MW, 
0.40; AWV, 0.92; TL, 1,77. 
Material. — Ex A. tonla, the Ra/orhill, 6 
males. 1 female, England. Labrador. 
Remarks. — Representing the second of 
three species with a similar marginal meta- 
notal setal pattern, .S'. celido.xa is easily rec- 
ognized by the shape of the dorsoanterior 
head plate and the imique genitalic details 
(Fie. 19 vs Fias. 18. 20). 
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON 
SaeDiHiulssoiiia calva (Kellogg) 
(Figs. 17. 20) 
Docophoius ccilvits Kellogg 1896: 79. Type 
host: Uria aalge californica (H. Bryant). 
Male. — Also near S. giylle. Dorsoanter- 
ior head plate as in Fig. 17; DPL, 0.15- 
0.19. Abdominal tergites on IV-VII usually 
with 3 (less often 2 on one side) setae me- 
diad of spiracle. Sternal setae as for 5. cel- 
ido.xci. Genitalia (Fig. 20) with parameres 
sharply flexed at distal fourth and with slen- 
der median penis flanked by stout elongate 
mesosomal sclerites. Dimensions: TW. 
0.49-0.53; HL, 0.49-0.56; PW. 0.29-0.32; 
MW. 0.37-0.40; AWV. 0.62-0.73; TL. 
1.33-1.54; GL, 0.43-0.49. 
Female. — Much as for male. Abdominal 
tergites on IV-VII usually with 3 (rarely 2 
or 4 on one side) setae mediad of spiracle. 
Sternal setae as for S. giylle. Dimensions: 
TW. 0.53-0.60; HL. 0.51-0.59; PW. 0.32- 
0.35; MW, 0.38-0.46; AWV. 0.77-0.92; 
TL. 1.54-1.84. 
Material. — Ex U. aalge (Pontoppidan). 
the Common Murre, 8 males, 9 females 
(including female type and female paralec- 
totype of D. cahus in UC). California. 
Alaska. Newfoundland. Greenland. Ex U. 
loiuvia (L.). the Thick-billed Murre. 7 
males. 1 1 females. Alaska ( 1 1 host indi- 
viduals). Maine, Faroe Islands, Newfound- 
land. 
Remarks. — This is the last of the three 
species of the giylle species group. As stat- 
ed earlier for each of the other two species 
of this group, the best distinguishing fea- 
ture is the unique structure of the male 
genitalia. 
Key TO THE Species of Saemundssonia 
FROM THE ALCIDAE 
\. Metanotal margin with only 6-7 setae, without 
any in median area (Figs. 13-14); grylle spe- 
cies group 2 
- Metanotal margin with 10-16 setae, distributed 
across segment (Figs. 2-3) 4 
2. Dorsoanterior head plate broad (Fig. 15); male 
genitalia as in Fig. 18; ex Cepplms (guillemots) 
giylle (O. Fabricius) 
- Dorsoanterior head plate narrow (Figs. 16-17); 
male genitalia as in Figs. 19 or 20 3 
3. Male genitalia as in Fig. 19, with slender 
curved parameres; ex AIca (Razorbill) . . . 
celidoxa (Burmeister) 
- Male genitalia as in Fig. 20, with broad, sharp- 
ly flexed parameres; ex Uria (murres) . . . 
calva (Kellogg) 
4. Usually with 12 marginal metanotal setae, less 
often 10 or 11; merguli species group 5 
- Usually with 14 marginal metanotal setae, less 
often 13, 15 or 16; wiimisuzume species group 8 
.'>. Female temple width <0.49; male temple 
width <0.44; male genitalia as in Fig. 9, with 
short, blunt, inwardly curved lateral mesoso- 
mal scleriles; e\ Alle (Dovekie) 
merguli (Denny) 
- Female temple width >0.49; male temple 
width >0.44; male genitalia as in Figs. 10 or 
1 1, with longer different-shaped lateral meso- 
somal sclerites (male unavailable for S. aciiti- 
pecni) 6 
6. Ltmg median sternal setae on abdominal .seg- 
ments IV-V (as in Fig. 2); male genitalia as in 
Fig. 10; ex Synlhlihoramphns and Brachynnn- 
pluis (niurrelets) nioittereyi (Kellogg) 
- .Short median sternal setae on abdominal seg- 
ments IV or IV-V (as in Fig. 14); male geni- 
talia otherwise 7 
7. Long median sternal setae on segment V; male 
genitalia as in Fig. 1 1; ex Fraterciila (puffins) 
fraterculae (Overgaard) 
- Short median sternal setae on segment V; male 
unavailable; ex Cerorhiiica (Rhinoceros Auk- 
let) acutipecta (Kellogg) 
8. All abdominal tergites IV-VI each with 3 setae 
mediad of spiracle; male unavailable; ex Pry- 
clnirainplnis (Cassin's Auklet) . . insolita (Kellogg) 
- Most of abdominal tergites IV-VI each with 
4-.'i such setae 9 
9. Female temple width not >0.47; male temple 
width not >0.42; male genitalia (Fig. 1 ) <0.40 
long, with slender evenly curved parameres; ex 
Aethia pusilla (Least Auklet) hosclii n. sp. 
- Female temple width at least 0.48; male temple 
width at least 0.43; male genitalia (Fig. 8) >0.42 
long, with broad, flexed parameres; ex Aethia 
crisiarella (Crested Auklet) and A. pygmaea 
(Whiskered Auklet) wuiiiisiiziiim' iLlchida) 
Discussion 
Table 1 shows the host list for the known 
alcid Saennindssonia. Using the host se- 
quence given by Sibley and Monroe ( 1990), 
it is interesting that the three louse species 
of the uiiiiiisiiziiiiie species group cluster to- 
gether, as do also the three species of the 
VOLUME 105, NUMBER 4 
923 
Table 1. Host list for the alcid Siifiiiiiiiils.sdiii, 
H.-sl SpcOCs" l"l'-C S|V.K-s 
Alle alle luergiili'- 
Alcci tordci celido.ui^'" 
Uriel lotnvia calva'^' 
Uriel ciali^c ccilvti^^' 
Ccpplui.s firylle grylle'^' 
Ci'pphiis ciilumhci giylle''" 
( * )Brachyrainpluis inarnu>rciui.s niontereyi'" 
Synthliborainpliiis aiitiqitus nutnfcrevi'^' 
Ptychoramplms aleiitictis insolim'^' 
Aethia crislatella \yiiiiii.',ii:iii)U'" 
('^')Aethia pygmaea wiiinisuziiiiw'^ 
Aethia piisilla boschi n.sp.'" 
Cerorhinca monocerahi aculipecta'" 
Fratercula arclica frarcrciilae"" 
{'*)Fralerciila corniculaui fraterciilae'" 
(.*)Fratercula cirrhaui fraleniilae'" 
I Siblev and Monroe 
'" Host names and sequence f'roi 
( IWO), 
'" iiicrgiili species group. 
"" giylle species group. 
'•■' wiimisiiziinie species group. 
(*) New host records. 
giylle species group. Principal discontinu- 
ities are shown only for the four species of 
the merguli species group, with one species 
appearing in the first position, one species 
in the middle, and two species in the last 
position. 
The abstract provided by Bosch (1983) 
did not come to our attention until we had 
already finalized our taxonomic decisions 
for the alcid Saemuudssonia. It is encour- 
aging that our conclusions are, for the most 
part, consistent with what he found. Unfor- 
tunately. Bosch never published his work 
beyond this abstract and, therefore, none of 
his findings was formalized. 
Waterston (1915) emphasized the signif- 
icance of the louse male genitalia in species 
recognition by providing excellent illustra- 
tions for the genitalia of five species of auk 
Saeniiinclssoiila. Our illustrations are con- 
sistent with his. 
Acknowledgments 
We thank Nancy E. Adams (USNM), 
Cheryl B. BaiT (UC), and Robert C. Dal- 
gleish (San Diego, California) for lending 
us louse specimens critical to the success 
of this study. We are also extremely grate- 
ful to Fiona M. Hunter (University of 
Sheffield, Sheffield, England) for provid- 
ing access to specimens of lice from Whis- 
kered Auklets. We also thank Hector 
Douglas (University of Alaska, Fairbanks. 
Alaska) for making fieldwork possible, and 
Chris Harbison and Jael Malenke (both 
UU) for laboratory assistance. This mate- 
rial is based upon work supported by the 
National Science Foundation under Grant 
No. 01 18794. 
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