Mallophaga from Marsupials. I.

Abstract

This communication is the first of a series dealing with Mallophaga from Australian marsupials. We had hoped to prepare a single monographic work on the Family Boopidae, but the carrying out of this plan has been prevented by a variety of causes, and we think it advisable to publish piecemeal the notes and descriptions that we have accumulated during the last six years. There has of late years been a recrudescence of interest in the Mallophaga, and a considerable number of students are now investigating the group. Little has been published upon the very distinct family which is characteristic of Australian marsupials, and it is important that students of the group should have diagnoses of the family, sub-families, and genera, based upon an ample material, which includes all the known species, with a single exception, and more than an equal number of undescribed new forms. Such a material is at our disposal. Apart from our own collections, Mr A. S. Le Souëf has very kindly transferred to us all his Mallophaga from marsupials, including his types.