Rallicola extinctus
Encyclopedia
Rallicola extinctus is an extinct species of phtilopterid
louse
. This parasite was only known to live on the now extinct Huia
and is thought to have become extinct with its host
. It was initially placed in its own separate genus, Huiacola, which means "Huia inhabitant". It was endemic to New Zealand's
North Island
.
Philopteridae
The Philopteridae are a family of Ischnocera, chewing lice mostly parasitic on birds.The taxonomy and systematics of the group are in need of revision; the Philopteridae are almost certainly paraphyletic.-Selected genera:...
louse
Louse
Lice is the common name for over 3,000 species of wingless insects of the order Phthiraptera; three of which are classified as human disease agents...
. This parasite was only known to live on the now extinct Huia
Huia
The Huia was the largest species of New Zealand wattlebird and was endemic to the North Island of New Zealand. Its extinction in the early 20th century had two primary causes. The first was rampant overhunting to procure Huia skins for mounted specimens, which were in worldwide demand by...
and is thought to have become extinct with its host
Coextinction
Coextinction of a species is the loss of a species as a consequence of the extinction of another. The term was originally used in the context of the extinction of parasitic insects following the loss of their specific hosts...
. It was initially placed in its own separate genus, Huiacola, which means "Huia inhabitant". It was endemic to New Zealand's
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
North Island
North Island
The North Island is one of the two main islands of New Zealand, separated from the much less populous South Island by Cook Strait. The island is in area, making it the world's 14th-largest island...
.