New species of Ardeicola (Mallophaga) from Colombian hosts

Genus Ardeicola

Abstract

The genus is large, with 31 valid species and another 20 listed as synonyms. It appears to be restricted to herons and ibises, and so far only seven species have been described from neotropical hosts. All but one of these seven species (gracilentus (Piaget of Eudocimus ruber (Linnaeus) are represented in the author's collection, as well as a neoparatype of the genotype of Ardea cinerea. Of the remaining six species, two are from hosts not found in Colombia (Plegadis ridwayi, Peru and Theristicus branickii, Bolivia).