[Chewing lice (Mallophaga) on birds in the Central Ciscaucasia]

Mallophaga parasitizing wild and domestic birds in the Central Ciscaucasia were studied; 8805 chewing lice specimens were collected and identified. At present, 102 species of Mallophaga are known from this territory, including 15 species recorded in the Central Ciscaucasia for the first time. Most of the chewing lice species in the region under study are parasites of Passeriformes. Species diversity of chewing lice connected with each of other 12 bird orders is several times lesser. The exchange of chewing lice between some species of hosts, particularly between domestic and wild birds, seems possible.