THE DISTRIBUTION AND SEASONAL-CHANGES OF LOUSE POPULATIONS ON IMPALA AEPYCEROS-MELAMPUS

Five louse species were collected from the hides of 45 impala ewes Aep yceros melampus examined in sets of 15 during three sampling periods i n the Northern Province, South Africa. These were Damalinia aepycerus, Damalinia elongata, Linognathus aepycerus, Linognathus nevilli and an unidentified Linognathus sp. The aims of the study were to determine whether lice infesting impala exhibit preferences for specific sites o n the host's body and also to determine the role of season in louse ab undance. D. aepycerus was predominantly present on the body and tail. L. aepycerus showed no distinct distribution pattern and L. nevilli wa s most abundant on the hind feet.