Haematomyzus

The genus Haematomyzus includes three species of lice that differ so markedly from all other lice that the genus is placed in its own family Haematomyzidae, itself monotypic within the parvorder Rhynchophthirina. These unusual lice are ectoparasites of elephants and warthogs. Their mouthparts are elongated to form a drill-like structure that allows them to penetrate the thick skin of their host.

Taxonomy

The three species, Haematomyzus elephantis, Haematomyzus hopkinsi and Haematomyzus porci belong to a single family, the Haematomyzidae, itself the only family within Rhynchophthirina. Rhychophthirina is a parvorder within the infraorder Phthiraptera. A molecular phylogenetic study using subunit rRNA sequences suggests a placement of the Rhychophthirina as a sister group of the Anoplura.
Below is a cladogram showing the position of Rhychophthirina within Phthiraptera:

Host records

H. elephantis is known from both the African and Asian Elephant in captivity but the species found in the wild are thought to have coevolved with their hosts and further study is required.