Philopteridae are a highly diverse family with more than 2,700 described species. They probably evolved from a generalist species parasitizing water birds, with a subsequent adaptive radiation facilitated by host switching. Individual species specialize in inhabiting different parts of the body (head, body, wings). Species inhabiting the same part of the host tend to show similar morphology, even if not closely related – they show convergent evolution.[1]
^ abde Moya, Robert S. (2022). "Phylogenomics and host-switching patterns of Philopteridae (Psocodea: Phthiraptera) feather lice". International Journal for Parasitology. 52 (8): 525–537. doi:10.1016/j.ijpara.2022.03.005. PMID35439499.
