Darwin’sTransatlanticLice
Vincent S. Smith
Darwin on Lice
Lice - specialist parasites
Adaptation
Darwin’s question
Louse Evolution
Co-evolution
Co-speciation
Co-speciation
Primate Lice
Human Lice
Primate Lice
Primates
?
?
Co-evolutionTime
8.8 My
5.4 My
1.2 My
Age (millionyears ago)
0
1.0
2.0
AfricaEurope Asia Americas
Recent Human Evolution
Switching hosts
“Archaic” and modern humans made contact
The Louse Family Tree
MammalsBirds
242 species(1844)
Then and now…
The Louse Family Tree
MammalsBirds
4,947 species(2008)
Then and now…
The Louse Family Tree
MammalsBirds
4,947 species(2008)
Then and now…
Galapagos Mockingbirds
Mockingbird Parasites
Comparing family treesIslands Mites Lice Mockingbirds
Questions?
