Features of Distribution and Parasitism of Polyplax hannswrangeli Eichler, 1952 (Anoplura) in West Siberia

The geographic distribution and parasitic associations of the louse Polyplax hannswrangeli in West Siberia are described. This louse has been recorded on 8 species of small mammals. The hosts most strongly associated with this louse were determined. Infestation with P. hannswrangeli was recorded for the first time for 5 species of small mammals in the forest zone of West Siberia: the common shrew, Siberian chipmunk, Eurasian water vole, East European vole, and root vole. In West Siberia, P. hannswrangeli was found only in the forest-tundra and forest zones. Its mean population density in the northern taiga of West Siberia was twice as high as that in the forest-tundra and middle taiga zones.