The correct spelling of the scientific name Pulex serraticeps can be confusing due to its unusual combination of letters. The first part, Pulex, is pronounced /ˈpjuːlɛks/ with emphasis on the first syllable. The second part, serraticeps, is pronounced /sɛˈrætɪsɛps/ with emphasis on the third syllable. The word serraticeps means "saw-toothed head" in Latin, describing the insect's distinctive appearance. This species is commonly known as the mountain flea and is found in the western United States.
Pulex serraticeps is a species of flea that belongs to the family Pulicidae. This particular flea species is commonly known as the "notched-headed flea" due to the distinct physical characteristic of its head.
The adult Pulex serraticeps is usually a reddish-brown color and measures between 1 and 3 mm in length. Its body is laterally compressed, allowing it to easily navigate through the fur or feathers of its hosts. The species is known to infest a wide range of mammalian hosts, including dogs, cats, rodents, and even humans. Pulex serraticeps is an ectoparasite, meaning it lives externally on its host and feeds on their blood.
The most distinguishing feature of Pulex serraticeps is its notched or serrated head, which gives it its scientific name. This unique characteristic sets it apart from other flea species. In addition to its head, it possesses well-developed hind legs that enable it to jump long distances, allowing it to easily move between hosts. Like other fleas, Pulex serraticeps has a lifecycle that includes four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult.
Pulex serraticeps is of medical importance as it has the potential to transmit diseases such as plague, tularemia, and tapeworms. Infestation by these fleas can result in severe itching, discomfort, and secondary infections due to scratching.
In summary, Pulex serraticeps is a species of flea known for its notched head. It is an ectoparasite that infests a variety of mammalian hosts and has the ability to transmit diseases.
The dog flea, infesting dogs and cats, and often man.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
"Pulex serraticeps" is a taxonomic name that consists of two Latin words, "Pulex" and "serraticeps".
The word "Pulex" is derived from the Latin word "pūlex", which means "flea". It has been used to describe insects belonging to the order Siphonaptera, which includes fleas.
The word "serraticeps" is a combination of two Latin words, "serra" meaning "saw" and "caput" meaning "head". "Serraticeps" essentially means "saw-headed". In the context of taxonomy, "serraticeps" is often used to describe species with a distinctive head shape that resembles the teeth of a saw.