Beetle ectoparasites (Leiodidae) of American beavers: Distribution and biology

The beetle family Leiodidae, subfamily Platypsyllinae, contains 4 genera modified for an ectoparasitic life on rodent and insectivore hosts. Two species (Platypsyllus castoris Ritsema and Leptinillus validus Horn) are specialists on the American Beaver (Castor canadensis Linnaeus). Leptinillus aplodontiae Ferris is limited to the Mountain Beaver, an unrelated primitive rodent of the Pacific Northwest. Their biology and distribution is summarized. A call is made for fresh alcohol preserved specimens for molecular study.