Cretaceous Saurophthiridae (Aphaniptera) as pupiparous pre-fleas of diving pterosaurs

Abstract

By analogy with bat ectoparasites, it is assumed that Saurophthirus, a permanent ectoparasite of pterosaurs, was pupiparous (the female gave birth to a mature larva, which pupated immediately). The enlarged tracheal trunks containing air for the larva developing in the mother’s uterus indicate that Saurophthirus was a parasite of diving pterosaurs. The Saurophthiridae are the first Mesozoic insect group supposed to be pupiparous.