| Ceratophyllus | A genus of fleas (family Ceratophyllidae) found in temperate climates; includes important fleas of poultry such as Ceratophyllus niger, the western chicken flea, and Ceratophyllus gallinae, the European chicken flea, though these fleas have a wide range of hosts, including man. Origin: cerat-(kerat-) + G. Phyllon, leaf Ceratophyllus punjatensis, a species abundant on wild and domestic rodents in India; may serve as a liaison agent between wild rodents and man in the transmission of plague. (05 Mar 2000) |
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