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Taxa

Siphonaptera

Insect Orders

Siphonaptera, commonly known as fleas, is an order of about 2,500 species of small, flightless, wingless insects that live as external, blood-feeding parasites of mammals and birds. Adult fleas are laterally flattened, typically about 3 millimeters long, with powerful hind legs adapted for jumping, and the worm-like, limbless larvae feed on organic debris rather than blood.

Facts
Taxonomic Rank
Order 1
Scientific Name
Siphonaptera 1
Member Species/Taxa Count
2500 1
Geographic Distribution
Modern fleas are thought to have arisen in Gondwana and to have migrated rapidly northward from there 1
Defining Characteristics
Small flightless insects that live as external parasites of mammals and birds, feeding on host blood 1
Identification
Distinguishing Appearance
Adults grow to about 3 millimetres long, are usually dark colored, with bodies flattened sideways 1
Classification
Living or Extinct
Yes 2
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Flea
  • Opening section (rank)
    the common name for the order Siphonaptera
  • Opening section (name)
    the common name for the order Siphonaptera
  • Fossil History section (member count)
    bringing the total up to around 2500 species
  • Fossil History section (distribution)
    Modern fleas probably arose in the southern continental area of Gondwana, and migrated rapidly northwards from there
  • Morphology section
    small flightless insects that live as external parasites of mammals and birds
  • Introduction
    Adult fleas grow to about 3 millimetres (1⁄8 inch) long, are usually dark in color, and have bodies that are "flattened" sideways or narrow, enabling them to move through their hosts' fur or feathers.
  • In Group: Holometabolous Insect Orders, Lead
    Flea, the common name for the order Siphonaptera, includes 2,500 species of small flightless insects that live as external parasites of mammals and birds.
View the Source
2. Flea (Wikipedia)
includes 2,500 species of small flightless insectsView the Source
Wikidata: Siphonaptera
Wikidata Q388162, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)View the Source
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