Scanning electron microscopy of Antarctophthirus microchir (Phthiraptera: Anoplura: Echinophthiriidae): Studying morphological adaptations to aquatic life

► Echinophthiriids are of the few insects that successfully adjusted to the marine environment lifestyle. ► The adaptation to the aquatic conditions is reflected in unique morphological features. ► We analyze for the first time all the stages of an echinophthiriid species under SEM. ► The results are discussed in the light of the evolutionary implications of these adaptations.