# What species are most widely distributed on earth?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-species-are-most-widely-distributed-on-earth/563870>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [December 12, 2010, 7:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-species-are-most-widely-distributed-on-earth/563870 "2010-12-12T07:33:07Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Blake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a9a28c/32.png) [@Blake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blake)\
**Post date:** [December 13, 2010, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-species-are-most-widely-distributed-on-earth/563870/21 "2010-12-13T02:11:23Z")

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> [@hogarth](#):
>
> _Musca domesticus_ is a single species.

And still less widespread than the body louse, the hookworm and numerous other parasites,

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**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\
**Post date:** [December 13, 2010, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-species-are-most-widely-distributed-on-earth/563870/22 "2010-12-13T02:59:28Z")

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> [@Blake](#):
>
> And still less widespread than the body louse, the hookworm and numerous other parasites,

Cite?

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**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\
**Post date:** [December 13, 2010, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-species-are-most-widely-distributed-on-earth/563870/23 "2010-12-13T03:02:54Z")

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> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#):
>
> How many species of pigeons are there?
> 
> Sorry, missed this one: How many species of houseflies are there, Gymnopithys?
> 
> If we’re talking about species, then these sweeping generalities don’t work.

City pigeons, I believe, are all rock doves, which is one species with a lot of subspecies.

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**Author:** ![Blake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a9a28c/32.png) [@Blake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blake)\
**Post date:** [December 13, 2010, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-species-are-most-widely-distributed-on-earth/563870/24 "2010-12-13T13:31:15Z")

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> [@hogarth](#):
>
> Cite?

You really need a reference?

The simplest proof is simply to ask yourself whether there are houseflies in an igloo. Then ask yourself if the people or dogs have worms or lice.

Ergo worms and lice have a far greater distribution.

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**Author:** ![Gymnopithys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/fbc32d/32.png) [@Gymnopithys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gymnopithys)\
**Post date:** [December 13, 2010, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-species-are-most-widely-distributed-on-earth/563870/25 "2010-12-13T16:29:13Z")

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\*Sorry, missed this one: How many species of houseflies are there, Gymnopithys?

If we’re talking about species, then these sweeping generalities don’t work.\*

I meant Musca domestica. Sorry for not precising.

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