Abstract
In this study, a total of 209 individuals of leeches were collected from Al-Hindyia River / Babil Province. 116 individuals were identified as Erpobdella octaculata (Linnaeus, 1758), 50 individuals as Erpobdella punctata (Leidy,1870) and 43 individuals as Hemiclepsis marginata (Müller, 1774). Four samples were collected monthly during a period from February to June 2018. Some physical and chemical water properties were also examined, including air and water temperature, potential of hydrogen pH, Electrical Conductivity EC, Total Dissolved Solid TDS, Dissolved Oxygen DO, and the Biological Oxygen Demand BOD₅. Air and water temperature were ranged 19.5-29, & 14.6-23.2 °C respectively. The values of pH ranged 6.2-7.6. EC ranged 1104-1581 μs/cm². The TDS recorded 669- 767 mg/l, while the DO reached 1.3- 8.5 mg / l, the BOD₅ ranged 3.5- 5.7 mg/l.
Highlights
Al-Hindyia River is considered as one of the main branch of Euphrates River after AlHindyia dam
Few days later the leeches were inspected within the aquarium sediment, and separated in a special container for microscopic examination
Some ecological measurements were conducted directly in the study site, such as air and water temperature using mercuric thermometer, while pH and EC μs/cm2 were measured by (HACH HQD) multimeter device, TDS was measured by using digital portable multi-meter (WTW340i)
Summary
Al-Hindyia River is considered as one of the main branch of Euphrates River after AlHindyia dam. It passes through Karbala and Babylon Provinces to wide spaces of farm lands and palm trees orchards in Al-Kifil region / Babil province. Leech species are classified as phylum Annelida, class Clitellata, sub class Hirudinea. They are common benthic invertebrates with a worldwide distribution. Their distribution and diversity are affected directly by the ecological circumstances, physiochemical factors, and interferences food relationships among the benthic community such as predation, competition and parasitism in the water or the ecosystem where they are found [3]
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