Glossiphonia Complanata Research Articles

The present state of leech fauna (Annelida: Hirudinea) in Dal Lake, Jammu & Kashmir, India

Dal Lake supports a diverse group of fauna, including fishes, aquatic birds, zooplankton, and macrobenthic invertebrates. This study is the first taxonomic documentation of the leech fauna of Dal Lake. A total of nine leech taxa belonging to four families were identified and described: Glossiphoniidae – Alboglossiphonia weberi, A. heteroclita, Glossiphonia complanata, Helobdella stagnalis, Hemiclepsis marginata asiatica, and Theromyzon sp.; Erpobdellidae – Erpobdella octoculata; Hirudinidae – Poecilobdella granulosa; and Haemopidae – Haemopis indicus. Leeches play key roles in prey-predator dynamics and host-parasite relationships in freshwater ecosystems and as bioindicators of water pollution. This study provides essential data for taxonomic accounts and the diversity of leech fauna in Dal Lake.

Molecular characterisation of leeches (Clitellata, Annelida) based on the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene region for Turkish fauna

ABSTRACT Leeches, classified under Hirudinea within the phylum Annelida, hold a crucial position within the aquatic ecosystem due to their substantial contribution to the intricate food web. As a result of some morphological and phylogenetic uncertainties in the classification, molecular studies have been implemented in leech taxonomy. We investigated the leech fauna in 14 wetlands in the province of Ankara in the Central Anatolia Region of Turkey between 2017 and 2019. A total of 38 specimens were collected from wetlands, representing two families, four genera, and five species (Glossiphonia complanata, Glossiphonia concolor, Helobdella stagnalis, Hirudo verbana, Limnatis paluda). Morphological characters were identified following examination under a stereomicroscope, and maximum likelihood (ML), neighbour-joining (NJ) and Bayesian inference (BI) analyses were employed to resolve the phylogenetic relationships using mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI). The haplotype analysis of the obtained COI region on 15 sequences revealed 11 haplotypes.

Taxonomy and Melanism Patterns of Freshwater Leeches in the Genus Glossiphonia (Hirudinea: Glossiphoniidae) from Northeast Asia

Freshwater leeches belonging to the genus Glossiphonia Johnson, 1816 are fairly common benthic annelids in freshwater ecosystems throughout Eurasia, but the taxonomy of this group remains poorly resolved, and the species content of some local faunas is unsatisfactorily known. For example, it was thought that the only widespread species, Glossiphonia complanata (Linnaeus, 1758), dwells in Northeast Asia. Here, we revise the Northeast Asian Glossiphonia leeches with an integrative taxonomic approach. This revision is based on the largest DNA-sequence and morphological datasets collected to date. Two Glossiphonia species are recorded from the region. First, Glossiphonia koreaensissp. nov., a putative regional endemic species, was discovered in South Korea. Second, a valid name and complete description are provided for Glossiphonia mollissima Moore, 1898 (non-Grube, 1871). The latter name was wrongly applied through misidentification and, according to ICZN (Article 49), is unavailable. Hence, we propose a new name, Glossiphonia mooreisp. nov., in memory of Dr. J. Percy Moore, who discovered this leech. It is a prospective trans-Beringian species, ranging through Eastern Siberia, the Russian Far East, and Alaska (although Alaskan records are based on nonsequenced samples), showing a significant proportion of melanic individuals in samples north of the Arctic Circle. The latter pattern may reflect substrate-induced cryptic coloration (camouflage), but this hypothesis needs to be statistically checked in the future. Finally, a complete checklist of Glossiphonia species is presented.

Hirudinea (Annelida) Fauna of Some Wetlands in Bingöl Province

Leeches are important and reliable indicators of water quality and biodiversity in the ecosystem, so the presence of specific leech species is often closely related to basic water conditions and the presence of certain animals. This study was carried out in 2017 and 2018 in order to determine the Hirudinea fauna of some wetlands in Bingöl province. The investigation was conducted on a total of 13 stations. The water parameters of the stations were measured and recorded in situ. The collected specimens were brought alive to the Zoology Laboratory of Bingöl University Biology Department and kept alive under room temperature conditions. The diagnosis of leech samples was made through the living samples, and they were identified at the level of family, genus, and species. During the study, seven species, belonging to six genera and in four families were recorded. These are; Hirudo verbana Carena, 1820, Glossiphonia complanata (L. 1758), Theromyzon tessulatum (O. F. Müller, 1774), Placopdella costata (Fr. Müller, 1846), Erpobdella octoculata (L., 1758), Erpobdella testacea (Savigny, 1820), Piscicola geometra (L., 1761). The locations where the study was carried out are new records for the detected leech species.

Fauna, Spatial Distribution, and Ecological Peculiarities of Oligohaetes (Oligochaeta) and Leeches (Hirudinea) in the Ob’ River Basin

The fauna, spatial distribution, and ecological features of oligochaetes and leeches of reservoirs and watercourses of the Ob’ River basin (including Teletskoe Lake and Novosibirsk, Belovskoe, and Gilevskoe reservoirs) have been considered. Published and original data were summarized from 1903 to 2016. Various samplers were used: bottom grabs, scrapers and wash-off from the solid substrates. The assessment of the distribution of oligochaetes in the Ob’ River basin showed that oligochaeto and hirudofauna were formed mainly by eurybiont species, without significant zonal changes. The most common oligochaetes in the Ob’ River basin were Tubifex tubifex (Muller 1774), Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri Claparede 1862, Spirosperma ferox Eisen 1879, Lumbriculus variegatus (Muller 1773), Stylaria lacustris (Linnaeus 1767), Nais variabilis Piguet. 1906, Chaetogaster diaphanus (Gruithuisen 1828), leeches, Glossiphonia complanata (Linnaeus 1758), Helobdella stagnalis (Linnaeus 1758), and Erpobdella octoculata (Linnaeus 1758). These species were the key components of benthic biocenoses of the water bodies and watercourses of the Ob’–Irtysh interfluve. The species diversity of oligochaetes and leeches in the Ob’ River basin was much less than that in the large basins of Europe (Volga River) and Eastern Siberia (Lake Baikal) and was comparable with the fauna of certain regions of Europe and the Urals. The largest number of species of oligochaetes and leeches was noted in the well-studied basins of the Upper and Middle Ob’ River.

Improved geographic sampling provides further evidence for the separation of Glossiphonia complanata and Glossiphonia elegans (Annelida: Clitellata: Glossiphoniidae)

ABSTRACTHistorically, there has been much confusion surrounding the identity and separation of European and North American species of Glossiphonia (Annelida: Clitellata: Glossiphoniidae). Using cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences from newly collected specimens of Glossiphonia complanata and Glossiphonia elegans from a broad geographic range covering southern Canada, parts of the US, Slovenia and Croatia, we confirm that G. complanata is likely confined to Europe. The species is phylogenetically distinct from G. elegans, which seems to exclusively inhabit North America. Parsimony and maximum likelihood of the COI locus show the European samples placing as the sister group to an unidentified species of Glossiphonia from Russia, while the North American samples are the sister group to all other Glossiphonia species. We also investigate the consistency of number of crop cecae for separating these species and contrary to previous reports, this character shows no differences between our specimens of the two species. Additionally, the trees show evidence of subdivisions within both G. complanata and G. elegans, with some sequences separated by high ‘intraspecific’ distances. Forces might be shaping population structure and/or potential incipient speciation within these species, emphasizing the need for future research into the biogeography and population genetics of Glossiphonia.

The long-term effects of invasive signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) on instream macroinvertebrate communities

Non-native species represent a significant threat to indigenous biodiversity and ecosystem functioning worldwide. It is widely acknowledged that invasive crayfish species may be instrumental in modifying benthic invertebrate community structure, but there is limited knowledge regarding the temporal and spatial extent of these effects within lotic ecosystems. This study investigates the long term changes to benthic macroinvertebrate community composition following the invasion of signal crayfish, Pacifastacus leniusculus, into English rivers. Data from long-term monitoring sites on 7 rivers invaded by crayfish and 7 rivers where signal crayfish were absent throughout the record (control sites) were used to examine how invertebrate community composition and populations of individual taxa changed as a result of invasion. Following the detection of non-native crayfish, significant shifts in invertebrate community composition were observed at invaded sites compared to control sites. This pattern was strongest during autumn months but was also evident during spring surveys. The observed shifts in community composition following invasion were associated with reductions in the occurrence of ubiquitous Hirudinea species (Glossiphonia complanata and Erpobdella octoculata), Gastropoda (Radix spp.), Ephemeroptera (Caenis spp.), and Trichoptera (Hydropsyche spp.); although variations in specific taxa affected were evident between regions and seasons. Changes in community structure were persistent over time with no evidence of recovery, suggesting that crayfish invasions represent significant perturbations leading to permanent changes in benthic communities. The results provide fundamental knowledge regarding non-native crayfish invasions of lotic ecosystems required for the development of future management strategies.

Bioaccumulation of Phenol, Guaiacol and Some Chlorophenols by Selected Freshwater Species of Leeches

In the recent study, the bioaccumulation ability of phenolic substances was determined with field-collected specimens of three leech species, i.e., Erpobdella octoculata (Linnaeus), Theromyzon tessulatum (O. F. Műller) and Glossiphonia complanata (Linneaus). It was found that the examined leeches bioaccumulated phenol (0.03-27.10 mg/kg), 4-methylphenol (0.09-1.83 mg/kg), chlorophenols (0.03-14.90 mg/kg), guaiacol (0.22-2,941 mg/kg), tetrachloroguaiacol (0.06-1.98 mg/kg), 3-chlorosyringol (0.04-15.28 mg/kg) and chlorocatechols (0.33-23.24 mg/kg) present in the water (0.03-25.23 μg/L) and in the bottom sediments (0.75-760.5 μg/kg) of three ecosystems that were characterized by different contamination levels. Analysis of both the external mucous coat of the leeches and the tissue of the dermato-muscular sac showed that substantial quantities of the phenolic compounds may be accumulated in both the mucous (0.03-2,941 mg/kg) and the tissue (0.03-1,189.8 mg/kg).

Molecular Characterization of Glossiphonia elegans (Verrill, 1872) (Glossiphoniidae: Hirudinida) from its type locality, West River, New Haven County, Connecticut, USA

Clepsine elegans Verrill, 1872 was described based on material collected from the West River, New Haven, New Haven County, Connecticut, USA (Verrill, 1872). Moore (1901) synonymized C. elegans with the European congener Glossiphonia complanata (Linnaeus, 1758) in view of the morphological similarities of the two species. Subsequently, all North American leeches bearing 6 eyespots and a pair of paramedial lines were considered Glossiphonia complanata. Using specimens collected from Ontario and Michigan, Siddall et al. (2005) resurrected Glossiphonia elgans (Verrill, 1872), because specimens collected from Ontario, Canada and Michigan, USA showed considerable genetic distinction from, and did not form monophyletic group with, European specimens of G. complanata.

Activity of selected hydrolytic enzymes from leeches (Clitellata: Hirudinida) with different feeding strategies

Hydrolase activities of extracts from different parts of the bodies of parasitic (Theromyzon tessulatum, Piscicola geometra) and predatory (Erpobdella octoculata, Glossiphonia complanata) leeches were examined. The highest activity was detected in the extracts from sections containing the intestine. Hydrolase activities in the crop and intestine of parasitic leeches were higher than in predatory leeches. The high activity of most of hydrolases in those segments may indicate the intensity of digestion and absorption processes in leeches. A lack of trypsin activity and low chymotrypsin activity are likely to result from the presence of inhibitors of these enzymes. The high activity of the majority of the analyzed hydrolases in extracts derived from the head segment of predatory leeches enables, through digestion of tissues, their easy access to physiological fluids of a host. In turn, in extracts from the head segment of predatory leeches, only four hydrolases were shown to be active. Lipase activity was not found in any of the samples, while α-galactosidase activity was found only in extracts from the head segment of T. tessulatum and P. geometra. Trypsin activity was detected in the extract from the intestine contents of H. sanguisuga and in the extract from the head segment of P. geometra. The results demonstrate the presence of majority of hydrolases occurring in other animals in the alimentary tract of leeches. The study also shows that the crop of leeches is not only a food reservoir, but also the site where digestion and absorption processes take place.

Effects of the invasive Asian clam Corbicula fluminea on benthic macroinvertebrate taxa in laboratory experiments

: The invasive burrowing bivalve Corbicula fluminea has an impact on ecosystem processes and on ortter dynamics in sediments. However, little is known about its effect on benthic communities especially ganic matter dynamics in sediments. However, little is known about its effect on benthic communities, especially on macroinvertebrates. In laboratory experiments, we determined the effect of naturally occurring densities of C. fluminea (1012 ind. m -2 ) on ten macroinvertebrate taxa typical for the littoral zone of Lake Constance: two species of leeches, three species of gastropods, two amphipod species, one isopod, and two taxa of insect larvae (a stonefly and chironomids). We hypothesized that these benthic organisms might prefer C. fluminea over sand in pairwise habitat-choice experiments because of structural and biotic effects of the bivalves. We distinguished between biotic effects of living infaunal C. fluminea that were either starved (only bioturbation) or fed with algae (biodeposition, bioturbation and nutrient reallocation), and we tested the importance of their structural role using C. fluminea valves lying on sand. No benthic taxa avoided areas with live C. fluminea or their valves. The detritivorous gastropod Lymnaea stagnalis and the amphipod Gammarus roeselii were found in higher numbers in areas with fed C. fluminea than in areas with sand. Starved clams were only preferred over sand by the amphipod Dikerogammarus villosus. The epifaunal taxa Erpobdella octoculata, Glossiphonia complanata (Hirudinea), D. villosus, G. roeselii (Amphipoda), Asellus aquaticus (Isopoda), and Centroptilum luteolum (Ephemeroptera) preferred areas with C. fluminea valves to areas with sand. The crustacean species and the leeches preferred valves over sand more than they preferred fed or starved living clams over sand. C. luteolum was the only taxon that responded differently to C. fluminea in the three experiments, whereas gastropods and chironomids did not show differences. We conclude that on poorly structured sediments, valves of C. fluminea, which increase the surface area and substrate diversity, could lead to an increase of most epifaunal benthic invertebrates.

Towards environmental assessment of river ecosystems by analyzing energy reserves of aquatic invertebrates

Environmental preferences of invertebrates in larger rivers are assumed to be displayed in their upstream–downstream distribution and in their abundance. Near the limits of a species’ distribution, individuals must cope with rather hostile, energy consuming, environmental conditions. On the contrary, it is assumed that sites with high abundance are located more in the center of the distribution area and represent more optimal conditions. We hypothesized that at these sites also the fitness of the animals is better, which should be reflected by higher amounts of storage substrates. We measured the abundance and the energy storage (triglyceride and glycogen contents) of the mayfly Heptagenia flava (Ephemeroptera: Heptageniidae), the leech Glossiphonia complanata (Hirudinea: Glossiphoniidae), and the freshwater shrimp Dikerogammarus villosus (Crustacea: Gammaridae) along 560 km of the River Elbe during the summers of 2003 and 2004. H. flava and G. complanata reached highest densities upstream while D. villosus abundance increased continuously towards the river mouth. A model selection approach revealed that the factor sampling site was necessary to explain the data of energy storage for each species. In H. flava, triglycerides, the most efficient storage substrate, were observed to reach maximum levels at sites with high abundances. Although D. villosus and G. complanata followed a similar relation, both species displayed some exceptions from this pattern with highest triglyceride concentrations at their upstream distribution limit. It is speculated that storage substrates have the potential to become an important tool in environmental assessment because they yield long-term information about the fitness of a population, especially in merolimnic species, e.g. mayflies. As adult mayflies do not feed, the amount of accumulated energy reserves during the larval life is crucial for their reproductive success and therefore is a very good indicator for the assessment of a population's fitness. It is further assumed that the fitness of the other two species does not depend on the energetic status of a certain juvenile stage. Their storages can be refilled at any time, if enough food is available. Nevertheless, storage substrates as well as the total amount of available energy therein are appropriate criteria for the physiological fitness of both species. They result from long-term effects of the surrounding conditions, but may also reflect creeping changes in the environment, e.g. consequences of rising temperatures. Therefore, the use of those criteria as an assessment tool for the physiological fitness of invertebrate populations seems to be very promising.

Host specificity in Metamera sillasenorum, n. sp., a gregarine parasite of the leech Helobdella triserialis with notes on transmission dynamics.

Eugregarines of the suborder Septatorina are apicomplexan parasites that are found mainly in arthropods. Some exceptions are species in the Metameridae that contains the only 5 septate gregarines recorded from annelids. The type genus is Metamera Duke, 1910 with 2 species, Metamera schubergi Duke, 1910, in European Glossiphonia complanata, and Metamera reynoldsi Jones, 1943, from North American G. complanata. Over the summers of 1995-1998, in Keith County, Nebraska, septate gregarines were found in the glossiphoniid leech Helobdella triserialis. The gregarines were determined to be a new species of Metamera, herein named Metamera sillasenorum. Measurements of size and body proportions of over 600 gregarines and 50 oocysts showed differences from measurements of M. schubergi and M. reynoldsi, and secondary septa in the deutomerite were rarely observed. Field observations indicated that M. sillasenorum is probably host specific. In the laboratory, leeches also exhibited strong feeding preferences; e.g., H. triserialis and G. complanata consumed only snails, whereas Helobdella stagnalis consumed only oligochaetes. Infection experiments demonstrated that freshwater snails ingest the oocysts and are required as mechanical vectors. Oocysts were passed unaltered through the snails' intestines. Glossiphonia complanata did not become infected regardless of heavy exposure to oocysts, although only 5 G. complanata were used in the experiments. The results show that host specificity of M. sillasenorum is most likely due to a combination of host-feeding habits and host-parasite compatibility.

Immunohistochemical detection of regulatory cells in the digestive system of leeches

The digestive system of four leech species,Glossiphonia complanata, Hirudo medicinalis, Haemopis sanguisuga, andErpobdella octoculata, was studied using, as markers, antisera to biologically active peptides, neurotensin, calcitonin, FRMF-amide, and serotonin. In the epithelium and the wall of the alimentary tract, regulatory cells were revealed. They differed in shapes and detected immunoreactivities; presumably they are elements of the diffuse endocrine system as well as of the peripheral nervous system. The data obtained show that the organization of the intestinal regulatory system in leeches basically is similar morphologically to intestinal regulatory systems of representatives of other classes of this type of invertebrate animals.

Hyaluronidase activity in leeches (Hirudinea)

The leech hyaluronoglucuronidase (hyaluronidase I) was identified in Erpobdellidae ( Nephelopsis obscura and Erpobdella punctata) and Glossiphoniidae ( Desserobdella picta) and historically described from Hirudinidae ( Hirudo medicinalis). A second leech hyaluronidase (hyaluronidase II) which hydrolyzed only a few bonds to form hyaluronan oligosaccharides larger than 6500 Da, was found in Glossiphoniidae ( Helobdella stagnalis, Glossiphonia complanata, Placobdella ornata, and Theromyzon sp.) and in Haemopidae ( Haemopis marmorata). The distribution of the two hyaluronidases in leech occurred in both orders (Arhynchobdellida and Rhynchobdellida) and in macrophagous and haematophagous feeding types whereas the liquidosomatophagous leeches only had hyaluronidase II.

Genetic differentiation and species status within the snail leech Glossiphonia complanata aggregate (Hirudinea: Glossiphoniidae) revealed by RAPD analysis tab:

Genetic differentiation and species status within the snail leech Glossiphonia complanata aggregate (Hirudinea: Glossiphoniidae) revealed by RAPD analysis tab:

The reaction time of leech and triclad species to crushed prey and the significance of this for their coexistence in British lakes

SUMMARY1. Three species of leeches, Erpobdella octoculata, Glossiphonia complanata and Helobdella stagnalis, and four species of triclads, Polycelis nigra, P. tennis, Dugesia polychroa and Dendrocoelum lacteum, commonly coexist on stony shores in productive British lakes. All species are food limited and there is much overlap in their diet. For both leech and triclad communities, coexistence of species is through the occurrence of food refuges. Leeches are more successful than triclads at capturing live prey, whereas both groups feed on damaged prey, comprising incapacitated, live or dead animals that are leaking body fluids. If triclads are better than leeches at exploiting damaged prey, this could be a mechanism for their coexistence.2. Laboratory experiments investigated the comparative speeds at which leeches and triclads responded to crushed prey. Young and adult predators were offered a crushed specimen of the oligochaete Tubifex tubifex, the snail Lymnaea peregra, the crustacean Asellus aquaticus or the chironomid Chironomus sp., and their reaction times recorded. These four prey groups constitute the main diet of the predators in the field. Only D. polychroa and D. lacteum showed a significantly different reaction time between young and adults to crushed prey, and the reason for this is unclear. All predators, except H. stagnalis and D. polychroa, showed a difference in reaction time to the four types of prey, presumably a consequence of differences in both the ‘quality’ and ‘concentration’ of the different prey fluids, and there were some differences between predators in their speed of reaction to the same prey type. The following sequence, from fastest to slowest, in general reaction time to prey was obtained: E. octoculata, D. polychroa, P. tenuis, D. lacteum, P. nigra, H. stagnalis and G. complanata.3. The location of the damaged food by the predators can be explained partly in terms of their foraging behaviour, with E. octoculata, D, polychroa and P. tenuis exhibiting a more seek‐out strategy than other species which have a more sit‐and‐wait behaviour, and partly on the level of sophistication of their chemosensory system used to detect leaked prey fluids. This system is highly developed in triclad species but poorly developed in leeches.4. In a second type of experiment in which prey, L. peregra, A. aquaticus or Chironomus sp., were offered at different time intervals after crushing to H, stagnalis and P. tenuis, few predators fed on food crushed for 24 h or longer, although a few leeches fed on Chironomus crushed for up to 72 h.5. It is concluded that coexistence of leech and triclad species on stony shores in lakes is assisted by partitioning of food on a damaged or live basis.

Trophic exchanges between parent and young during development of Glossiphonia complanata (Annelida, Hirudinea)

Glossiphoniids are iteroparous hirudineans that brood their offspring. The young are attached by the posterior sucker to the parent's ventral side until development is complete. The weight loss of the brooding adults is commonly attributed to their reduced possibility of feeding and to the increased metabolic expense for movements needed to ventilate the offspring. The present study showed that there is a passage of nutritive substrates between the parental body wall and the young's sucker. A possible correlation between this passage and the reabsorption of some muscle fibers that occurs in the adult's body wall is also analyzed.

The consequence of a food refuge collapse on a guild of lake-dwelling triclads and leeches

The diets ofPolycelis nigra, P. tenuis, Dugesia polychroa, Dendrocoelum lacteum, Glossiphonia complanata, Helobdella stagnalis andErpobdella octoculata in an English lake were examined, using a serological technique, and compared between 1981–82 and 1989–90. Leech, triclad and prey abundances were also recorded. Between the two studies, snail numbers crashed whereas the abundances ofAsellus andGammarus increased.Dugesia andGlossiphonia numbers decreased substantially, whilstPolycelis tenuis andHelobdella abundances increased. In the second study, the snail component in the diet was greatly reduced resulting in a broader food niche, particularly forDugesia andGlossiphonia, and greater food overlap between the predators with the exception ofDendrocoelum andErpobdella which do not eat molluscs. It is postulated that the reduced size of the snail refuge, and consequent increase in severity of interspecific competition with other predators, particularlyPolycelis andHelobdella, led to the observed decrease in abundances ofDugesia andGlossiphonia. The decline in the last two genera, perhaps coupled with increased crustacean abundance, could have contributed to the numerical increase of the competitively superiorPolycelis tenuis andHelobdella.

Food Limitation in Lake-Dwelling Leeches: Field Experiments

The leeches, Erpobdella octoculata, Glossiphonia complanata and Helobdella stagnalis, and their prey were manipulated inside experimental enclosures, matched by controls, erected on the stony shore of an eutrophic, English lake. Five separate manipulations were performed: the addition of tubificid oligochaetes, the addition of snails, the increase in numbers of G. complanata and H. stagnalis, the increase in numbers of E. octoculata, and the reduction in numbers of all three leech species. All invertebrates were sampled, using trays buried in the substratum, in early March, prior to leech reproduction, in July and in late October/early November when breeding had ceased. Leech manipulations were executed immediately after the first sampling of invertebrates, when food addition, at fortnightly intervals, also commenced