Helobdella Research Articles

First report of freshwater leech Helobdella stagnalis (Rhyncobdellida: Glossiphoniidae) as a parasite of an anuran amphibian

th May; revised on: 2010, 31 th August; accepted on: 2010, 25 th October. Abstract. The authors describe the first case of parasitism on anuran amphibian, Rana temporaria, by the freshwater leech Helobdella stagnalis, in a mountainous area of northwestern Italy. The presence of skin abrasions and haemorrhages attributable to leech attack discards the hypothesis of a simple phoretic relationship between leech and frog.

A catalogue of Helobdella (Annelida, Clitellata, Hirudinea, Glossiphoniidae), with a summary of leech diversity, from South America

A catalogue of Helobdella produced 46 nominal species reported to date from South America. Only 14 species of Helobdella had been registered for South America until 1981. Almost 90% of the present fauna is endemic to the South American continent. Only . ve species occur in more northern latitudes. Raul Adolfo Ringuelet has described 35% of the species known today. Full synonyms and detailed South American occurrences are provided. This is the . rst reassessment of South American Helobdella in 27 years. A dominant feature of the South American leech fauna is the presence of many terrestrial predaceous forms. There are now 139 species of leeches in South America. Almost 88% of this fauna is endemic. Most endemic forms (52 species) come from subtropical latitudes, but this pattern may re. ect the vagaries of sampling and place of residence of the main South American leech specialist.