Charlotte I. Hammond

New Geographic Distribution Records and Host Specificity of Placobdella ali (Hirudinida: Glossiphoniidae)

Abstract Placobdella ali Huges and Siddall, 2007 has not been reported since its original description based on 3 specimens from Silver Mine Lake in Orange County, New York. The finding of 3 populations of P. ali in Connecticut along with further collection of this species from its type locality facilitated an investigation of host use by this leech, molecular characterization of the species, and observations on its natural history. Placobdella ali commonly occurred on substrate in Silver Mine Lake in Orange County, New York, and Clarks Pond and North Farms Reservoir in New Haven County, Connecticut. A single specimen was found in Lake Wintergreen in New Haven County, Connecticut. Placobdella ali was represented by individuals of a light-colored form and a melanic or dark-colored form. Sequences of 2 mitochondrial genes, CO-I and ND-1, were virtually identical among individuals from Connecticut and New York populations, as well as between the 2 color morphs. Placobdella ali was collected from 10 of 15 (66.7%) American snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina) in North Farms Reservoir. This observation in conjunction with the absence of P. ali on 55 eastern painted turtles (Chrysemys picta) suggests a fairly high degree of host specificity. Two species of exotic turtles, 3 red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans), and a single southern painted turtle (Chrysemys dorsalis), which is a state record for Connecticut, indicate the potential of introduction of exotic turtles as a vehicle for the introduction of exotic leeches. One of the 3 (33.3%) red-eared sliders was infested with a single individual of P. ali.

Resurrection and Redescription of Placobdella rugosa (Verrill, 1874) (Hirudinida: Glossiphoniidae)

ABSTRACT The identification and taxonomy of papillated leeches of the genus Placobdella have been extremely problematic, confounded by vague descriptions, redescriptions of species without reference to type material or type locality, and more than a century of numerous dubious taxonomic acts. Leeches collected on August 5 and 6, 2011, from North Dakota, USA, the type locality of Clepsine ornata rugosa Verrill, 1874, were determined to be conspecific with Placobdella rugosa (Verrill, 1874) Moore, 1901 on the basis of comparison to the syntype series. The acquisition of these specimens from the type locality facilitated resurrection and redescription of P. rugosa. Placobdella rugosa is similar to P. ali but differs in salivary gland morphology and ventral pigmentation. Molecular comparison of CO-I revealed differences of 16.1% between P. rugosa and P. ali.

Morphological and molecular characterization of a new species of leech (Glossiphoniidae, Hirudinida): Implications for the health of its imperiled amphibian host (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis)

Abstract The hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) is among the most intriguing and imperiled amphibians in North America. Since the 1970s and 80s, western populations of the Ozark and eastern subspecies in Missouri have declined by nearly 80%. As a result of population declines, the Ozark hellbender was recently federally protected as an endangered species, and the eastern subspecies was granted protection under CITES. Although habitat degradation is probably the biggest threat to hellbender populations, recent evidence suggests that pathogens including chytrid fungus and “flesh-eating” bacteria may also contribute to declines in Ozark hellbenders. Leeches, which are very common on Ozark hellbenders, have recently been implicated as possible vectors of disease among Ozark hellbenders but have not been described in eastern hellbenders or outside of Missouri and Arkansas. We discovered a population of leeches on eastern hellbenders in southwest Virginia and confirmed that the species of leech is within the genus Placobdella, but is morphologically and genetically distinct from all previously described leech species. We named the new species Placobdella appalachiensis sp. n. Moser and Hopkins, based on the mountainous region in which it was discovered. Our surveys over a three consecutive year period suggested that this leech species may be patchily distributed and/or have a narrow geographic range. We consistently detected leeches at one site (mean prevalence in 80 hellbenders = 27.5%; median intensity = 3.0 leeches per parasitized hellbender [range 1 – >250 leeches]) during three years of surveys, but we never found leeches in any of our other seven study sites in two streams (mean prevalence in 139 hellbenders = 0%). We found a significant positive relationship between hellbender body size and the intensity of parasitism, and we suggest the possibility that the behavioral ecology of adults leading up to reproduction may increase their encounter rates with parasites. We discuss the potential conservation implications of discovery of leeches in this stream, and make recommendations for future mitigation and monitoring efforts.

Redescription and Molecular Characterization of Placobdella hollensis (Whitman, 1892) (Hirudinida: Glossiphoniidae)

Abstract Placobdella hollensis was originally named Clepsine hollensis by Whitman (1892) from specimens collected near Woods Hole, Massachusetts; however, type specimens were neither declared nor deposited. Specimens of P. hollensis were collected from Coonamessett Pond in Barnstable County (47°37′10.25″N, 70°34′20.42″W), Massachusetts, on 4 and 30 May, 2013. Their acquisition from the general locality where Whitman (1892) collected specimens facilitated redescription of P. hollensis. A neotype is designated to stabilize the concept of P. hollensis. Placobdella hollensis is unique among its congeners in its possession of accessory “eyes.” Placobdella hollensis is modestly papillated and has a dorsomedial row and a pair of paralateral rows of unpigmented papillae, two rows of three paramedial pre-anal papillae, and two rows of two paralateral pre-anal papillae. Unlike P. ali, P. multilineata, P. papillifera, and P. parasitica, the ventrum of P. hollensis does not have stripes. Placobdella hollensis does have two thin paramedial dark lines on its ventrum, which are also present in P. papillifera. Molecular comparison of CO-I sequence data from P. hollensis revealed differences of 14% from P. multilineata, 15% from P. picta, 15% to 16% from P. papillifera, 16% from P. translucens, 16% to 17% from P. rugosa, 16% to 17% from P. ornata, 17% from P. montifera, 17% to 18% from P. ali, and 18% from P. biannulata.

Redescription and molecular characterization of Placobdella cryptobranchii (Johnson & Klemm, 1977) (Glossiphoniidae, Hirudinida).

Abstract Placobdella cryptobranchii (Johnson & Klemm, 1977) was originally described from specimens collected from Ozark Hellbenders (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis bishopi) from the North Fork of the White River in Missouri, U.S.A. Leeches collected during August 2009 to August 2011 from five localities in Missouri (including the type locality) facilitated a redescription and molecular characterization of Placobdella cryptobranchii. Placobdella cryptobranchii has a rusty, reddish-brown dorsum with 2 lateral rows of unpigmented papillae, two unpigmented nuchal bands, unpigmented patches, and pair of four pre-anal papillae. Molecular comparison of CO-I sequence data from Placobdella cryptobranchii revealed a 93–94% similarity to Placobdella ornata and 10–17% difference among other species of Placobdella.

Redescription of Placobdella papillifera Verrill, 1872 (Hirudinida: Glossiphoniidae)

ABSTRACT The identification and taxonomy of Placobdella papillifera (Verrill, 1872) Moore, 1952 have been blurred by its varieties and have been compounded by the apparent lack of type material. Leeches collected from May 2008 through August 2012 from West River, New Haven, New Haven County, Connecticut, the type locality of Clepsine papillifera Verrill, 1872, were consistant with P. papillifera (Verrill, 1872) Moore 1952 as described by Verrill (1872). The acquisition of these specimens from the type locality facilitated redescription of P. papillifera. A neotype is designated to stabilize the concept of P. papillifera. Placobdella papillifera appears to exhibit relatively low host specificity, having been documented on Chrysemys picta, Chelydra serpentina, Sternotherus odoratus and Homo sapiens in this study. Molecular comparison of CO-I sequence data from P. papillifera revealed differences of 15% from Placobdella ornata, 16% from P. rugosa, 18% from P. ali, 17% from P. multilineata and 14% from P. parasitica.

Redescription of Placobdella parasitica (Say, 1824) Moore, 1901 (Hirudinida: Glossiphoniidae)

ABSTRACT Placobdella parasitica (Say, 1824) was originally described from lakes of the “North-western region.” Leeches collected during May and June, 2012, from Minnesota, USA, the type locality of Hirudo parasitica Say, 1824, were consistent with P. parasitica (Say, 1824) Moore, 1901 as described by Say (1824). The acquisition of these specimens from the type locality facilitated redescription of P. parasitica. A neotype is designated to stabilize the concept of P. parasitica. In contrast to the papillated members of the genus Placobdella, P. parasitica does not have a confusing and problematic taxonomic history. Placobdella parasitica is differentiated from its congeners by its smooth dorsal surface (or sensillae present), simple (medial unpigmented yellow line) to elaborate (medial and paramedial marbled patches) pigmentation, and ventrum with 8 to 12 stripes. Molecular comparison of CO-I sequence data from P. parasitica revealed differences of 14% from Placobdella multilineata, 14% from Placobdella papillifera, 15% to 17% from Placobdella rugosa, 15% from Placobdella ornata and 16% to 17% from Placobdella ali.

A new species of leech of the genus Placobdella (Hirudinida, Glossiphoniidae) from the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) in Mississippi, USA

Abstract To date, the only species of leech reported from the American Alligator, Alligator mississippiensis is Placobdella multilineata. Seven specimens of a previously undescribed species of Placobdella were collected from the feet and lower jaw of a single female alligator from the Pascagoula River Wildlife Management Area, George County, Mississippi. The new species was named Placobdella siddalli Richardson & Moser, sp. n., in honor of the contributions of Dr. Mark Siddall to our understanding of the biology of leeches. Placobdella siddalli Richardson & Moser is similar to other papillated members of the genus Placobdella, but differs from Placobdella ali Hughes & Siddall, 2007, Placobdella rugosa (Verrill, 1874), Placobdella multilineata Moore, 1953, and Placobdella papillifera (Verrill, 1872) in coloration, papillation, ventral striping, and in the possession of a relatively large caudal sucker. In addition, molecular comparison of 626 nucleotides of CO-I between the new species and other papillated leeches (P. ali, P. multilineata, Placobdella ornata, P. papillifera, P. rugosa) revealed interspecific differences of 14.0–18.0% (88–113 nucleotides).

The Florida Ivory Millipede, Chicobolus spinigerus (Diplopoda: Spirobolidae): A Natural Intermediate Host of Macracanthorhynchus ingens (Acanthocephala: Oligacanthorhynchidae)

Abstract Eleven (55%) of 20 Chicobolus spinigerus (Florida Ivory Millipede) collected from Miami-Dade County, FL, were infected with 1–57 cystacanths of Macracanthorhynchus ingens, a common acanthocephalan of North American Procyon lotor (Raccoon), representing a new host record. The distribution of cystacanths among the millipedes exhibited the highly overdispersed negative binomial distribution that is characteristic of parasite populations.

Host Associations of Helobdella octatestisaca (Hirudinida: Glossiphoniidae) and the First Report of this Leech in the United States

ABSTRACT: Helobdella octatestisaca Lai and Chang, 2009, was originally described from Taiwan where it is believed to have been introduced. It has subsequently been reported from throughout much of Mexico. Helobdella octatestisaca was collected from a small pond in Walker County, Texas, U.S.A., representing the first report of this species from the United States. Helobdella octatestisaca occurred primarily associated with red-eared slider turtles, Trachemys scripta, and common mud turtles, Kinosternon subrubrum. Individuals of H. octatestisaca were frequently found within clusters of juveniles of the common turtle leech, Placobdella parasitica, and were often attached to individuals of P. parasitica. It was hypothesized that H. octatestisaca is utilizing P. parasitica as a source of food and that Helobdella spp. preferentially associate with turtles, thereby gaining enhanced access to prey items.