Eric A. Lazo-Wasem

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.

Epibionts Associated with the Nesting Marine Turtles Lepidochelys olivacea and Chelonia mydas in Jalisco, Mexico: A Review and Field Guide

ABSTRACT The diversity and frequency of epibiota collected over three years (2001, 2002, 2008) from sea turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea and Chelonia mydas) nesting on Teopa Beach in Jalisco State, Mexico, are described. This diversity is compared to epibiotic assemblages procured from these same turtle species nesting on other Mexican beaches, and the role these turtles play in the conservation and dispersal of these epibiota is discussed. Given the increased awareness of epibionts and the desire of many researchers to make positive identifications, specific diagnoses, photographs and a collecting protocol will serve as a basic aid to the collection and accurate identification of epibionts found on turtles living along the Pacific coast of Mexico.

A New Stomatolepas Barnacle Species (Cirripedia: Balanomorpha: Coronuloidea) from Leatherback Sea Turtles

ABSTRACT A new species of the commensal barnacle genus Stomatolepas has been collected from leatherback turtles in the southern Atlantic Ocean. It is described here as S. pilsbryi n. sp. and compared to its congeners S. elegans (Costa, 1838) and S. praegustator Pilsbry, 1910. A neotype is also designated for S. elegans.

A New Coronuloid Barnacle Subfamily, Genus and Species from Cheloniid Sea Turtles

ABSTRACT During a survey of the commensal barnacles of nesting and foraging sea turtles from the coastal waters of Florida and Georgia, USA, an undescribed species of platylepadid coronuloid barnacle was encountered, embedded within the carapace and plastron regions of host turtles. This new genus and species is described herein as Calyptolepas bjorndalae gen. et sp. nov. and is compared with other members of the family Platylepadidae. While similar in some respects to members of currently recognized platylepadid subfamilies, particularly Cylindrolepas darwiniana Pilsbry (Cylindrolepadinae Ross and Frick) and Platylepas decorata Darwin (Platylepadidae Newman and Ross), this new species bears an amalgamation of characters from these two subfamilies that require it to be placed into a new subfamily, Calyptolepadinae subfam. nov., also described herein.

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.

On the morphology of Balaenophilus manatorum (Ortíz, Lalana, and Torres) (Copepoda: Harpacticoida) from sea turtles of the Mexican Pacific with notes on intraspecific variation.

Abstract Specimens of the ectoparasitic harpacticoid Balaenophilus manatorum (Ortíz, Lalana, and Torres, 1992) (Copepoda: Harpacticoida) were collected recently from the skin of sea turtles nesting along the Pacific coast of central Mexico. Adult specimens were compared with descriptions of specimens collected around Japan and Cuba. The intra-Pacific and the northwestern Atlantic specimens differed in subtle character states of the antennule, antennal exopod, swimming legs 1–4, and female and male fifth legs. Differences were within the range of intraspecific variability, as inferred from (1) the level of morphological divergence of B. manatorum from its only congener, Balaenophilus unisetus, also an epibiont of marine vertebrates, (2) the broad distribution of both species as a result of their widely ranging hosts, and (3) morphological differences, which were not geographically consistent. No differences were found between specimens collected from different host species, which are presumed to have different migration patterns and geographic ranges.

Distribution of Placobdella ornata (Verrill, 1872) (Hirudinida: Glossiphoniidae)

Abstract The distribution of Placobdella ornata (Verrill, 1872) is unclear as there has been much taxonomic confusion regarding this species. New collections and redetermination of museum specimens revealed 24 new locality records for Placobdella ornata, including the first reports of the species in New York and Rhode Island. Placobdella ornata is now known to occur in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and eastern New York, USA, as well as Belgium (presumably introduced). A specimen from the syntype series of Placobdella ornata (Verrill, 1872) is designated as the lectotype of the species.

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.

New Host and Geographic Distribution Records for Glossiphoniid Leeches Associated with Turtles in Southern New England

ABSTRACT:  During the summer of 2013, collection of glossiphoniid leeches from turtles in southern New England U.S.A. revealed several new host associations and geographic distribution records. Placobdella ali is reported for the first time from Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Placobdella hollensis is reported for the first time from mainland Rhode Island and for the first time from the common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) and the stinkpot turtle or common musk turtle (Sternotherus odoratus). Helobdella papillata and Helobdella modesta were collected from common snapping turtles, and Helobdella lineata was collected from a stinkpot turtle. Data on the frequency of association of Helobdella spp. with aquatic vertebrates suggest that although Helobdella spp. are not parasitic, a symbiotic relationship likely exists between Helobdella spp. and their hosts, the nature of which is yet to be elucidated.

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.