William E. Moser

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.

Placobdella cryptobranchii (Rhynchobdellida: Glossiphoniidae) on Cryptobranchus alleganiensis bishopi (Ozark Hellbender) in Arkansas and Missouri

Abstract Placobdella cryptobranchii is a rarely collected leech of the Ozark hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis bishopi) in northern Arkansas and southern Missouri, U.S.A. Between October 2002 and August 2005, 58 hellbenders were examined from Eleven Point River (Randolph Co., Arkansas and Oregon Co., Missouri), the north fork of the White River (Ozark Co., Missouri), and the Spring River (Fulton Co., Arkansas). Forty-one of the 58 hellbenders (70.7%) were infested with 1–140 leeches with a mean intensity (±SD) of 8.7 (±22.1) and a relative abundance (±SD) of 6.3 (±18.9). Contingency table analysis and t-tests revealed no significant differences in prevalence and mean intensity among various years and localities sampled. Leech size did not substantially change over the time period sampled. The dorsal pigmentation of live specimens of P. cryptobranchii is described for the first time.

Life History and Distribution of the Leech Oligobdella biannulata (Moore, 1900) (Euhirudinea: Glossiphoniidae)

Abstract Oligobdella biannulata is a rare, endemic leech species originally described from a mountain stream near Blowing Rock, North Carolina, U.S.A. Specimens of O. biannulata were collected seasonally (fall 1999–summer 2002), documenting new county records from North Carolina and South Carolina and new state records from Georgia and Tennessee, U.S.A. Fifty-one percent of Desmognathus quadramaculatus and 50% of Desmognathus marmoratus were parasitized with O. biannulata. Between late May and early July, O. biannulata leaves its salamander host to lay 15–30 bright yellow, yolky eggs and brood them on its ventral surface. Eggs hatch in 10–20 d, and in about 50 d both hatchlings and adult search for a blood meal. Oligobdella biannulata reattaches to its host between late August and early October. When a desmognathine salamander host is found the adult leech attaches and hatchlings leave the adult, attaching singly or in clusters on the limbs or axillary and inguinal regions of the salamander, blood feeding, and overwintering on the host.

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.

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.

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.

New Host and Distribution Records of the Leech Placobdella sophieae Oceguera-Figueroa et al., 2010 (Hirudinida: Glossiphoniidae)

ABSTRACT: Placobdella sophieae Oceguera-Figueroa et al., 2010 (Hirudinida: Glossiphoniidae) is reported from Oregon, California, and British Columbia for the first time. New hosts reported for P. sophieae include Taricha granulosa (rough-skinned newt), Rana pretiosa (Oregon spotted frog), and Anaxyrus boreas (western toad). Placobdella sophieae exhibits relatively low host specificity and all amphibians occurring in the Pacific Northwest are potential hosts.

Biology of the Leech Actinobdella inequiannulata Moore, 1901 (Annelida: Hirudinea: Rhynchobdellida: Glossiphoniidae), Parasitic on the White Sucker, Catostomus commersoni Lacepède, 1803, and the Longnose Sucker, Catostomus catostomus Forster, 1773, in Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada

Abstract Actinobdella inequiannulata was found on the white sucker, Catostomus commersoni, and less frequently on the longnose sucker, Catostomus catostomus, in Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada. Catostomus commersoni parasitized with Act. inequiannulata was collected from July to October 1973 and May to October 1974. In May and October, less than 3% of the fish carried leeches. In July, 80% of the fish were parasitized with an average of 1.5 leeches/fish. Observations on leech weight suggest that young leeches attach to fish from May to September, some mature in July, and a second generation of leeches reparasitize the fish in August and September. The mean size of leeches on suckers increased from May until July, after which the size remained relatively constant. Leeches produced characteristic lesions on the opercula of suckers. Fully developed lesions on fish opercula produced by aggregated leeches had varying amounts of central erosion, extravasation, dermal and epidermal hyperplasia, and necrosis.