Function of the waterfowl nests as reproduction and living areas for leeches (Annelida: Hirudinea)

Ceylan, Mustafa; Çetinkaya, Osman; Kvist, Sebastian

doi:10.1016/j.anireprosci.2021.106816

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…The wetlands selected for the present study are the main areas, where the commercial leech collection is conducted, around Lake Eğirdir. The studied wetlands are distinctly isolated from the lake, being far from each other, rich in macrophytes, being shallow, and rich in food in the form of hosts for leeches (Ceylan, 2016;Ceylan and Çetinkaya, 2017;Ceylan et al, 2021a).…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

Size and structure of the Mediterranean medicinal leech, Hirudo verbana populations inhabiting wetlands around Lake Eğirdir, Turkey

Ceylan¹,

Çetinkaya²

2021

EgeJFAS

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In the present study size and structure of the Mediterranean medicinal leech (Hirudo verbana Carena, 1820) populations inhabiting wetlands around Lake Eğirdir (Turkey) were investigated. Population size was estimated by removal methods, age classes were estimated for the first time in leeches (Hirudinea) using “Modal Progression Analysis” of body length frequencies using Bhattacharya's method. The population size and biomass of medicinal leeches around Lake Eğirdir were estimated to be 1,562,696 ± 805,613 leeches and 467.26 ± 172.91 kg, respectively. Three age classes were identified; the age group of 0+ was dominant with 78.6%. While 89.9% of the individuals weighed less than 1 g, whereas the broodstock was estimated to represent only 7%. Body weight, body length and condition factor were found to be 0.52 ± 1.19 g, 4.5 ± 2.4 cm and 0.620 ± 0.123, respectively. This study reveals that the population size of H. verbana in the wetlands around Lake Eğirdir is relatively well preserved and there is no significant threat to the sustainability of the exploitation of the medicinal leech populations. It is concluded that the stability of the lake's water budget, the variety and abundance of the host in the undamaged wetlands, the socioeconomic structure of the leech collectors, the sales policies, and the effective activities of conservation and control units might affect conservation status of the medicinal leech populations inhabiting wetlands around Lake Eğirdir.

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Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%