<i>Erpobdella montezuma</i> (Hirudinoidea: Erpobdellidae), a new species of freshwater leech from North America

Davies, Ronald W.; Singhal, R. N.; Blinn, Dean W.

doi:10.1139/z85-142

Cited by 23 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 0 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…In contrast, neither E. punctata nor Nephelopsis obscura, which were not found in the Montezuma Well, displayed highly developed capabilities to detect this specific prey organism by mechanoreception. These leech species are common in many aquatic ecosystems of North America and feed on a variety of prey organisms such as Oligochaeta, Chironomidae, Mollusca and Cladocera (DAVIES et al, 1988;BLINN and DAVIES, 1989).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Feeding Strategies of the Leech Erpobdella octoculata (L.): A Laboratory Study

Kutschera

2003

International Review of Hydrobiology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The feeding behaviour of the freshwater leech Erpobdella octoculata was analysed by exposing potential invertebrate and vertebrate prey organisms (alive, wounded or dead) to leech attack in dishes, in the laboratory. The fact that E. octoculata is a macrophagous feeder that swallows living prey organisms whole (preferentially Chironomus larvae) is documented. However, it was repeatedly observed that adult leeches sucked the body fluids from wounded larvae. Likewise, cut pieces of earthworms, dead crustaceans and crushed water snails were attacked and the soft parts sucked in with the aid of the unarmed pharynx. Adult leeches sucked the body fluids from dead, decaying bodies of vertebrates (fish, newt larvae). Newly hatched young are blood suckers that rapidly attacked the wounded regions of Chironomus larvae and other invertebrates such as crushed water snails. It is concluded that the common leech E. octoculata is not only a predator, but also a fluid sucker and a scavenger. The ecological implications of this finding are discussed. IntroductionIn running waters throughout Europe, Erpobdella octoculata is one of the most common freshwater leeches (ELLIOTT and MANN, 1979;NEUBERT and NESEMANN, 1999). In streams that are polluted to some extent by organic substances, this species may occur in very high population densities (up to 900 individuals/m 2 ; SCHÖNBORN, 1985). This is largely due to the fact that the leeches feed extensively on oligochaetes such as Tubifex and on Chironomus larvae (ELLIOTT, 1973;TOMAN and DALL, 1997). In general, E. octoculata has been classified as a macrophagous, carnivorous predator that swallows its invertebrate prey organisms whole with the aid of an unarmed, musculous pharynx (HERTER, 1968;SAWYER, 1986; KUT-SCHERA and WIRTZ, 2001).Several quantitative analyses of the gut contents in natural E. octoculata-populations have been published (e.g., ELLIOTT, 1973; DALL, 1983;SCHÖNBORN, 1985;TOMAN and DALL, 1997). These studies led to the conclusion that, in its corresponding habitat, E. octoculata feeds predominantly on chironomid larvae (up to 80% of diet), followed by oligochaeta and other small invertebrates. Laboratory experiments on the food consumed by individual adult leeches that were kept in dishes corroborated and extended these results (YOUNG and IRON-MONGER, 1979;1980). However, corresponding studies with juvenile leeches (1-3 days after hatching) were not carried out. In spite of the importance of E. octoculata in aquatic ecosystems only one detailed study on the feeding behaviour of this species has been published (GREENE, 1974). This investigator used mature individuals of E. octoculata; he observed (and counted) the kinds and numbers of prey consumed, the influence of substrate on feeding efficiency and the effects of temperature on these processes. Only two kinds of prey

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Feeding Strategies of the Leech Erpobdella octoculata (L.): A Laboratory Study

Kutschera

2003

International Review of Hydrobiology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…All locations are isolated, with no connecting waterways, with the exception of Dairy Springs and Mormon Lake. Erpobdella punctata was found in all habitats except Montezuma Well and Bubbling Springs, which have the endemic species M. montezuma and M. sedonensis, respectively (Davies et al 1985;Blinn et al 1986Blinn et al , 1987Blinn et al , 1988Blinn et al , 1990Govedich et al 1998). …”

Section: Study Sitesmentioning

confidence: 95%

Cryptic radiation in erpobdellid leeches in xeric landscapes: a molecular analysis of population differentiation

Govedich¹,

Blinn²,

Hevly³

et al. 1999

Can. J. Zool.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Despite apparent long-term geographic isolation, many invertebrates demonstrate little apparent morphological differentiation. To examine underlying genetic differentiation, eight erpobdellid leech populations from widely dispersed northern Arizona aquatic ecosystems were examined by means of amplified fragment length polymorphism genetic markers. These populations were primarily Erpobdella punctata, though two populations, Motobdella montezuma and Motobdella sedonensis, have been described as novel taxa. Data from 137 polymorphic loci were used to estimate genetic heterogeneity (θ), migration rates (Nm), and genetic similarities (Dice's method) among these populations. Analysis of molecular variance and cluster analysis (unweighted pair-group method) were used to show population structure and to partition the genetic variance. Our analysis indicates that northern Arizona leech populations are genetically isolated (θ = 0.72, Nm = 0.09), with significant (p < 0.01) differentiation among populations. In addition, no relationship was found between genetic and geographic distances (r = 0.19, p = 0.22), which is consistent with long-term isolation even when populations are in close proximity. The large amount of genetic differentiation reveals levels of diversity and complexity not apparent from morphological comparisons alone and suggests that erpobdellid leeches in the arid landscape of the southwestern U.S.A. are in fact evolving independently from one another.Résumé : En dépit de leur isolement géographique probable de longue date, plusieurs invertébrés semblent avoir subi peu de différenciation morphologique. Pour évaluer la différenciation génétique sous-jacente, nous avons procédé à l'examen de marqueurs génétiques AFLP (polymorphisme de longueur de fragments amplifiés) chez huit populations de sangsues erpobdellidées provenant d'écosystèmes aquatiques dispersés du nord de l'Arizona. Ces populations sont surtout des Erpobdella punctata, mais deux d'entre elles, Motobdella montezuma et Motobdella sedonensis, ont été décrites comme de nouveaux taxons. Les données sur 137 locus polymorphes ont servi à estimer l'hétérogénéité génétique (θ), les taux de migration (Nm) et les similarités génétiques (Dice) chez ces populations. L'analyse de la variance moléculaire et une analyse des groupements par la méthode des mesures pairées non pondérées ont servi à examiner la structure de la population et à fractionner la variance génétique. Les résultats indiquent que les populations de sangsues du nord de l'Arizona sont isolées génétiquement (θ = 0,72, Nm = 0,09) et diffèrent significativement (p < 0,01) les unes des autres. De plus, aucune relation n'a été trouvée entre les distances génétique et géographique (r = 0,19, p = 0,22), ce qui prévaut normalement lorsque l'isolement génétique remonte à loin dans le temps, même chez des populations qui vivent près les unes des autres. L'importance de la différenciation génétique reflète un degré de diversité et de complexité qui ne se manifeste pas lors des comparaisons strictement...

show abstract

“…These basic morphological features are (1) an oral sucker used for attachment to the host (2) a feeding mechanism for penetration or incision of the host's body surface, and (3) crop caeca for storage of fluid food. The oral sucker and crop caeca are shared by all major extant leech taxa, although in erpobdelliforms crop caeca are only present in early developmental stages or are rudimentary in adult animals (Kaestner 1969;Davies and Singhal 1984;Sawyer 1986). According to the current scenario (Sawyer 1986;Siddall and Burreson 1996), the ancestral leech possessed an oral suckerone of the main apomorphies delimitating the Euhirudinea.…”

Section: Origin Of Bloodsuckingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Molecular phylogeny of leeches: Congruence of nuclear and mitochondrial rDNA data sets and the origin of bloodsucking

Trontelj

Ŝket

Steinbrück

1999

Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Complete 18s rDNA sequences and sequences of domain I11 of mitochondrial 12s rDNA were obtained to assess phylogenetic relationships among major suprageneric taxa of leeches and the possibly closely related clitellate taxa Branchiobdellida and Acanthobdellida. The monophyly of the families Erpobdellidae, Piscicolidae, and Glossiphoniidae, the suborders Erpobdelliformes and Hirudiniforrnes, and the order Arhynchobdellida have been confirmed by parsimony and maximum likelihood phylogenetic analysis of separate and combined data sets. Both the nuclear 18s rDNA sequences and the mitochondrial 12s rDNA sequences were consistent in not supporting a monophyletic order Rhynchobdellida, represented by the families Piscicolidae and Glossiphoniidae. A topology with the Piscicolidae as the first branch in the leech tree followed by the Glossiphoniidae received the highest support in terms of taxonomic, character, and outgroup congruence. According to this topology, the putative apornorphies of the Rhynchobdellidae (e.g. the proboscis) can be parsimoniously explained as plesiomorphies already present in the ancestral leech. This common ancestor was probably a bloodsucking leech with a proboscis rather than an unspecialized ectocommensal, as suggested by previous hypotheses. During the course of leech evolution, a reduction of the proboscis could have taken place in predatory arhynchobdellid ancestors to enable swallowing of larger prey. A second gain of sanguivory by the jawed Hirudiniformes could have been facilitated by pre-adaptations to ectoparasitic blood feeding. The 18s rDNA analysis further indicates a close relationship between the clitellate groups Branchiobdellida and Acanthobdellida, although this relationship is not strongly supported.

show abstract

Erpobdella montezuma (Hirudinoidea: Erpobdellidae), a new species of freshwater leech from North America

Cited by 23 publications

References 0 publications

The Feeding Strategies of the Leech Erpobdella octoculata (L.): A Laboratory Study

The Feeding Strategies of the Leech Erpobdella octoculata (L.): A Laboratory Study

Cryptic radiation in erpobdellid leeches in xeric landscapes: a molecular analysis of population differentiation

Molecular phylogeny of leeches: Congruence of nuclear and mitochondrial rDNA data sets and the origin of bloodsucking

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About