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

Evidence of ectoparasite-induced endocrine disruption in an imperiled giant salamander, the eastern hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis)

“…Leech infection frequency (48%) and mean (±s.d.) intensity of infection (5.1±6.1) of the hellbenders that we sampled were lower than the infection rates (71%) and mean intensity (8.7±22.1) of Ozark hellbenders sampled in three streams in Arkansas and Missouri (Moser et al, 2008). Interestingly, we found that the probability of infection with leeches increased as the summer progressed, an observation that suggests annual cyclicity in attachment dynamics of this leech to its hellbender host.…”

“…1). Previous studies have documented leeches on Ozark hellbenders (Dundee and Dundee, 1965;Nickerson and Mays, 1973;Moser et al, 2008;Huang et al, 2010;Bodinof et al, 2012); however, only recently have leeches been detected in populations of the eastern hellbender (Hopkins and DuRant, 2011;Davis and Hopkins, 2013;Hopkins et al, 2014). Genetic analyses revealed that this leech is a new species in the genus Placobdella, and is distinct from the species of leech that parasitizes Ozark hellbenders (Hopkins et al, 2014).…”

“…Although the natural history of the newly discovered species of leech infecting eastern hellbenders is currently unknown, a similar phenomenon could account for the increase in leech detection later in the summer. Although Ozark hellbenders have been known to harbor leeches for several decades (Dundee and Dundee, 1965;Nickerson and Mays, 1973;Moser et al, 2008Moser et al, , 2013, nothing is known about their impact on hellbender health or physiology. Previously, a few hellbenders with leeches were captured in our study population (N=9 of 74), but small sample sizes precluded our ability to rigorously evaluate whether their stress responses were compromised (Hopkins and DuRant, 2011).…”

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

“…Moser et al (2008) reported a metameric pattern on the dorsal surface of Placobdella cryptobranchii , however, Johnson and Klemm (1977) stated that the dorsum of preserved specimens of Placobdella cryptobranchii was smooth and no metameric markings were present. Klemm (1982; 1985) noted that the dorsal surface of some preserved specimens of Placobdella cryptobranchii had a metameric pattern.…”

“…In distribution and natural history investigations, Placobdella cryptobranchii was reported from additional localities in Arkansas and Missouri (Moser et al 2006; Moser et al 2008), but little additional morphological data were added in these accounts. Moser et al (2008) reported a metameric pattern on the dorsal surface of Placobdella cryptobranchii , however, Johnson and Klemm (1977) stated that the dorsum of preserved specimens of Placobdella cryptobranchii was smooth and no metameric markings were present.…”