A cave leech (Hirudinea, Erpobdellidae) from Croatia with unique morphological features

Authors: Sket, Boris; Dovč, Peter; Jalžić, Branko; Kerovec, Mladen; Kučinić, Mladen; Trontelj, Peter

Source: Zoologica Scripta, Volume 30, Number 3, 2001 , pp. 223-229(7)

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Abstract:

Sket, B., Dovč, P., Jalžić, B., Kerovec, M., Kučinić, M. & Trontelj, P. (2001). A cave leech (Hirudinea, Erpobdellidae) from Croatia with unique morphological features. —Zoologica Scripta, 30, 223-229.

Croatobranchus mestrovi is a troglobitic leech from deep shaft-like caves in the Velebit Mountain, Dinaric karst, Croatia, living in cold (4-6 °C) water. Its oral sucker extends to form four pairs of triangular tentacles, each with about five finger-like papillae, but widening into a marginally crenulated disc when attached to a substrate. Pairs of stiff, finger-like lateral projections, probably gills, occur along the body behind the clitellum. Somites are simple five-annulate. Despite the unique head morphology and the presence of lateral outgrowths, the anatomy and 18S rRNA gene sequence of this species indicate that it is a member of the Erpobdellidae, closely related to Dina.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1463-6409.2001.00065.x

Publication date: 2001-01-01