First description study on molecular characterization of Hemiclepsis khankiana (Hirudinea: Glossiphoniidae) in China
Research article published in BMC Vet Res (2023)
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Leeches are an integral component of aquatic biocenosis and can be found in a wide range of ecosystems such as freshwater, saltwater, flowing, and still-water ecosystems. It especially plays an important role in the freshwater benthic community and is an important part of the food web. In this study, a leech species was found in the mantle cavity of wild freshwater mussels in Zigong City, Sichuan Province, China, and its identity was determined through morphological analysis and molecular biological analysis. RESULTS: The leech is Hemiclepsis khankiana, a new species of Hemiclepsis that has been discovered in Russia in recent years. Through morphological analysis, the current survey observed that the morphological characteristics of Hemiclepsis khankiana eyespots were significantly different from the first reported description. The first pair of eyespots on the leech were separated and clear, while it had been reduced to unclear shadows in the previous report. The phylogenetic tree based on the COI gene showed that the COI gene sequence obtained in this study was in the same evolutionary branch as Hemiclepsis khankiana (MN295420, MN295421). Genetically, it was most closely related to Hemiclepsis kasmiana (mean COI p-distance = 3.98%). CONCLUSIONS: The current study reported on the new distribution range of Hemiclepsis khankiana, which was initially discovered in China. This study indicates that the distribution range of the leech species has expanded, laying a foundation for further studies in China.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Zusammenfassung
Leeches are an integral component of aquatic biocenosis and can be found in a wide range of ecosystems such as freshwater, saltwater, flowing, and still-water ecosystems.
Warum dies für die Hirudotherapie relevant ist
This study reports the discovery of the leech Hemiclepsis khankiana in the mantle cavity of wild freshwater mussels in Zigong City, Sichuan Province, China, with identity determined through morphological analysis and COI gene phylogenetic analysis. The species was previously described in Russia; the current survey observed eyespot morphology differing from the original description and confirmed that the specimen groups with H. khankiana and is most closely related to H. kasmiana (mean COI p-distance = 3.98%). The authors conclude that the work documents an expanded distribution range for this leech and lays a foundation for further studies in China. Caveat: This is a taxonomic and ecological study of a freshwater leech with no examination of bioactive compounds, anticoagulant properties, or any therapeutic application; it has no direct relevance to hirudotherapy or the leech secretome.
Zitation
First description study on molecular characterization of Hemiclepsis khankiana (Hirudinea: Glossiphoniidae) in China.
He Y et al. · BMC Vet Res, 2023
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