American Society of Hirudotherapy

The genome sequence of the freshwater leech Erpobdella octoculata (Linnaeus, 1758) (Hirudinida: Erpobdellidae)

Genome resource published in Wellcome Open Res (2025)

Last Updated: June 18, 2026Reviewed by: ASH Editorial Board
Research article — evidence reviewArticle reference
Evidence: Research reportGenomics & ProteomicsSkipp SJ et al. · Wellcome open research, 2025

Abstract

We present a genome assembly from an individual Erpobdella octoculata (leeches; Annelida; Clitellata; Hirudinida; Erpobdellidae). The genome sequence has a total length of 386.12 megabases. Most of the assembly (98.81%) is scaffolded into 10 chromosomal pseudomolecules. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled, with a length of 19.12 kilobases. Gene annotation of this assembly on Ensembl identified 19 465 protein-coding genes. This assembly was generated as part of the Darwin Tree of Life project, which produces reference genomes for eukaryotic species found in Britain and Ireland.

Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.

Publication typeJournal Article

Summary

This study assembled a Darwin Tree of Life reference genome for the freshwater leech Erpobdella octoculata: a total length of 386.12 Mb, with 98.81% scaffolded into 10 chromosomal pseudomolecules, 19,465 Ensembl-annotated protein-coding genes, and a 19.12 kb mitochondrial genome.

Why This Matters for Hirudotherapy

This article presents a genome assembly from an individual Erpobdella octoculata (leeches; Annelida; Clitellata; Hirudinida; Erpobdellidae), with a total length of 386.12 megabases, 98.81% scaffolded into 10 chromosomal pseudomolecules, a 19.12 kb mitochondrial genome, and 19,465 annotated protein-coding genes, generated as part of the Darwin Tree of Life project producing reference genomes for British and Irish eukaryotes. The relevance to hirudotherapy is indirect: the abstract describes only a genome assembly for a leech species and does not mention salivary anticoagulants, therapeutic compounds, hirudotherapy, or any clinical application. No data are presented on bioactive molecules or medicinal use, so any therapeutic connection would be speculative.

Citation

Reference (Vancouver style)

Skipp SJ, Morrise A, Natural History Museum Genome Acquisition Lab, Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life Management, Samples and Laboratory team, Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: Sequencing Operations, Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life Core Informatics team, et al. The genome sequence of the freshwater leech Erpobdella octoculata (Linnaeus, 1758) (Hirudinida: Erpobdellidae). Wellcome Open Res. 2025;10:660. doi:10.12688/wellcomeopenres.25215.1. PMID: 41660135

Bibliographic details (authors, volume, pages, DOI) are taken from the PubMed record.

Added to ASH library: May 27, 2026 · Site last updated: June 18, 2026

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