American Society of Hirudotherapy

The Complete Mitochondrial Genome of(Annelida: Hirudinea: Glossiphoniidae).

Research article published in Genes (2023)

Last Updated: June 18, 2026Reviewed by: ASH Editorial Board
Research article — evidence reviewArticle reference
Evidence: Preclinical (animal)Salivary PharmacologyGenomics & ProteomicsZhu X et al. · Genes, 2023

Abstract

Torix tukubana is a poorly understood proboscidate leech species, generally an ectoparasite on amphibian species. In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of T. tukubana was sequenced using next-generation sequencing (NGS), and the essential characteristics, gene arrangement, and phylogenetic relationship were analyzed. The results showed that the T. tukubana mitogenome was 14,814 bp in length, consisting of 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 tRNAs, 2 rRNAs, and 1 control region (CR). The mitogenome composition presented a strong A + T bias (73.6%). All tRNAs had the typical clover structure except the trnS1 (TCT), whose dihydrouridine (DHU) arm was short, having only one complementary base pair. Additionally, 8 gene order patterns were identified among 25 known Hirudinea species, and T. tukubana was identical to the Hirudinea ground pattern. A phylogenetic analysis based on 13 PCGs indicated that all the studied species clustered into three main clades. The relationships among Hirudinea species were basically consistent with their gene arrangement results, but different from their morphological taxonomy. T. tukubana was in the monophyletic group of Glossiphoniidae, a finding consistent with previous research. Our results provided the essential characteristics of the T. tukubana mitogenome. As the first complete mitogenome of Torix, it could offer valuable information for a systematic understanding of the Hirudinea species.

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

Publication typeJournal ArticleResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Indexed MeSH termsAnimalsLeechesGenome, MitochondrialPhylogenyBase SequenceRNA, Transfer

Summary

is a poorly understood proboscidate leech species, generally an ectoparasite on amphibian species. In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) ofwas sequenced using next-generation sequencing (NGS), and the essential characteristics, gene arrangement, and phylogenetic relationship were analyzed.

Why This Matters for Hirudotherapy

This study sequenced and characterized the complete mitochondrial genome (14,814 bp; 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNAs, 2 rRNAs, one control region, with a strong A+T bias) of Torix tukubana, a proboscis-bearing leech described as an ectoparasite of amphibians, and used 13 protein-coding genes to place it within the family Glossiphoniidae. For hirudotherapy this is background phylogenetic and taxonomic context on leech biodiversity rather than clinically applicable evidence: Torix is not the medicinal leech Hirudo medicinalis used in therapy, and the abstract reports no salivary compounds, anticoagulant activity, or medical application. The work is a descriptive comparative-genomics and phylogenetics paper, so its value to ASH is limited to leech systematics, and no clinical inference about hirudotherapy should be drawn from it.

Citation

The Complete Mitochondrial Genome of(Annelida: Hirudinea: Glossiphoniidae).

Zhu X et al. · Genes, 2023

Added to ASH library: May 28, 2026 · Site last updated: June 18, 2026

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