Genetic assessment of leech species from yak (Bos grunniens) in the tract of Northeast India
Molecular characterization study published in Mitochondrial DNA Part A (2017)
Abstract
Yak is an iconic symbol of Tibet and high altitudes of Northeast India. It is highly cherished for milk, meat, and skin. However, yaks suffer drastic change in milk production, weight loss, etc, when infested by parasites. Among them, infestation by leeches is a serious problem in the Himalayan belt of Northeast India. The parasite feeds on blood externally or from body orifices, like nasopharynx, oral, rectum, etc. But there has been limited data about the leech species infesting the yak in that region because of the difficulties in morphological identification due to plasticity of the body, changes in shape, and surface structure and thus, warrants for the molecular characterization of leech. In anticipation, this study would be influential in proper identification of leech species infesting yak track and also helpful in inventorying of leech species in Northeast India. Here, we investigated, through combined approach of molecular markers and morphological parameters for the identification of leech species infesting yak. The DNA sequences of COI barcode fragment, 18S and 28S rDNA, were analyzed for species identification. The generated sequences were subjected to similarity match in global database and analyzed further through Neighbour-Joining, K2P distance based as well as ML approach. Among the three markers, only COI was successful in delineating species whereas the 18S and 28S failed to delineate the species. Our study confirmed the presence of the species from genus Hirudinaria, Haemadipsa, Whitmania, and one species Myxobdella annandalae, which has not been previously reported from this region.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Resumen
COI/18S/28S molecular identification of leeches infesting yaks in Northeast India confirmed Hirudinaria, Haemadipsa, Whitmania species plus Myxobdella annandalae, previously unrecorded in the region.
Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia
This study used molecular markers—COI barcode, 18S, and 28S rDNA—combined with morphological parameters to identify leech species infesting yaks in Northeast India, where parasitic leech infestation causes reduced milk production and weight loss in livestock. Among the three markers, only COI successfully delineated species; the study confirmed the presence of species from the genera Hirudinaria, Haemadipsa, Whitmania, and Myxobdella annandalae, the latter newly reported for the region. For ASH, this work contributes to leech biodiversity documentation and molecular identification methodology. However, the study concerns parasitic leech infestation of livestock and does not involve hirudotherapy, the leech secretome, or any therapeutic application. The connection to ASH's domain is limited to taxonomy and species identification tools.
Citación
Genetic assessment of leech species from yak (Bos grunniens) in the tract of Northeast India.
Chatterjee N et al. · Mitochondrial DNA Part A, 2017
Contexto clínico relacionado
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Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: May 27, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: June 18, 2026