First data on the Hirudinea fauna of lotic ecosystems of the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area (Russia)
Research article published in ZooKeys (2022)
Abstract
Hirudinea, a small and ecologically important group of aquatic organisms, is poorly studied in northern Eurasia. In this study, we demyth the idea of the faunistic poverty of this region and present the first findings of rheophilic leeches from the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area, Russia. Investigation of 25 rivers (Severnaya Sosva, Ob, Konda-Irtysh, and Bolshoi Yugan river basins) resulted in finding 10 leech species with parasitic and non-parasitic life strategies. These species belong to two orders (Rhynchobdellida and Arhynchobdellida), three families (Glossiphoniidae, Piscicolidae, and Erpobdellidae) and six genera (Alboglossiphonia, Glossiphonia, Helobdella, Hemiclepsis, Piscicola, and Erpobdella). Five species, A.hyalina, G.verrucata, E.monostriata, E.vilnensis, and potentially new morphological species of piscine leeches Piscicola sp., have been discovered for the first time in Western Siberia. Data on species diversity of rheophilic leeches include the exact systematic position for all leech taxa. Each species from the list is supplemented with information about its geographical distribution.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Resumen
First data on the Hirudinea fauna of lotic ecosystems of the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area (Russia).
Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia
This study surveyed the leech fauna in the lotic ecosystems of the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area in Russia, investigating 25 rivers across several river basins. The researchers documented 10 rheophilic leech species with both parasitic and non-parasitic life strategies, providing updated data on their geographical distribution and systematic positions. While it contributes to the broader ecological and taxonomic knowledge of aquatic leeches, its relevance to ASH and hirudotherapy is negligible. The paper is strictly a regional faunistic and taxonomic survey, offering no insights into leech biology related to medical applications, salivary secretions, or therapeutic mechanisms.
Citación
First data on the Hirudinea fauna of lotic ecosystems of the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area (Russia)
Fedorova LI et al. · ZooKeys, 2022
Contexto clínico relacionado
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Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: May 27, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: June 18, 2026