Morphological and molecular characterization of a new species of leech (Glossiphoniidae, Hirudinida): Implications for the health of its imperiled amphibian host (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis)
Research article published in ZooKeys (2014)
Abstract
The hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) is among the most intriguing and imperiled amphibians in North America. Since the 1970s and 80s, western populations of the Ozark and eastern subspecies in Missouri have declined by nearly 80%. As a result of population declines, the Ozark hellbender was recently federally protected as an endangered species, and the eastern subspecies was granted protection under CITES. Although habitat degradation is probably the biggest threat to hellbender populations, recent evidence suggests that pathogens including chytrid fungus and "flesh-eating" bacteria may also contribute to declines in Ozark hellbenders. Leeches, which are very common on Ozark hellbenders, have recently been implicated as possible vectors of disease among Ozark hellbenders but have not been described in eastern hellbenders or outside of Missouri and Arkansas. We discovered a population of leeches on eastern hellbenders in southwest Virginia and confirmed that the species of leech is within the genus Placobdella, but is morphologically and genetically distinct from all previously described leech species. We named the new species Placobdella appalachiensis sp. n. Moser and Hopkins, based on the mountainous region in which it was discovered. Our surveys over a three consecutive year period suggested that this leech species may be patchily distributed and/or have a narrow geographic range. We consistently detected leeches at one site (mean prevalence in 80 hellbenders = 27.5%; median intensity = 3.0 leeches per parasitized hellbender [range 1 - >250 leeches]) during three years of surveys, but we never found leeches in any of our other seven study sites in two streams (mean prevalence in 139 hellbenders = 0%). We found a significant positive relationship between hellbender body size and the intensity of parasitism, and we suggest the possibility that the behavioral ecology of adults leading up to reproduction may increase their encounter rates with parasites. We discuss the potential conservation implications of discovery of leeches in this stream, and make recommendations for future mitigation and monitoring efforts.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Resumen
The hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) is among the most intriguing and imperiled amphibians in North America.
Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia
Este estudio caracteriza morfológica y genéticamente una especie de sanguijuela recién descubierta, Placobdella appalachiensis, hallada sobre salamandras hellbender orientales en Virginia, y reporta datos de prevalencia e intensidad a lo largo de un periodo de encuesta de tres años. El resumen señala que las sanguijuelas presentes en hellbenders de Ozark han sido implicadas como posibles vectores de enfermedad, pero no reporta la evaluación de P. appalachiensis en dicha capacidad. Si bien la investigación involucra sanguijuelas, se trata de un estudio taxonómico y ecológico orientado a la conservación de anfibios más que a la medicina humana. El artículo no evalúa el uso terapéutico de las sanguijuelas, la hirudoterapia ni la utilidad médica del secretoma de la sanguijuela, por lo que su relevancia para la Sociedad Americana de Hirudoterapia es fundamentalmente de carácter taxonómico.
Citación
Morphological and molecular characterization of a new species of leech (Glossiphoniidae, Hirudinida): Implications for the health of its imperiled amphibian host (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis)
Hopkins WA et al. · ZooKeys, 2014
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Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: May 27, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: 18 de junio de 2026