Novel fish leech species on Gills of Bighead Carp in China
Research article published in Pathogens (2023)
Abstract
We describe the characterization of a novel fish leech species found on the gills of bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) from lakes and reservoirs in China. This leech is morphologically similar to Limnotrachelobdella sinensis recorded on goldfish and common carp. However, there are 0-2 pairs of symmetrical or asymmetrical eyes and 10 pairs of pulsatile vesicles in the newly discovered leech, in remarkable contrast to L. sinensis. Except for bighead carp, where it demonstrated a higher than 90% prevalence, and silver carp (H. molitrix), where there was low infection, this leech was not detected on any other fish from the Qiandao reservoir in China that were examined during this investigation. Molecular analyses indicated 87.8% ITS sequence identity with L. sinensis and 85.0 and 86.1% COX1 sequence identity with L. sinensis and L. okae, respectively. The uncorrected p-distance based on the COX1 sequence was found to be 15.1 and 14.0% for L. sinensis and L. okae, respectively, suggesting interspecific variation. Phylogenetic analyses based on the combination of 18S and COX1 sequences showed that the newly discovered leech groups with Limnotrachelobdella species. Histopathological observation indicated that attachment of the leech on the gill rakers and gill arches causes a loss of connective tissue, hemorrhage, and ulceration. Based on the morphology, molecular analyses, and host specificity, we conclude that this leech is a new species of Limnotrachelobdella and named it Limnotrachelobdella hypophthalmichthysa n. sp.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Resumen
Novel fish leech Limnotrachelobdella hypophthalmichthysa n. sp.
Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia
This study describes the morphological and molecular characterization of a novel fish leech species, Limnotrachelobdella hypophthalmichthysa n. sp., found on the gills of bighead carp in Chinese lakes and reservoirs, with >90% prevalence on bighead carp and low infection on silver carp. It reports 87.8% ITS sequence identity with L. sinensis, 85.0–86.1% COX1 identity with L. sinensis and L. okae, phylogenetic grouping with Limnotrachelobdella, and histopathological observations of loss of connective tissue, hemorrhage, and ulceration at attachment sites on gill rakers and gill arches. For ASH, this is a contribution to leech biodiversity and taxonomy but has no defensible link to hirudotherapy or the medicinal-leech secretome. CAVEAT: This is a taxonomic and parasitological study of a fish ectoparasite with no medicinal use; it has no relevance to hirudotherapy, medicinal leeches, or therapeutic applications.
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Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: May 27, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: June 18, 2026