Low genetic diversity in Ozobranchus jantseanus in Japan: possibility of introduction with their host turtles
Population genetics published in Parasitology International (2017)
Abstract
Leeches belonging to the genus Ozobranchus are ectoparasitic on sea and freshwater turtles. The freshwater species O. jantseanus has been recorded from China and Japan. Ozobranchus jantseanus inhabiting Japan is considered to be a non-indigenous species, because their primary host, the Reeves' pond turtle, Mauremys reevesii, is thought to have been introduced in the last few centuries from adjacent Asian countries. To assess whether the Japanese populations of O. jantseanus were likely to have been introduced, their genetic diversity was investigated using mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I sequences. The very low sequence diversity as well as the historical record of this species from Japan suggest that Japanese populations of O. jantseanus may have been artificially introduced along with their host turtles. Molecular phylogenies of COI showed that two marine Ozobranchus species formed a clade together with the freshwater O. jantseanus.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Resumen
Low genetic diversity of O. jantseanus in Japan suggests introduction with host Mauremys reevesii turtles — implications for invasive leech surveillance.
Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia
Este estudio investigó la diversidad genética de la sanguijuela de tortugas de agua dulce Ozobranchus jantseanus en Japón utilizando secuencias de la subunidad I de la citocromo c oxidasa mitocondrial (COI). Una diversidad de secuencias muy baja, combinada con registros históricos, sugirió que las poblaciones japonesas podrían haber sido introducidas artificialmente junto con su hospedador, la tortuga de estanque de Reeves (Mauremys reevesii). El análisis filogenético mostró que dos especies marinas de Ozobranchus formaban un clado con O. jantseanus de agua dulce. Se trata de un estudio filogeográfico y de genética de poblaciones de un ectoparásito de tortugas. No tiene relevancia alguna para la hirudoterapia medicinal ni para el secretoma terapéutico de las sanguijuelas.
Citación
Low genetic diversity in Ozobranchus jantseanus in Japan: possibility of introduction with their host turtles.
Nakano T et al. · Parasitology international, 2017
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Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: May 27, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: 18 de junio de 2026