Citation:

Moser, W. E., R. W. Van Devender, AND D J. Klemm. LIFE HISTORY AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE LEECH OLIGOBDELLA BIANNULATA (MOORE, 1900) (EUHIRUDINEA: GLOSSIPHONNIDAE). COMPARATIVE PARASITOLOGY 72(1):17-21, (2005).

Impact/Purpose:

The goal of this research is to develop methods and indicators that are useful for evaluating the condition of aquatic communities, for assessing the restoration of aquatic communities in response to mitigation and best management practices, and for determining the exposure of aquatic communities to different classes of stressors (i.e., pesticides, sedimentation, habitat alteration).

Description:

Oligobdella biannulata (Moore, 1900) is a rare, endemic leech species originally described from a mountain stream near Blowing Rock, North Carolina. Specimens of O. biannulata were collected seasonally from Fall 1999, to Summer 2002, with new county records in North Carolina and South Carolina, and new state records from Georgia and Tennessee. Fifty-one percent of Desmognathus quadramaculatus and 50% of Desmognathus marmoratus were infested with O. biannulata. Desmognathus quadramaculatus exhibited a higher prevalence and mean intensity of infestation than D. marmoratus. Oligobdella biannulata leave their salamander hosts in late May to early July to lay eggs. Leeches lay 15-30 bright yellow, yolky eggs and brood them underneath their ventral surface. Eggs hatch in 10-20 days and in about 50 days, the hatchlings and adult search for a blood meal. Oligobdella biannulata re-attaches in late August to early October and over-winters on the host. When a desmognathine salamander host is found, the adult attaches, hatchlings leave the adult, and attach singly or in clusters on the limbs or axillary and inguinal regions, and blood-feed.

Record Details: