recursal/Fanatic-Fandom huggingface dataset:
Blue Worm (Perionyx excavatus)

## Source: Wikipedia

***Perionyx excavatus*** is a commercially produced earthworm. Popular names for this species include **composting worms**, **blues**, or **Indian blues**. This species is marketed for its ability to create fine worm castings quickly. It has recently become more popular in North America for composting purposes.

This species belongs to the genus *Perionyx*. It may have its origins in the Himalayan mountains. It is considered native to tropical East Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.

This species is suited for vermicomposting in tropical and subtropical regions.
Fish Leech (Piscicola geometra)

## Source: Wikipedia

***Piscicola geometra*** is a species of leech in the family Piscicolidae. It is an external parasite of marine, brackish and freshwater fishes. It was first described as *Hirudo geometra* by the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus in his *Systema Naturae* in 1758.

## Description

This leech can grow to a length of 25 mm (1 in). It is pale brown, often with white transverse bands.

## Distribution and habitat

This fish leech occurs in freshwater locations in the Holarctic and Neotropic regions and is found in northwestern Europe and in North America. It is also present in some marine environments such as the Baltic Sea where it mainly parasitises shorthorn sculpin and flounders. It occurs in both moving and stagnant water, but seems to prefer well-oxygenated water at the wave-washed edges of lakes and rapidly flowing streams and rivers.[*citation needed*]

## Ecology

*P. geometra* is an ectoparasite of various fish species. Hosts include salmon (*Salmo salar*), brown trout (*Salmo trutta*), European eel (*Anguilla anguilla*), charr (*Salvelinus alpinus*), gudgeon (*Gobio gobio*), bream (*Abramis brama*), perch (*Perca fluviatilis*), Prussian carp (*Carassius gibelio*) and common carp (*Cyprinus carpio*). The attachment site is on various parts of the body, on the gills or inside the mouth.

This leech can swim well and is attracted by the presence of a suitable fish in its vicinity. It feeds periodically, attaching itself to the fish's body with its sucking disc before puncturing its skin with its proboscis and sucking its blood. When satiated, it releases its grip and sinks to the bottom, hiding among stones or submerged plants while digesting its meal. It needs several blood meals before it can reproduce. The mid-gut and adjoining mycetomes (pouches), contain symbiotic bacteria which help with the digestion of blood, provide additional nutrients, and prevent the entry of pathogens.

Leeches are hermaphrodite and pair up to impregnate each other by hypodermic injection. The eggs are laid in dark brown cocoons which are cemented to submerged objects. After the eggs hatch, the juvenile leeches must seek out suitable fish hosts. The whole life cycle takes about four weeks to complete.
Amynthas aeruginosus

# Four new earthworms of the Amynthas aeruginosus species group (Oligochaeta: Megascolecidae) from Nam Xam NBCA, Laos

## Abstract

Four new earthworms of the Amynthas aeruginosus species group (Oligochaeta: Megascolecidae) from Nam Xam NBCA, Laos. Earthworm specimens collected from the Nam Xam National Biodiversity Conservation Area, Laos belong to four new species of megascolecid earthworms: Amynthas banlaoensis sp. nov., Amynthas khamlai sp. nov., Amynthas phadeangensis sp. nov., and Amynthas naphopensis sp. nov. All four new species key to the aeruginosus group in Sims & Easton (1972), defined by having spermathecal pores in 7/8/9 and simple intestinal caeca. Amynthas banlaoensis sp. nov. has male pores superficial near lateral margins of XVIII in the 12(th) setal lines, on short columnar 0.3-0.5 mm diameter porophore, and tubercular genital markings paired in VII or VIII. Amynthas khamlai sp. nov. has male pores on retractable, eversible round porophores near the lateral margins of the ventrum in XVIII, and circular genital markings in paired postsetal linear groups of two or three on trailing edges of VII and VIII. Amynthas phadeangensis sp. nov. has male pores on alate porophore swellings composed of concentric rings, with paired genital papillae medial to the male porophores and embedded in the concentric rings. It has paired postsetal genital markings in 8(th) - 9(th) setal lines of VIII and IX. Amynthas naphopensis sp. nov. has male pores in small invaginations partly covered by raised U-shaped flap concave medially, and lacks other genital markings.
Eophila tellinii

# Placing *Eophila tellinii* (Oligochaeta, Lumbricidae) in a molecular phylogenetic context advances the century-old controversy around the problematic genus

## Abstract

The genus *Eophila* Rosa, 1893 has been one of the most controversial in the taxonomy of Lumbricidae. The most accomplished earthworm experts from the last century accepted, rejected or split it into different genera depending on the studied species or morphological characters. In order to delimit a monophyletic, evolutionary significant *Eophila*, its type species *Eophila tellinii* was sequenced for mitochondrial (COI, 16S, tRNAs) and nuclear (28S) markers and included in a molecular phylogenetics context. Its putative close relative *Eophila gestroi* was also included in the same way, like *Pietromodeona janueargenti*, an enigmatic Tyrrhenian lumbricid. Bayesian inference and divergence time estimation were used to find the phylogenetic placement of the aforementioned species and to compare the age of the different genus-level clades of Lumbricidae. *Eophila tellinii* was recovered in a well-supported clade together with *Eophila gestroi* and *Eophila crodabepis*, clearly separated from other species previously assigned to the genus. In addition, this clade was found to be of a similar age (around 44 mya) to other studied genera and genus-level clades. The ultrametric tree provided preliminary insight on the paleobiogeography and diversification of the family. Relevant taxa to include in further molecular phylogenetic studies and the necessity of an integrative systematic revision are highlighted by the conclusions of this work.
Alboglossiphonia hyalina

source: researchgate

The aim of the present study is to provide new data on the life cycle of the freshwater leech Alboglossiphonia hyalina (O. F. Müller, 1774) and to describe for the first time its egg-laying and development under laboratory conditions. The studied worm is semelparous, reproducing once and dies few weeks later. One leech deposited 30 to 50 cocoons in a plate with many rows. Each cocoon contained a single fertilised egg. The sequence of morphological changes in the developing eggs observed with light microscopy allowed us to identify five main embryonic stages. The first stage was characterised by aggregates of blastomeres, showing a spiral arrangement. Approximately 4 days after laying the cocoons (stage II), the archenteron and the body metamerisation took place. At stage III, the organogenesis of the definitive inner organs started. Between 11 and 12 days after laying the eggs, hatching occurred (stage IV). The newly hatched juveniles (stage V) remained attached to the parent's venter for 4-7 days. They consumed their yolk supply during a post-embryonic brooding period. It seems that the temperature increased the number of deposited eggs.
Diplocardia caroliniana

source: natureserve

## Classification

Scientific Name:

*Diplocardia caroliniana* Eisen, 1899

Kingdom:

Animalia

Phylum:

Annelida

Class:

Oligochaeta

Order:

Haplotaxida

Family:

Acanthodrilidae

Genus:

Diplocardia

Scientific Name Reference:

Reynolds, J.W. and M.J. Wetzel. 2008. Terrestrial Oligochaeta (Annelida: Clitellata) in North America, including Mexico, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and Bermuda. Megadrilogica 12(12):157-208.

Concept Reference:

Reynolds, J.W. and M.J. Wetzel. 2008. Terrestrial Oligochaeta (Annelida: Clitellata) in North America, including Mexico, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and Bermuda. Megadrilogica 12(12):157-208.

Name Used in Concept Reference:

*Diplocardia caroliniana*

NatureServe Unique Identifier:

ELEMENT\_GLOBAL.2.964721

NatureServe Element Code:

IAOLI15020

## Conservation Status

### NatureServe Status

Global Status:

GNR

### Other Statuses

U.S. Endangered Species Act:

None

Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC):

None

## Distribution

National and State/Provincial Distribution:

## Population / Occurrence Delineation

Group Name:

Default

Separation Distance for Unsuitable Habitat:

1 kilometers

Separation Distance for Suitable Habitat:

1 kilometers
Amynthas biorbis

## Source: Wikispecies

Familia: Megascolecidae

Genus: *Amynthas*

Species: *Amynthas biorbis*

## NameEdit

*Amynthas biorbis* C.F. Tsai , H.P. Shen & S.C. Tsai, 2010

Cladus: Unikonta
Cladus: Opisthokonta
Cladus: Holozoa
Regnum: Animalia
Subregnum: Eumetazoa
Cladus: Bilateria
Cladus: Nephrozoa
Cladus: Protostomia
Cladus: Spiralia
Cladus: Lophotrochozoa
Phylum: Annelida
Classis: Clitellata
Subclassis: Oligochaeta
Ordo: Haplotaxida
Subordo: Lumbricina
Diplocardia meansi

## Source: Wikipedia

***Diplocardia meansi***, **Means's Giant Earthworm**, or **Rich Mountain Giant Earthworm**, is a species of earthworm endemic to the United States. It is the second longest earthworm in North America. It was discovered by D. Bruce Means in 1973 and later described by Gates in 1977. It occurs only on Rich Mountain, part of the Ouachita Mountains.

## Description

*Diplocardia meansi* only occurs on Rich Mountain, located in Oklahoma and Arkansas. *D. meansi* was found by Means while digging for salamanders on Rich Mountain. *D. meansi* can be over 18 inches, and is the second longest earthworm in North America.

*D. meansi* inhabits drier areas of the mountain, and is not found in mesic and saturated soils nears seeps or streams. It occurs mostly in poor developed talus soils. During rains in May, *D. meansi* can be seen plentifully on the surface, potentially to breed. Cocoons laid include only one or two immatures.

## Bioluminescence

Similar to *D. longa, Diplocardia meansi* exhibits bioluminescence.

If tweaked or shocked in the dark, *D. meansi* secretes a distasteful glowing coelomic fluid.
Aporrectodea giardi

## Abstract

The study of the spatial distribution of soil organisms is one of the key research areas for understanding soil functioning. However, we still know little about the role of dispersal in the distribution of soil organisms such as earthworms. Critically, the relative strength of the external factors that trigger dispersal movements has not been documented. In this work, we test the relative importance of habitat quality and the cumulative use of habitat as drivers of dispersal of an anecic earthworm (*Aporrectodea giardi*) by observing their dispersal rates over 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 32 days. The results suggest that cumulative dispersal rates were higher and reached a maximum value more rapidly when individuals were introduced into unsuitable rather than suitable soil. This suggests that earthworm dispersal responded more rapidly and this response was more pronounced with respect to the cumulative use of the habitat. It seemed that there were two types of dispersal: one triggered quickly to escape unsuitable conditions and another in response to a cumulative use of the habitat.
African Night Crawler (Eudrilus eugeniae)

## Source: Wikipedia

***Eudrilus eugeniae***, also called the "African Nightcrawler", is an earthworm species native to tropical west Africa and now widespread in warm regions under vermicompost; it is an excellent source of protein and has great pharmaceutical potential.

## Growth

Fecundity, growth, maturation and biomass production were all significantly greater at 25 °C than 15°, 20°or 30°. {25 °C = 77 °F}

The growth of individual earthworms increases as the population density lowers, but the greatest overall earthworm biomass production occurs at the highest population density.

The greatest number of cocoons per week and the number of hatchlings per cocoon are obtained at 25 °C. Cocoons of *E. eugeniae* hatched in only 12 days at 25 °C, and the worms reach sexual maturity in as little as 35 days after hatching.

## Etymology

Named after Johan Gustaf Hjalmar Kinberg's Swedish survey ship, the ‘Eugenie’.

## Life cycle

Throughout its life cycle, *E. eugeniae* grows much more rapidly than *Eisenia fetida*, in similar environmental conditions. The African Nightcrawler grows well at a temperature of 24-30 °C (75-86 °F). Maximum weight of around 2.5 grams occurs within 8–10 weeks.

The African Nightcrawler has a uniform purple-grey sheen and the posterior segments are evenly tapered to a point. The segments of the Brandling worm (*Eisenia fetida*) alternate reddish-orange and brown; the posterior segments do not taper, and the final segment is blunt.
Amynthas morrisi

## Source: Conference Proceedings

ABSTRACT

The earthworm Amynthas morrisi (Beddard, 1892) is a cosmopolitan species. It is mainly distributed in the mainland of South China, and its genetic structures had never been concerned. The earthworm specimens were collected systematically in this study, hence 88 A. morrisi new records from 30 locations were discovered. The haplotype network analysis and phylogenetic analysis shows that there are 11 haplotypes and four lineages in A. morrisi.
Chtonobdella limbata

## Source: Wikipedia

 File:Image39.png
***Chtonobdella limbata*** is a species of blood sucking leech, found in New South Wales, Australia; it belongs to the genus ***Chtonobdella*** and may be called the **Australian bush leech**. This species was described in 1866 by the German naturalist Adolph Eduard Grube. A variant name, *Gnathobdellida limbata*, sometimes appears in the literature.

## Bite

Generally the bite is harmless. There will be bleeding, and possible irritation and itching after the bite. There is no evidence that the leech can transmit disease. However, some people have an allergic reaction or infection.
Family Eudrilidae

## Source: Wikipedia

The **Eudrilidae** are a family of earthworms, mostly of Africa. One species, *Eudrilus eugeniae* (Kinberg, 1867), is widely distributed around the warmer parts of the world and historically cultured as the "African nightcrawler".

The male pores of eudrilids are in segment 17, as is also typical of Ocnerodrilidae. Eudrilids differ from the family Megascolecidae and Acanthodrilidae in having euprostates, i.e., a muscular and possibly glandular development of the vasa deferentia (male ducts from testes) that open to the male pores. Eudrilids further differ from megascolecids, and ocnerodrilids in the development of internal fertilisation with the equivalent of the spermathecae opening directly to the ovisacs, allowing sperm to combine with the eggs from the ovaries via a female opening in segment 14.
Diplocardia verrucosa

source: Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute Smithsonian's National Zoo

## Object Details

Collection Date
6 May 1895
See more items in
Invertebrate Zoology
Annelida
USNM Number
25556
Record Last Modified
21 May 2019
Specimen Count
1
Collector
C. F. Hottes
Published Name
Diplocardia cf. verrucosa Ude, 1895
Place
Kaskaskia River, Near Mascoutah, Illinois, United States
Prep Count
1
Preparation
Slide
Alcohol (Ethanol)
Location
NMNH - Invertebrate Zoology Dept.
Common name
Oligochaetes
Barbronia weberi

## Source: Wikipedia

***Barbronia weberi*** is a species of predatory freshwater leech in the family Salifidae. It is native to southeastern Asia but has spread to other parts of the world, including Australia, South America, southern Europe and the United States.

## Description

*Barbronia weberi* grows to a body length of about 2.5 to 3 cm (1.0 to 1.2 in), with individuals becoming sexually mature from a length of about 1.4 cm (0.6 in). The body is about 1.9 mm (0.07 in) wide and the rear suction cup has a diameter of approximately 1.5 mm (0.06 in). The body surface is covered with tiny papillae and is a uniform red to dark reddish-brown colour, sometimes almost black. There are always three pairs of eyespots on the head. The segments are not externally recognizable, and the seventeen body segments each comprise five outer annulations. In the pharynx, there are one or two retractile stylets on each of the three jaws. Between the male and female sex opening of the hermaphrodite animals there are five or fewer annulations. On the ventral surface, there is a central accessory copulation pore next to the gonopores, but this is absent in young animals.

## Distribution and habitat

The species is native to India, southeastern Asia, the Philippines and Indonesia. From here it has spread to Australia, Europe and South America. It is a freshwater species. In 2018 it was reported from two widely separated locations in North Carolina, but it is unclear whether these are as a result of two different introductions, or mean that the leech has become widely distributed but has previously been overlooked.

## Ecology

As is the case with all leeches, *B. weberi* is a hermaphrodite; sperm is passed from one individual to another by traumatic insemination. The eggs are fertilised and a cocoon is secreted by the clitellum and receives the from one to five eggs as it passes over the female gonopore. The eggs hatch in about one month and the juvenile leeches that emerge become mature in about four months. The adult can produce weekly cocoons for about three months before becoming senescent. Adults are often found attached to water plants, and the cocoons containing eggs are attached to rocks, submerged objects or aquatic vegetation at the base of leaf whorls; it seems likely that the transport of aquatic plants by the aquarium trade is the means by which the leech has dispersed to new locations. This leech can be successfully reared egg to egg in the laboratory, and may be of use as a model organism in developmental studies.
Family Glossoscolecidae

## Source: Wikipedia

The **Glossoscolecidae** are a large family of earthworms (annelids) which has native representatives in South and Central America. The species *Pontoscolex corethrurus* has a circumtropical distribution.

They are found mostly in forest, but one species of earthworms[*verification needed*] lives primarily in coastal beach sand. The earthworms in this family can reach up to 2 m in length.

## Selected genera

* *Andiorrhinus*
* *Diaguita*
* *Enantiodrilus*
* *Eurydame*
* *Fimoscolex*
* *Glossodrilus*
* *Glossoscolex*
* *Holoscolex*
* *Rhigiodrilus*
* *Urochaeta*
* *Pontoscolex*
Diplocardia communis

source: Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute Smithsonian's National Zoo

## Object Details

Collection Date
10 Apr 1915
See more items in
Invertebrate Zoology
Annelida
USNM Number
25818
Record Last Modified
21 May 2019
Specimen Count
6
Collector
F. Smith
Published Name
Diplocardia communis Garman, 1888
Place
White Heath, Rankin's Crossing Bridge, Bottom Lands, Illinois, United States
Prep Count
1
Preparation
Slide
Alcohol (Ethanol)
Location
NMNH - Invertebrate Zoology Dept.
Common name
Oligochaetes
Batracobdelloides tricarinata

source: National Library of Medicine

## Abstract

A Streptococcus species biochemically and serologically identical to the rainbow trout pathogenic Streptococcus species was isolated from the internal organs of the fish specific leech, Batracobdelloides tricarinata. These leeches were obtained from Roodeplaat Dam, near Pretoria, in which rainbow trout do not occur. This is the first isolation of this bacterium from an environmental source not related to rainbow trout and it is proposed that this leech is a possible reservoir of the rainbow trout pathogenic Streptococcus sp. in South Africa.
Branchellion lobata

## Abstract

The leech *Branchellion lobata* Moore, 1952 (Piscicolidae) was discovered on the ventral surface of two embryo Pacific angel sharks (*Squatina californica*) from off Santa Barbara, California, in October 1976. These leeches were also found around the cloaca and in the spiracle valves of the pregnant female. This is the first known report of an intrauterine leech infection.
Blue-grey Worm (Octolasion cyaneum)

# Life cycle traits of the parthenogenetic earthworm *Octolasion cyaneum* (Savigny, 1826)

## Abstract

This laboratory-based study provides baseline life cycle data for the obligatory parthenogenetic earthworm *Octolasion cyaneum*. Singleton and twin hatchlings were cultured individually with biomass, survival and reproductive condition recorded at 4-weekly intervals during a complete year. After maturation, cocoon production, masses and incubation time were also recorded along with viability and number of hatchlings per cocoon. Individual mean mass of singletons was significantly (*P* < 0.05) greater than twins at the outset (0.042 and 0.025 g respectively) and remained so until week 52 (2.22 and 1.96 g respectively). Singletons matured more rapidly than twins (24 vs. 32 weeks respectively) and produced more cocoons than twins (3.2 and 2.2 coc worm−1 (4 weeks)−1 respectively). Approximately 20% of all viable cocoons produced twins. Singleton hatchlings weighed significantly (*P* < 0.05) more than twin hatchlings (0.032 and 0.018 g respectively) but there was no significant difference (*P* > 0.05) between mean masses of singleton (mean masses 0.033 and 0.032 g) or twin (0.017 and 0.018 g) hatchlings produced by singleton and twin parents. The likelihood that a cocoon contained twins or a singleton was not influenced by the singleton/twin status of the parent. There was no significant difference (*P* > 0.05) in the incubation times of cocoons produced by singletons and twins (129 and 128 days respectively).
Caspiobdella tuberculata

source: marinespecies

370617 (urn:lsid:marinespecies.org:taxname:370617)

1. Biota
2. Animalia (Kingdom)
3. Annelida (Phylum)
4. Clitellata (Class)
5. Hirudinea (Subclass)
6. Euhirudinea (Infraclass)
7. Rhynchobdellida (Order)
8. Piscicolidae (Family)
9. Piscicolinae (Subfamily)
10. *Caspiobdella* (Genus)
11. *Caspiobdella tuberculata* (Species)

accepted

Species

*Caspiobdella* Epshtein, 1966

*Caspiobdella* Epshtein, 1966

*Caspiobdella tuberculata* Epshtein, 1966

marine, brackish, fresh

Epshtein, V. M. (1966). [Caspiobdella tuberculata, gen. sp. nov., a new genus and leech species (Hirudinea; Piscicolidae) from the Caspian Sea] (In Russian). *Helminthologia.* 7: 151-154.

page(s): 151 [details]

WoRMS (2022). *Caspiobdella tuberculata* Epshtein, 1966. Accessed at: https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=370617 on 2022-10-16

**Date**

**action**

**by**

2008-11-28 06:40:21Z

created

van der Land, Jacob

2013-09-14 06:03:05Z

changed

Kolb, Jürgen
Genus Calliobdella

## Source: Wikipedia

***Calliobdella*** is a genus of annelids belonging to the family Piscicolidae.

The species of this genus are found in Europe and Northern America.

Species:

* *Calliobdella knightjonesi* Burreson, 1984
* *Calliobdella lophii* Van Beneden & Hesse, 1863
* *Calliobdella mammillata* (Malm, 1863)
* *Calliobdella nodulifera* (Malm, 1863)
* *Calliobdella punctata* Beneden & Hesse, 1863
Glossodrilus chaguala

## Abstract

Two new earthworm species, one of Glossodrilus Cognetti, 1905 and the other of Martiodrilus (Maipure) Righi, 1995, are described from material collected from the coffee-growing region located in central-western Colombia: Glossodrilus chaguala sp. nov., and Martiodrilus (Maipure) quimbayaensis sp. nov. New records for this region are also reported for Glossodrilus griseus, Glossodrilus lacteus, Glossodrilus panikita, Aptodrilus fuhrmanni, Periscolex columbianus, Periscolex coreguaje, Pontoscolex (Pontoscolex) corethrurus, Dichogaster (Diplothecodrilus) affinis, Dichogaster (Diplothecodrilus) bolaui, Dichogaster (Diplothecodrilus) saliens, Amynthas (Amynthas) gracilis, Amynthas minimus, and Perionyx excavatus.TY  - JOUR

AU  - Feijoo, Alexander

AU  - Z., Luis

AU  - Molina, Janneth

PY  - 2018/10/04

SP  - 448

T1  - New species and records of earthworms (Annelida, Oligochaeta) in plantain cropping systems in Colombia's coffee-growing region

VL  - 4496

DO  - 10.11646/zootaxa.4496.1.34

JO  - Zootaxa

ER  -
Phytobdella catenifera

## Source: Wikipedia

***Phytobdella catenifera*** is a large (5-cm long) terrestrial leech found in Peninsular Malaysia. John Percy Moore chose this species’ epithet ‘*catenifera*’ after the striking chain-striped pattern on the creature's back (Latin *catena* = chain).

## Range and ecology

In 1935, the then curator of the Raffles Museum, Michael Tweedie, collected the type specimen among 23 of its kin on a brown tortoise *Manouria emys*. The type locality is Gunung Pulai in Johore and there is one record from Gabai Falls in Selangor. One of the reasons *P. catenifera* is seldom seen is that it is only attracted to reptiles and is of no threat to humans. However, one species of Phytobdella (*P. lineata*) from Papua New Guinea is thought to be zoonotic (i.e. it can transmit diseases to humans). Some texts on tropical medicine erroneously list *P. catenifera* among aquatic species occurring in sub-Saharan Africa. However, the genus *Phytobdella* is restricted to the Indo-Pacific Region, with *P. catenifera* being found only in Peninsular Malaysia and other species being found in the Philippines (*P. meyeri*), the Moluccas (*P. moluccensis*) and Papua New Guinea (*P. lineata* and *P. maculosa*). A possible sixth species, as yet unidentified, has been found in Laos.

## Taxonomy

Recent work on leech genetics and morphology suggests that the Indo-Pacific land leeches originated in Gondwana (a southern supercontinent that existed about 500 to 200 million years ago). Although findings on *Phytobdella* have yet to be published, the molecular analysis appears to support earlier studies that place all Asian land leeches in the family Haemadipsidae.
Helobdella triserialis

Helobdella triserialis from Tietê River,municipality of Salto (CIB 283). A. Dorsal view of the whole specimen. B. Dorsal view of the head region. C. Ventral view of the internal morphology. A. atrium; ED. ejaculatory ducts; G. ganglia; GC. gastric caeca; I. interruption of the longitudinal lines; MLL. median longitudinal line; O. ovisacs; P. papillae; PC. post-caeca; SD. salivary ducts; SG. salivary glands; T. testisacs; VD. vas deferens; WS. white spots.
Placobdella rugosa

source: bioone

Abstract

The identification and taxonomy of papillated leeches of the genus *Placobdella* have been extremely problematic, confounded by vague descriptions, redescriptions of species without reference to type material or type locality, and more than a century of numerous dubious taxonomic acts. Leeches collected on August 5 and 6, 2011, from North Dakota, USA, the type locality of *Clepsine ornata rugosa* Verrill, 1874, were determined to be conspecific with *Placobdella rugosa* (Verrill, 1874) Moore, 1901 on the basis of comparison to the syntype series. The acquisition of these specimens from the type locality facilitated resurrection and redescription of P. *rugosa*. *Placobdella rugosa* is similar to *P. ali* but differs in salivary gland morphology and ventral pigmentation. Molecular comparison of CO-I revealed differences of 16.1% between *P. rugosa* and *P. ali.*

*Citation*
*William E. Moser, Dennis J. Richardson, Charlotte I. Hammond, Fredric R. Govedich, and Eric A. Lazo-Wasem "Resurrection and Redescription of Placobdella rugosa (Verrill, 1874) (Hirudinida: Glossiphoniidae)," Bulletin of the Peabody Museum of Natural History*
Helobdella robusta

## Source: Wikipedia

***Helobdella robusta*** is a leech of the family *Glossiphoniidae*. Its genome has been sequenced by the Joint Genome Institute, and its early development has been studied extensively. *Helobdella* leeches called "*H. robusta*" in literature may not all be from the same species, though they are closely related. At least two species originally termed *H. robusta* are present at the same locality, the Sacramento River at the Sacramento Fairgrounds. Another closely related leech is now called *Helobdella sp. (Austin)*.
Genus Aporrectodea

Orley, 1885

## Source: Wikipedia

***Aporrectodea*** is a genus of earthworms in the family Lumbricidae. The genus includes some of the most common earthworms in the Palearctic realm and in agricultural soils across the temperate regions of the world.

Several species are found throughout the world today, having been widely introduced via agriculture. One of these widespread species, *A. trapezoides*, was also transported across continents as a popular fishing bait.

Some species of this genus are known to be important in the process of soil formation.

Among the most familiar species is *Aporrectodea caliginosa*, which has been known as a species complex made up of several very similar taxa whose relationships were not clear. A phylogenetic analysis confirmed that these taxa are separate species, including *A. trapezoides*, *A. tuberculata*, *A. longa*, and *A. nocturna*.

## Species

Species include:

* *Aporrectodea alavanensis*
* *Aporrectodea alba*
* *Aporrectodea anamariae*
* *Aporrectodea andorranensis*
* *Aporrectodea annula*
* *Aporrectodea aragonensis*
* *Aporrectodea ariadne*
* *Aporrectodea arverna*
* *Aporrectodea atlantica*
* *Aporrectodea balisa*
* *Aporrectodea bohiniana*
* *Aporrectodea borellii*
* *Aporrectodea bulgarica*
* *Aporrectodea burgosana*
* *Aporrectodea byanensis*
* *Aporrectodea caliginosa*
* *Aporrectodea catalaunensis*
* *Aporrectodea cemernicensis*
* *Aporrectodea chitae*
* *Aporrectodea cuendeti*
* *Aporrectodea cupulifera*
* *Aporrectodea cyanea*
* *Aporrectodea diazi*
* *Aporrectodea dinarica*
* *Aporrectodea dubiosa*
* *Aporrectodea edwardsi*
* *Aporrectodea eurytanica*
* *Aporrectodea eurytrichos*
* *Aporrectodea faeculentes*
* *Aporrectodea georgii*
* *Aporrectodea gogna*
* *Aporrectodea graffi*
* *Aporrectodea haymozi*
* *Aporrectodea haymoziformis*
* *Aporrectodea hongae*
* *Aporrectodea hrabei*
* *Aporrectodea iberica*
* *Aporrectodea icterica*
* *Aporrectodea jassyensis*
* *Aporrectodea jenensis*
* *Aporrectodea joffrei*
* *Aporrectodea kioniona*
* *Aporrectodea kozjekensis*
* *Aporrectodea lanzai*
* *Aporrectodea ligra*
* *Aporrectodea limicola*
* *Aporrectodea longa*
* *Aporrectodea lopezi*
* *Aporrectodea macvensis*
* *Aporrectodea mediterranea*
* *Aporrectodea micella*
* *Aporrectodea microcoprodomas*
* *Aporrectodea microendogea*
* *Aporrectodea molleri*
* *Aporrectodea monticola*
* *Aporrectodea morenoe*
* *Aporrectodea mrsici*
* *Aporrectodea multitheca*
* *Aporrectodea navarrensis*
* *Aporrectodea opisthopora*
* *Aporrectodea opisthosellata*
* *Aporrectodea pannoniella*
* *Aporrectodea papukiana*
* *Aporrectodea predalpina*
* *Aporrectodea pseudoantipai*
* *Aporrectodea pseudoeiseni*
* *Aporrectodea pulvinus*
* *Aporrectodea retropuberta*
* *Aporrectodea riparia*
* *Aporrectodea rosea*
* *Aporrectodea rubicunda*
* *Aporrectodea sardonica*
* *Aporrectodea smaragdina*
* *Aporrectodea smaragdinoides*
* *Aporrectodea subterrestris*
* *Aporrectodea terrestris*
* *Aporrectodea thaleri*
* *Aporrectodea tiginosa*
* *Aporrectodea vasconensis*
* *Aporrectodea velox*
* *Aporrectodea zhongi*
* *Aporrectodea zicsii*
Genus Megascolides

## Source: Wikipedia

***Megascolides*** is a genus of earthworms in the family Megascolecidae.

## Species

There are about 40 species:

* *Megascolides albus* Lee, 1952
* *Megascolides attenuatus* Spencer, 1892
* *Megascolides australis* McCoy, 1878 – giant Gippsland earthworm
* *Megascolides cataractus* Blakemore, 2000
* *Megascolides catenastagnis* Blakemore, 2000
* *Megascolides croesus* Blakemore, 2000
* *Megascolides diaphanus* Spencer, 1900
* *Megascolides eucalypti* Spencer, 1900
* *Megascolides fontis* Blakemore, 2000
* *Megascolides fuscus* Lee, 1952
* *Megascolides improbus* Blakemore, 2000
* *Megascolides intestinalis* Blakemore, 2000
* *Megascolides irregularis* Lee, 1952
* *Megascolides jotaylorae* Blakemore, 2000
* *Megascolides laffani* Blakemore, 2000
* *Megascolides manni*
* *Megascolides multituberculata* Jamieson, 1972
* *Megascolides neglectus* Cognetti de Martiis, 1909
* *Megascolides oppidanus* Blakemore, 2000
* *Megascolides parvus* Lee, 1952
* *Megascolides punctatus* Spencer, 1900
* *Megascolides raglani* Lee, 1952
* *Megascolides reptans* (Ude, 1905)
* *Megascolides ruber* Lee, 1952
* *Megascolides rubicundus* Lee, 1959
* *Megascolides salmo* Blakemore, 2000
* *Megascolides sanctorum* Blakemore, 2000
* *Megascolides simsoni* Keable, 1895
* *Megascolides sinuosus* Spencer, 1892
* *Megascolides steeli* Spencer, 1900
* *Megascolides tasmani* Lee, 1959
* *Megascolides tener* Blakemore, 2000
* *Megascolides tisdalli* Spencer, 1900
* *Megascolides tortuosus* Blakemore, 2000
* *Megascolides umbonis* Blakemore, 2000
* *Megascolides unipapillatus* (Ude, 1905)
* *Megascolides victoriensis* Spencer, 1892
* *Megascolides viridis* Lee, 1952
* *Megascolides volvens* Spencer, 1900
* *Megascolides xanthus* Blakemore, 2000
Genus Hirudo

## Source: Wikipedia

***Hirudo*** is a genus of leeches of the family Hirudinidae. It was described by Carl Linnaeus in his landmark 1758 10th edition of *Systema Naturae*.

The two well-accepted species within the genus are:

* *Hirudo medicinalis* Linnaeus, 1758
* *Hirudo nipponia* Whitman, 1886

Three other species, previously synonymized with *H. medicinalis*, were described in 2005 and are gaining acceptance:

* *Hirudo verbana*
* *Hirudo orientalis*
* *Hirudo sulukii*
* *Hirudo troctina*
* *Hirudo tianjinensis*

## *Description*

*Species are typically exterior feeders. They have jaws that typically consist of about 60 teeth and do not possess papillae.*

## *Distribution*

*Hirudo medicinalis: Britain and southern Norway to the southern Urals, probably as far as the Altai Mountains (the deciduous arboreal zone)*

*Hirudo verbana: Switzerland and Italy to Turkey and Uzbekistan (the Mediterranean and sub-boreal steppe zone)*

*Hirudo orientalis: Transcaucasian countries, Iran, and Central Asia (mountainous areas in the sub-boreal eremial zone)*

*Hirudo sulukii: Kara Lake of Adiyaman, Sülüklü Lake of Gaziantep and Segirkan wetland of Batman in Turkey*

*Hirudo troctina: North-western Africa and Spain (Mediterranean zone)*

*Hirudo nipponia: East Asia, including Far East district in Russian, Japan, Korea, China, Mongolia, Ryukyu Islands and Taiwan*

*Hirudo tianjinensis: China*

*Hirudo verbana is further divided into nonoverlapping eastern and western phylogroups.*

## *Medical use*

*While H. medicinalis has long been used in hirudotherapy, and is approved by the US FDA as a prescription medical device, a 2007 study employing genetic analysis found that the species being marketed as H. medicinalis, possibly for decades, was the recently distinguished H. verbana.*

## *Conservation status*

*A 2010 study of data gathered four species proposed an IUCN status of near threatened for H. medicinalis, H. verbana, and H. orientalis, and a status of data deficient for H. troctina.*
Grey Worm (Aporrectodea caliginosa)

## Source: Wikipedia

***Aporrectodea calignosa*** (also known as ***Allolobophora similis*** or the **grey worm**) is an earthworm commonly found in Great Britain. It is recognizable by the three distinct shades of colour at its front end, and it is 6 centimetres (2.4 in) in length when not moving. Its saddle pads usually form a two humped ridge across three segments along the length of the saddle, however this is not clearly visible. The worm mostly lies in non-permanent horizontal burrows in topsoil, and is rarely found in leaf litter. Like most worms, its diet consists only of soil.
Genus Kathrynella

source:https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF00017349

## Abstract

*Kathrynella guyanae* gen. n., sp. n. from a limicolous habitat in Guyana is described. It is distinguished from the known genera of Alluroididae by having testes in XI, male pores in XIV, and one pair of spermathecae opening laterally at 6/7. The circulatory apparatus appears remarkably developed. The diagnosis of the family is emended to include the new species.
Pheretima praepinguis

## Source: Wikipedia

***Pheretima praepinguis*** is a huge earthworm about half meter long of genus Pheretima. *Pheretima praepinguis* lives in Emei mountain, Sichuan Province, China, and is one of the most featured organisms living in the place. It's trivially called "Big Earthworm of Emei"(Chinese: 峨嵋大蚯蚓) or "Toudilong" (Chinese: 透地龍, literally means "dragon which can go through the earth").

## History

In 1931, Yi Chen (Chinese: 陳義), a honored Chinese biologist, researched some samples of an earthworm from Mount Emei, Sichuan Province. At that time, he suggested that it should be classified into *Pheretima tschiliensis*. However, G. E. Gates found out that such earthworm is different with *Pheretima tschiliensis*. They can be distinguished by the location of the primary spermathecal pores in parietal invaginations. He then named this earthworm after *Pheretima praepinguis* in 1935. Although Yi Chen insisted that *Pheretima praepinguis* is a synonym of *Pheretima tschiliensis* in an article published in 1936, this name is ubiquitously accepted nowadays.
Genus Erpobdella

## Source: Wikipedia

***Erpobdella*** is a genus of leeches in the family Erpobdellidae. Members of the genus have three or four pairs of eyes, but never have true jaws, and are typically 20–50 millimetres (0.8–2.0 in) long. All members do not feed on blood, but instead are predators of small aquatic invertebrates, which they often swallow whole.

## Species

The genus includes species previously classified under the genera *Croatobranchus*, *Mooreobdella*, *Trocheta* and *Nephelopsis*. These were synonymized into *Erpobdella* by Sidall (2002) after morphogenetic analysis. There are over 30 currently accepted species:

* *Erpobdella adani* (Tessler, Siddall, & Oceguera-Figueroa, 2018)
* *Erpobdella anoculata* (Moore, 1898)
* *Erpobdella bhatiai* Nesemann, 2007
* *Erpobdella borisi* Chichocka et al., 2015
* *Erpobdella bucera* (Moore, 1953)
* *Erpobdella bykowski* (Gedroyc, 1913)
* *Erpobdella concolor* Annandale, 1913
* *Erpobdella costata* Sawyer & Shelley, 1976
* *Erpobdella dubia* (Moore & Meyer, 1951)
* *Erpobdella fervida* (Verrill, 1874)
* *Erpobdella japonica* (Pawlowski, 1952)
* *Erpobdella johanssoni* (Johansson, 1927)
* *Erpobdella krasense* (Sket, 1968)
* *Erpobdella lahontana* Hovingh & Klemm, 2000
* *Erpobdella luguensis* Liu, 1984
* *Erpobdella melanostoma* (Sawyer & Shelley, 1976)
* *Erpobdella mestrovi* (Kerovec, Kučinić & Jalžić, 1999)
* *Erpobdella mexicana* (Dugès, 1872)
* *Erpobdella microstoma* (Moore, 1901)
* *Erpobdella monostriata* (Lindenfeld et Pietruszynski, 1890)
* *Erpobdella nigricollis* (Brandes, 1900)
* *Erpobdella obscura* (Verrill, 1872)
* *Erpobdella octoculata* (Linnaeus, 1758)
* *Erpobdella ochoterenai* Caballero, 1932
* *Erpobdella parva* (Moore, 1912)
* *Erpobdella punctata* (Leidy, 1870)
* *Erpobdella quaternaria* (Moore, 1930)
* *Erpobdella subviridis* (Dutrochet, 1817)
* *Erpobdella testacea* (Savigny, 1820)
* *Erpobdella tetragon* (Sawyer & Shelley, 1976)
* *Erpobdella triannulata* Moore, 1908
* *Erpobdella vilnensis* (Liskiewicz, 1925)
* *Erpobdella wuttkei* Kutschera, 2004
Genus Macrobdella

## Source: Wikipedia

***Macrobdella*** is a genus of leeches native to freshwater ecosystems of North America, especially Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The genus is commonly referred to as **North American medicinal leeches**.

## Species

* *Macrobdella decora* (Say, 1824)
* *Macrobdella diplotertia* Meyer, 1975
* *Macrobdella* *ditetra* Moore, 1953
* *Macrobdella mimicus* Phillips, Salas-Montiel, Kvist, Oceguera-Figueroa, 2019
* *Macrobdella* *sestertia* Whitman, 1886
Genus Bimastos

## Source: Wikipedia

***Bimastos*** is a genus of lumbricid worm thought to be native to North America but has since been introduced to every continent apart from Antarctica. Recent molecular analysis has subsumed *Dendrodrilus* and *Allolobophoridella* under this genus. The clade holding *Bimastos* and *Eisenoides* seems to have diverged from Eurasian lumbricid *Eisenia* during the Late Cretaceous, approximately 69.2–76.1 years ago. This, along with the discovery of an earthworm cocoon attributed to *B*. *rubidus* from lake sediment dated over 7,000 years old in Ontario, Canada contradicts the widely held notion that *Bimastos* and its junior synonyms are invasive worms from Europe which have colonized North America. It's ancestors likely entered North America via the Bering Land bridge or the De Geer route and colonized elsewhere after European contact. This genus is one of the few remaining native earthworms in many North American environments, for example it appears to be the only extant earthworm native to the Alaskan interior.
Erpobdella punctata

## Source: Wikipedia

***Erpobdella punctata*** is a leech in the family Erpobdellidae. It is found in freshwater streams and ponds in many parts of North America.

## Distribution and habitat

*Erpobdella punctata* is a widespread species in North America. It occurs in Alaska, Canada, and much of the United States, as far south as Mexico. It occurs in both ponds and streams, and there is evidence of a notable migration upstream in the spring. However, there is a high level of mortality in some stream habitats which tend to run dry in summer.

## Ecology

Unlike many leeches which are blood-suckers, *E. punctata* is a predator and scavenger. Among the invertebrates it eats are copepods, midges, earthworms and amphipods. This leech has been observed adhering to a salamander, thus being transported to a new location as well as benefiting from any food scraps discarded by the salamander.

*E. punctata* is a hermaphrodite, and courtship involves two individuals stimulating each other by contact. The eggs are normally laid in May when the water temperature begins to rise. About ten cocoons are laid by each individual, each cocoon containing about five eggs. The eggs hatch in three or four weeks. Many of the cocoons fall victim to predatory snails and other leeches.

## Reproduction

Researchers studied this leech in two ponds in Alberta. In Cairn Pond it was the dominant leech present, while in Jail Pond it was in competition with the larger leech, *Erpobdella obscura*, both relying on the same resources. In Jail Pond, *E. punctata* adults started breeding at a smaller size, started breeding earlier in the year and continued breeding over a longer time period, exhibiting an r-selection strategy. Cairn Pond was in close proximity to Jail Pond, but here *E. punctata* exhibited a K-selection strategy, with an age at first breeding of either one or two years, a later start to the breeding season and a reduction in length of the annual breeding season. The difference in strategies are hypothesized as being due to the interspecific competition in Jail Pond.
Microscolex dubius

source:Elsevier

## Abstract

Field and laboratory experiments were performed to determine the effects of varying the quantity of organic matter, in the form of sheep manure, on populations of the earthworm *Microscolex dubius*. In the field, bags of soil (15 cm deep) were placed in a pasture at Balhannah, South Australia, during winter, 1991. The bags contained varying quantities of sheep manure, making up 0–100% by volume. Twelve adult *M. dubius* were placed in each bag, and their survival and growth were assessed after 6–8 weeks. In the laboratory, pots of soil mixed with 0–100% manure, were used with five *M. dubius* from either large or small size classes. Their survival and growth were assessed after 40 days. In both experiments the proportion of added manure significantly affected both survival and growth of *M. dubius*. The earthworms grew and survived best at moderate levels of manure.
Octolasion tyrtaeum

# Genetic diversity of the earthworm *Octolasion tyrtaeum* (Lumbricidae, Annelida)

## Abstract

*Octolasion tyrtaeum* (Savigny, 1826), a cosmopolite earthworm species widespread around the world, is known to consist of two morphologically distinct forms, small (4–8 cm long) and large (10–14 cm) ones that sometimes are found in sympatry. It was demonstrated that these forms belong to significantly divergent mtDNA lineages, which suggests that the differences among these forms are caused by genetic factors. However, these results were in contrast to the allozyme analyses, and nobody has demonstrated that differences among these lineages exist on nuclear level as well.

We analyzed mitochondrial *cox1* and *cox2* and nuclear ITS2 sequences of *O. tyrtaeum* specimens from various regions of Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan. Our sample only included individuals belonging to the small form, however, we found both genetic lineages described by earlier studies, and, in addition, discovered a new genetic lineage. Nuclear ribosomal sequences confirmed that the differences between these lineages are deep. We also found one example of incongruence for several individuals whose mitochondrial sequences belonged to the “small” lineage, but nuclear ITS2 fell into a separate branch on the phylogenetic tree. In addition, *O. tyrtaeum* was found to be paraphyletic with respect to the closely related species *O. cyaneum* (Rosa, 1884).
Genus Theromyzon

## Source: Wikipedia

***Theromyzon*** is a genus of leeches belonging to the family Glossiphoniidae. There are about 14 described species in *Theromyzon*.

Leeches of this genus parasitize birds and are sometimes called duck leeches, although their hosts are not limited to ducks. The *Theromyzon* species tend to feed in the nasal cavities of waterbirds in general, from ducks to penguins.

As parasites of birds, and in many cases migratory waterfowl, these leeches typically have a broad distribution range. Leeches of the *Theromyzon* genus have been observed in the Americas, Eurasia, and Africa.

## Species

These 14 species belong to the genus *Theromyzon*:

* *Theromyzon affinis* Bennike, 1940
* *Theromyzon bifarium* Oosthuizen & Davies, 1993-01
* *Theromyzon cooperi* (Harding 1932)
* *Theromyzon garjaewi* (Livanow 1902)
* *Theromyzon maculosum* (Rathe, 1862)
* *Theromyzon matthaii* Bhatia 1939
* *Theromyzon meyeri* (Livanow, 1903)
* *Theromyzon mollissimum* Grube 1871
* *Theromyzon pallens* Philippi, 1867
* *Theromyzon propinquum* (Ringuelet 1947)
* *Theromyzon rude* (Baird, 1869)
* *Theromyzon tessellatoides* (Livanow 1902)
* *Theromyzon tessulatum* (O.F.Müller, 1774)
* *Theromyzon trizonare* Davies & Oosthuizen, 1993-01
Genus Philobdella

## Source: Wikipedia

***Philobdella*** is a genus of Nearctic leeches belonging to the family Macrobdellidae.

## Species

ITIS includes the following:

1. *Philobdella floridana* (Verrill, 1874)
2. *Philobdella gracilis* Moore, 1901

## References

1. ^ ***a*** ***b*** Verrill AE (1874) Synopsis of North American freshwater leeches. *United States Fisheries Commission Report for 1872–73, Pt. 2.* 666–689.
2. **^** IRMNG: taxon details: Macrobdellidae (retrieved 28 August 2021)
3. **^** ITIS report: *Philobdella* Verrill, 1874
4. **^** Moore JP (1901) Descriptions of two new leeches from Porto Rico. Bulletin of the United States Fish Commission, 2, 211–222.
Genus Alboglossiphonia

## Source: Wikipedia

***Alboglossiphonia*** is a genus of *Glossiphoniidae*.

The genus was described in 1976 by E. I. Lukin.

It has cosmopolitan distribution.

Species:

* *Alboglossiphonia australiensis* (Goddard, 1908)
* *Alboglossiphonia heteroclita* (Linnaeus, 1761)
* *Alboglossiphonia inflexa* (Goddard, 1908)
* *Alboglossiphonia intermedia* (Goddard, 1909)
* *Alboglossiphonia masoni* (Mason, 1974)
* *Alboglossiphonia multistriata* (Mason, 1974)
* *Alboglossiphonia tasmaniensis* (Ingram, 1957)
Genus Sinospelaeobdella

## Source: Wikipedia

***Sinospelaeobdella*** is a genus of jawed land leech, endemic to caves in China. It contains the species *S. cavatuses* (previously *Haemadipsa cavatuses*) and *S. wulingensis*, the latter being named after the Wuling Mountains where it was found.

The diet of this genus is unique among the land leeches, as it exclusively feeds off blood of cave dwelling bats. Its central diet is based on *Rhinolophus sinicus, R. pearsonii,* *R. pusillus*, *R. macrotis, and* *Hipposideros armiger.*