Leech (Annelida: Hirudinea) Infestations on Canadian Turtles, Including the First Canadian Record of Helobdella modesta from Freshwater Turtles
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22621/cfn.v123i1.673Keywords:
leech parasitism, Chrysemys picta, Painted Turtle, Clemmys guttata, Spotted Turtle, Emydoidea blandingii, Blandings Turtle, Sternotherus odoratus, Stinkpot, Placobdella parasitica, Placobdella ornata, Helobdella modesta, Erpobdella punctata, OntarioAbstract
We collected leeches from freshwater turtles at two sites in southwestern Ontario. Five leech species (Placobdella parasitica, P. ornata, Helobdella modesta, Erpobdella punctata and Alboglossiphonia heteroclita) were collected from five turtle species (Chrysemys picta, Chelydra serpentina, Clemmys guttata, Emydoidea blandingii and Sternotherus odoratus). We report a new leech record (P. ornata) for C. guttata. The unexpectedly high frequency of H. modesta on freshwater turtles is discussed.Downloads
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