DNA barcodes reveal the presence of the introduced freshwater leech Helobdella europaea in Spain. (October 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Reyes-Prieto, Mariana; Oceguera-Figueroa, Alejandro; Snell, Sara; Negredo, Alicia; Barba, Emilio; Fernández, Luis; Moya, Andrés; Latorre, Amparo
• Is Part Of: Mitochondrial DNA. Volume 25:Number 5(2014:Oct.)
• Page Start: 387
• Page End: 393
• Publication Date: 2014-10
• Subjects: Mitochondrial DNA -- Periodicals; Mitochondrial DNA -- Abnormalities -- Periodicals; Nucleotide sequence -- Periodicals; Gene mapping -- Periodicals; 572.869
• DOI: 10.3109/19401736.2013.809426
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1940-1736

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p>We report the finding of the freshwater leech <italic>Helobdella europaea</italic> in Spain for the first time. Three leech specimens were found attached to the European pond turtle <italic>Emys orbicularis. Helobdella europaea</italic> is not a blood feeder and, like all members of the genus, feeds on the hemolymph of aquatic invertebrates including snails and worms. Despite the fact that the original geographical distribution or source population of this species is unknown, the close relationship between <italic>H. europaea</italic> and leeches of the "<italic>triserialis</italic>" series (<italic>sensu</italic> Sawyer, 1986) suggests a New World origin. Given its ability to invade and persist in new environments, this leech has been described as a new species by local taxonomists resulting in some nomenclatural problems. The presence of this introduced organism in Spain may represent serious obstacles to the current efforts to preserve endemic fauna and the potential negative impacts of this species in European environments should be investigated.</p> </abstract>