Ozobranchus jantseanus (Clitellata: Ozobranchidae) from Reeve’s Turtle,Mauremys reevesii: New Annelid Fauna in Korea |
| |
Authors: | Kyo Soung Koo Kayoung Yun Yikweon Jang |
| |
Affiliation: | 1.Research Institute of EcoScience, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Korea; 2.Department of Life Sciences and Division of EcoScience, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Korea |
| |
Abstract: | Turtle leeches have not been recorded in Korea, although they occur in geographically adjacent countries including China and Japan. This study describes a turtle leech, Ozobranchus jantseanus (Clitellata: Ozobranchidae), found from Reeve’s turtle (Mauremys reevesii) in Korea. Of the 143 Reeve’s turtles collected from the freshwater reservoir in Jinju City, Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea, 95 unidentified leeches were found in 8 (5.6%) individuals. The leeches had 22 somites with 11 pairs of externally exposed branchiae, body-sized posterior suckers, and spines on the dorsal surface. We identified these leeches as Ozobranchus jantseanus Oka, 1912 (Clitellata: Ozobranchidae). This species of turtle leeches found in Korea may fill the gap in the biodiversity of East Asian annulus. |
| |
Keywords: | Ozobranchus jantseanus leech freshwater turtle Korea |
|
|