Coexistence of Placobdella costata (Fr. Müller, 1846) (Hirudinida: Glossiphoniidae) and mud turtle Emys orbicularis

Abstract

Emys orbicularis is receding from Europe, mainly due to anthropogenic habitat changes. Its parasite, Placobdella costata, is widely distributed within both the former and the present distribution range of the host. Though closely associated with the mud turtle, it may have other hosts (birds, amphibians, reptiles). Its reproductive period coincides with that of its host's migration to the breeding grounds, thus facilitating dispersal of the parasite. Based on literature data we have analyzed the geographic spread of P. costata and mud turtle to observe the possible overlap of their habitats. Observations on the population of mud turtle and the associated leech species (P. costata) were carried out in eastern Poland -Podlasie Lowland. The studies were conducted in spring and summer in 1986-1993. The leeches were collected from the turtles caught in the water and on land. Observations showed that most leeches were found on turtles inhabiting the lake or moving to a breeding area. The greatest intensity of invasion was observed in June and July and that most leeches were observed in female E. orbicularis characterized by greater length of the carapace and weight, compared with males and juvenile individuals.

Cytological And Molecular Identification Of Haemogregarina Stepanowi In Blood Samples Of The European Pond Turtle (Emys Orbicularis) From Quarantine At Belgrade Zoo

“…Consistency between the results obtained by blood smear microscopy and PCR in the current study suggests the same sensitivity of both applied diagnostic methods, as it was previously reported in the study of Dvořáková et al (2014) [12]. Bielecki et al (2012) [28] observed the close association of Placobdella costata (the leech species vectoring H. stepanowi) and E. orbicularis, with intensity of leech invasion being related to the host size and body weight. Although no leeches were found infesting turtles in our study, high prevalence of H. stepanowi infection in intermediate hosts indicates the presence of the leech vector at the same collection site.…”

The good, the bad and the ugly: Emys trinacris, Placobdella costata and Haemogregarina stepanowi in Sicily (Testudines, Annelida and Apicomplexa)

“…(see Marrone et al 2016a). Such an unexpected decoupling might be due to a recent, human-mediated introduction of the leech to Sicily, which would be also supported by the evidence of the presence of introduced specimens of E. orbicularis from Italy in Lago Urio Quattrocchi (Vamberger et al 2015), or to a natural long-range passive dispersal event of the species, which is reported to be able to be dispersed by non-chelonian vertebrates with aquatic afinity (Vamberger and Trontelj 2007, Bielecki et al 2012, Marrone et al 2016a.…”

Presence of the leech Placobdella costata in the south of the Iberian Peninsula

“…It occurs from the Iberian Peninsula to the Balkan Peninsula and the Black Sea coast (Bielecki et al 2012). It is also ranges from Morocco to Iran and the northern Caucasus (Saglam 2001).…”

“…costata reproduces in summer (Sawyer 1986) although its life cycle has not been studied completely. The species displays parental care, another characteristic feature of specialists (Bielecki et al 2012). Individuals take care of embryos or young outside the hosts.…”

“…They prefer places in the shallowest parts of the littoral zone, with dense vegetation (Sapkarev 1964) where they probably wait for potential hosts. Whereas other species of Placobdella leeches have been observed feeding from the blood sinuses of the plastron and carapace bones of turtles (Siddall and Gaffney 2004), P. costata are usually attached to the neck and groin regions, where the skin is thin and unarmoured, or to the middle part of the plastron (Ayres and Alvarez 2008; *Corresponding author: jddbiogea@gmail.com Bielecki et al 2012). There is no description in the literature of the P. costata leech feeding from the carapace of E. orbicularis, where it is probably more difficult to locate blood sinuses.…”