Environmental factors determining the distribution pattern of leeches (Clitellata: Hirudinida) in large river systems: A case study of the Oder River system

Abstract

The largest rivers in Europe are under strong human pressure, resulting in habitat changes and consequently in structural changes in the quantitative and qualitative composition of fauna assemblages. The aim of this study was to identify the taxonomic structure of leech assemblages and the main environmental factors influencing their distribution pattern on a 306 km stretch of the Oder River encompassing different habitat types. Representatives of 28 leech taxa were recorded in 527 samples of bottom macrofauna. The most abundant and most frequently recorded species was the eurytopic

Assessing the sensitivity of leeches as indicators of water quality

“…One single species, H. hyalina showed a positive relationship with dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN). This contra-intuitive behaviour was described for other leech species; where their occurrences were partially explained by a positive correlation with the concentration of nitrates (Jablonska- Barna et al, 2017).…”

Linear and nonlinear effects of nutrient enrichments on the diversity of macrobenthos in lowland watercourses

“…However, the response of their diversity to pollution and the increase in nutrients load is not easy to interprete, because particular leech species distinctly differ in environmental preferences (Koperski 2005(Koperski , 2006(Koperski , 2017Kubova et al 2013;Cichocka et al 2015). Basic abiotic parameters seem to be clearly correlated with the taxonomic structure of lotic leech assemblages (Kubová and Schenkova 2014;Jabłońska-Barna 2017). Hirudinea being specialized (Glossiphonidae) or generalistic predators (Erpobdellidae) may show a functional response to changes in the abundance of their prey-including Chironomidae and Mollusca.…”

New record of the fish leech Piscicola pojmanskae (Annelida: Hirudinida: Piscicolidae) - DNA barcoding and phylogeny

“…This species prefers more stagnant waters such as ponds, lakes and costal waters. Slow flowing rivers or oxbow lakes, due to an increase in the speed of flow, are a less favourable environment (Jabłońska-Barna et al 2017 ). Furthermore, larger fish tend to occupy deeper areas with fast flowing water, increasing the possibility of leech detachment.…”