Dennis J. Richardson | Geology Reports

USGS2017

Distribution of Placobdella hollensis (Whitman, 1892) (Hirudinida: Glossiphoniidae)

Confusion regarding the identification of Placobdella hollensis ( Whitman, 1892 ) (Hirudinida: Glossiphoniidae) has led to an unclear understanding of the distribution of the species. Two specimens of P. hollensis were collected from Merchants Millpond State Park, Gates County, North Carolina, U.S.A., representing a new geographic distribution record. Specimens were confirmed as P. hollensis by morphological and molecular study. Specimens of P. hollensis from North Carolina, had accessory eyes, 2 thin paramedial dark lines, and 3 pairs of pre-anal papillae. Molecular comparison of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I sequence data revealed a 99.0 to 99.7% similarity to specimens of P. hollensis collected from its type locality (Barnstable County, Massachusetts, U.S.A.). From confirmed specimens of P. hollensis , this report supports the assertion that P. hollensis has an Atlantic coastal distribution.

Comparative Parasitology↗

USGS2013

A new species of Helobdella (Hirudinida: Glossiphoniidae) from Oregon

Helobdella bowermani n. sp. is described from specimens collected in fine sediment of open water benthos of Upper Klamath Lake, Klamath County, Oregon. The new species has pale yellow/buff coloration with scattered chromatophore blotches throughout the dorsal surface, lateral extensions or papillae only on the a2 annulus, dorsal medial row of papillae with small papilla on a1 and larger papillae on a2 and a3, and a small oval scute (rarely triangular). Helobdella bowermani n. sp. is morphologically similar to Helobdella atli and Helobdella simplex. Molecular comparison of CO-I sequence data from H. bowermani n. sp. revealed differences of 10.6%–10.8% with Helobdella californica, differences of 12.2%–13.7% with H. atli, and differences of 12.7%–13.2% with H. simplex.

Oregon↗