Leeches of the World

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817
Species

Checklist / Erpobdellidae / Erpobdella / Erpobdella haskonis

Erpobdella haskonis

Grosser, 2000 ยท Erpobdellidae

Erpobdella haskonis, a leech of the family Erpobdellidae

External morphology

Largest leech species in Europe. Up to 220 mm when fully elongated. Anterior part cylidnrical, posterior part is more flattened. Coloration is uniform with no striping, ranging from reddish to dark grey. Gonopores separated by 3 anulli. Male pore have 2 accesory pores at its sides

Habitat & range

Habitat
Freshwater, Terrestrial
Region
Europe, Asia
Recorded from
Iran, Germany, Austria, Serbia

Biology

Semiaquatic species. Predator of terrestrial earthworms. In Germany reported in vernal pools around Elbe river. Can occupy caves and higly altered or human made places like vaults.

Junior synonyms

Trocheta haskonis

Original description

Grosser, C. (2000). Beschreibung von Trocheta haskonis n. sp. (Hirudinea, Erpobdellidae) aus Sachsen-Anhalt. Lauterbornia. 38: 29-36.

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