Haementeria paraguayensis

External morphology

A small-sized land leech - individuals measuring 20–21 mm, including ovisacs), featuring well-marked dorsal secondary furrows and 5 or 7 dorsal rows of primary tubercles: 1 median row on the a1 annuli, with tubercles situated either anterior to or directly upon the secondary furrow; 2 rows of more prominent tubercles, and 2 supramarginal rows situated upon the subdividing furrow of the a2 annuli; 2 prominent intermediate rows—which may be absent—located on the a3 annuli (anterior to, directly upon, or posterior to the subdividing furrow), with each intermediate row situated closer to the supramarginal row on its respective side than to the lateral row. Four rows—occasionally 6—of simple ventral tubercles: 2 paramedian rows consisting of slightly raised elements (which are frequently absent), located on the a3 annuli and posterior to the secondary furrow; 2 inner-lateral rows on the a1 annuli, posterior to the subdividing furrow; and 2 outer-lateral rows on the a2 annuli. In life, the coloration is striking. The dorsum is yellowish-brown, featuring oak-brown spots surrounding each tubercle and sensilla. Since both the tubercles and sensillae are yellow, the marginal spots stand out more prominently, creating this metameric coloration. The cotylum is brown in the center, with this shade extending to the margin and leaving interspersed yellow areas. The ventral surface is variegated brown, with the neural annuli appearing darker—particularly due to a marginal spot on each side—and marked by two lateral longitudinal lines. Tiny black dots are scattered across both surfaces.

Internal morphology

Seven pairs of lateral ceca with lobed margins. The first pair of ceca bears, on both sides, an anteriorly directed diverticulum that extends as far as somite IX.

Habitat & range

Habitat

Freshwater

Region

South America

Recorded from

Peru, Argentina