Leeches of the World

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817
Species

Checklist / Glossiphoniidae / Theromyzon / Theromyzon tessulatum

Theromyzon tessulatum

Müller, 1774 · Glossiphoniidae

Theromyzon tessulatum, a leech of the family Glossiphoniidae

External morphology

4 annuli between gonopores, 2 paramedial lines on the dorsum. Semitransparent olive green color. In some population color can be brightly green. Often have yellow patches on dorsal side. In fed specimen is gut and intestine clearly visible.

Habitat & range

Habitat
Freshwater
Region
North America, Europe, Asia
Recorded from
Alberta Canada, Japan

Biology

Parasiting in nasal cavities of water birds, most commonly ducks

Junior synonyms

Theromyzon sexoculatum

Original description

Müller, O. F. (1773-1774). Vermium terrestrium et fluviatilium, seu animalium infusoriorum, helminthicorum, et testaceorum, non marinorum, succincta historia. [Book] Vol. 1: 1-136 Infusoria [1773] / Vol1 [part 2] 1-78 Helminthica 1-72 [1774] ; Vol. 2: 1-214 Testacea + index 8 pp. [1774]. Havniæ (Copenhagen) & Lipsiæ (Leipzig): Heineck & Faber.

biodiversitylibrary.org

Sources used for this page

Hirudinida pijavice - Determinace vodních bezobratlých