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Mitogenome of the blood feeding leech Haementeria acuecueyetzin (Hirudinida: Glossiphoniidae) from Tabasco, Mexico.

ABSTRACT: Here, we present the mitogenome of the blood feeding leech Haementeria acuecueyetzin (Hirudinida: Glossiphoniidae) based on specimens collected in Tabasco, Mexico. The circular genome is 14,985 bp in length, and consists of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes, and an AT-rich control region. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 13 protein-coding genes and two rRNA genes places H. acuecueyetzin sister to H. officinalis within the family Glossiphoniidae. Mitochondrial gene order in H. acuecueyetzin is consistent with other members of Clitellata with no evidence of gene gain/loss, duplication, or rearrangement.

SUBMITTER: Sosa-Jimenez VM

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7783057 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:The hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) is among the most intriguing and imperiled amphibians in North America. Since the 1970s and 80s, western populations of the Ozark and eastern subspecies in Missouri have declined by nearly 80%. As a result of population declines, the Ozark hellbender was recently federally protected as an endangered species, and the eastern subspecies was granted protection under CITES. Although habitat degradation is probably the biggest threat to hellbender populations, recent evidence suggests that pathogens including chytrid fungus and "flesh-eating" bacteria may also contribute to declines in Ozark hellbenders. Leeches, which are very common on Ozark hellbenders, have recently been implicated as possible vectors of disease among Ozark hellbenders but have not been described in eastern hellbenders or outside of Missouri and Arkansas. We discovered a population of leeches on eastern hellbenders in southwest Virginia and confirmed that the species of leech is within the genus Placobdella, but is morphologically and genetically distinct from all previously described leech species. We named the new species Placobdella appalachiensis sp. n. Moser and Hopkins, based on the mountainous region in which it was discovered. Our surveys over a three consecutive year period suggested that this leech species may be patchily distributed and/or have a narrow geographic range. We consistently detected leeches at one site (mean prevalence in 80 hellbenders = 27.5%; median intensity = 3.0 leeches per parasitized hellbender [range 1 - >250 leeches]) during three years of surveys, but we never found leeches in any of our other seven study sites in two streams (mean prevalence in 139 hellbenders = 0%). We found a significant positive relationship between hellbender body size and the intensity of parasitism, and we suggest the possibility that the behavioral ecology of adults leading up to reproduction may increase their encounter rates with parasites. We discuss the potential conservation implications of discovery of leeches in this stream, and make recommendations for future mitigation and monitoring efforts.

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Mitogenome of the blood feeding leech Haementeria acuecueyetzin (Hirudinida: Glossiphoniidae) from Tabasco, Mexico.

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