Erpobdella sp. 1

Kaygorodova, Irina A., 2015, Annotated checklist of the leech species diversity in the Maloe More Strait of Lake Baikal, Russia, ZooKeys 545, pp. 37-52 : 46-47

Taxon classification Animalia Arhynchobdellida Erpobdellidae

Erpobdella sp. 1

New species records.

Kurkut Bay, Kurma Bay, Zagli Bay, Shide Bay, Kharin Irghi Bay, Tutay Bay, Ulirba Bay.

Morphological characteristics.

The leeches are about 25-35 mm in length and 3-4 mm in width. Eight eyes. The leech has a pale pink body tinge. Dorsal pigmen tation is almost absent. There are only a few dark spots irregularly scattered on the dorsal surface (Fig. 6).

Ecological characteristics.

This freshwater ribbon leech is common in the sor zone of Lake Baikal ( Kaygorodova 2012). It was found mainly in the south-western part of the Maloe More. This is a non-parasitic leech. With a powerful pharynx Erpobdella completely or partially ingests different aquatic animals, including small annelids, crustaceans, insect larvae, molluscs, and even young fishes. In addition, it has been known to feed on dead animals and smaller specimens of its own species.