Baicalobdella torquata (Grube, 1871)

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 : 45

Taxon classification Animalia Rhynchobdellea Piscicolidae

Baicalobdella torquata (Grube, 1871)

Piscicola torquata Grube, 1871; Trachelobdella torquata (part.): Epstein 1959; Trachelobdella torquata (part.): Kozhov 1962; Trachelobdella torquata (part.): Lukin 1963.

Geographic distribution.

Endemic to Lake Baikal.

Maloe More: Khagden-Khale Bay; Otto-Khushun Bay; Nyurgon Bay; Odonim Bay; Ulirba Bay; Mukhor Bay; Sakhurte Bay; Khul Bay; Ushun Bay.

Ecological characteristics.

This is a typical component of the littoral zone of open water in Baikal. This species was found at depths of 0.5-10 m. These small leeches are 5-8 mm in length, with a width of 2-3 mm. Body colour varies from light green to pale rust, retaining a characteristic mosaic pattern on the dorsal side of the urosome. Baicalobdella torquata feed on Baikal endemic amphipods.