Avtor/Urednik		Utevsky, Serge Y; Trontelj, Peter
Naslov		A new species of the medicinal leech (Oligochaeta, Hirudinida, Hirudo) from Transcaucasia and an identification key for the genus Hirudo
Tip		članek
Vir		Parasitol Res
Vol. in št.		Letnik 98
Leto izdaje		2005
Obseg		str. 61-6
Jezik		eng
Abstrakt		A recent molecular phylogenetic study has suggested that the genus Hirudo contains a neglected species previously known as the orientalis coloration type of the medicinal leech Hirudo medicinalis. In this paper, the new species is formally described as Hirudo orientalis sp. n. It can most readily be identified by the grass green coloration of the dorsum, segmentally arranged pairs of black quadrangular or rounded dots on its paramarginal dorsal stripes and similarly arranged, but less regular light-colored markings on the predominantly black venter. It has mediumsized epididymes and an evenly coiled vagina. H. orientalis is known from Transcaucasia, Iran, and Uzbekistan. It is widely used in medicine as the "medicinal leech." Very little is known about its exact distribution, specific habitat, and conservation status. The paper contains an identification key to all species of the genus Hirudo.
Deskriptorji		LEECHES PHYLOGENY SEQUENCE ANALYSIS, DNA RNA, RIBOSOMAL