Mariia Shrestkha, Serge Utevsky, Peter Trontelj

Diversity, distribution and host interactions of branchiobdellidans (Clitellata: Branchiobdellida) in the Western Balkans

Introduction

Diversity, distribution and host interactions of branchiobdellidans (clitellata: branchiobdellida) in the western balkans. Explore branchiobdellidan diversity, distribution, and host interactions in the Western Balkans. Identifies seven crayfish worm species & rejects B. balcanica sketi subspecies status.

Abstract

Branchiobdellidan samples obtained from host crustaceans from 60 localities in the Balkan region (Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Serbia) were studied based on collections of the University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Department of Biology (Slovenia) and new sampling. The crayfish worms were assigned to seven species: Branchiobdella balcanica, B. pentadonta, B. italica, B. parasita, B. hexadonta, B. astaci and Xironogiton victoriensis. Species-specific microlocations of the different branchiobdellidan species and their cocoons on the crayfish body are described. The wider type locality of the endemic subspecies Branchiobdella balcanica sketi was re-surveyed, and fresh samples were obtained. Based on morphological analysis of these samples, we formally reject the subspecies status of B. balcanica sketi.

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