Naslov
A cave leech (Hirudinea, Erpobdellidae) from Croatia with unique morphological features

Autori
Sket, Boris ; Dovč, Peter ; Jalžić, Branko ; Kerovec, Mladen ; Kučinić, Mladen ; Trontelj, Peter

Izvornik
Zoologica Scripta (0300-3256) 30 (2001), 3; 223-229

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
Cave leech; Hirudinea; Erpobdellidae; Croatia;

Sažetak
Croatobranch:es mestrovi is a troglobitic leech from deep shaft-like caves in the Uelebit Mountain, Dinaric karst, Croatia, living in cold (4-6 °C) water. Its oral sucker extends to form four pairs of triangular tentacles, each with about five finger-like papillae, but widening into a marginally crenulated disc whe~ attached to a substrate. Pairs of stiff, finger-like lateral projections, probably gills, occur along the body behind the clitellum. Somites are simple five-annulate. Despite the unique head morphology and the presence of lateral outgrowths, the anatomy and 18S rRI~'A gene sequence of this species indicate that it is a member of the Erpobdellidae, closely related to Dina.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Biologija

POVEZANOST RADA