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Abstract
Erpobdella octoculata (Linnaeus, 1758; Hirudinea: Arhynchobdellida: Erpobdellidae) is a very common and morphologically variable macrophagous predators of aquatic invertebrates. Here we determined the complete mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence of this species, as the first representative of the suborder Erpobdelliformes. This genome is 14,407 bp in length with an A + T content of 71.55%, containing 37 typical animal mitochondrial genes and a non-coding region (NCR). It has high AT content and the same gene arrangement pattern as those of typical annelids. The complete mtDNA sequence of E. octoculata provides useful genetic markers for identification, ecological and evolutionary studies of leeches.
Declaration of interest
The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper. This study was supported by National Science and Technology Major Project ‘Creation of Major New Drugs’ of China (No. 2014ZX09304307-002) and the Science & Technology research projects of Wuhan, China (No. 2013060602010225).