Occurrence of leeches (Hirudinea, Piscicolidae) on some marine fishes in Norway

Abstract

Marine fish from several locations along the west coast of Norway were examined for leeches. Seven leech species were detected, Calliobdella nodulifera (Malm, 1863) from codfish, flatfish and a ray, Calliobdella lophii van Beneden & Hesse, 1863 from Lophius piscatorius L., Platybdella anarrhichae (Diesing, 1859) on Anarhichas lupus L., Platybdella quadrioculata Malm, 1863 on Symphodus melops (L.), Oceanobdella sp. on Zeugopterus punctatus (Bloch), Malmiana brunnea (Johansson, 1896) on Myoxocephalus scorpius (L.) and Malmiana bubali Srivastava, 1966 on Taurulus bubalis (Euphrasen). Calliobdella nodulifera infected unrelated hosts (euryxenic); the others appeared to be host specialists (oio- or stenoxenic). Details on the occurrence of Calliobdella nodulifera on Enchelyopus cimbrius (L.) during 1 year are given, which together with other observations suggest that its life cycle exceeds a year. A brief account on the morphology of “Platybdella” quadrioculata is provided, justifying its transfer to the genus Oceanobdella Caballero, 1956 as O. quadrioculata comb. nov. With the new additions, the Norwegian marine piscicolid fauna contain 12 species. At least ten additional species, known from adjoining areas, also probably occur along the Norwegian coast.

Keywords:

• Calliobdella
• Hirudinea
• Malmiana
• marine fishes
• Norway
• Oceanobdella
• parasites
• Platybdella quadrioculata

Acknowledgments

The crews of the research vessels Hans Brattström and Håkon Mosby are thanked for their help during sampling. The following people are thanked for their help in collecting fish: Frank Nilsen and Birger Nilsen (Bømlafjorden), Arne Røbekk and Snorre Strandman (Borgundfjorden) and Per Anton Sæther (Lyngen). Conserved or live leech samples were kindly provided by Aina Solberg, Lars Are Hamre, Trond E. Isaksen, Anne Kristin Dobbe, Marius Karlsen, Øivind Tvedten and Magne Husby. The study was funded by Norwegian Research Council grant no. 109283/410.

Notes

Published in collaboration with the University of Bergen and the Institute of Marine Research, Norway, and the Marine Biological Laboratory, University of Copenhagen, Denmark

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Egil Karlsbakk

Published in collaboration with the University of Bergen and the Institute of Marine Research, Norway, and the Marine Biological Laboratory, University of Copenhagen, Denmark