Sexual behavior, insemination and development of the freshwater leech Helobdella stagnalis (Annelida, Hirudinea, Glossiphoniidae)

Abstract

The reproductive biology of the Glossiphoniidae leech Helobdella stagnalis, under laboratory conditions, the structure of its eggs and its developmental stages were studied. Sperm transfer and insemination are made by hypodermic injection: one or numerous spermatophores were attached to the skin of the partner during copulation and sperm is injected through it. The leeches can copulate repeatedly with several partners. Each leech produces 4–8 cocoons containing 20–60 eggs whose are attached to the ventral side of the parent and carried around. At 22 °C, the developmental duration is 24 days from the oviposition until the juveniles leave the parent leech. Three (3) major stages have been distinguished: Eggs cleavage, germinal band generation, and juveniles hatching. The sexual behavior of Hellobdella stagnalis was described with a special attention given to parental care.

Keywords:

• Helobdella stagnalis
• sexual behavior
• sperm transfer
• embryonic development
• parental care

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to extend their thanks to DGRST Tunisia for financial support and to the anonymous reviewers for their helpful comments and suggestions.