Reproductive biology and ecological strategies of three species of medicinal leeches (genus Hirudo)

• Published in: Journal of natural history Vol. 45; no. 11-12; pp. 737 - 747
• Main Authors: Petrauskienė, Laima, Utevska, Olga, Utevsky, Serge
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis 07.03.2011
• Subjects: breeding; fecundity; habitats; Hirudinea; Hirudo; Hirudo medicinalis; Hirudo orientalis; Hirudo verbana; landscapes; ponds; reproductive traits; steppes; survival rate

An analysis of the reproduction of three species of medicinal leeches (genus Hirudo) was carried out. The highest fecundity (34.34 ± 3.72 hatchlings per leech) was observed in H. verbana, the lowest in H. medicinalis (11.10 ± 2.56). The heaviest hatchlings were found in H. medicinalis (0.046 ± 0.000...