The freshwater leeches ( Clitellata : Hirudinida ) of the Czech Republic list of taxa and remarks on rare and endangered species Schenková J., Sychra J. & Kubová N. Department of Zoology and Botany, Faculty of Science, Masaryk Bohemia University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37 Brno, Czech Republic, e-mail: Moravia [email protected] Introduction Based on molecular phylogeny the leeches (Hirudinida), together with Branchiobdellida and Acanthobdellida, form a monophyletic clade, whose ancestor was an oligochaetous clitellate related to the family Lumbriculidae (Erséus 2005). They represent mainly thermophilous freshwater species, inhabiting stagnant as well as running waters, a few species are amphibious. Leeches are common in eutrophic waters and often serve as indicators of pollution. Although some of them are popular and well described – such as the medicinal leech ( Hirudo medicinalis ) – their study in the territory of the Czech Republic has been neglected for a long time. Dr. Vladimír Košel from the Comenius University in Bratislava (Slovakia) was the only one who has recently studied this group in detail (e.g. Košel 1999, 2001, 2004 and Košel & Beran 2006). Our study aims at summarizing current information about the distribution of leeches in the Czech Republic with special respect to new and rare species and at some identification problems. An advanced check list is submitted where the distribution of taxa is given separately for the Bohemian and Moravian regions. Both published data including the PERLA database (Kokeš et al. 2006), and our own records have been used. Fig. 1 Glossiphonia nebulosa , smaller papillae among the Check-list Comments main papillae rows Photo Petr Pa řil
Check-list of leeches (Hirudinida) of the Czech Republic Glossiphoniidae The classification is according to Neubert & Nesemann (1999) with small modifications From eleven species occurring in the Czech Republic, five are very based on new information. B species occurs in Bohemia; M species occurs in Moravia; ? probable occurrence, but presence not confirmed yet. common. ( Alboglossiphonia heteroclita , Glossiphonia complanata , Family: Glossiphoniidae Helobdella stagnalis , Hemiclepsis marginata , Theromyzon Alboglossiphonia heteroclita (Linnaeus, 1761) B M tessulatum ). Further species, Glossiphonia concolor , can be locally =Glossiphonia heteroclita (Linnaeus, 1761) abundant, it prefers especially stagnant or slowly running waters. Alboglossiphonia hyalina (O. F. Müller, 1774) B M The other species are scarce or rare. Glossiphonia nebulosa , which =Glossiphonia heteroclita f. hyalina (O. F. Müller, 1774) Alboglossiphonia striata (Apáthy, 1888) B?M was formerly recorded only from the most southern part of the =Glossiphonia heteroclita f. striata (Apáthy, 1888) country (Košel 1999), has recently been known from more Glossiphonia complanata (Linnaeus, 1758) B M localities both in the Bohemian and Moravian territory as a Fig. 2 Alboglossiphonia hyalina Fig. 3 Alboglossiphonia Glossiphonia concolor (Apáthy, 1883) BM common species, especially in small and medium sized running striata Glossiphonia nebulosa Kalbe, 1964 BM Photo Petr Pa řil Photo Jana waters. Formerly, this species was probably neglected and Schenková Glossiphonia slovaca (Košel, 1973) M confused with G. complanata , from which it differs by the presence =Batracobdella slovaca Košel, 1973 of smaller papillae among the main papillae rows (Fig. 1). This Helobdella stagnalis (Linnaeus, 1758) BM Hemiclepsis marginata (O. F. Müller, 1774) B M pattern is typical also of G. verrucata , which lives mainly in Theromyzon tessulatum (O. F. Müller, 1774) B M shallow stagnant waters rich in vegetation and occurrence of which Family: Piscicolidae in the Czech Republic has not been definitely confirmed so far. Caspiobdella fadejewi (Epshtein, 1961) BM Other species, G. slovaca , is only very rare in the Czech Republic. Piscicola geometra (Linnaeus, 1758) BM The centre of its relatively restricted distribution is in lowlands of Piscicola respirans Troschel, 1850 BM the Danube river basin and thus in southern Moravia (the Dyje =Cystobranchus respirans (Troschel, 1850) Family: Haemopidae River), this species has its northern border of distribution (Košel Haemopis sanguisuga (Linnaeus, 1758) BM 1999, Schenková & Košel 2005). Family: Hirudinidae Because of both morphological and genetic differences, two new Hirudo medicinalis Linnaeus, 1758 M Family: Erpobdellidae species were recently separated from the taxon Alboglossiphonia Dina lineata (O.F. Müller, 1774) BM heteroclita (Trontelj 1997, Neubert & Nesemann 1999), viz, A. Erpobdella nigricollis (Brandes, 1900) BM hyalina and A. striata . Their distribution in central Europe has still Erpobdella octoculata (Linnaeus, 1758) BM been little known; it appears that they only rarely occur in Erpobdella testacea (Savigny, 1822) BM vegetated ponds and pools. The occurrence of A. hyalina was Fig. 4 A. hyalina , distribution Fig. 5 A. striata , distribution Erpobdella vilnensis Liskiewicz, 1925 BM recorded in four localities within the country (Švec 1960, Košel =Erpobdella monostriata (Lindenfeld & Pietruszynski, 1890) part. 1999, Košel & Beran 2006, Špaček leg. 2007; Fig. 4). This leech is Trocheta cylindrica Örley, 1886 BM =Trocheta bykowskii Gedroyč, 1913 smaller than A. heteroclita and has translucent coloring without any pigmentation (Fig. 2). On the other side, A. striata has very contrast transverse rows of dark spots (Fig. 3) and its distribution has been little known; several findings come from a small area in southern Moravia (Košel 1999, own observations, Fig. 5). Owing to its presence in western Europe (e. g. Grosser 2004), its occurrence Hirudinidae also in the Bohemian territory can be assumed. Piscicolidae Medicinal leech Hirudo medicinalis (Fig. 8), the most famous Although some authors studied this family in detail (e. g. Epshtein et al. 1994), its taxonomy is still representative of Hirudinida, shows recently decreasing unclear and demands further investigations. Piscicola geometra is the most common species; some Fig. 6 H. medicinalis , population numbers in the Czech Republic, and it was evaluated specimens found in Czech rivers and streams are very variable in coloring. Information about the distribution as a critically endangered species (CR) (Schenková & Košel distribution of Piscicola respirans (sometimes referred to as Cystobranchus respirans ) is only 2005). This can be probably due to its specific habitat fragmentary and the species seems to be scarce in fast running waters at higher altitudes. requirements: shallow stagnant water bodies in lowlands grown Caspiobdella fadejewi , the centre of distribution of which in central Europe is the Danube River basin by vegetation, under rather temperate climatic conditions, stable and which has been known in the Czech Republic recently only from southern Moravia, has been newly water level and presence of amphibians for juveniles and recorded in several additional localities in the Labe River basin (Horecký leg. 2007). mammals for adults as hosts. H. medicinalis used to inhabit pools and dead channels in the Morava and Dyje River basins in Erpobdellidae southern Moravia during the first half of the twentieth century The most frequent representatives of family Erpobdellidae, Erpobdella octoculata and E. vilnensis , are (Zavřel 1923, Hrabě 1936) and, in the second half, it continued distributed equally on the whole territory of Czech Republic in running as well as stagnant waters, to occur in only several of them (Hrabě et al. 1954, Vojtek et al. often together. E. vilnensis , however, prefers higher elevations and/or colder water, while E. 1967 and Koubková & Vojtková 1973; Fig. 6). octoculata is very common also in lowlands. E. nigricollis occurs locally especially in larger rivers in the Fig. 7 Pastvisko – locality of H. Recent findings are scarce (Sukop 2004), hence the whole country, but it is not abundant anywhere. Other species, E. testacea and Dina lineata are rather medicinalis Agency for Nature Conservation and Landscape rare, they prefer stagnant or slow running waters in lowlands, from which we still do not have Protection of the Czech Republic has organized an sufficient data. Amphibious species Trocheta cylindrica was recorded on several running water intensive monitoring and revision of its distribution localities as well as in smaller pools, mostly in Moravia. The records by Bojková (2006, unpubl.) from since 2005. In spite of this, H. medicinalis was calcareous spring fens in Bílé Karpaty Mts. are of particular interest. recorded in only three localities (in square No. 7166, Fig. 6), stable population during the years of monitoring having been found in only one of them, Conclusions Pastvisko near Lednice (Fig. 7). Pastvisko has been There are 21 species of freshwater leeches currently recorded within the Czech Republic territory. protected as National Nature Monument for water Hirudo medicinalis is classified as critically endangered and Glossiphonia slovaca as vulnerable birds protection since 1990. This locality represents (Schenková & Košel 2005). Most species are threatened mainly by the destruction of original habitats a semi natural wetland with a system of pools of and their conservation is dependent of the conservation of existing localities. different age, formed since 1970, 30.5 ha of total area. Regulation of water level is provided by The most diverse leech fauna was recorded in southern Moravia, mainly in the area of the Morava and Photo Jana Dyje confluence, where some species from south eastern Europe diffuse, such as Glossiphonia slovaca . Schenková system of channels and water discharge sluices. Narrow leaf cattail (Typha angustifolia ) is a Further species new to the leech fauna of the Czech Republic, such as Batracobdelloides moogi dominant macrophyte species there. Nesemann & Csányi 1995, Glossiphonia verrucata (Fr. Müller 1844) or Dina punctata Johansson 1927, Fig. 8 H. medicinalis which were found not far from its border, can be expected there in future. The reason, why H. medicinalis in the Czech Republic is critically endangered, is an intensive land use during the last century, which led to the destruction of natural wetlands by meliorations and flood References control management, while reminding ponds are used for intensive fishery or recreation. Based on our monitoring experience and oral information by other persons, insensitive mud removal by heavy Epshtein V., Utevsky A. Y. & Utevsky S. Y. 1994: The system of fish leeches (Hirudinea: Piscicolidae). Genus 5 (4): 401 – 409. Wroclaw. Erséus C. 2005: Phylogeny of oligochaetous Clitellata. Hydrobiologia, 535/536: 357 372. machinery has the most destructive impact on H. medicinalis Grosser C. 2004: Rote Liste der Egel (Hirundinae) des Landes Sachsen Anhalt. Rote Listen Sachsen Anhalt. Berichte des Landesamtes für Umweltschutz Sachsen Anhalt 39: 161 – 164. populations. The situation is the worst in remaining isolated sites of Hrabě S. 1936: Pijavka lékařská (výskyt na jižní Moravě) [medicinal leech (occurence in the South Moravia)]. Věda přírodní, 17: 124. (In Czech) Hrabě S. (ed) 1954. Klíč k určování zvířeny ČSR [key to the Czechoslovak fauna]. Vol. 1. ČSAV, Praha, 540 pp. (In Czech) occurrence where, after such intervention, medicinal leeches are Kokeš J, Zahrádková S., Němejcová D., Hodovský H., Jarkovský J. & Soldán S. 2006: The PERLA system in the Czech Republic: a multivariate approach for assessing the ecological status of running waters. Hydrobiologia 566: 343 354. never found again. Košel V. & Beran L. 2006: Pijavice (Hirudinea) CHKO Kokořínsko. Leeches (Hirudinea) of Kokořínsko Protected Lanscape Area. Bohemia centralis, Praha, 27: 85 89. Haemopidae Photo Monika Štambergová Košel V. 1999: Annelida: Hirudinea. Pp. 97 102. In Opravilová V., Vaňhara J. & Sukop I. (eds): Aquatic Invertebrates of the Palava Biosphere Reserve of UNESCO, Brno: Masaryk University. Folia Fac.Sci.Nat.Univ.Masaryk.Brun., Biol. 280 pp. Košel V. 2001: Hirudinológia pre hydrobiológov v praxi [hirudinology for hydrobiologists in use]. Pp. 37 54. In: Makovinská J. & Tóthová L. (eds): Zborník z The family is represented by only one amphibious predatory species, Haemopis sanguisuga (horse hydrobiologického kurzu 2001 [proceedings of hydrobiological course 2001], 26. 30.3., Rajecké Teplice. 169 pp. Košel V. 2004: Taxonomical position of two species of Trocheta (Hirudinea) described from Central Europe. Biologia, Bratislava 59/Suppl. 15: 25 28. leech). This generally infrequent species in the Czech Republic is more common in Moravia, but Koubková B. & Vojtková L. 1973: K poznání fauny pijavek (Hirudinea) ČSSR [to the knowledge of leeches (Hirudinea) fauna of Czechoslovak Socialist Republic]. Folia Fac. sci. nat. Univ. Purkianae Brun., 14, 6: 103 118. (In Czech) due to its semi aquatic life its current distribution has probably been undervalued. Neubert E. & Nesemann H. 1999: Annelida, Clitellata; Branchiobdellida, Acanthobdellea, Hirudinea. Süsswasserfauna von Mitteleuropa, Band 6/2. Spektrum Academischer Verlag, Berlin. 178 pp. Schenková J. & Košel V. 2005: Hirudinea (pijavice), pp. 67 68. – In: Farkač J., Král D. & Škorpík M. [eds.], Červený seznam ohrožených druhů České republiky. Bezobratlí. Red list of threatened species in the Czech Republic. Invertebrates. – Agentura ochrany přírody a krajiny ČR, Praha, 760 pp. Acknowledgement Sukop I. 2004. Zooplankton a zoobentos NPP Pastvisko. [zooplancton and zoobenthos of National Nature Monument Pastvisko] Sborník Mendelovy zemědělské a lesnické univerzity v Brně, 15(4): 149 157. (In Czech) We would like to thank our colleagues J. Bojková, J. Horecký, P. Pařil, J. Špaček and M. Švec 1960: Příroda jihovýchodní Moravy, Gottwaldov [nature of south east Moravia]. Přírodovědecký sborník I: 187 210. (in Czech) s Trontelj P. 1997: Molekulare Systematik der Egel (Hirudinea): Phylogenetische Analyse nuklearer und mitochondrialer ribosomaler DNA Sequenzen. Selbstverlag, Trontelj, Štambergová for providing specimens and faunistic information and J. Gaisler for checking the Ljubljana (Diss. Uni Tübingen). Vojtek J., Opravilová O. & Vojtková L. 1967: The importance of leeches in the life cycle of the Strigeidida (Trematoda). Folia parasitol. (Praha), 14: 107 119. language and other improvements. The project was supported by Long term Research Plans from Zavřel J. 1923: K fauně jihomoravských tůní [to the fauna of southern Moravian pools]. Příroda, 16: 144 145. (In Czech) the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic (MSM0021622416) and by Agency for Nature Conservation and Landscape Protection of the Czech Republic.