A general review of parasitic Annelida (Hirudinea) recorded from different habitats and hosts in Turkey

Authors: NAİME ARSLAN, AHMET ÖKTENER

Abstract: To date, parasitic leech species have not been intensively studied in Turkey, and studies on the leeches of Turkey have concentrated primarily on lakes. According to literature data, a total of 13 parasitic leech species (3 species from marine fish, 8 species from freshwater fish, 1 species from brackish water fish, and 1 species from aquarium fish) have been recorded in different parts of Turkey. Interest in this group has increased during the last 2 decades, but a large part of the Turkish freshwater habitats remains to be studied with regard to the parasitic leech species. In this study, information is given on the distribution of the leech species that have been previously recorded. The collected data show that the freshwater parasitic leech fauna of Turkey is composed of cosmopolitan or widely distributed species.

Keywords: Fish parasite, Annelida, Hirudinea

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