ID of leech needed please.

[Yashca]

I found this leech in a mere in Scarborough. I have no idea what it could be. I've heard that Hemiclepsis marginata can turn brown in sunlight, but I'm unsure of this ID. Could anyone please help?

It spent most of its time contracted so I don't know how long it could get, when it was contracted though it measured about 10-15mm long.

[Force Eleven]

Hi! I'm from Scarborough too Not sure what that leech is though I'll have to visit the Mere this weekend and have a look-see

F11

[Yashca]

I know you are. You live in the room next to me at the University. You actually in fact TOOK the picture. Not only that, you watched me post my leech question.

[Adam Cheeseman]

Without checking my key, it might be one of the Erpobdella spp.

Cheers,

Adam

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by Yashca

I know you are. You live in the room next to me at the University. You actually in fact TOOK the picture. Not only that, you watched me post my leech question.

Thats a good one

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by Yashca

I know you are. You live in the room next to me at the University. You actually in fact TOOK the picture. Not only that, you watched me post my leech question.

That's a good one

[Yashca]

Originally Posted by Adam Cheeseman

it might be one of the Erpobdella spp.

Is there any website I could check it on? I've looked myself and haven't found one. Or is there a book that you could recommend for me to identify it?

[Force Eleven]

Originally Posted by Yashca

I know you are. You live in the room next to me at the University. You actually in fact TOOK the picture. Not only that, you watched me post my leech question.

He he, sorry! Thought it would be funny

Anyhoo, I'm glad you put the photos on here, it's nice to get an educated opinion of what the leech (and future water-life, insects, etc) could be

Just make sure you say I took the photos next time! What are you like!

F11

[Adam Cheeseman]

BioImages - Virtual Fieldguide (UK)

the key I use is;

A KEY TO THE BRITISH FRESHWATER LEECHES
J.M.ELLIOTT AND K.H.MANN
puiblished by Freshwater Biological Association
ISBN 0 900386 38

Cheers,

Adam

[Yashca]

Thank you. I may consider buying it, it depends. If I end up seeing lots of leeches I might do it, on the other hand I am a very poor student reduced to eating things I find on the beach.

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by Yashca

Thank you. I may consider buying it, it depends. If I end up seeing lots of leeches I might do it, on the other hand I am a very poor student reduced to eating things I find on the beach.

Well if its like alot of the things on Scarborough beach you may find uve got a very bad breath.

[Force Eleven]

Originally Posted by Dogghound

Well if its like alot of the things on Scarborough beach you may find uve got a very bad breath.

Nailed it in one!

[Drewsta]

Judging from the colouration and the prominent dorsal papillae it is either Glossophonia complanata or Boreobdella verrucata. It is difficult to tell from the picture which one, as closer inspection of the arrangement of dorsal papillae is required. I think it is right to say that for Glossiphonia the papillae are present on every third annulus, while Boreobdella has papillae present on two of every three annuli (ie, missing on every third annulus).

Another way of telling them apart is by assessing their difference in body texture. Glossiphonia has a firm texture and Boreobdella has a softer texture, being soft and squishy. The latter is much more rare in the UK, with the former being very common.

Cheers,

Drew.