Pontobdella


Pontobdella is a species of marine leeches with a cosmopolitan distribution. They are covered with tubercles and their primary hosts are rays, sharks, skates, and sawfish.

Distribution

Pontobdella species are found on the coasts of Africa, Eurasia, the Americas, New Zealand, and even Antarctica.

Characteristics

A prominent feature of Pontobdella leeches are the "wart-like" tubercles which cover their bodies all over. Pontobdella's hosts are generally elasmobranchs – rays, sharks, skates, and sawfish. Each segment of the leech's body has three or four annuli. They are large leeches; one species, Pontobdella novaezealandiae, can grow as long as 20 centimetres.

Classification

The genus was described by William Elford Leach. Pontobdella is placed in the family Piscicolidae, and is confirmed to form a monophyletic grouping.

Species

The World Register of Marine Species lists the following species:Pontobdella aculeata Harding, 1924Pontobdella afra Baird, 1869Pontobdella biannulata Moore, 1957Pontobdella californiana Burreson & Passarelli, 2015Pontobdella dispar Cordero, 1938Pontobdella leucothela Schmarda, 1861Pontobdella macrothela Schmarda, 1861Pontobdella moorei Oka, 1910Pontobdella muricata Pontobdella novaezealandiae Burreson & Williams, 2008Pontobdella oligothela Schmarda, 1861Pontobdella prionodiscus Schmarda, 1861Pontobdella variegata Baird, 1869
  • ''Pontobdella vosmaeri''