Notes on distinguishing the cocoons and the juveniles of Hirudo medicinalis and Haemopis sanguisuga (Hirudinea)

Authors
Maitland, PS Phillips, DS Gaywood, MJ
Citation
Ps. Maitland et al., Notes on distinguishing the cocoons and the juveniles of Hirudo medicinalis and Haemopis sanguisuga (Hirudinea), J NAT HIST, 34(5), 2000, pp. 685-692
Citations number
24
Categorie Soggetti
Biology
Journal title
JOURNAL OF NATURAL HISTORY
ISSN journal
00222933 → ACNP
Volume
34
Issue
5
Year of publication
2000
Pages
685 - 692
Database
ISI
SICI code
0022-2933(200005)34:5<685:NODTCA>2.0.ZU;2-J
Abstract
Difficulties encountered previously in separating the cocoons and some juve niles of Hirudo medicinalis and Haemopis sanguisuga have been resolved by t he present study. The cocoons of Hirudo medicinalis are larger and have a d ifferent structure from those of Haemopis sanguisuga. Some of the darker ju veniles of Haemopis sanguisuga may be confused with those of Hirudo medicin alis, but can be separated by careful examination of both dorsal and ventra l colour patterns.