Jt. Briggler et al., Amphibian parasitism by the Leech Desserobdella picta at a small pasture pond in northwest Arkansas, J FRESHW EC, 16(1), 2001, pp. 105-111
The leech Desserobdella picta was found on amphibian hosts in a small pond
in Washington County, Northwest Arkansas, from February through May 1996. I
n addition to occurrence of D. picta, we recorded anatomical position of le
ech attachment on amphibians. We found D, picta on six species of amphibian
s, including four anurans and two salamanders, with the first documented re
port of the host Rana utricularia (adults and tadpoles). Desserobdella pict
a showed a strong preference for adult Bufo americanus with greatest attach
ment in the axillary region of the front limb. Adult B. americanus may not
only be the preferred host of adult D. picta but also might influence dispe
rsal of this leech.