First Record of Poecilobdella nanjingensis (Hirudinida: Arhynchobdellida: Hirudinidae) from Taiwan and its Molecular Phylogenetic Position within the Family

Abstract

The terrestrial hirudinid leech Poecilobdella nanjingensis Yang, 1996 is reported for the first time from Taiwan, having previously been found only in continental China. A morphological description of the new material from Taiwan is provided here, confirming that, contrary to the diagnosis of Poecilobdella Blanchard, 1893, P. nanjingensis lacks a vaginal caecum in its female reproductive system. In addition, molecular phylogenetic analyses reveal that P. nanjingensis is part of a clade consisting of the hirudinid genera defined by the lack of a vaginal caecum. These results highlight the need for further taxonomic studies on the generic position of this species.