GLOSSIPHONIA PALUDOSA

Order RHYNCHOBELLIDA

Family GLOSSIPHONIIDAE

Glossiphonia paludosa (Carena, 1824)

                = Batracobdella verrucata

Identification

Key, plus text and illustrations, is provided by Elliott and Dobson (2015).

Distribution

First recorded in Britain by Mann (1953). Widespread but localised distribution in England and Wales. Recent records from 79 hectads. Four historical locations in Scotland but no recent records.

Habitat and ecology

Feeds on molluscs by sucking their body fluids. Also recorded as an ectoparasite of amphibians. Found in ponds, lakes, streams and rivers.

Red dots are historical (> 10 years old), black dots current (<= 10 years old).