The occurrence of a marine leech, Abranchus blennii n.sp., resembling A. sexoculatus (Malm), in North Wales

Abstract

Several specimens of an ichthyobdellid leech were found on Blennius pholis collected on the coast of Anglesey.The leech resembles Abranchus sexoculatus (Malm), a rare form only recorded previously from Sweden and not yet adequately described. Slight differences, however, indicate that it may be a distinct species and the name Abranchus blennii is provisionally put forward for it.A short review of the genus Abranchus and a description of the appearance and structure of the leech follow.My thanks are due to Prof. F. W. Rogers Brambell for his encouragement and advice; and to Mr W. H. Leigh-Sharpe for advice regarding the literature.