Leeches (Annelida: Hirudinea) from the far north of Ontario: distribution, diversity, and diagnostics

Abstract

Leeches have a worldwide distribution, yet numerous geographical regions remain to be adequately surveyed. Here, we present leech species records for one of these regions: the far north of Ontario, Canada. This region is primarily wetland habitat and includes two of Ontario’s three ecozones. Morphological examinations, as well as a single instance of successful DNA amplification with subsequent molecular identification, allowed us to identify representatives of 12 species from two predatory families (Erpobdellidae and Haemopidae) and one parasitic family (Glossiphoniidae) among samples of 130 individuals. To provide a more inclusive list of species records for this remote region, our data were also augmented by 25 largely unpublished collection records (for 102 individuals) from the Canadian Museum of Nature, which revealed the presence of an additional species. We comment on finds of particular interest in our sampling with comparison to relevant literature and provide new distribution data for these species.