Placobdella lamothei n. sp. (Hirudinea: Glossiphoniidae), a new leech parasite of freshwater turtles from Estado de México, Mexico

Abstract

PLACOBDELLA LAMOTHEI N. SP. IS DESCRIBED BASED ON 10 SPECIMENS COLLECTED IN TONATICO, ESTADO DE MEXICO, MEXICO. THE NEW SPECIES RESEMBLES OTHER SPECIES OF THE GENUS IN THE DISPOSITION OF EYESPOTS AND MYCETOMES CONNECTED TO THE OESOPHAGUS AND YET CAN BE DISTINGUISHED PRIMARILY ON THE BASIS OF BODY PIGMENTATION PATTERN. THIS SPECIES REPRESENTS THE SECOND OF THE GENUS ENDEMIC TO MEXICO. WE ALSO DISCUSS PREVIOUS RECORDS OF PLACOBDELLA SPP. IN MEXICO AND CLARIFY SOME APPARENTLY INCORRECT DETERMINATIONS.