Vol. 76 (1) 2024

ARTICLES

The Genus Branchiobdella Odier, 1823 (Annelida: Branchiobdellida) in Lithuania, with an Overview and an Identification Key to the Species in the Baltic Countries

Mitko A. Subchev1,†, Gintautas Vaitonis2, Giedrė Višinskienė2, Biljana J. Rimcheska1 &
Boyan L. Vagalinski1,*

More info

1*Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 2 Gagarin Street, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria; E-mails: rimceska@gmail.com; boyanv84@gmail.com
2Nature Research Centre, Akademijos Street 2, Vilnius, Lithuania; E-mails: gintautas.vaitonis@gamtc.lt; giedre.visinskiene@gamtc.lt

https://doi.org/10.71424/azb76.1.002719

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Abstract
Branchiobdellidans dwelling on Astacus astacus (Linnaeus, 1758) from 13 localities in Lithuania were collected in 2018 and 2020. Four Branchiobdella species were identified: B. astaci Odier, 1823, B. pentadonta Whitman, 1882, B. kozarovi Sucbhev, 1978 and B. bulgariensis Subchev & Rimcheska, 2021. Specimens of B. astaci were found only in two localities, lakes Ramis and Krakavas. The most widely distributed species is B. pentadonta being found on crayfish at all localities investigated, with the exception of Lake Kaukinė. The latter locality is the only one where crayfish were infested by B. kozarovi. B. bulgariensis was only found at one locality, and possibly at a second, and A. astacus is a new host for B. bulgariensis. B. kozarovi and B. bulgariensis are new to the Lithuanian fauna list. An overview of the genus Branchiobdella in the Baltic countries and a key to its species are also presented.

Key words
B. astaci, B. bulgariensis, B. kozarovi, B. parasita, B. pentadonta, distribution

How to Cite
Subchev М.А†, Vaitonis G, Višinskienė G., Rimcheska B.J. & Vagalinski B.L. 2024. The Genus Branchiobdella Odier, 1823 (Annelida: Branchiobdellida) in Lithuania, with an Overview and Identification Key to the Species in the Baltic Countries. Acta zoologica bulgarica 76 (1) 3-10.

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