Pontobdella is a species of marine leeches with a cosmopolitan distribution. They are covered with tubercles and their primary hosts are rays, sharks, skates, and sawfish.
Distribution Pontobdella species are found on the coasts of Africa, Eurasia, the Americas, New Zealand, and even Antarctica.
Characteristics A prominent feature of Pontobdella leeches are the "wart-like" tubercles which cover their bodies all over. Pontobdella's hosts are generally elasmobranchs – rays, sharks, skates, and sawfish. Each segment of the leech's body (and all leeches have 32) has three or four annuli. They are large leeches; one species, Pontobdella novaezealandiae, can grow as long as 20 centimetres.
Classification The genus was described by William Elford Leach. Pontobdella is placed in the family Piscicolidae, and is confirmed to form a monophyletic grouping.
Species The World Register of Marine Species lists the following species:
Pontobdella aculeata Harding, 1924 Pontobdella afra Baird, 1869 Pontobdella biannulata Moore, 1957 Pontobdella californiana Burreson & Passarelli, 2015 Pontobdella dispar Cordero, 1938 Pontobdella leucothela Schmarda, 1861 Pontobdella macrothela Schmarda, 1861 Pontobdella moorei Oka, 1910 Pontobdella muricata (Linnaeus, 1758) Pontobdella novaezealandiae Burreson & Williams, 2008 Pontobdella oligothela Schmarda, 1861 Pontobdella prionodiscus Schmarda, 1861 Pontobdella variegata Baird, 1869 Pontobdella vosmaeri (Apáthy, 1888)
References