GROWTH AND REPRODUCTION OF THE GIANT GLOSSIPHONIID LEECHHAEMENTERIA GHILIANII

• DOI: 10.2307/1540892
• Publication Date: 2007-01-22T23:55:04Z
• Authors: ROY T. SAWYER; FRANCOIS LEPONT; DUNCAN K. STUART; ANDREW P. KRAMER
• Keywords: Male reproductive system

A continuously breeding laboratory colony of the giant leech Haementeria ghilianii has been established from a few specimens collected in French Guyana. The leeches feed on live rabbits or bovine blood, which they draw an artifical feeding device. Leech growth is saltatory, that at each four successive feedings, spaced over about half year, weight specimen increases 3- to 6-fold. male reproductive system this hermaphroditic matures first, body 3-5 g. female after least one more feeding, 8 Fecundity (number eggs per laying) depends time oviposition, increasing 60 for smallest mature individuals 500 largest. These data and reproduction H. gathered under conditions are consistent with its probable life cycle native habitat.