Redescription of Placobdella Multistriata ( Johansson, 1909) (Hirudinea: Glossiphoniidae)

Abstract

Study of a large number of specimens of Placobdella multistriata (Johansson, 1909) revealed the unsatisfactory nature of the information currently available on this leech. The reason is evidently the fact that previous workers had very limited and poorly prepared material at their disposal. In some instances, this even resulted in the description of non-existent species-taxa. In view of this unsound state of affairs, a redescription of P. multistriata is provided and evidence adduced for the amalgamation of Placobdella pulchra Moore, 1939, P. auroguttata Moore, 1939 and P. unita Moore, 1958 with P. multistriata.