Photo: New Medicinal Leech Species (IMAGE)
Caption
An international team of museum scientists led by Anna Phillips, the Smithsonian's curator of parasitic worms, describe Macrobdella mimicus, the first new species of medicinal leech discovered in over 40 years, in the Aug. 15 issue of the Journal of Parasitology. In addition to genetic differences, the team found a physical difference that distinguished the new leech from other species. Leeches have multiple reproductive pores along the bottom of their bodies, known as gonopores and accessory pores. In the new leeches, the gonorpores and accessory pores were located in a different position relative to each other.
Credit
Ian Cook
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