Naragh Suburb, Center of Iran; A Natural Habitat of Hirudo medicinalis

Aims A very common species of leeches has been named as Hirudo medicinalis. Regardingto the application of leeches in medicine and their fast extinction, this study was performedin aquatic habitats of Kashan aimed to determine the distribution of leeches and to provideinformation about their regional and habitat characteristics.Materials & Methods This descriptive study was conducted during 2008 to 2010 in threeperiods and 90 samples from 30 sites were collected, totally. 30 lentic and lotic aquatichabitats located in different regions of Naragh were recognized and selected. Leecheswere collected initially in 10% ethanol followed by washing and removing mucus and thenmaintained in 70% ethanol. The identification keys were used for recognizing the species ofleeches.Findings According to the identification key of the leech species, 15 samples from the totalsamples of 30 locations were Hirudo medicinalis. Total Hirudo medicinalis samples werecollected just from Naragh River. These species of leeches were relatively large with 7-10cmand their colors were olive green, brown and greenish brown with a red stripe on the sides.Conclusion Naragh River is one of the habitats of Hirudo medicinalis.

Keywords:

Hirudo medicinalis , Leeches , Ecosystem