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>>>For more on leeches, and for help in identifying them-in-least-in-the
family level (species in some families are more specialized in their feeding
than others) take a look-in-the Covich book on classification and ecology of
invertebrates. To identify them specifically requires mounting the teeth on
a microscope slide and comparing details of tooth shape. I've never seen a
field guide that gives more than cursory information.<<<
Leeches are pretty difficult to identify reliably....but I believe there is
something like a "field guide:"
Roy Sawyer, who was very active in leech taxonomy and natural history during
the 1970s, wrote an illustrated guide to North Amwerican leeches exclusive
of the obligatory parasites (Piscicolids - which are pretty easy to
recognize to group ). Publication was in Illinois Biol. Monogr. Vol 46 for
1970. I do not have a copy, but I remember it being well-illustrated. Some
of the diagnostic features on leeches (pigmentation, eye number and
arrangement) can be seen without microscopic preparation.
Note - Dr. Sawyer is now a commercial breeder and reseacher of leeches for
medicinal purposes.
- Jan Hoover
Vicksburg, MS
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>>>For more on leeches, and for help in = identifying them-in-least-in-the family level (species in some families = are more specialized in their feeding than others) take a look-in-the = Covich book on classification and ecology of invertebrates. To = identify them specifically requires mounting the teeth on a microscope = slide and comparing details of tooth shape. I've never seen a = field guide that gives more than cursory = information.<<<
Leeches are pretty difficult to identify =
reliably....but I believe there is something like a "field =
guide:"
Roy Sawyer, who was very active in leech taxonomy =
and natural history during the 1970s, wrote an illustrated guide to =
North Amwerican leeches exclusive of the obligatory parasites =
(Piscicolids - which are pretty easy to recognize to group ). =
Publication was in Illinois Biol. Monogr. Vol 46 for 1970. I do =
not have a copy, but I remember it being well-illustrated. Some of the =
diagnostic features on leeches (pigmentation, eye number and =
arrangement) can be seen without microscopic preparation. =
Note - Dr. Sawyer is now a commercial breeder and = reseacher of leeches for medicinal purposes.
- Jan Hoover
Vicksburg, MS
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