Abstract

OCEGUERA-FIGUEROA, Alejandro; LEON-REGAGNON, Virginia  and  SIDDALL, Mark E.. Phylogeny and revision of Erpobdelliformes (Annelida, Arhynchobdellida) from Mexico based on nuclear and mithochondrial gene sequences.. Rev. Mex. Biodiv. [online]. 2005, vol.76, n.2, pp.191-198. ISSN 2007-8706.

The phylogenetic relationships of the suborder Erpobdelliformes, a group of non-sanguivorous leeches, were investigated with the use of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I, mitochondrial 12S rDNA and nuclear 18S rDNA. The resulting hypothesis indicates that Erpobdellidae and Salifidae are monophyletic and each other closest relatives. We detect, for first time in leeches, intra-specific variation of similar amount than inter-specific variation. We formally resurrect the name Erpobdella mexicana, proposed by Dugès for Mexican specimens, and recommend the use of the name Erpobdella ochoterenai rather than Erpobdella microstoma for Mexican specimens. We record an invasive species of the family Salifidae: Barbronia arcana in Mexico, representing the first record of the species outside Australia, first record of the family in Mexico and third in the New World.

Keywords : Hirudinea; leeches; Erpobdellidae; Salifidae; Erpobdella; Barbronia; COI; 12S; 18S; México; Barcoding of life.