Leech Parasitism in Pelophylax saharicus and Discoglossus pictus (Anura, Ranidae, Alytidae) in North-Eastern Algeria
Populations of two amphibian species, Pelophylax saharicus (Boulenger in Hartert, 1913) and Discoglossus pictus Otth, 1837, widely distributed in North-eastern Algeria, face multiple ecological threats, including parasitism by freshwater leeches. This study investigates the infestation of ectoparasi...
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| Date: | 2025 |
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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Publishing House "Akademperiodyka" of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine
2025
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| Online Access: | https://ojs.akademperiodyka.org.ua/index.php/Zoodiversity/article/view/796 |
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| Journal Title: | Zoodiversity |
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Zoodiversity| Summary: | Populations of two amphibian species, Pelophylax saharicus (Boulenger in Hartert, 1913) and Discoglossus pictus Otth, 1837, widely distributed in North-eastern Algeria, face multiple ecological threats, including parasitism by freshwater leeches. This study investigates the infestation of ectoparasites in the Edough Massif and Tonga Lake, analysing the prevalence and intensity of leech infestations. A total of 187 leeches, identified as Batracobdella algira (Moquin-Tandon, 1846), were collected and examined from 93 host individuals. Parasitism was more prevalent in Edough, though intensity was higher in Tonga Lake. Statistical analyses revealed no significant correlation between parasite load and host morphology, suggesting that infestation is influenced by environmental and ecological factors rather than host size. |
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