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Reproductive strategies of the Kangaroo Leech, Marsupiobdella africana (Glossiphoniidae)

January 2015
International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife 100(1)

DOI:10.1016/j.ijppaw.2015.01.005

Authors:

Natasha Kruger

University of Wolverhampton

Louis Du Preez

North-West University

The Kangaroo Leech, Marsupiobdella africana, is a hermaphroditic organism, with insemination taking place by the planting of a spermatophore on another leech. Spermatophores are mostly planted on the anterior of the recipient leech, but not always. Several spermatophores may be planted by different leeches on a single recipient. The spermatophore consists of two side by side lobes. Within minutes from planting of the spermatophore, the contents are squeezed out and into the body of the recipient. Sperm are believed to find the way to the ova by following chemical cues. Kangaroo Leeches display advanced parental care by transferring fertilized eggs from the reproductive opening to a brood pouch on the ventral side. Fully developed leeches may copulate after detaching from the amphibian host Xenopus laevis, or from the Cape River Crab Potamonautes perlatus with which it maintains a phoretic association.

Microscope images of Marsupiobdella africana: (a) mature leech with a spermatophore implanted on the dorsal surface; (b) micrograph of a spermatophore firmly attached to a leech; (c) cross section through a spermatophore showing the two lobes; (d) histological cross section of a leech at the position of the spermatophore attachment; (e) histological section through the spermatophore contents that have been transferred into a leech; (f) light micrograph of a gravid leech with the brood pouch heavily swollen; (g) light micrograph showing young that are being discharged from the brood pouch; (h) sagittal section through the brood pouch containing several developing young. Abbreviations: as, attachment site; em, embryo; mp, marsupial pouch opening; sc, spermatophore contents; sp; sperm; sr, spermatophore; td, transfer duct. Scale bars: a, b, f and g, 500 µm; c and e, 20 µm; d, 200 µm; h, 250 µm.

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Scanning electron micrographs of a Marsupiobdella africana spermatophore: (a) proximal region showing the attachment disk attachment fibres; (b) spermatophore showing smooth surface of the two ‘side by side’ germinal lobes and; (c) distal horn. Scale bars: a, 50 µm; b, 100 µm; c, 20 µm.

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Light micrographs of (a) two Clawed Frogs Xenopus laevis infected with Kangaroo Leeches Marsupiobdella africana; (b) leeches on the legs of a Cape River Crab Potamonautes perlatus; and (c) two Kangaroo Leeches copulating.

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