First Record of Mimobdella japonica (Hirudinida: Arhynchobdellida: Salifidae) from Okinawajima Island, Ryukyu Islands, Japan, with a Description of the Specimens from the Ryukyu Islands

Researchers report the first documented occurrence of the predatory leech Mimobdella japonica on Okinawajima Island, part of Japan's Ryukyu Islands. Genetic analysis (COI sequences) revealed no differences between specimens from Okinawajima and Amami-oshima, suggesting M. japonica may be an introduced species in at least one of these locations. The study provides detailed morphological descriptions of the leeches, including external and internal features, to aid in future identifications.

Nakano, T. (2013). First Record of Mimobdella japonica (Hirudinida: Arhynchobdellida: Salifidae) from Okinawajima Island, Ryukyu Islands, Japan, with a Description of the Specimens from the Ryukyu Islands. Species Diversity, 18(1), 99–103. https://doi.org/10.12782/sd.18.1.099