| Erpobdella mestrovi | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Annelida |
| Clade: | Pleistoannelida |
| Clade: | Sedentaria |
| Class: | Clitellata |
| Subclass: | Hirudinea |
| Order: | Arhynchobdellida |
| Family: | Erpobdellidae |
| Genus: | Erpobdella |
| Species: | E. mestrovi
|
| Binomial name | |
| Erpobdella mestrovi (Kerovec, Kučinić & Jalžić, 1999)
| |
Erpobdella mestrovi is a species of troglobitic leech found only in deep caves in Northern Velebit, part of the Dinaric Alps of Croatia. The leech was first found in Lukina jama in 1994,[1] which at 1431 meters deep is the deepest cave in Croatia. The leech has been found in several other caves systems in Velebit such as Slovacka jama (-1320 m), Olimp (-531 m) and Velebita (-1026 m), and is currently considered endemic to Croatia.
This leech inhabits underground streams and has several adaptations to deal with a rheophilic and troglobitic lifestyle. The leech lacks eyes, has pale skin, and strong suckers to help it move around its environment. A flat body prevents it from being swept away by the current. The leech moves in a caterpillar-like motion, alternating between its posterior and oral sucker. There are several extremities protruding from the sides that are theorized to be gills. This leech grows about 25 to 40 mm (1 to 1.6 in) in length and can handle temperatures as low as 4 to 6 °C (39.2– 42.8 °F).[2]
- ^ "A cave leech (Hirudinea, Erpobdellidae) from Croatia with unique morphological features". Croatian Speleological Server. Archived from the original on 7 May 2019. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
- ^ "A cave leech (Hirudinea, Erpobdellidae) from Croatia with unique morphological features". Zoologica Scripta. 30: 223–229. 28 February 2001 – via ResearchGate.