| Does the medicinal leech Hirudo medicinalis feel well in the Netherlands (Hirudinea)? This paper provides information on the medicinal leech Hirudo medicinalis Linnaeus, 1758 particularly in The Netherlands. Although this species was common in The Netherlands in the 18th century, nowadays it is very rare. Most animals were found in waters on sandy soil (71%): dune pools (10%) and pleistocene sandy areas (61%), where it inhabits especially soft water moor and heathland pools. About 20% of the records originate from river areas, where the species can be found in breakthrough ponds and oxbow lakes. Only 9% of the records are from fen and clay areas. Records of single specimens are not proof of an established population, because these specimens could also... |
