Biodiversity of leeches (Annelida: Euhirudinea) in Mexico

Abstract

The total number of true leech species (Annelida: Euhirudinea) recorded in Mexico now reaches 31, representing 4.5% of the approximately 680 known species in the world. Of the 14 currently recognized families of euhirudineans, 10 occur in Mexico. Twenty species and the genera Diestecostoma and Limnobdella can be considered endemic to Mexico. The states of Jalisco and Michoacan have a well-characterized leech fauna with 10 and 11 records respectively, in contrast to Baja California, Campeche, Quintana Roo and Zacatecas, all of which completely lack records.