Recovery of the medicinal leech Hirudo medicinalis in Scotland - Phase II

NatureScot

Description

The origin and background for this study is the work carried out in 1995 as Phase I of the SNH Recovery Programme for the Medicinal leech Hirudo medicinalis (Maitland 1996).

No new sites were located, but H. medicinalis was found at the three sites identified in 1995. However, apart from one specimen, adults were only located during stone searches in deep water and by examining toads in spring; most cocoons were found during general shore searches. Altogether, 19 adults, 79 juveniles and 35 cocoons were found in 1996/97.

Purpose

The objectives of the present study were to: (i) refine the habitat management guidelines, (ii) develop a draft monitoring protocol, and (iii) develop a draft translocation protocol.

Methods

Three field visits were made during 1996 to the three primary sites identified in 1995 as having populations of Hirudo medicinalis. In addition, two visits were paid to sites within one kilometre of these sites and to five sites with previous records of H. medicinalis.

Standard sampling was carried out at all sites, at each visit, using several methods: (i) disturbance, (ii) reed bundles, (iii) amphibian hosts, (iv) shore stones, (v) stones in deep water, and (vi) cocoon searches. Nine sites were revisited in March 1997 and amphibians examined for the prescence of leeches.

Citation

Maitland (1997) Recovery of the medicinal leech Hirudo medicinalis in Scotland - Phase II. Final report to SNH.

Digitised records