Hirudinaria manillensis

(Lesson, 1842)

Vernacular names
English : Asian buffalo leach
French : Sangsue médicinale d’Asie

Classification
Class : Clitellata
Order : Hirudinida
Family : Hirudinidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Adults can reach up to 20 cm in length when fully extended for a width of 1.3 cm. Dark green to brown dorsum with a longitudinal dark grey median line and orange line on each side. Belly is uniformly colored dark olive with no markings.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in southern and south-east Asia, from India and Sri Lanka east to China, Taiwan and Philippines, south to Indonesia. Lives in lowland swamps, rice paddies and sluggish streams.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : NOT LISTED
CITES : Not listed
Status : The species’ status hasn’t been assessed but it has a huge range and is very common in suitable habitat. Collected for medicinal purpose.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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