Dear colleagues,
The natural distribution of the medicinal leech (Hirudo medicinalis) has
been heavily influenced by human activities including collecting and
breeding for medical purposes in the past centuries, and, more recently,
habitat destruction. A recent systematic revision has shown that there are
probably at least two species commonly mentioned under the name H.
medicinalis. Both have been used for medical purposes. I am trying to
establish their systematic relationships and their phylogeographic pattern
throughout Europe. I am also interested in the genetic structure of
populations and questions like 'which parts of the current range have been
occupied naturally, and which with the help of man?', 'where do the
artificially bred leeches originate from?' I intend to study microsatellite DNA
(I have already developed some markers) and maybe mitochondrial DNA.
I would greatly appreciate receiving medicinal leech specimens from
anywhere in Europe. Cultured animals are also welcome, provided their
geographic origin is known. About ten specimens per population would
suffice. Please note that for genetic analysis the animals are best if freshly
fixed in ethanol abs. or 96 %.
Thanks in advance for your help,
peter
*********************************************
Peter Trontelj
Dept. of Biology
University of Ljubljana
P.O. box 2995
SI-1001 Ljubljana
Slovenia
phone: +386 1 4233388
fax: +386 1 2573390
e-mail: peter.trontelj at uni-lj.si
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