Dear colleagues,
I have recently begun a project in which I am estimating the genome sizes of as many leech species as possible. My advisor and I are hoping to provide insight into hirudinid evolution. This is part of a larger project looking at the genome sizes of all annelids.
While I have found several local collaborators, I am particularly seeking anyone who might be willing to send leeches from the southern USA or Mexico, tropical regions (I really need terrestrial leeches), Europe, Asia and the Southern Hemisphere. Ideally the specimens would be frozen or live, and my lab would be able to cover shipping costs. There is potential for the specimens to be DNA barcoded as well.
As part of the larger project, I am also looking for annelids from extreme environments or from the above mentioned regions.
If you would like to know more, or are interested in contributing to or collaborating on this project, please contact me at aforde from uoguelph.ca.
Thank you very much for your time,
Alison
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Alison Forde
M.Sc. Candidate
School of Environmental Sciences
University of Guelph
Canada
