The Presence and Population Status of Medicinal Leeches in the Some Wetlands in the Susurluk Basin

In this study, the population status of the wetlands in the Susurluk Basin (except Uluabat and Manyas Lakes) in terms of medicinal leeches and the stock status of the existing areas were investigated. Between March and October 2022 and 2023, studies were carried out in a total of 108 areas, including 26 wetlands in Kütahya, 49 wetlands in Bursa and 33 wetlands in Balıkesir. Medicinal leech population and stock studies were carried out in the wetlands located in Keles Epçeler in Bursa, Balıkesir İvrindi Çelimler and Balıkesir Dursunbey Aşağımusalar regions. A total of 378 medicinal leeches (0.02-5.19 g weight and 10.48-153.92 mm) were sampled from the study areas. The catchable amount of medicinal leeches was determined as 4.956 g for Epçeler, 218 g for Çelimler and 44 g for Aşağımusalar. When the population status and stock amounts of medicinal leeches obtained from wetlands and their habitats were analysed, it was determined that there was a decrease in medicinal leeches as a result of hunting pressure and habitat change and loss. This situation has shown that breeding systems should be increased and the pressure on nature should be reduced against the increasing demand for medicinal leeches in recent years.