Reports of <i>Myxobdella annandalei</i> Oka, 1917 - An aquatic leech from Mithun (<i>Bos frontalis</i>)

Mithun (Bos frontalis Lambert,1804) is a domesticated bovine species native to the northeastern region of India that holds great cultural and economic significance. Infestation by leeches is a common problem in Mithun. Both aquatic and land leeches feed on blood externally or from body orifices. However, there has been very limited data about the leech species infesting the Mithun in that region. Here, we investigated, through a combined approach of morphological and molecular markers parameters for the identification of leech species infesting Mithun. The recovered leeches from the nasal cavity were processed and subjected to PCR amplification of 28S rDNA, followed by sequencing of the PCR products of the specimens. The leeches were identified as Myxobdella annandalei (Oka, 1917). Additionally, the monthly incidence of leech-infected animals, along with the effects of climate attributes, was also studied. The incidence of leech infestation was highest during the monsoon season and decreased during the post-monsoon season.