A new genus of non-bloodsucking aquatic cave leeches in the family Salifidae Johansson, 1909 (Erpobdelliformes) from the Wuling Mountains of Central China

This paper describes a species of non-bloodsucking aquatic leeches distributed in Shibadong Cave, Huayuan County, Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture of Hunan Province, belonging to the Wuling Mountains of central China. Based on morphological examination, mitochondrial DNA COI gene sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis, the leech was identified as a new genus in the family Salifidae and named Shibabdella gen. nov. after its collecting locality, “ Shibadong Cave, ” with the type species named Shibabdella wulingensis sp. nov.

The genetic distances between this new genus and other genera in the family Salifidae ranged from 19.01 % to 23.75 % based on COI gene sequence alignment. Morphologically, the main distinguishing features are as follows: one complete somite consists of nine annuli; the pharynx appears tubular, reaching XIV c 1 – c 4, with three myognaths anteriorly; accessory copulatory pores are absent; male and female gonopores are located in the ventral center and annular furrow of somite XII c 2 / c 3 (57 th / 58 th annuli) and somite XII c 11 / c 12 (63 rd / 64 th annuli), respectively, separated by six annuli.

The atrium appears spherical in shape and lacks a pre-atrial loop. Ovisacs are strip-like and extend to the middle of somite XXI, then fold in the opposite direction.