Sorting of Glossiphonia complanata (Linnaeus, 1758) (Rhynchobdellida: Glossiphoniidae) from three aquatic plants in Tigris River within Baghdad city

Abstract

The present study shows that the reason for isolation of Glossiphonia complanata from these aquatic plants was firstly founding of aquatic oligochaeta, snails and chironomidae that settled on aquatic plants as food. Secondly the aquatic plants itself represent favorable environment for growth and reproduction for G. complanata and as food for oligochaeta, chironomidae and snails. When the number of G. complanata increased the number of worms and snails decreased as observed. The aim of this study was to discover causes of isolation of G. complanata.

Keywords

• Glossiphonia complanata
• Aquatic plants
• Snails
• Feeding of G. complanata