Marine leech
Brumptiana lineata ?
- leech 1
Marine leech
Brumptiana lineata ?
- leech 2
Marine leech
Brumptiana lineata ?
- leech with rule 1
Image of species taken on the underside of a Zeugopterus punctatus, Topknot; a small species of flatfish that is often found on the lowershore at Marazion, near Penzance, Cornwall, and at other places across Mounts Bay. 11.03.12.
Marine leech
Brumptiana lineata ?
- in white plastic lid 1
Marine leech
Brumptiana lineata ?
- in white plastic lid 2
Specimen above was found on the Longspined Sea Scorpion, Taurulus bubalis, at Trevaunance Cove, St. Agnes, Cornwall, 16.09.12.
The species here, if it is Brumptiana lineata is one that has been described as being parasitic on both rays and Plaice. It has not been recorded before on Topknot or the Longspined Sea Scorpion, and this is wht there is a question mark regarding its identity. Similar examples found in the future will need either DNA analysis or histology to prove without a doubt the true identity of the species. If Brumptiana lineata, it has a wider host range than is currently published. The Longspined Sea Scorpion is affected by numerous species of parasitic leeches, so it's difficult to know what the species could be and especially as marine leeches are so difficult to identify, and almost impossible from images.