Work

Symbiont Succession during Embryonic Development of the European Medicinal Leech, Hirudo verbana

Year: 2009

Type: article

Abstract: The European medicinal leech, Hirudo verbana, harbors simple microbial communities in the digestive tract and bladder. The colonization history, infection frequency, and growth dynamics of symbionts through host embryogenesis are described using diagnostic PCR and quantitative PCR. Symbiont species displayed diversity in temporal establishment and proliferation through leech development.

Source: Applied and Environmental Microbiology

DOI: 10.1128/aem.01129-09

Authors: Rita V. M. Rio, Michele Maltz, Benjamin McCormick, Alexander Reiss, Joerg Graf

Institutions: West Virginia University, University of Connecticut

Language: English

Topic: Leech Biology and Applications

Subfield: Pharmacology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Science Foundation, University of Connecticut, West Virginia University, University of California, San Diego

Awards: CAREER: Establishment of Hirudo medicinalis as a model for digestive-tract symbioses, G6671297155