Chtonobdella limbata is a species of blood sucking leech, found in New South Wales, Australia;[1][2] it belongs to the genus Chtonobdella and may be called the Australian bush leech.[3] This species was described in 1866 by the German naturalist Adolph Eduard Grube. A variant name, Gnathobdellida limbata, sometimes appears in the literature.

Chtonobdella limbata
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Annelida
Clade: Pleistoannelida
Clade: Sedentaria
Class: Clitellata
Subclass: Hirudinea
Order: Arhynchobdellida
Family: Haemadipsidae
Genus: Chtonobdella
Species:
C. limbata
Binomial name
Chtonobdella limbata
(Grube, 1866)

Bite

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Generally the bite is harmless. There will be bleeding, and possible irritation and itching after the bite. There is no evidence that the leech can transmit disease. However, some people have an allergic reaction or infection.[4]

References

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  1. ^ "Alphabetical List of Australian and New Zealand Leech Species". Leeches Species List. Invertebrate US.
  2. ^ "Chtonobdella limbata". Australia's species. Atlas of Living Australia. Retrieved May 9, 2012.
  3. ^ the Australian Museum advised that the local leech species at Sydney is Chtonobdella limbata May 9, 2012
  4. ^ "Leeches". Animal Species. Australian Museum. Retrieved May 9, 2012.