L00062 & L00063 collected at 21st Sept. 2003 in the mountain in Yilan County.; L00064 collected at 16th Mar. 2002 in the Fushan Botanical Garden in Yilan County; L00101 collected at 23rd Apr. 2005 in the Fushan Botanical Garden in Yilan County; L00102 collected at 20th Jan. 2002 in the Fushan Botanical Garden in Yilan County; L00103 collected at 21st May 2005 in the Fushan Botanical Garden in Yilan County. L00026 collected at 20th Jan. 2002 in the Fushan Botanical Garden in Yilan County; L00027 collected at 19th Feb. 2002 in the Fushan Botanical Garden in Yilan County; L00098A (two specimens) collected at 16th Mar. 2009 in Mt. Otake, Akuseki-jima, Tokara Islands, Japan (29°27'56"N, 129°35'40"E); L00104 (three specimens) collected at 30th May 2005 in Wufong Town, Hsinchu County; L00105 collected at 16th Mar. 2002 in the Fushan Botanical Garden in Yilan County; L00106 collected at 20th Jan. 2002 in the Fushan Botanical Garden in Yilan County; L00107 collected at 27th Mar. 2004 in Hsoulin Town, Hualien County; and L00108 (two specimens) collected at 4th Aug. 2004 in the mountain in Yilan County.

This species can be recognized by the reddish, yellowish, or grayish brown dorsum that is blotched with elongated irregular black spots that are more or less connected, and the absence of a distinct median stripe (Fig. 1A). The nearly solid black venter with irregular margins clearly distinguishes this species from other land leech species (Fig. 1B).

Body length 14–37 mm, maximum body width 2.5–5.3 mm, up to 10.5 mm in specimen filled with blood; anterior sucker diameter 1.2–2.4 mm, posterior sucker diameter 2.6–5.6 mm. Body elongated, slenderly cylindrical, with dorsum moderately depressed from the end of body to the head; venter more or less flat in relaxed specimens. Head of dorsal anterior sucker with usual sub-triangular outline (Fig. 1C), venter of lip with the broad median field marked by narrow, longitudinal ridges and a deep median fissure. Anterior sucker deep, wide, triangularly cupuliform with well-developed lateral buccal lobes and frill. Posterior sucker nearly circular, slightly longer than wide, diameter equal to or a little larger than maximum body width, with a definite anterior median prominence but no sharply hooked papilla. Auricles large, white or even translucent, trilobate with the middle lobe smallest, and conspicuous by their color in contrast with the body color.

Dorsum strongly tessellated, with three pairs of paramedian, intermediate and supramarginal lines of prominently elevated, translucent-tipped sensillae, and also scattered areas bearing smaller semi-transparent tipped sensillae on annuli in addition to the sensory one. Venter tessellated less and more smooth than dorsum, with white or translucent tipped sensillae in arrangement as those on the dorsum. Dorsum of posterior sucker tessellated, with five or six irregular circles of polygonal areas. Venter of posterior sucker with rays 71 or 72, with strongly flattened ridges terminated in little rounded lobes at the margin, and not penetrated into the relatively large central areolated region (Fig. 1D).

When alive, dorsum reddish, yellowish, or grayish brown, with scattered elongated, more or less connected lateral-posteriorly, irregular black spots. No distinct median stripe on the dorsum, but in some specimens the mid-dorsum less blotched by spots, sometimes similar to an indistinct pale mid-dorsal stripe (Fig. 1A). In lateral body, the region around the sensillae lacking in spots, sometimes similar as a broken pale lateral stripe. Venter uniform, solid black, with highly irregular lateral margins which usually connected with the irregular spots from the lateral body (Fig. 1B). Dorsum of posterior sucker the same but more or less brighter in color than dorsum, with scattered black spots (Fig. 1A). Venter of posterior sucker fawn, sometimes with few scattered dark spots (Fig. 1D).

Eyes five pairs, punctiform, arranged respectively at II (2nd annulus), III (3rd annulus), IV (4th annulus), V (5th annulus) and VI (8th annulus) in parabolic arc (Fig. 1C).

Ninety-seven annuli in total. I, II and III uniannulate, with irregular areas divided and with sensillae in the interocular region. IV uniannulate and the interocular region being divided into irregular areas with sensillae in two transverse rows. V biannulate dorsally ((a1a2)>a3) and uniannulate ventrally, with the a3 as the oral margin of the buccal ring and also the first perfectly definite annulus. VI triannulate with the three annuli approximately equal. VII triannulate with the three annuli of the same length. VIII quadrannulate (a1=a2=b5>b6). IX–XXII midbody somite and quinquannulate, with the five annuli of the same length and a2 projecting above the surface. XXIII quadrannulate (b1=b2=a2>a3). XXIV triannulate (a2>a1=a3). XXV biannulate ((a1a2)=a3), each annulus bearing the first and second auricular lobes at the margins. XXVI uniannulate and bearing the third auricular lobe at the margins. XXVII uniannulate. Anus a small longitudinal slit in XXVII (97th annulus). Gonoporesseparated by five annuli; male at XI b5/b6 (30th/31st annulus); female at XII b5/b6 (35th/36th annulus); both small transverse slits with pale and projecting margins strictly within furrows.

Jaws three, crescent shaped, moderate size and highly prominent, with 78–80 teeth; one mid-dorsally, the other paired ones ventro-laterally, all in deep buccal chamber beyond the velum. Pharynx in VII–VIII, short, bulbous; with six muscular ridges of spongy wall in which three continuous with the three jaws and the other three intermediately between the formers and surrounded by numerous unicellular salivary glands. Crop in VIII–XIX; with 12 pairs of caeca in VIII–XIX respectively; first nine pairs simple, unlobed, with the first two pairs small and indistinct; while the last pair of caeca in XIX elongated posteriorly to XXIII and lateral to intestine. Intestine in XIX–XXIII, no caeca, ventral to rectum in XXIII. Rectum short, wide, tapered towards anus.

Ten pairs of testisacs at XIII/XIV–XXII/XXIII. Vas deferens enters epididymis in XII/XIII or XIII. Epididymis in XII/XIII–XVI, in some cases even to XVIII; asymmetrical, one side of which more massive, located between atrium and vaginal sac, and usually covered the ovisacs and oviducts, while the other side extended posteriorly beyond the vaginal sac, elongated, less massive, and with major part covering on or being covered by the vaginal sac. Ejaculatory bulbs moderately large, elongated ellipsoid, lying at a much lower level by the sides of the atrium, connected by slender ejaculatory ducts with a sharp turning backwards into atrium in XI. Atrium large, rounded, conspicuous, rising well dorsad of the level of the nerve cord passing along in the right side. Prostate glands a layer of loosely compact. Ovisacs in XII, large, connected with long and curled common oviduct. Vaginal sac in XIV–XVI, cephalic end sometimes in XIII and the caudal end extended to XVII; elongated egg-shape, bubble-like with thin wall usually, connected with long and thick vaginal stalk extended anteriorly into female gonopore in XII (Fig. 1E).

Haemadipsa rjukjuana is only recorded in East and South East Asia, including the Indo-Chinese Peninsula, Malay Peninsula, Indonesia, Ryukyu Islands of Japan, and Taiwan. In Taiwan, we recorded this species during recent surveys in the moist forests of low- and middle-elevation mountains in Taipei, Hsinchu, Taichung, Nantou, Pingtung, Yilan, Hualien, and Taitung (Fig. 4).

Commonly inhabits the bottom of moist forests. It attaches onto leaf litter, grasses, and low bushes.

Primarily medium- or large-sized mammals, including humans.

Haemadipsa rjukjuana had previously been recorded with other synonyms, with variable taxonomic status that has rarely been clarified over the last century. Oka (1910) described a new land leech collected from Taiwan, and named it Haemadipsa japonica var. rjukjuana based on a brief inspection of the external color pattern. After two decades, Takahashi (1934) refered to all the land leeches in Taiwan as Haemadipsa zeylanica, which is a variable land leech species widely distributed in South and South-East Asia. Later, Moore (1938) recorded a land leech specimen from the Malay Peninsula, and illustrated both dorsal and ventral color patterns (Fig. 5, Plate IV in Moore 1938). The scattered spots on the dorsum and the solid black venter with irregular lateral margins indicate that it is very similar to the specimens inspected in this study; thus, it could tentatively be confirmed as Haemadipsa rjukjuana. However, Moore only recognized it as Haemadipsa zeylanica var., despite conspicuous differences in external color patterns, and only provided a few external descriptions, instead of a detailed inspection and investigation on its taxonomic status. In addition, Moore (1938) also mentioned that this variety resembled one of the land leeches illustrated, but not described, by Blanchard (1917). Thirty years later, Keegan et al. (1968) described this variety in more detail. They provided the first description of its reproductive system, and compared it against other varieties of Haemadipsa zeylanica. However, in addition to the external color patterns, they stated that there were no differences in the reproductive system between this variety and the subspecies Haemadipsa zeylanica japonica, i.e., the species Haemadipsa japonica in our study. At the end of the 1970s, Wu (1979) reviewed the previous studies of the leech fauna in Taiwan, and only referred to the land leech species of Haemadipsa zeylanica in his list. About two decades later, Yang (1996) mentioned that only Haemadipsa japonica was present in Taiwan, as the other common land leech species in Taiwan, Tritetrabdella taiwana, which had been described as a new combination by Sawyer (1986), had been mistakenly included. Finally, in the first decade of this century, Lai and his colleborators (Lai and Chen 2005; Lai et al. 2009) stated the uncertain taxonomic status of this variety, and suggested the necessity of further studies. By comparing the morphology of Haemadipsa japonica var. rjukjuana specimens against Haemadipsa japonica, we found significant and consistent differences in both external and internal characteristics (Table 2). Therefore, its taxonomic status should be considered as a new species rather than subspecies or variety.

L00099 collected at 18th Sept. 2005 in Hsoulin Town, Hualien County; L00100A collected at 12th Sept. 2004 in Hualien County; L00151A collected at 15th Oct. 2006 in Hsoulin Town, Hualien County; and L00152A collected at 31st Aug. 2003 in Hualien County.

This species can be recognized by the longitudinally striped color pattern on the reddish brown dorsum, with a broad, bluish-gray, yellow-greenish, or multicolored median-paramedian field that contains three to five black or dark brown broken stripes inside (Fig. 2A). It has a white or pale yellowish longitudinal marginal stripe with dark-spotted borders, as well as a uniformly yellowish brown venter, which distinguishes this species from other land leech species in Taiwan.

Body length 13–33 mm, maximum body width 3.0–5.5 mm, anterior sucker diameter 1.3–2.5 mm, posterior sucker diameter 2.5–3.7 mm. Body elongated, slenderly cylindrical, with dorsum moderately depressed from the end of body to the head; venter more or less flat in relaxed specimens. Head of dorsal anterior sucker with usual sub-triangular outline (Fig. 2B); venter of lip with the broad median field marked by narrow, longitudinal ridges and a deep median fissure. Anterior sucker deep, wide, triangularly cupuliform with well-developed lateral buccal lobes and frill. Posterior sucker nearly circular, slightly longer than wide, diameter equal to or a little larger than maximum body width, with a definite anterior median prominence but no sharply hooked papilla. Auricles large, white, trilobate with the middle lobe smallest, and conspicuous by their color in contrast with the body color.

Dorsum strongly tessellated, with areas bearing semi-transparent tipped sensillae in addition to the sensory annuli of each somite. Venter tessellated less and more smooth than dorsum. Dorsum of posterior sucker tessellated, with five or six irregular circles of polygonal areas. Venter of posterior sucker with rays 67 to 72, mostly 71, which in strongly flattened ridges terminating in little rounded lobes at the margin, and not penetrating into the central areolated region.

When alive, body color of reddish brown, or yellow brown in some specimens. Dorsum with three to five longitudinal, black or dark broken stripes of more or less partially and mutually connecting by dark spots in a broad, bluish gray, yellow–greenish, or multicolored median–paramedian field (Fig. 2A). In lateral body, white, pale yellowish, or dusty yellow–greenish marginal stripes bordered by a series of black spots submarginally and supramarginally, especially in half-posterior body. Venter uniform, yellowish brown or resembling color brighter than that in the dorsum, without any spots or stripes. Dorsum of posterior sucker yellow–greenish or yellowish brown, similar to the venter body. Venter of posterior sucker fawn, brighter than venter body.

Eyes five pairs, punctiform, arranging respectively at II (2nd annulus), III (3rd annulus), IV (4th annulus), V (6th annulus) and VI (9th annulus) in parabolic arc (Fig. 2B).

Ninety seven annuli. I, II and III uniannulate, with irregular areas divided and with sensillae in the interocular region. IV biannulate ((a1a2)>a3) and the interocular region being divided into irregular areas with sensillae in two transverse and sometimes oblique rows. V biannulate dorsally ((a1a2)>a3) and uniannulate ventrally, with the a3 as the oral margin of the buccal ring and also the first perfectly definite annulus. VI triannulate (a2>a1>a3). VII triannulate with the three annuli approximately equal. VIII quadrannulate (a1=a2>b5=b6). IX quinquannulate (a2>b1=b2=b5=b6). X–XXII midbody somite and quinquannulate, with the five annuli of the same length and a2 projecting slightly above the surface. XXIII quadrannulate (a2>a1= b5>b6). XXIV triannulate (b1=b2<a2), with b1 & b2 united at the margins and much reduced ventrally, and a2 bearing the first auricular lobe. XXV and XXVI uniannulate, each bearing the second and third auricular lobes at the margins. XXVII uniannulate. Anus in the furrow between XXVII (97th annulus) and the posterior sucker. Gonoporesseparated by five annuli; male at XI b5/b6 (31st/32nd annulus); female at XII b5/b6 (36th/37th annulus); both moderately large transverse slits strictly within furrows.

Jaws three, crescent-shaped, small and less prominent, with 78–80 teeth; one mid-dorsally, the other paired ones ventro-laterally, all in deep buccal chamber beyond the velum. Pharynx in VII–VIII, short, bulbous; with spongy muscular walls bearing many radiating fibers and surrounded by numerous unicellular salivary glands; extended into crop in IX. Crop in IX–XIX; with 11 pairs of caeca in each somite respectively; first 10 pairs simple and unlobed, while the tenth pair of caeca in XIX elongated posteriorly to XXIII and lateral to intestine. Intestine in XIX–XXIII, no caeca, with sharp sigmoid flexure and ventral to rectum in XXIII. Rectum short, sharply tapered towards anus.

Ten pairs of testisacs at XIII/XIV–XXII/XXIII. Vas deferens enters epididymis in XIII. Epididymis in XII–XIII, massive, convoluted together, totally posterior to the atrium and covered on a small part of the cephalic end of the vaginal sac. Ejaculatory bulbs of moderate size and form, lying at a low level by the sides of the atrium, and connected by slender ejaculatory ducts to atrium in XI. Atrium large, conspicuous, rising well dorsad of the level of the nerve cord passing along in the left side. Prostate glands a layer of highly compact. Ovisacs in XII/XIII, on which with common oviduct long, sigmoid and slender. Vaginal stalk distinctly shorter than vaginal sac, which of an elongated egg-shape with the small apical end directed caudad in XIV–XVI (Fig. 2C).

This species is only recorded in South East Asia, including the Indo-Chinese Peninsula and Borneo. In Taiwan, it is a newly recorded species, and was collected in the moist forests of low- and middle-elevation mountains in Yilan, Hualien and Taitung during our recent surveys (Fig. 4).

Commonly found on bushes about 1 m above the ground in moist forests.

Primarily medium- or large-sized mammals, including humans.

Unlike many other land leech species which remain on the ground and grass below knee-level, this species usually climbs and waits on bushes and grasses at about 1 m above the ground, and attaches to the hands, arms, shoulders and even neck of passers-by (Keegan et al. 1968). This species has been known to fall onto hikers from higher bushes or leaves (Chun-Chia Huang, pers. comm.). In comparison to other land leech species, the bites of this species are much more painful and difficult-to-heal; thus, Haemadipsa picta has been given the common name “stinging land leech” (Moore 1929). Such painful and difficult-to-heal bites were also confirmed by a friend who collected specimens of Haemadipsa picta for us (Chun-Chia Huang, pers. comm.). However, this common name should be shared with another similar species, Haemadipsa ornata Moore, because it also has a similarly painful bite to Haemadipsa picta (Moore, 1929). Nevertheless, this common name is rarely used for Haemadipsa picta, while the name, “tiger leech”, has been more commonly used, which refers to the colorful striped pattern (i.e., “picta” in the scientific name).

L00084 collected at 9th Jun. 2002 in Wulai Town, Taipei County; L00085 collected at 11th Oct. 2003 in Nantou County; L00086 & L00087 collected at 1st Jun. 2004 in Taipei Zoo, Taipei City; and L00109 collected at 15th Feb. 2007 in Taipei City.

This species can be recognized by the yellowish dorsum with three dark or black bordered brown stripes, in which the supramarginal pair is simple, and the mid-dorsal one has a few irregular, asymmetrical, elongated circles or loops that extend laterally between two stripes. These circles or loops are either connected the mid-dorsal and the supramarginal stripes, or are disconnected from the stripes to form isolated brown spots with a dark border between the two stripes (Fig. 3A). A mid-body somite with four annuli, rather than the usual five annuli of other land leech species in Taiwan, is also an easily recognized characteristic of this species.

Body length 12–25 mm, maximum body width 2–4 mm in relaxed specimens and 4–6 mm in specimens filled with blood; anterior sucker diameter 2.0–2.6 mm, posterior sucker diameter 3.0–4.5 mm. Body elongated, slenderly cylindrical, with dorsum depressed moderately from the end to the head; venter flat. Clitellum usually conspicuously wider and thicker. Head of dorsal anterior sucker with broadly rounded, less sub-triangular outline (Fig. 3B); venter of lip soft and finely granular, with no permanent furrows anteriorly but a median fissure posteriorly continuing forward the median velar sinus. Anterior sucker deep, wide, triangularly cupuliform with well-developed lateral buccal lobes and frill. On the sides and floor of the buccal chamber are four pairs of folds or lobes reaching to the membranous velum, through the triangular opening of which the three jaws are visible. Posterior sucker large, broadly ovate, slightly longer than wide, diameter larger than maximum body width, with a definite anterior median prominence but no sharply hooked papilla. Auricles obscure, small, white, and trilobate with the middle lobe smallest.

Dorsum strongly tessellated and areolated, with areas bearing semi-transparent tipped and inconspicuous sensillae on each somite. Venter tessellated less, nearly smooth. Dorsum of posterior sucker tessellated, with four or five irregular circles of polygonal areas. Venter of posterior sucker with rays 57 to 61, not extending into the center and leaving a depressed, faintly tessellated circular central area.

Dorsum yellowish, with three broad, dark or black bordered brown stripes, in which the supramarginal pair simple, and the mid-dorsal one with a few irregular, asymmetrical, elongated circles or loops extending laterally between two stripes. Sometimes these circles or loops either connect the mid-dorsal and the supramarginal stripes, or disconnected from stripes and become isolated brown spots with dark border between two stripes. These stripes differ in exact form and position on each individual. In long preserved specimens, however, color of brown stripes has faded, leaving only longitudinal irregular and asymmetrical black borders on the dorsum (Fig. 3A). Venter uniformly yellowish as the dorsum. Dorsum of posterior sucker yellowish; venter of posterior sucker yellowish, or paler than venter body.

Eyes five pairs, punctiform, large and conspicuous (especially the 1st and 2nd pairs), arranging respectively at II (2nd annulus), III (3rd annulus), IV (4th annulus), V (5th annulus) and VI (8th annulus) in parabolic arc (Fig. 3B).

Eighty-two annuli. I uniannulate, with two rows of areola in which the anterior row much smaller and like those of the ventral face of the lip. II and III uniannulate, with the interocular region being divided into two areas in III. IV uniannulate, with the interocular region being divided into four areas. V biannulate dorsally ((a1a2)>a3) with six interocular areas in the first annulus of this somite in dorsum; uniannulate ventrally as the buccal ring. VI triannulate dorsally (a2>a3>a1) and biannulate ventrally ((a1a2)>a3). VII triannulate (a1=a2<a3). VIII quadrannulate (a1=a2>b5=b6). IX–XXII midbody somite and quadrannulate, with the four annuli of the same length. XXIII triannulate (a1=a2>a3), with a1 & a2 partly united ventrally. XXIV triannulate with the three annuli of the same length. XXV biannulate ((a1a2)>a3), with annuli being divided into irregular polygonal areas, and each annulus bearing the first and second auricular lobes at the margins. XXVI uniannulate, being divided into irregular polygonal areas and with the third auricular lobe at the margins. XXVII uniannulate, being divided into irregular polygonal areas. Anus in XXVII (82nd annulus). Clitellum from X b5 (23rd annulus) to XIII a2 (34th annulus). Gonoporesseparated by three and a half annuli; male at XI b5/b6 (27th/28th annulus); female at XII b5 (31st annulus).

Jaws three, crescent shaped, small and very prominent, with about 45 teeth of the usual form and no salivary papillae. Pharynx in VII–IX, long and wide with spongy wall. Crop in X–XIX; with 10 pairs of caeca in each segment respectively; first nine pairs simple and unlobed, while the last pair of caeca in XIX elongated posteriorly toXXIV and lateral to intestine. Intestine in XIX–XXIV, without caeca, tapered sharply to rectum in XXIV. Rectum large and wide, tapered towards anus in XXVII.

Ten pairs of testisacs at XIII/XIV–XXII/XXIII. Vas deferens enters epididymis in XV and XVI. Epididymis always posterior beyond the vaginal sac, located variably in XV–XVII, in some cases from XIII to XIV with a long tail-like caudal part extending from XIV to XXVIII, ; moderately to slightly massive, entangled with each other as a whole mass, and with the anterior part of the mass usually covering on or covered by the vaginal sac. Ejaculatory bulbs large, elongated ellipsoid, lying at about the same level lateral-posteriorly or even totally posteriorly to the atrium, and connected by thick and short ejaculatory ducts to atrium in XI. Atrium moderate or small sized, round, rising dorsad of the level of the nerve cord passing along in the right side. Prostate glands of a thick layer covered on the atrium, ejaculatory duct, and anterior part of the ejaculatory bulbs. Ovisacs in XII, with very short oviduct joined into a short, slender, and curled common oviduct. Vaginal sac located variably in XII–XV, elongated ovate, with a very short vaginal stalk extended ventro-anteriorly into female gonopore in XII (Fig. 3C).

This species is only recorded in East and South East Asia, including the Indo-Chinese Peninsula, Ryukyu Islands of Japan, and Taiwan. In Taiwan, this species is recorded in the moist forests of low- and middle-elevation mountains around the island. In our recent surveys, it was collected in Taipei, Nantou, Pingtung, Yilan, and Hualien (Fig. 4).

Commonly found on the ground in moist forests. It attaches to leaf litter, grasses, and bushes on the ground.

Amphibians and medium- or large-sized mammals. The amphibian is probably the primary host, as this species has been frequently recorded parasitizing frogs and toads in Taiwan, including the common toad Bufo bankorensis Barbour, the Taipei green tree frog Rhacophorus taipeianus Liang & Wang, the temple tree frog Chirixalus idiootocus Kuramato & Wang, Swinhoe’s frog Rana swinhoana Boulengeer, and the olive frog Rana adenopleura Boulengeer.

Although Oka (1910) recorded that Tritetrabdella taiwana causes a considerable amount of injury by taking blood meals in the nasopharyngeal region of mammals, such as dogs and humans, there is doubt about such parasitic behavior in this species. Oka (1910) mentioned that the leeches of this species enter the nostrils of dogs and men to feed on blood by fastening to the mucous membranes of the nasal passages. However, based on Keegan et al. (1968) and our direct observations of the movement and attaching ability of this species, we argue that the leeches recorded as parasitic in the nasal cavities of mammals may in fact be the nasal leech Dinobdella ferox (Blanchard), which is a notorious leech species that specifically parasitizes the nasopharyngeal region of mammal hosts for fast growth before maturation, rather than Tritetrabdella taiwana.

In addition, because Tritetrabdella taiwana was the only land leech species that has been recorded feeding on frog and toad hosts, sometimes even in groups, it is possible that this species mainly acquires blood from amphibian hosts, whereas mammals covered in body hair are not a primary diet choice. This suggestion may also explain that, while Tritetrabdella taiwana is as widely distributed as other land leech species in Taiwan, such as Haemadipsa rjukjuana, there are fewer records of Tritetrabdella taiwana attacking hikers.