L. Forró szerk.: Miscellanea Zoologica Hungarica 13. 2000 (Budapest, 2000)

Juhász, P., Kovács, T.; Ambrus, A.: The Leech Collection of the Mátra Museum (Hirudinea)

MISCELLANEA ZOOLOGICA HUNGARICA Tomus 13. 2TJ00 p. 37^5 The Leech Collection of the Mátra Museum (Hirudinea) by P. Juhász, T. Kovács and A. Ambrus (Received May 30,1999) Abstract: The paper reviews the leech collection of the Mátra Museum at Gyöngyös. Collecting was performed between 21.09.1993-04.06.1999. at 150 sampling sites. The reported 27 leech species constitute 90% of the Hungarian fauna. Keywords: Hungary, Hirudinea, faunistics, distribution, communities, habitat Introduction The geographic distribution of the Hungarian leech species is largely unknown. The information gap in this respect inspired the authors to review, survey and publish all of the relevant data on the basis of the collection of the Mátra Museum. This collection is only paralleled by the leech collection of the Hungarian Natural History Museum at Budapest. By reviewing the Hungarian literature only limited number of faunistic papers appears. Earlier publications are usually limited to few water bodies. Evaluation of some of the Hungarian regions has already been started, but no overview has ever been published yet. Authors carried out collecting between 21.09.1993-04.06.1999 at 150 sampling sites. Sampling campaigns covered all of the relevant sub-regions of the country, including water bodies on plains, hilly areas and mountains (bog, wetland, marshland, lake, creek, channel, river). Material and methods The collecting is based on the samplings of the authors, therefore the sampling method is given here. Samples of animals were collected by pond-net from the disturbed substrate that was bottom sediment as well as the higher plants. In addition we also thoroughly investigated the submerged tree trunks, larger boulders, artificial shore enforcements, and all of the larger non-natural articles, such as tire, plastic foils, etc. Collected animals were first anesthetized in 5-10% ethanol solution, which was followed by 50% of ethanol. At the end of the conservation process the slime was removed from the skin of the animals and they were finally fixed with fully elongated body in 70% ethanol solution. Species determination was based on the review of Nesemann (1997). The collection is deposited in the Mátra Museum at Gyöngyös. Results In the following section of the paper the sequence of the data gives the following details. First the municipality is named, and it is followed by the identification of the stream (sampling site). After this the collecting point is identified and the specific water body. The location is followed by the date of sampling. Finally the number of individuals found is given and the name(s) of the collector(s). Abbreviations: AA=Ambrus András, BK=Bánkuti Károly, JP=Juhász Péter, sKT= senior Kovács Tibor, KT-Kovács Tibor, VA=Varga András.