Species Classification and Metagenomic Analysis of Terrestrial Leech in Sultan Idris Shah Forestry Education Centre (SISFEC)

Mahamad Ruzei, Nur Afiqah (2020) Species Classification and Metagenomic Analysis of Terrestrial Leech in Sultan Idris Shah Forestry Education Centre (SISFEC). [Project Paper] (Submitted)

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Abstract

Leech (Hirunidae sp) is a simple organism that is most comparable with worm because of its morphology. They have undergone some adaptation for their blood-feeding style for eating purposes. Leeches can be found in freshwater and land. The largest species of land or terrestrial leeches is Haemadipsa. It can be found in India, Southern Asia, Indonesia, Australia, Philippines, China and Japan. In Malaysia, three species of terrestrial leech have been discovered which are Haemadipsa picta (tiger leech), Haemadipsa sylvestris and Haemadipsa zeylanica. Leech is characterized by their external morphologies such as caudal suckers and eyespot arrangement. Haemadipsa zeylanica is one of the well-characterized terrestrial leeches which mainly lives in Asia continent. Terrestrial leeches feed only on mammals and other vertebrates. The blood meal consumed by the leech is remained in the gut for up to 3 months. Objectives: This study generally aims to collect the terrestrial leeches in Sultan Idris Shah Forestry Education Centre (SISFEC) for species classification and metagenomics analysis. Hypothesis: Terrestrial leech species collected from SISFEC is classified and metagenomic analysis show related bacterial presence. Methodology: Terrestrial leeches were collected in SISFEC and the morphology of the leech was observed by using stereomicroscope for species classification. The leech then subjected to genomic DNA extraction. The metagenomic analysis was performed by targeting the 16S rDNA by NGS. Results: Terrestrial leeches from SISFEC are classified as Haemadipsa zeylanica based on the morphological form, body colour and patterns of the strips and the length of the leeches. For the metagenomic analysis, the bacteria identified are the family of Rhizobiaceae, Sphingobacteriaceae and Myxobacteria. Conclusion: The species of terrestrial leeches found in SISFEC is Haemadipsa zeylanica. The bacteria identified in the terrestrial leeches are soil-based bacteria.

Item Type:	Project Paper
Faculty:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Science
Depositing User:	Ms. Nor Safa'aton Saidin
Date Deposited:	23 Aug 2023 00:33
Last Modified:	23 Aug 2023 00:33
URI:	http://psaspb.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/1303

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