Leech–amphibian interactions are widespread and have been documented in eggs, tadpoles, and adult individuals. Their impact on amphibian hosts extends beyond tissue damage and blood loss, as leeches can also act as vectors for pathogens. Despite their importance, reports of leech parasitism in amphibians are unevenly distributed worldwide, with particularly scarce information from India.

A recent study published in Acta Herpetologica provides the first detailed account of ectoparasitism by the land leech (Haemadipsa zeylanica) on the Indian golden-backed frog (Indosylvirana indica cochiniana). The observation was made in June 2024 in the Agumbe forest (Shimoga district, Karnataka, India), where an adult frog was found with a leech attached to its tympanum.

Although opportunistic, land leech parasitism may be shaped by microclimatic conditions such as humidity, water hardness, leech density, and host availability. While rarely directly lethal, leech infestation has been shown to reduce host body condition, particularly in individuals carrying heavier parasite loads.

These findings suggest that land leeches impose health costs on their amphibian hosts and may, over time, influence population density. The physiological and ecological consequences of this often-overlooked interaction deserve closer attention, particularly when assessing the dynamics of vulnerable amphibian species.

Read the full paper to find out more.

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