| Factors affecting cannibalism in leeches |
| Paper ID : 1044-ICIAQUA |
| Authors |
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sepide firouzbakhsh *, Mohammad Sudagar Gorgan university of agricultural sciences and natural resources |
| Abstract |
| In aquaculture environments, cannibalism among leeches appears as a multifaceted behavior under the influence of various factors, which requires a comprehensive investigation to understand its consequences on the leech population and to reduce its occurrence. This study examines the determinants of cannibalism in leech cultivation environments and identifies the key factors that play a role in its occurrence. The primary focus is on malnutrition, high population density, poor environmental conditions, inefficient management practices, lack of size segregation and lack of access to natural feeding behaviors. Nutrient deficiency is important as an important trigger, as leeches resort to cannibalism when food is scarce. In addition, high population density intensifies competition for resources and increases cannibalism. Adverse environmental conditions, such as inappropriate water temperature, poor water quality, and high pollution levels, impose stress on leeches and potentially induce aggressive cannibalistic behaviors. Inadequate management practices, including irregular cleaning of reservoirs and failure to comply with sanitary conditions, can lead to disease outbreaks and increase the possibility of cannibalism. Additionally, the lack of size segregation in rearing tanks creates a condition where larger leeches may prey on smaller conspecifics, emphasizing the importance of size segregation in preventing cannibalism. Finally, restriction of natural feeding behaviors in rearing environments can lead to unusual behaviors, including cannibalism, as leeches seek alternative food sources. Addressing these factors through improved management strategies, such as regular feeding, population density control, optimization of environmental conditions and size segregation, can significantly reduce the occurrence of cannibalism in leech aquaculture |
| Keywords |
| cannibalism, leech, density |
| Status: Abstract Accepted (Poster Presentation) |