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Small sucker
- leech, (subclass Hirudinea), any of about 650 species of segmented worms (phylum Annelida) characterized by a small sucker, which contains the mouth, at the anterior end of the body and a large sucker located at the posterior end.
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Most leeches have a sucker at both the anterior (front) and posterior (back) ends, but some primitive leeches have a single sucker at the back. [24] [25] Leech anatomy in cross-section: the body is solid, the coelom (body cavity) reduced to channels, with circular, longitudinal, and transverse muscles making the animal strong and flexible. [26]
Sep 28, 2024 · leech, (subclass Hirudinea), any of about 650 species of segmented worms (phylum Annelida) characterized by a small sucker, which contains the mouth, at the anterior end of the body and a large sucker located at the posterior end. All leeches have 34 body segments.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
- Freshwater Leech Biology and Ecology
- UK Leech Taxonomy
- The Lifecycle of A Leech
- Finding Leeches
- Leech Identification
- Useful Links and Resources
- References
Leeches belong to the phylum Annelida- the same phylum that earthworms belong to. This means their bodies have true segmentation. However, unlike earthworms, leeches have a fixed number of body segments from hatching, 34 segments (Elliott and Dobson, 2015). Leeches also have an anterior and posterior sucker which earthworms lack. These suckers are ...
In the UK we have 17 species of freshwater leeches (Elliott and Dobson, 2015). UK leeches split into two separate orders- Rhynchobdellida and Arhynchobdellida. Working out the order your specimen belongs to is the first step in leech identification. The main difference is the presence or absence of an eversible proboscis, this is a tube-like organ ...
Leeches are hermaphrodites, meaning each individual has both male and female reproductive organs. However, they can also reproduce sexually – with some species having a breeding season. The time between mating and egg-laying varies between species. Young leeches develop in eggs, which are enclosed inside cocoons. The number of eggs inside an indivi...
When surveying for leeches, the best collection method is hand-searching. They can often be found clinging to the underside of stones, or near the bases of reeds and rushes. They can also be found on the underside of submerged leaf litter. The best way to collect a leech is simply to wipe it off the object it is on using a finger and then wash it o...
Leech identification can occur when the specimen is live, with many species able to be identified in the field with just a hand lens. However, a microscope can be useful for some species, and live leeches can be temporarily immobilised in soda water for 10-15 minutes to make microscope work easier (Elliott and Dobson, 2015). They can be released af...
The book ‘Freshwater Leeches of Britain and Ireland’ is a fantastic resource for leech identification and can be purchased from the Freshwater Biological Association here.The Freshwater Habitats Trust has been working to conserve the Medicinal Leech, and more information on the Medicinal Leech Recovery Project can be found here.Join us on a freshwater ecology courseto learn more about leeches and the other species present in the underwater world.Complete our online course ‘Discovering iRecord‘ to learn more about this tool and biological recording.Croft, P.S. (1986). A Key to the Major Groups of British Freshwater Invertebrates.Elliott, J.M. and Dobson, M. (2015). Freshwater Leeches of Britain and Ireland.Oct 5, 2024 · Leeches have a small sucker at the anterior end and a large sucker at the posterior end. A clitellum is present in the mid-region during the reproductive period. The poorly developed eyes are paired structures at the anterior end.
Jan 30, 2019 · Leeches are blood suckers, but not all the leech species are after humans. There are all kinds of leeches around the world. We'll discuss all sorts of leech facts in this Animal Fact Files...
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Feb 5, 2024 · Measuring leeches is not easy because each individual leech will have a contracted length and an extended length. To measure Medicinal Leeches, we use the size of the rear (posterior) sucker as a proxy for its size.
Oct 3, 2016 · The leech has a small anterior sucker which surrounds its pointed apical mouth. The anus opens on the dorsal surface above the large rear sucker. The leech also has two other types of excretory organs: the segmental nephridia and hermaphrodite (male and female) reproductive organs.
