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Worms & Leeches
Leeches
Leeches are Annelids - i.e. they have segmented bodies. Recent sources class them as Clitellata, in the sub-class Hirudinea.
Most live in freshwater and are parasitic species, with suckers at both ends of their bodies used to attach to a host before piercing the skin. Hirudin is secreted to prevent blood clotting, and this has given rise to medicinal uses, past and present. A few live in terrestrial or marine environments, and a few are predatory.
Like earthworms, they are hermaphrodites with a clitellum or saddle in which egg capsules are produced.
Identification resources:
Elliott, J.M. & Dobson, M. (2015). Freshwater Leeches of Britain and Ireland. Freshwater Biological Association