Rhynchobdellida
Sign in to saveRhynchobdellida (from the Greek rhynchos, mouth, and bdellein, sucking), the jawless leeches or freshwater leeches, are an order of aquatic leeches. Despite the common name "freshwater leeches", species are found in both sea and fresh water. They are defined by the presence of a protrusible proboscis instead of jaws, and having colourless blood. They move by "inchworming" and are found worldwide. The order contains 110 species, divided into 41 genera and three families. Members of the order range widely in length, usually between 7 and 40 mm. They are hermaphrodite. The order is not monop
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7 sectionsContents
- Appearance and eating habits
- Families
- Glossiphoniidae (Freshwater jawless leeches)
- Piscicolidae (Fish leeches)
- Ozobranchidae (Turtle leeches)
- See also
- References
Rhynchobdellida (from the Greek rhynchos, mouth, and bdellein, sucking), the jawless leeches or freshwater leeches, are an order of aquatic leeches. Despite the common name "freshwater leeches", species are found in both sea and fresh water. They are defined by the presence of a protrusible proboscis instead of jaws, and having colourless blood. They move by "inchworming" and are found worldwide. The order contains 110 species, divided into 41 genera and three families. Members of the order range widely in length, usually between 7 and 40 mm. They are hermaphrodite. The order is not monophyletic.
== Appearance and eating habits == left|thumb|150x150px|Glossiphoniidae: Smooth Turtle Leech (Placobdella parasitica|Placobdella parisitica) on a snapping turtle shell. (Southern United States)