European bloodsucking leech [Theromyzon maculosum]
Description
The European bloodsucking leech, Theromyzon maculosum, is a species of leech that primarily inhabits freshwater environments in Europe. It is often dark green to brown in color with light spots, hence the name 'maculosum', which means 'spotted'. This leech is usually found in marshes, ponds, and lakes and feeds on the blood of amphibians, fish, and birds. Identifying features include its elongated body, a pair of eyes at the anterior end, and two suckers at both ends of the body.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Segmented Worms
Annelida
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Leeches
Hirudinea
|
| Order |
Rhynchobdellida
Rhynchobdellida
|
| Family |
Glossiphoniids
Glossiphoniidae
|
| Genus |
Theromyzon
Theromyzon
|