By Chas Voigt and Brian Shockley

University of Nebraska - LincolnSchool of Biological Sciences

School of Psychology

Classification    Domain Eukaryota - eukaryotes      Kingdom Animalia Linnaeus, 1758 - animals        Subkingdom Bilateria (Hatschek

, 1888) Cavalier-Smith, 1983 - bilaterians          Branch Protostomia Grobben, 1908 - protostomes            Infrakingdom "Lophotrochozoa" - lophotrochozoans              Superphylum Eutrochozoa                Phylum Annelida Lamarck, 1809 - segmented worms                  Superclass Clitellata                    Class Hirudinea Lamarck, 1818 - leeches                      Subclass Euhirudinea Lukin, 1956 - true leeches                        Order Rhynchobdellida Blanchard, 1894                          Family Glossiphoniidae                            Subfamily Glossiphoniinae™  Johnson, 1816                              Genus Placobdella                                Placobdella ornata (Verrill, 1872)

Addison Emery VerrillNamed Placobdella ornata in

1872First Professor of Zoology at

Yale UniversityCurator at Yale Peabody

MuseumPublished more than 350

papers and monographsDescribed more than 1,000

species

Placobdella ornataPossess a long protruding

proboscis which is relatively weak compared to those of other species of leeches.

Between 2-5 centimeters long

Contains 34 segments on its body

Long dorsally compressed body

Groove like sidesTwo suckers

EnvironmentMost commonly found feeding on the soft

body regions of turtles in aquatic conditionsCommonly found in vegetation near the

feeding or swimming paths of other organisms

Predominately found in the Midwest and southern regions in the United States

Usually remains in water or a very moist environment

Prefer to be in slow or still water

Sexy TimeReproduction very oddHermaphrodites yet not asexualPenetrate partner with spermatophoreCocoon secreted by clitellum is fertilizedMommy cares for young until developed

CultureToday, leeches are still

seen as a blood sucking parasiteNew movement for using

leeches in hospitals is reemergingNontraditional Doctors still practice with leeches Some still believe leeches

remove toxins and “bad blood”

Documented use of leeches over 3000 years old

Commonly referred to in

French historyBlood Misconceptions19th century

explosion.

This desired tomb, in which he is confined, Pours, drop by drop, innocent blood. A thousand evils in his time were done by his cruelty, For which even in Hell each man fears him. This tomb, so long longed for in France! Tomb of the bloodsucker, enemy of God, Who sucked true innocent blood in many places, For which also in Hell he now receives reward! Oh, joyous day on which a hideous death Snatched off this Tyrant, cardinal from Hell, To put him in Great Lucifer's black tomb, Below his mansions, under the shadowy earth! Pierre de L'Estoile, Registre-journal de regne de Henri III

MedicineLeech saliva contains antiseptic chemicalsEmit Huridin while feedingSecretions thin blood to prevent coagulationUsed after reconstructive surgery Promotes blood circulation

No Pain

Increase blood Flow

Cheap

Many new friends

Capable of feeding twice a year

Ingests 5x body weight

Mutualistic Relationships

Indicator Species

Most won’t feed on you!