Hirudinformes

Mark E. Siddall & E. M. Burreson *

        ._______ Macrobdellidae
        |           
________|      ._______________ Haemadipsidae
        |      |            
        \______|      ._______ Haemopidae
               \______|  
                      \_____________ Hirudinidae

Containing clade: Arynchobdellida

Table of Contents

Characteristics of the Group
Sources of Information on the Internet
References

Characteristics of the Hirudinidae

• ovisacs spheriod
• coalescence of nephridial funnel apparatus into "ciliated organ"
• urinary bladder present
• cocoons not cemented to substrate
• female median reproductive apparatus modified into vaginal tube

Sources of Information on the Internet

• Life History Evolution

• Picture Gallery of Leeches

• Classification of Leeches

• (Discovery Channel Program) - NICE!

• Joel's Houdini the Leech, Riverdale School, Portland, OR

• Effect of ale, garlic, and soured cream on the appetite of leeches

• Leech Neurobiology Newsletter

• Building a better leech

• KAIST BioResource LAB
  and information on clotting mechanisms

References

• Sawyer, R. T. 1986. Leech biology and behaviour. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK. 10065 pp.

• Siddall, M. E., and Burreson, E. M. 1995. Phylogeny of the Euhirudinea: Independent evolution of blood feeding by leeches? Canadian Journal of Zoology, 73: 1048-1064

About This Page

Page copyright © 1995 Mark E. Siddall
Last modified 30 April, 1996