Oct 26, 2022 · In the UK we have 17 species of freshwater leeches (Elliott and Dobson, 2015). UK leeches split into two separate orders- Rhynchobdellida and Arhynchobdellida. Working …

Apr 5, 2025 · There are 18 species of freshwater leech found in Britain. [1] Rhynchobdellida is an order of "jawless" leeches with a pharynx which they evert to attack their hosts. [2] Piscicola …

British freshwater leeches are most easily identified by examining the head shape and eye arrangement, lengths are in mm of fully grown leeches at rest. There are 16 British freshwater …

Feb 5, 2024 · Despite their gruesome reputation leeches are fascinating animals. This talk will explore their natural history and cultural significance, including why leech conservation is …

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 …

May 10, 2024 · The guide to freshwater leeches covers all 17 species of leech found in Britain and Ireland, and clearly shows which species can be identified in the field, and which species need …

In the UK we have 17 species of freshwater leech, living in ponds, lakes and slow-flowing stretches of rivers as they don’t survive well in fast-moving water. Most of our leeches are …

UK leeches split into two separate orders: Rhynchobdellida and Arhynchobdellida. In the order Rhynchobdellia, there are two families: Piscicolidae Glossiphoniidae. And in the order …

The Medicinal Leech is the largest of the leeches found in the UK and the only one known to feed on human blood.

Taking medicinal leeches from the wild is now illegal in the UK as the species is fully protected by the Wildlife & Countryside Act. They are designated as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List …