What is hirudinea?

1. What does Hirudinea mean?
2. Are all Hirudinea parasites?
3. What are examples of Hirudinea?
4. Do Hirudinea have Septa?
5. Do leech bites hurt?
6. Are there leeches in Indiana?
7. Where are Hirudinea found?
8. Are Hirudinea parasitic or free living?
9. Does Hirudinea have setae?
10. What animal has 32 brains?

What does Hirudinea mean?

: a class of hermaphroditic aquatic, terrestrial, or parasitic annelid worms distinguished by a coelom nearly obliterated by connective tissue and reduced to a series of vascular sinuses, by modification of the hindmost segments into a sucking disk, and by the absence of parapodia and setae.

Are all Hirudinea parasites?

Leeches are segmented parasitic or predatory worms that comprise the subclass Hirudinea within the phylum Annelida. ... The majority of leeches live in freshwater habitats, while some species can be found in terrestrial or marine environments.

What are examples of Hirudinea?

The class Hirudinea in the phylum Annelida (segmented worms) comprises the leeches, the most highly specialized of the major annelid groups. Leeches are typically dorsoventrally flattened annelids with suckers at both ends and 34 body segments (designated I-XXXIV) which are externally divided into a number of annuli.

Do Hirudinea have Septa?

Leeches are characterized by 33 or 34 segments, no chaetae or septa, totally reduced parapodia, unpaired male and female genital openings in the region of the glandulose belt called the clitellum, two pairs of suckers, and other characteristics. Hirudinea are hermaphroditic.

Do leech bites hurt?

Leech bites are not dangerous or painful, just annoying. Unlike some other creatures that bite, leeches don't cause stinging, carry diseases or leave a poisonous stinger in the wound. The bite doesn't hurt since leeches release an anaesthetic when they bite, but due to the anticoagulant, the wounds bleed a fair bit.

Are there leeches in Indiana?

They are common in freshwater habitats throughout Indiana, more so in shallow waters that experience slow, if any, currents and thick vegetation. ... Leeches primarily live in freshwater and are most common in shallow areas without currents that have aquatic vegetation.

Where are Hirudinea found?

Habitat: This leech is found in naturally occurring freshwater lakes, ponds, streams, and marshes. It is usually found at the water surface near shore when at rest. Diet: The North American medicinal leech feeds mostly on amphibian and fish blood, but occasionally attacks mammals.

Are Hirudinea parasitic or free living?

Most Oligochaetes and Polychaetes are free-living. This contrasts with the parasitic leeches of the class Hirudinea. Hirudineans have a snake-like movement. One can definitely see this when observing the aquatic leech.

Does Hirudinea have setae?

All Oligochaetes bear bristles called "setae" on most segments. ... The Hirudinea resemble the oligochaetes in their major habitats (fresh water and land) as well as in lack of parapodia and reduction of specialized head structures that we will find in the Polychaeta.

What animal has 32 brains?

Leech has 32 brains. A leech's internal structure is segregated into 32 separate segments, and each of these segments has its own brain. Leech is an annelid.