FIELD BOOK OF PONDS AND STREAMS 



Family Glossiphonida 



Several genera and many species live in shallow water among 

 plants or under stones, or attached to fishes, salamanders, 

 frogs and turtles. They are poor swimmers but good creepers. 

 When disturbed they roll up into balls and drop to the bottom. 

 They carry their eggs and young on the ventral side of the 

 body, undulating their bodies in order to secure more oxygen 

 for them (Fig. ii8). When carrying a large family the par- 

 ent's body is usually humped up a little and its edges are in- 

 rolled so that the young leeches are well protected. 



Fig. 117. — Turtle leech, Plucobdella parasitica: 

 I, dorsal; 2, ventral. 



Turtle leech, Placobdella parasitica. — Placobdella parasitica 

 is one of the most abundant American leeches, most often 

 found clinging to the skin at the base of the hind legs of painted 

 and snapping turtles (Fig. 117). When rearing their young 

 these leeches leave the turtles and feed on snails and worms. 

 In early spring before and during the period of reproduction 

 they gorge themselves with blood ; at other seasons they may 

 be kept for months without food. The body is broad and 

 flat, with a smooth surface, greenish colored, striped and 

 blotched with yellow; one pair of compound eyes. 



Length: very large individuals may be 3-4 inches long when 

 extended. 



Glossiphonia complanata. — This is a common leech in run- 

 ning water, on the undersides of stones where it feeds upon 



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