Glossiphoniids [Glossiphoniidae]

Description

Glossiphoniidae is a family of leeches characterized by their flattened bodies and suctorial disks, which they use for attachment to hosts. Members of this family are primarily freshwater but include some species that have adapted to marine environments. These leeches are ectoparasites that feed on the blood of vertebrates and invertebrates. They exhibit a wide range of reproductive strategies, including hermaphroditism and direct development, where the young emerge as miniature adults. Marine representatives of this family are often found in estuarine environments, associating with a variety of hosts.

Genera

Taxonomy