More than 35 years later, Bdellovibrio biology is undergoing a revival owing to the original, pioneering genetics work of Thomashow and colleagues (13), which has been followed up by genome sequencing and the development of new gene inactivation methods to study the function of these bacteria (32, 42, 60).
They also have five pairs of eyes. The Freshwater Leech is a parasite that feeds on the blood of fish, frogs, turtles, and mammals. It should not be confused with other leeches, most of which prey only on insects, snails, and small creatures.
Of the 650 species of leech listed, Hirudo medicinalis is one of the most extensively studied. This annelid from the subclass Hirudinea has 2 suckers, one housing the mouth and its 3 jaws. It lives mainly in the stagnant waters of marshes and ponds. When it comes to reproduction, the animal is a hermaphrodite. Inseminated leeches lay their eggs during the spring and summer months, outside the water, with cocoons containing as many as thirty young.