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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.
In North America, there are several hundred species of slime molds. In any one location, there can be up to 50 different kinds. Slime molds are present in all soils. They are common on decaying logs, fallen leaves, mulch, lawns with excessive thatch, and on strawberry leaves. Although typically classified as fungi, slime molds are unique in their development.