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Most Glossiphoniidae feed on macroinvertebrates, but some parasitize fish and other animals. They are poor swimmers and tend to spend their time on the substrate in a variety of water bodies.
Glossiphoniidae are generally flattened with a wide body and narrow head. If a fairly large, distinct sucker is present on the head end, it is fused to the underside of the head and is narrower than the body. They often have from 1 to 4 pairs of eyes.
In a study of Pacific Northwest riverine wetlands, a single leech in the genus Helobdella was encountered.
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Size: large
Identifying feature(s): flattened with a wide body and narrow head
Habitat: solid substrates, slack water, some riffles
Tolerance to pollutants: tolerant |
Identify taxa
