| Leeches |
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Leeches are annelids comprising the subclass Hirudinea and are classified as hermaphrodites, simply meaning that they are organisms that have both male and female reproductive organs. They reproduce by reciprocal fertilization and sperm transfer occurs during copulation. The leech manifesting the role of the male will grow a sperm sack near the end of their tail, and the leech manifesting the female role will bite it off, thus reproducing. There are fresh water, terrestrial and marine leeches. The European medical leeches (Hirudo medicinalis) as well as other species have been used for clinical bloodletting for thousands of years. Currently according to experts there are more than 500 species of leeches worldwide. The most common leeches found in Malaysia are known as Hirudinaria Manillensis which are categorized as green leeches, hill leeches and mountain leeches which take on black and green or black and brown colours. However, caution must be taken as not all leeches can be used for medical purposes. Illnesses treated through the use of leeches include:
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