When you think of a leech you think of a blood sucking, good for nothing parasite, but that is not

true. Hirudo medicinalis, also known as the medicinal leech is an invertebrate that has long been important for humans. They have left a mark on medical practices over the centuries, and are still important today. Hirudo medicinalis is currently used for medical purposes such as reconstructive surgery, and therapy. These leeches find homes in wetlands such as eutrophic ponds and marshes, living in both terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems. Its native to Europe, but over time their numbers have dwindled. Although being extremely useful, the leech is still, and always will be a parasite and this has led to humans further killing them off in addition to their over collection. As an obvious result, the leech has become endangered, and will become extinct if nothing is done to help the species. All this leads to the question, how have human interactions threatened the survival of Hirudo medicinalis? Hirudo medicinalis belongs to a group of animals called invertebrates. Invertebrates are animals without backbones. All the animals that belong under the listing of invertebrates are divided into several major groups, or phyla. The phylum Porifera includes animals that have pores, also known as sponges. Cnidarians (of the phylum Cnidaria) have special stinging organs called nematocysts that group them into this phylum. The Animals of Platyhelminthes contain worms that have flat bodies. Nematoda includes roundworms, and Annelida includes segmented worms. Echinodermata is made up of animals with external spines, and the phylum Mollusca includes animals that usually have limy shells and always have soft bodies. Finally, Chordata is a phylum that takes in animals with a rigid structure of bone of cartilage in their backs which serve

as support. The higher chordates have a spinal column divided into vertebrae, and the lower chordates have a one piece rod of cartilage instead, and are considered invertebrates. Hirudo medicinalis is a segmented worm belonging to the phylum Annelida. The phylum Annelida includes all worms with bodies made up of segments, which are the most highly developed worms. This group can be divided into Polychaete worms, Oliochaete worms, and Leeches. The Polychaetes have both tentacles on their heads, and leg like structures called parapodia which are located on each body segment. They also have a lot of satae that help them hold on to surfaces when they move. Leeches have a sucker on each end of their long body, and mostly live in water. Oligochaete have no parapodia, but very few setae. Hirudo medicinalis undoubtedly belongs to the leech group. What has caused the leeches numbers to dwindle? A number of factors have actually led to their decline including over collection. Over collection started in the early 1900s, when leeches were a popular treatment because many believed that they would suck out the diseased, or bad blood from patients therefore curing them. There was even a special procedure for the bloodletting. Patients would hold on to a pole wrapped in linen to make their veins more visible. Physicians, or as called at the time barbers would then administer the leeches. They became so popular, that patients were given up to 80 leeches a session, as said in the article ancient origins of, and trends in the use of medicinal leeches throughout history. Although, the practice of bloodletting using leeches had actually begun in ancient Egypt, it had become popular at that time. One reason why bloodletting by leeches was discontinued is because the use of 1 leech for more than 1 patient spread the diseased blood. Even though over collection is no longer that big of a problem because of leech farming, Hirudo medicinalis numbers continue to drop.

If you thought that treatments using leeches are just a thing of the past, youre wrong! After leech popularity died down, it was again introduced 15 years ago to micro-surgeons as an aid to salvage compromised microvascular free tissue transfers, as stated in the article: Ancient Origins of, and Trends in the Use of Medicinal Leeches throughout History. They are also used to treat conditions such as periorbital haematomas, sever maroglossia, and purpura fulminans. On the bright side, leeches are not still over collected for these purposes because of leech farming, although the millions collected earlier are still making an impact on the population. Also, the leeches saliva has certain qualities beneficial to humans. According to the ICUN endangered species list, Several anticoagulants, such as anithrombin compound hirudin, have been extracted from salivary tissues and have biomedical /pharmacological use. This proves yet again how useful these leeches are for human kind, yet we barely do anything to fix our previous mistakes. Another reason why the leech is endangered is the destruction of wetlands. According to the IUCN list of endangered species, A more significant issue is the conversion of grazing marshes (which are the prime habitat of the species) to arable cultivation. The destruction of these grazing marshes has also resulted in the endangerment of several host species, or the species Hirudo medicinalis needs to survive. Not only have humans collected them to the limit, but now they are starving them to death! In addition, many of the few marshes left to live in are now polluted, for the same reason. Although it may not be easy, the threats presented in this essay can be resolved. One way to do so would be to build artificial environments in areas to replace those lost because of cultivation. They would be complete with wetlands and a population of host species to let the leeches thrive. Another action could be to promote the population of host species. As stated by:

Bio One online journals, blood meals are crucial to the survival of their juveniles. The more animals to feed on, the less leeches die as juveniles. There are even some actions that people can do as individuals or children as a class, one of which would be to raise awareness. You can stand in the middle of Times Square with a picket sign, start a petition to stop the killing off of the leeches, or even post something on Facebook about them. These will all help raise awareness. Although it will not affect Hirudo medicinalis directly and may seem completely insignificant, it just might benefit long term. In conclusion, many human interactions have compromised the survival of Hirudo medicinalis. Despite their importance to all humans, we continue to let their numbers dwindle and this is not acceptable. Leeches have formed a sort of symbiotic relationship with humans. They feed of patients for food, and the patients get treatment. It would be hard to replace them when they are gone. Also, a key scientific research would be lost. It is theorized that leech saliva can be transformed into an antibiotic! They scratched our back; its time for us to scratch theirs.

 "Historical Article: Hirudo Medicinalis: Ancient Origins Of, and Trends in the U se of Medicinal -Leeches throughout History." Historical Article: Hirudo Medicinalis: Ancient Origins Of, and Trends in the Use of Medicinal Leeches throughout History. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Feb. 2014. "The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species." The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. N.p., n.d. Web.09 Feb. 2014. "BioOne Online Journals - Home." BioOne Online Journals - Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Feb. 2014. "Hirudo Medicinalis Details." Encyclopedia of Life. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Feb. 2014. Wit, Lawrence C. Invertebrate World Book Advanced. World Book, 2009. Web. 7 Dec. 2009. Oetinger, David F. worm World Book Advanced. World Book, 2009. Web. 21 Dec. 2009.