1. Hirudinaria granulosa is commonly known as Indian cattle leech.
2. It is found in freshwater ponds, lakes, slow running streams and swamps.
3. Body is elongated, dorsoventrally flattened, measuring 30 to 35 centimeters in length with dorsal surface green and ventral surface orange yellow in colour.
4. Body is divided metaphorically into 33 somites or segments, each segment is further divided into rings or annuli.
5. Anterior and posterior suckers are well developed.
6. Anterior sucker is oval and ventral bearing tri radiate mouth and is formed by the fusion of prostomium and few anterior segments.
7. Posterior sucker is circular and forms a highly muscular disc at the posterior end. It serves as a powerful organ of adhesion and locomotion.
8. Dorsal 5 segments bear five pairs of eyes.
9. Segmental receptor organs are four pairs on the dorsal surface and three pairs on ventral surface.
Source:
1. Practical Zoology Invertebrates by S.S.Lal. 2. A Manual of Practical Zoology Chordates by Dr. P.S. Verma.
