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A new study provides video evidence that terrestrial leeches can jump.
This behavior has been debated by scientists for over a century.
The study, published in Biotropica, features footage of leeches (genus Chtonobdella) from Madagascar.
Biotropica is a peer-reviewed scientific journal published by Wiley-Blackwell on behalf of the Association for Tropical Biology & Conservation
Leeches are segmented parasitic or predatory worms that comprise the subclass Hirudinea within the phylum Annelida.
They are closely related to the oligochaetes, which include the earthworm, and like them have soft, muscular segmented bodies that can lengthen and contract.
Jumping is not uncommon among worm-like creatures.
Examples like gall midge larvae, fruit fly larvae, and certain caterpillars can jump.
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