Arhynchobdellida

Arhynchobdellida, the proboscisless leeches, are a monophyletic order of leeches. They are defined by the lack of the protrusible proboscis that defines their sister taxon, the Rhynchobdellida. Arhynchobdellida is a diverse order, compromising both aquatic and terrestrial, besides sanguivorous and predatory, leeches. The order is divided into two suborders, Erpobdelliformes and Hirudiniformes (sometimes also called the Pharyngobdelliformes and Gnathobdelliformes, respectively).

== Taxonomy == Historically, the Arhynchobdellida were split into two orders, the Gnathobdellida and the Pharyngobdellida. The Gnathobdellida were jawed and carnivorous or parasitic while the Pharyngobdellida were jawless and carnivorous. Current taxonomy accepts the order Arhynchobdellida and divides into two suborders. There are 215 species of Arhynchobdellid leech, in 47 genera and 13 families. The placement of Americobdellidae is uncertain; it has rudimentary jaws and is terrestrial.left|thumb|180x180px|Erpobdella octoculata (Erpobdelliformes:Erpobdellidae)