I was wondering if anyone knew where the word hirudinea came from - where is it from?

Question

I know that it is the scientific name of one of the classes of Annelids, i was just wondering, where it originated from.

Answer 1

the word hirudinea comes from the latin word hirudo, hirudinis, which means a leech.

Answer 2

I'm not sure of the original etymology of the word in the first place, but the scientific name Hirudinea comes directly from the Latin word for leech: hirudo.

Hirudo is also the type Genus for the group, with species such as the familiar Hirudo medicinalis (medicinal leech).

Answer 3

The Hirudinea
That will be Leeches to you sir.
[edit] Origin
The leeches are presumed to have evolved from the Oligochaeta, most of which feed on detritus. However, some species in the Lumbriculidae are predaceous and have similar adaptations to the leeches.

hir‧u‧din‧e‧an  /ˌhɪrʊˈdɪniən/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[hir-oo-din-ee-uhn] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation

–noun 1. any annelid worm of the class Hirudinea, comprising the leeches.
–adjective 2. belonging or pertaining to the Hirudinea.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Origin: 1825–35; < NL Hirudine(a) (L hirÅ«din- (s. of hirÅ«dō) leech + -ea, neut. pl. of -eus adj. suffix) + -an]

[Origin: < NL; see hirudinean]

Answer 4

Is this what you're looking for ?

http://www.earthlife.net/inverts/hirundinae.html
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Hirudinea.html
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Hirudinea

Answer 5

Hirudin is a peptide, anti-coagulant found in the saliva of leeches.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hirudin