Why are leeches classed as annelids when they do have segmentation?

Question

I tought segmentation was the defining charteristic of annalieds why not put them with molluslks

Answer 1

Leeches are annelids.

They have segmented bodies, as well as other similar organs.

Are you sure you are not thinking of flatworms which can be mistaken for leeches.  They occur in freshwater (like leeches) but lack segmentation.  They are in a separate group.

Answer 2

I'm not quite sure what you are asking.  I think you may have omitted a word somewhere.

Leeches are classified as annelids, and like other annelids, they do have segmentation.  They are very much like earthworms except that they don't have a really obvious clitellum and they suck blood for nourishment.  Leeches really don't share much in common with mollusks at all.  They don't have anything that resembles a mantle cavity, for example, nor do they exhibit any type of shell growth, either internal or external.

They definitely belong with the other annelid worms.

Answer 3

Because leeches have very clear segmentation.  If you look close you will see the segmentation as lines running across the leech.  The lines are closer together than on an earth worm or other annelid but they ARE there.