sanguivorous

That suggests that sanguivorous habits (feeding on blood) evolved only once, and the three species share a common ancestor.

It is suggested that this dilution of the blood facilitates the faster digestive rates shown by T. rude compared with other sanguivorous species which rapidly eliminate water from their guts after feeding.

A new genus, Priscabdella, for aquatic jawed sanguivorous leeches from Flinders Island, north-east Tasmania and southern South Australia (Hirudinoidea: Richardsonianidae)

Once there, they use the same technique for blood extraction as other sanguivorous leeches: opening of a small wound, usage of an anticoagulant to prevent blood clotting, and ingestion of the blood.