Genome sequencing of the endosymbiotic consortia and mitochondria of Hirudinida

Leeches (Annelida: Hirudinida) are an order of segmented worms sister to known Lumbriculidae (freshwater worms, black worms, microdriles ) that are most (in)famous for their widespread blood-feeding habit. Some obligate blood-feeding leeches are known to rely on obligately and (likely) vertically transmitted symbionts to supplement their nutrient-restricted diet. Moreover, blood-feeding leeches are known to carry a low-complexity microbiota, with specific localisation within their host.. We aim to characterise the genomes of leeches, mitochondria, and the symbiotic consortia from a large number of representative species, with the ultimate goal of understanding the evolutionary history of and metabolic interactions among leeches and their symbionts.