Question

read the information below about the leech and answer the questions

1. number of parents required.
2. type of reproduction.
3. amount of parental care.
4. genetic variation of the offspring.
5. anything interesting about this organisms way of reproducing.

reproductive strategies
animal profile:
duck leech (theromyzon tessulatum)
leeches are the stuff of horror movies and doomed
journeys into infested waters. this leech is no excep-
tion. it has the disgusting habit of attaching itself to
nostrils, eyes, throats, and even brains. thankfully for
humans, it only does this to ducks and other waterfowl.
this has earned it the common name \duck leech\
the duck leech does a good job getting around. it
probably gets spread as ducks fly from pond to pond.
like all leeches, this leech is a hermaphrodite: it has
both male and female reproductive parts. but that
doesnt mean it can move into a pond all alone, repro-
duce with itself, and start a new leech population. it
still takes two to tango, as they say. a leech requires
sperm from another leech to fertilize its eggs.
when the duck leech reproduces, two leeches rub
together and give each other their sperm. each leech
will use the others sperm to fertilize its eggs. they they
place as many as 400 fertilized eggs into gooey co-
coons for protection. a leech attaches its cocoons to a
rock or other sheltered place, then waves its body over
them. this delivers fresh, oxygen - rich water.
after 21 days, all 400 of the developing young leeches
attach to their parents belly. they remain attached
until the parent finds a suitable bird for a meal. when
that happens, the young bloodsuckers leave their par-
ent behind and attach to the host for their first blood
meal. the parent dies shortly thereafter, but not before
giving hundreds of new eyeball - suckers a shot at the
game of life.

Explanation:

1. The text states "A leech requires sperm from another leech to fertilize its eggs", so two parents are needed.
2. Sexual reproduction as it involves sperm from another leech fertilizing eggs.
3. The young attach to the parent's belly until the parent finds a host. The parent also provides oxygen - rich water to the cocoons.
4. Sexual reproduction leads to genetic variation as offspring get genetic material from two parents.
5. Leeches are hermaphrodites (have both male and female reproductive parts) but still need another leech to reproduce.

Answer:

1. Two.
2. Sexual reproduction.
3. Moderate (young attach to parent, parent provides some care like oxygenating cocoons).
4. High (due to sexual reproduction with genetic contribution from two parents).
5. Leeches are hermaphrodites but still need a partner to reproduce.