Revision of the literature concerning Agriodrilus (Oligochaeta, Lumbriculidae) and Acanthobdella (Acanthobdellida), both supposedly intermediate links in the traditional single line of evolution between lumbriculids, branchiobdellidans, and leeches, supports the alternative hypothesis of an independent origin of most if not all of these groups. Discovery of Phagodrilus, a lumbriculid that is clearly convergent with Agriodrilus in terms of the pharynx, lends further support to this concept. No decision as to the rankings of the various taxa can be made until new material of Acanthobdella is examined and all variable characters are used to determine synapomorphic character states and monophyletic groupings within this complex.