Search

Dina punctata maroccana Nesemann and Neubert, 1994 Material examined. 23 specimens collected in: A��n Nfaja 24 km before S��jn��ne, Mateur (37 ��02��� 291 ��� N, 09�� 26 ��� 219 ��� E). Description of examined specimens. Dina punctata maroccana is very similar to D. punctata punctata. It can be clearly distinguished from the nominal subspecies found in Europe by the shape of its body which is exceptionally dorso-ventrally flattened, and by the presence of sharp lateral fringes (keels) at the post-clitellar region. The length of preserved specimens ranges from 40���60 mm, and the width of the mid-body region is around 5 mm. The anterior sucker is longitudinally elliptical and the posterior sucker is transversally elliptical. The dorsum of living specimens is green to black in colour and is covered with prominent yellow spots (Fig. 3 e) and by small papillae and thus appears rough. The specimens from Tunisia have more than 8 spots in a 2. The ventral surface of the body is grayish (Fig. 3 f). Each somite is divided on five annuli, the first four are short and the fifth is elongated (Fig. 6 b). The eyes are arranged in four pairs. The gonopores are separated by two annuli. The male reproductive system consists of numerous globular testes that form voluminous grape-like testisacs that almost reach the end of the leech body. The sperm ducts form loops that reach half distance between the ganglia XI and XII ganglion. The sperm duct has a length of 13.5 ns and thus it reaches almost XXVI ganglion. The relatively wide atrium is located at the ganglia XII and is almost 0.5 ns in length. The cornua are greatly expanded, sharply coiled and bending to the ventral side. The bursa is stout and wide (Fig. 4 g, h, i). The female reproductive system is composed of two elongated convoluted ovisacs forming a "V". They have a length of 3.5 ns. The ovisacs start at the �� of the distance between the ganglia XII and XIII ganglion, and end at �� of the distance between the ganglia XV and XVI. Ecology and distribution. To date D. punctata maroccana had been recorded from only one site: a brook (230 ASL) connected to a water spring, where it is abundant. The species is a semi-aquatic annelid, having similar behavior as D. punctata punctata. The leeches were also collected from moist soil, destroying the earthworm, Lumbricus sp. (Fig. 1 h). Dina punctata maroccana has been previously observed in Morocco and never before found in Tunisia (Nesemann and Neubert 1994). The current distribution of this subspecies has likely been under-estimated due to its a semi-aquatic lifestyle and insufficient surveillance of its preferred habitats. Additional records can be expected, especially in the northern part of Tunisia. Thus, we recommend a certain degree of protection for this leech until further studies can establish its true status in the country., Published as part of Ahmed, Raja Ben, Bielecki, Aleksander, Cichocka, Joanna M., Tekaya, Sa��da, Gorzel, Ma��gorzata & Harrath, Abdul Halim, 2013, Erpobdellid leeches (Annelida, Clitellata, Hirudinida) from Tunisia: New records with the description of a new Trocheta species, pp. 440-454 in Zootaxa 3681 (4) on page 444, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3681.4.7, http://zenodo.org/record/218378, {"references":["Nesemann, H. & Neubert, E. (1994) A new species of Trocheta (Hirudinea, Erpobdellidae) from France (Pyrenees, Nivelle River basin). Lauterbornia, 26, 27 - 30."]}

Trocheta tunisiana n. sp. Holotype north-west Tunisia, spring Zaga in Béja (36 ° 58 ’ 965 ” N, 9 ° 5 ’ 693 ” E), December 2008, body length 50 mm, maximal width 5.2 mm, deposited in Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris (catalogue number W 245), preserved in ethanol 70 %. Paratypes the same locality, data, and depository as holotype, two mature specimens, body length 48 mm, maximal width 5 mm, preserved in ethanol 70 %. Other material examined Collected during the period extending from December 2007 to December 2009. Spring Oued El Madin (36 ° 90 ’ 107 ” N, 9 ° 16 ’ 501 ” E); stream Oued el Melih Ouechtéta (36 ° 97 ’ 467 ” N, 09°01’ 214 ” E); spring Aïn Sobh Jendouba (36 ° 57 ’ 173 ” N, 08° 54 ’ 565 ” E); spring Touiaytia, Aïn Draham (36 ° 74 ’ 456 ” N, 08° 58 ’ 686 ” E). Etymology. The specific epithet is derived from the name of the country from which the species was described. Description of examined specimens. The largest preserved specimen measured 50 mm in length and 5.2 mm in width. The front of the body is broad and rounded compared to T. africana; both anterior and posterior suckers are longitudinally elliptical and the posterior sucker is as wide as the widest part of the body. The head has four pairs of eyes. In the post-clitellar region, lateral keels are less prominent than in T. africana. The colour of living specimens is light brown. Dorsally, there are four longitudinal stripes (Fig. 5 a, b).The ventral surface is always somewhat lighter than the dorsum. Annulation is typical for the Trocheta species. The complete somite is divided into eight annuli, the first two of which are short, followed by three longer ones and another three short annuli (Fig. 5 c). The gonopores are separated by two annuli, the prominent male pore is situated in XII b 2 /a 2, whereas the inconspicuous female one is in furrow XII b 5 /c 11. The pharynx lacks jaws whereas pseudognaths are present (Fig 6 b).The digestive system is constructed typically for erpobdellid leeches. The testes are globular, numerous and form grape-like structures of testisacs. They begin at 1 / 3 of the distance between XVIII and XIX ganglion and reach close to the posterior sucker. The vas deferens ends at 1 / 3 of the distance between the ganglia XVIII and XIX. The sperm ducts form a loop (Fig. 6 a). The atrium is located at the ganglia XII. The length of the male atrium is approximately 1 / 3 ns. It has relatively narrow cornua and a broad insertion in the atrial body, which is slender and narrow (significantly longer than wide) and slightly expanded. It is a little oblique in relation to the bursa and curves to the ventral side. The bursa is not big (Fig. 4 m, n, o). The ovisacs are paired, elongated convoluted structures, showing anteriorly a 1.5 ns large ‘lateral’ loop and then lying mid-ventrally. They have 4 ns in length and they are arranged as loops, first they go posteriorly up to XVI ganglion and then turn back anteriorly up to the XII ganglion (Fig. 6 a). Within the ovisacs of mature specimens, there are no visible oocytes observed which is probably due to the fact that the specimens were after reproduction. The paper by Sket (1968 fig. 47–48) appeared to be very helpful in our interpretation of the reproductive system of T. tunisiana n. sp. Remarks. The new taxon was assigned to the genus Trocheta based on the number and the subdivision of annuli per somite. In fact, our specimens possess a mid-body somite consisted of eight unequal annuli. Moreover, the ovisacs are long and may take 4 ns, showing a large lateral loop in anterior part of ovisac course. Trocheta tunisiana n. sp. can easily be distinguished from T. africana by its colour and size. The latter species is a relatively large leech that is mostly black in colour whereas T. tunisiana n. sp. is a medium-sized leech that is reddish brown in colour. Anatomically, the atrium in T. tunisiana n. sp. is smaller in size and different in shape than that of T. africana. The relative lengths of the ovisacs and sperm ducts are also different (Table 1). Moreover, the anterior sucker is more elongated in the new species than in T. africana (Fig 6 b). The collection of specimens of T. africana and T. tunisiana n. sp. from the same region of Tunisia (northwest; Fig. 2) and during the same period (December) revealed that, although the specimens of both species were sexually mature, they were in different phases of the life cycle (respectively, before and after breeding). Trocheta tunisiana n. sp. differs from T. subviridis Dutrochet 1817, the type species of the genus, and from T. falkneri (Nesemann and Neubert, 1996) by the distance between its gonopores (six to nine annuli in T. subviridis and four to five in T. falkneri). It also differs from T. cylindrica Örley, 1886 (syn. T. bykowskii Gedroyċ, 1913, see Košel 2004) by the varied colour of the body (grey and flesh coloured with lighter or darker brownish shade). Moreover, the integument of T. cylindrica is very transparent, making the internal structure well visible. Trocheta haskonis Grosser, 2000 is a giant leech compared with the T. tunisiana n. sp. having a body length up to 220 mm. In T. pseudodina Nesemann, 1990 the surface of the body is covered by papillae; similar to some species of the genus Dina in body coloration, there are also dark spots on dorsal side, which are arranged in transverse lines. On the basis of this comparison we conclude that T. tunisiana n. sp. represents a new species. Ecology and distribution. Trocheta tunisiana n. sp. has been collected in smaller brooks and springs occurring in the mid and higher elevations (usually over 350 ASL). It is distributed in the northwest of Tunisia; we suggest that it should, probably, occur also in Algeria.

Trocheta africana Nesemann and Neubert, 1994 Material examined. 97 specimens collected in: National Parc El Fa��ja (36 �� 30 ��� 172 ��� N, 08�� 19 ���081��� E), A��n Soltane, Jendouba (36 �� 31 ��� 261 ��� N, 08�� 20 ��� 151 ��� E), river elFe��ja (36 �� 48 ��� 631 ��� N, 08�� 30 ��� 771 ��� E). Description of examined specimens. The length of preserved specimens reaches up to 70 mm and the width is around 6 mm. Both anterior and posterior suckers are transversally elliptical. The caudal sucker of preserved specimens is narrower than the maximum body width. Lateral keels are present. The colour of living specimens is black. Four dark narrow longitudinal stripes are visible in the smooth dorsal surface (Fig. 3 g). The area between the inner paramedian stripes is less pigmented than the dorsal surface. The ventral surface is pale grey (Fig. 3 h). Annulation: somites with eight annuli, the first two of which are short, followed by three longer ones and another three short annuli. Head with four pairs of eyes. The gonopores are separated by two annuli. The male pore is situated in XII b 2 /a 2. Whereas the female one is in furrow XII b 5 /c 11. The male reproductive system consists of numerous globular testes that form voluminous, grape-like testisacs that reach the end of the leech body. The sperm duct has 9.75 ns in length, beginning at XII and ends close to XXII ganglion. The atrium, located at the ganglion XII, is 0.5 ns in length. The bursa is relatively wide and well rounded. The cornua are thick and curved towards the middle (Fig. 4 j, k, l). The female reproductive system consists of a pair of well-developed and convoluted ovisacs showing anteriorly a 1.75 ns long ���lateral��� loop and then lying medio-ventrally. The ovisacs are 3.33 ns in length, running from a �� part of the way between the ganglia XII and XIII until just before the ganglia XVI. From the ovisacs appear two oviducts that run ventrally. Ecology and distribution. Presently, Trocheta africana is the only species of the genus Trocheta that has been reported from North Africa. This species prefers stagnant water or slow running rivers or brooks. It occurs mainly in the higher regions of northern Tunisia (805���868 ASL). The specimens were found attached to the underside of rocks and stones and the dead leaves of Quercus suber (Fig. 1 g). It has been discovered in Tunisia (in a stream near Hammam Bourguiba, a mountain stream between Thibar and T��boursouk, B��ja) and in Algeria. Remarks. In the original description of T. africana made by Nesemann and Neubert (1994) the examined specimens are described as small leeches. In fact, the length of preserved specimens ranged from 15 to 28 mm. In this study, the length of examined specimens ranged from 50 to 70 mm. Notwithstanding, there is no detailed description of the ovisacs condition we believe that the specimens studied by Nesemann and Neubert (1994) were juveniles, because they were collected at the end of February. The specimens examined in the present study were collected in December and they were mature, because we could observe oocytes inside the ovisacs., Published as part of Ahmed, Raja Ben, Bielecki, Aleksander, Cichocka, Joanna M., Tekaya, Sa��da, Gorzel, Ma��gorzata & Harrath, Abdul Halim, 2013, Erpobdellid leeches (Annelida, Clitellata, Hirudinida) from Tunisia: New records with the description of a new Trocheta species, pp. 440-454 in Zootaxa 3681 (4) on pages 444-447, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3681.4.7, http://zenodo.org/record/218378, {"references":["Nesemann, H. & Neubert, E. (1994) A new species of Trocheta (Hirudinea, Erpobdellidae) from France (Pyrenees, Nivelle River basin). Lauterbornia, 26, 27 - 30."]}

Trocheta tunisiana n. sp. Holotype north-west Tunisia, spring Zaga in B��ja (36 �� 58 ��� 965 ��� N, 9 �� 5 ��� 693 ��� E), December 2008, body length 50 mm, maximal width 5.2 mm, deposited in Mus��um National d���Histoire Naturelle, Paris (catalogue number W 245), preserved in ethanol 70 %. Paratypes the same locality, data, and depository as holotype, two mature specimens, body length 48 mm, maximal width 5 mm, preserved in ethanol 70 %. Other material examined Collected during the period extending from December 2007 to December 2009. Spring Oued El Madin (36 �� 90 ��� 107 ��� N, 9 �� 16 ��� 501 ��� E); stream Oued el Melih Ouecht��ta (36 �� 97 ��� 467 ��� N, 09��01��� 214 ��� E); spring A��n Sobh Jendouba (36 �� 57 ��� 173 ��� N, 08�� 54 ��� 565 ��� E); spring Touiaytia, A��n Draham (36 �� 74 ��� 456 ��� N, 08�� 58 ��� 686 ��� E). Etymology. The specific epithet is derived from the name of the country from which the species was described. Description of examined specimens. The largest preserved specimen measured 50 mm in length and 5.2 mm in width. The front of the body is broad and rounded compared to T. africana; both anterior and posterior suckers are longitudinally elliptical and the posterior sucker is as wide as the widest part of the body. The head has four pairs of eyes. In the post-clitellar region, lateral keels are less prominent than in T. africana. The colour of living specimens is light brown. Dorsally, there are four longitudinal stripes (Fig. 5 a, b).The ventral surface is always somewhat lighter than the dorsum. Annulation is typical for the Trocheta species. The complete somite is divided into eight annuli, the first two of which are short, followed by three longer ones and another three short annuli (Fig. 5 c). The gonopores are separated by two annuli, the prominent male pore is situated in XII b 2 /a 2, whereas the inconspicuous female one is in furrow XII b 5 /c 11. The pharynx lacks jaws whereas pseudognaths are present (Fig 6 b).The digestive system is constructed typically for erpobdellid leeches. The testes are globular, numerous and form grape-like structures of testisacs. They begin at 1 / 3 of the distance between XVIII and XIX ganglion and reach close to the posterior sucker. The vas deferens ends at 1 / 3 of the distance between the ganglia XVIII and XIX. The sperm ducts form a loop (Fig. 6 a). The atrium is located at the ganglia XII. The length of the male atrium is approximately 1 / 3 ns. It has relatively narrow cornua and a broad insertion in the atrial body, which is slender and narrow (significantly longer than wide) and slightly expanded. It is a little oblique in relation to the bursa and curves to the ventral side. The bursa is not big (Fig. 4 m, n, o). The ovisacs are paired, elongated convoluted structures, showing anteriorly a 1.5 ns large ���lateral��� loop and then lying mid-ventrally. They have 4 ns in length and they are arranged as loops, first they go posteriorly up to XVI ganglion and then turn back anteriorly up to the XII ganglion (Fig. 6 a). Within the ovisacs of mature specimens, there are no visible oocytes observed which is probably due to the fact that the specimens were after reproduction. The paper by Sket (1968 fig. 47���48) appeared to be very helpful in our interpretation of the reproductive system of T. tunisiana n. sp. Remarks. The new taxon was assigned to the genus Trocheta based on the number and the subdivision of annuli per somite. In fact, our specimens possess a mid-body somite consisted of eight unequal annuli. Moreover, the ovisacs are long and may take 4 ns, showing a large lateral loop in anterior part of ovisac course. Trocheta tunisiana n. sp. can easily be distinguished from T. africana by its colour and size. The latter species is a relatively large leech that is mostly black in colour whereas T. tunisiana n. sp. is a medium-sized leech that is reddish brown in colour. Anatomically, the atrium in T. tunisiana n. sp. is smaller in size and different in shape than that of T. africana. The relative lengths of the ovisacs and sperm ducts are also different (Table 1). Moreover, the anterior sucker is more elongated in the new species than in T. africana (Fig 6 b). The collection of specimens of T. africana and T. tunisiana n. sp. from the same region of Tunisia (northwest; Fig. 2) and during the same period (December) revealed that, although the specimens of both species were sexually mature, they were in different phases of the life cycle (respectively, before and after breeding). Trocheta tunisiana n. sp. differs from T. subviridis Dutrochet 1817, the type species of the genus, and from T. falkneri (Nesemann and Neubert, 1996) by the distance between its gonopores (six to nine annuli in T. subviridis and four to five in T. falkneri). It also differs from T. cylindrica ��rley, 1886 (syn. T. bykowskii Gedroyċ, 1913, see Ko��el 2004) by the varied colour of the body (grey and flesh coloured with lighter or darker brownish shade). Moreover, the integument of T. cylindrica is very transparent, making the internal structure well visible. Trocheta haskonis Grosser, 2000 is a giant leech compared with the T. tunisiana n. sp. having a body length up to 220 mm. In T. pseudodina Nesemann, 1990 the surface of the body is covered by papillae; similar to some species of the genus Dina in body coloration, there are also dark spots on dorsal side, which are arranged in transverse lines. On the basis of this comparison we conclude that T. tunisiana n. sp. represents a new species. Ecology and distribution. Trocheta tunisiana n. sp. has been collected in smaller brooks and springs occurring in the mid and higher elevations (usually over 350 ASL). It is distributed in the northwest of Tunisia; we suggest that it should, probably, occur also in Algeria., Published as part of Ahmed, Raja Ben, Bielecki, Aleksander, Cichocka, Joanna M., Tekaya, Sa��da, Gorzel, Ma��gorzata & Harrath, Abdul Halim, 2013, Erpobdellid leeches (Annelida, Clitellata, Hirudinida) from Tunisia: New records with the description of a new Trocheta species, pp. 440-454 in Zootaxa 3681 (4) on pages 447-451, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3681.4.7, http://zenodo.org/record/218378, {"references":["Sket, B. (1968) Zur Kenntnis der Egel-Fauna (Hirudinea) Jugoslawiens. Academia Scientiarum et Artium Slovenica CL. IV Pars Historiconaturalis, Diss. 9 (4), 127 - 178.","Nesemann, H. & Neubert, E. (1996) New data to the leeches of the subfamily Trochetinae (Hirudinea, Erpobdellidae), Miscellanea Zoologica Hungarica, 9, 19 - 28.","Kosel, V. (2004) Taxonomic position of two species of Trocheta (Hirudinea) described from Central Europe. Biologia, 59, Suppl. 15, 25 - 27."]}

Dina punctata punctata Johansson, 1927 Material examined. 137 specimens collected in: A��n Amdoun, B��ja (36 �� 46 ' 216 ��� N, 09�� 56 ��� 821 ��� E), A��n Touta (36 �� 88 ��� 403 ��� N, 09�� 53 ��� 513 ��� E), A��n Sidi Rhouma (36 �� 17 ��� 575 ��� N, 08�� 87 ��� 473 ��� E), A��n Oued Ramil, Kef (36 �� 11 ��� 539 ��� N, 08�� 63 ��� 863 ��� E), A��n Soltane, Siliana (35 �� 48 ��� 424 ��� N, 09�� 21 ��� 588 ��� E), A��n Tfifila (35 �� 51 ��� 215 ��� N, 09�� 43 ��� 385 ��� E), A��n Essaniya, Siliana (35 �� 46 ��� 141 ���N, 09�� 26 ��� 450 ��� E), A��n Zakkar, Siliana (36 ��01��� 298 ��� N, 09�� 32 ��� 181 ��� E), A��n Serkha, Fernana (36 �� 62 ��� 593 ��� N, 08�� 71 ��� 408 ��� E), A��n Zoul��l, Bullarijia (36 �� 56 ��� 531 ��� N, 08�� 78 ��� 953 ��� E), A��n Sidi Saleh, Bizerte (37 �� 12 ' 302 '' N, 10 �� 04' 0 0 2 ���E). Description of examined specimens. The length of preserved leeches ranges from 38 to 45 mm; the width of the mid-body region is 3���5 mm. Both anterior and posterior suckers are transversally elliptical. The colour of living specimens is brown to green. The dorsal surface is covered by yellow spots that are arranged transversally on annulus a 2, with rough surface due to the presence of small papillae (Fig. 3 c). On the dorsal side is a pair of faded paramedian stripes. The ventral surface is grayish in colour (Fig. 3 d). The somites are divided to four short annuli and an elongated one (Fig. 6 b). Head with four pairs of eyes. The gonopores are separated by two annuli, with prominent male gonopore. The male reproductive system consists of numerous and globular testes that form voluminous, grape-like structures of testisacs situated latero-ventrally. The sperm duct has a length of 7 ns, reaching the XX ganglion. The ejaculatory duct forms a preatrial loop. The relatively narrow atrium is 0.7 ns in length. Cornua are slightly expanded, bending to the ventral side. They are sharply coiled to connect with the ejaculatory ducts. The bursa is relatively big and enlarged (Fig. 4.d, e, f). The ovisacs are paired convoluted organs lying mid-ventrally; they start at �� part of the distance between the ganglia XII and XIII, and ends at the ganglia XVI. Ecology and distribution. Dina punctata punctata is the most commonly observed leech occurring in almost the entire examined territory (north of Tunisia). It has only been recorded in small brooks and stagnant, often temporal water bodies connected to springs in mid to high elevations (265���1010 m). They are semi-aquatic annelids. As they are absent in the dry season, we suppose that these speimens bury deep into the soil during this period. They appear again in the winter to reproduce., Published as part of Ahmed, Raja Ben, Bielecki, Aleksander, Cichocka, Joanna M., Tekaya, Sa��da, Gorzel, Ma��gorzata & Harrath, Abdul Halim, 2013, Erpobdellid leeches (Annelida, Clitellata, Hirudinida) from Tunisia: New records with the description of a new Trocheta species, pp. 440-454 in Zootaxa 3681 (4) on pages 443-444, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3681.4.7, http://zenodo.org/record/218378

Ahmed, Raja Ben, Bielecki, Aleksander, Cichocka, Joanna M., Tekaya, Saïda, Gorzel, Małgorzata, Harrath, Abdul Halim (2013): Erpobdellid leeches (Annelida, Clitellata, Hirudinida) from Tunisia: New records with the description of a new Trocheta species. Zootaxa 3681 (4): 440-454, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3681.4.7

Erpobdella testacea (Savigny, 1820) Material examined. 325 specimens collected in: Elkhirba dam, Bizerte (37 �� 16 ' 354 ��� N, 10 ��09' 552 ��� E), Port Prince dam, Cap Bon, Korbus (36 �� 51 ' 162 ������ N, 10 �� 39 ' 404 ������ E), Lebna dam (36 �� 44 ' 326 '' N, 10 �� 55 ' 255 '' E) and Marsh in Sejnen, Bizerte (37 ��03��� N, 09�� 13 ��� E). Description of examined specimens. The length of narcotized and preserved specimens can reach 40 mm; the width at mid-body region is up to 3 mm. The anterior sucker is longitudinally elliptical and the posterior sucker is circular. The dorsal surface of the living specimens is reddish brown in colour with minuscule darker specks situated dorsally (Fig. 3 a). The ventral surface is brighter than the dorsal (Fig. 3 b). The mid-body segment consists of five equally long annuli. Pharyngeal stylets are absent. The head has four pairs of eyes. In the majority of examined specimens the gonopores are separated by 4 annuli with the occasional occurrence of variation in their position. In fact it may reach in some specimens 4.75 annuli. The male reproductive system consists of numerous and globular testes that form voluminous and grape-like testisacs present on each side of the nerve cord and reach close to the posterior sucker. The vasa deferentia are about 7 ns long and they run from XII to XIX ganglia. They are located on the latero-ventral sides and connected to the atrium with the two ejaculatory ducts. The latter forms a loop, which is located in front of ganglia XI. The wide male atrium is 0.5 neurosomite (ns) in length and is located almost half way between the ganglia XI and XII. The atrium is small and the cornua are greatly expanded forming obtuse angle between them. They bend towards each other rather than to the ventral side. The bursa is relatively big (Fig. 4 a, b). The female reproductive system consists of two symmetric, U-shaped ovisacs situated on either side of the nerve cord. The ovisacs begin two-third of the way between the ganglia XII and XIII and end half way between the ganglia XV and XVI. They are connected to the pocket by oviducts. Ecology and distribution. The occurrence of E. testacea in Tunisia is restricted to lowland stagnant waters (50���65 m ASL). To date this species had been recorded from three reservoirs in the north of the country and from a small marsh. In the Lebna dam E. testacea is present in a large number all year round. Erpobdella testacea is a Palearctic species. In the Mediterranean region it is present in northern Italy and Greece (Nesemann 1997) and northern Tunisia (Ben Ahmed et al. 2008). It was recorded in Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina (Sket 1968). Remarks. While our specimens show a variation in the distance between gonopores which may reach 4.3���4.7, Agapow and Bielecki (1992) found a constant distance of 4 annuli between gonopores in the specimens studied in Poland. In contrast, Manoleli (1972) mentioned that in the majority of specimens examined in Romania, gonopores are separated by 3.5 annuli., Published as part of Ahmed, Raja Ben, Bielecki, Aleksander, Cichocka, Joanna M., Tekaya, Sa��da, Gorzel, Ma��gorzata & Harrath, Abdul Halim, 2013, Erpobdellid leeches (Annelida, Clitellata, Hirudinida) from Tunisia: New records with the description of a new Trocheta species, pp. 440-454 in Zootaxa 3681 (4) on pages 441-443, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3681.4.7, http://zenodo.org/record/218378, {"references":["Nesemann, H. (1997) Egel und Krebsegel (Clitellata: Hirudinea, Branchiobdellida) Osterreichs. Gedruckt mit Unterstutzung des Bundesministeriums fur Umwelt, Jugend und Familie, Wien, 107 pp.","Ben Ahmed, R., Tekaya, S. & Harrath, H. (2008) Etude preliminaire des Hirudinees en Tunisie: Description et systematique (Clitellata, Hirudiniea). Bulletin de la societe zoologique de France, 133 (1 - 3), 81 - 91.","Sket, B. (1968) Zur Kenntnis der Egel-Fauna (Hirudinea) Jugoslawiens. Academia Scientiarum et Artium Slovenica CL. IV Pars Historiconaturalis, Diss. 9 (4), 127 - 178.","Agapow, L. & Bielecki, A. (1992) A systematic study on the complex species Erpobdella testacea (Savigny, 1820) (Hirudinea, Erpobdellidae). Genus, 3 (4), 185 - 199.","Manoleli, D. (1972) Contributions concernant la systematique et la distribution du genre Erpobdella de Blainville 1818 (Hirudinoidea, Erpobdellidae) en Roumanie. Tarvaux du Museum d'Histoire Naturelle, 17, 1 - 7."]}

Polycelis felina (Dalyell, 1814) Material examined ZMA V. Pl. 6912.1, Ain Soltane spring, Imouzer-Kandar, Fes city, Morocco, 28 December 2009, coll. A. H. Harrath & K. Abdessalem, sagittal sections on 12 slides; V. Pl. 6912.2, ibid., horizontal sections on 18 slides; V. Pl. 6912.3, ibid., sagittal sections on 16 slides; V. Pl. 6912.4, ibid., sagittal sections on 18 slides; V. Pl. 6912.5, ibid., horizontal sections on 9 slides ZMA V. Pl. 6913.1, Ghazi spring, Aggar river, Safrou, Fes city, Morocco, 27 December 2009, coll. A. H. Harrath & K. Abdessalem, sagittal sections on 15 slides; V. Pl. 6913.2, ibid., sagittal sections on 8 slides; V. Pl. 6913.3, ibid., horizontal sections on 10 slides; V. Pl. 6913.4, ibid., sagittal sections on 10 slides. ZMA V.Pl. 6914.1, Taddirt, Toubkal- Marrakech, sagittal sections on 10 slides; V.Pl. 6914.2, ibid., sagittal sections on 9 slides; V.Pl. 6914.3, ibid., horizontal sections on 7 slides., Published as part of Harrath, Abdul Halim, Sluys, Ronald, Merzoug, Djemoi, Khebiza, Mohamed Yacoubi-, Alwasel, Saleh & Riutort, Marta, 2012, Freshwater planarians (Platyhelminthes, Tricladida) from the Palearctic section of the African continent: new records, with the description of a new species, pp. 1-15 in Zootaxa 3182 (1) on pages 12-13, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3182.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/5247949

Dugesia sicula Lepori, 1948 Material examined ZMA V. Pl. 6907.1, Ain Mastour spring, Ousletia, Tunisia, (35�� 52��� 22.40������N 9�� 37���36.41������W) March 2009, coll. A. H. Harrath, sagittal sections on 11 slides; V. Pl. 6907.2, ibid., sagittal sections on 13 slides; V. Pl. 6907.3, horizontal sections on 10 slides. ZMA V.Pl. 6908.1, Oued Dhimine, Oum El Bouaghi, Algeria (36��01' 09.89" N 7��14' 38.75" W), coll. D. Merzoug, sagittal sections on 10 slides, V.Pl. 6908.2, ibid., sagittal sections on 8 slides., Published as part of Harrath, Abdul Halim, Sluys, Ronald, Merzoug, Djemoi, Khebiza, Mohamed Yacoubi-, Alwasel, Saleh & Riutort, Marta, 2012, Freshwater planarians (Platyhelminthes, Tricladida) from the Palearctic section of the African continent: new records, with the description of a new species, pp. 1-15 in Zootaxa 3182 (1) on page 6, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3182.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/5247949

Dugesia tubqalis Harrath & Sluys, sp. nov. Material examined Holotype: ZMA V.Pl. 6905.1, Imlil and Taddert, Toubkal Mountains, Marrakech, Morocco, 23 December 2009, coll. A. H. Harrath, sagittal sections on 18 slides. Paratypes: ZMA V.Pl. 6905.2, ibid., sagittal sections on 18 slides; V.Pl. 6905.3, sagittal sections on 16 slides; V.Pl. 6905.4, horizontal sections on 6 slides; V.Pl. 6905.5, horizontal sections on 8 slides. Other material: ZMA V Pl. 6906.1, Taddert, Toubkal Marrakech, Morocco, 23 December 2009, coll. A. H. Harrath, sagittal sections on 19 slides., Published as part of Harrath, Abdul Halim, Sluys, Ronald, Merzoug, Djemoi, Khebiza, Mohamed Yacoubi-, Alwasel, Saleh & Riutort, Marta, 2012, Freshwater planarians (Platyhelminthes, Tricladida) from the Palearctic section of the African continent: new records, with the description of a new species, pp. 1-15 in Zootaxa 3182 (1) on page 2, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3182.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/5247949

Dugesia tubqalis Harrath & Sluys, sp. nov. Material examined Holotype: ZMA V.Pl. 6905.1, Imlil and Taddert, Toubkal Mountains, Marrakech, Morocco, 23 December 2009, coll. A. H. Harrath, sagittal sections on 18 slides. Paratypes: ZMA V.Pl. 6905.2, ibid., sagittal sections on 18 slides; V.Pl. 6905.3, sagittal sections on 16 slides; V.Pl. 6905.4, horizontal sections on 6 slides; V.Pl. 6905.5, horizontal sections on 8 slides. Other material: ZMA V Pl. 6906.1, Taddert, Toubkal Marrakech, Morocco, 23 December 2009, coll. A. H. Harrath, sagittal sections on 19 slides.

Schmidtea polychroa (Schmidt, 1861) Material examined ZMA V. Pl. 6910.1, Arrafraf spring, Oum El Bouaghi city, Algeria, 05 February 2010, coll. A. H. Harrath, Djemoi Merzoug, sagittal sections on 21 slides; V. Pl. 6910.2, ibid., sagittal sections on 15 slides; V. Pl. 6910.3, ibid., horizontal sections on 8 slides; V. Pl. 6910.4, ibid., horizontal sections on 12 slides. ZMA V.Pl. 6911.1, Ain El Ajmi spring, Dahmani town, Tunisia, sagittal sections on 15 slides; V.Pl. 6911.2, ibid., sagittal sections on 14 slides; V.Pl. 6911.3, ibid., horizontal sections on 8 slides., Published as part of Harrath, Abdul Halim, Sluys, Ronald, Merzoug, Djemoi, Khebiza, Mohamed Yacoubi-, Alwasel, Saleh & Riutort, Marta, 2012, Freshwater planarians (Platyhelminthes, Tricladida) from the Palearctic section of the African continent: new records, with the description of a new species, pp. 1-15 in Zootaxa 3182 (1) on page 9, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3182.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/5247949

Polycelis nigra (M��ller, 1774) Material examined ZMA V. Pl. 6909.1, Oued El Akarit located in the governorate of Gabes, Tunisia, 5 March 2010, coll. A. H. Harrath, sagittal sections on 10 slides; V. Pl. 6909.2, ibid., sagittal sections on 9 slides; V. Pl. 6909.3, ibid., horizontal sections on 6 slides; V. Pl. 6909.4, ibid.,sagittal sections on 12 slides, Published as part of Harrath, Abdul Halim, Sluys, Ronald, Merzoug, Djemoi, Khebiza, Mohamed Yacoubi-, Alwasel, Saleh & Riutort, Marta, 2012, Freshwater planarians (Platyhelminthes, Tricladida) from the Palearctic section of the African continent: new records, with the description of a new species, pp. 1-15 in Zootaxa 3182 (1) on pages 10-11, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3182.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/5247949