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Stenostomum uronephrium Nuttycombe, 1931 Locality. Temporary pools on Mount Kavul and Mount Shekhanya, Lower Galilee. Material. Many individuals. Live observation, squash preparations. Ecological features. Stenostomum uronephrium is a characteristic species of lentic or stagnant waters with abundant vegetation (Marcus, 1945; Nore��a-Janssen, 1995). In Israel, it was collected during the winter (January 2001) in 35 of the 53 studied pools on Mount Kavul and Mount Shekhanya in the vicinity of Manof. The species disappeared in early spring, and was not collected again during the 2001 ��� 2 seasons. This may suggest important changes in the ecological factors of the pools. More studies are necessary to determine the cause of this temporal distribution. Stenostomum uronephrium is a characteristic species of the Americas whose distribution extends from USA to Brazil and Argentina (Nuttycombe & Waters, 1938; Marcus, 1945; Nore��a-Janssen, 1995); within Europe it is known only from Germany, Russia (Lanfranchi & Papi, 1978) and Poland (Kolasa, 1977). S. uronephrium was reported in Israel for the first time by Eitam et al. (2004)., Published as part of Nore��a, Carolina, Eitam, Avi & Blaustein, Leon, 2008, " Microturbellarian " flatworms (Platyhelminthes) from freshwater pools: New species and records from Israel, pp. 1-20 in Zootaxa 1705 on pages 4-5, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.180877, {"references":["Marcus, E. (1945) Sobre microturbellarios do Brasil. Comunicaciones Zoologicas del Museo de Historia Natural Montevideo, 1 [25], 1 - 74.","Norena-Janssen, C. (1995) Studies on the taxonomy and ecology of the Turbellarian (Plathelminthes) in the floodplain of the Parana River (Argentina). II. Taxonomy and ecology of the Turbellaria. Archiv fur Hydrobiologie. Suppl., 107, 211 - 262.","Nuttycombe, J. W. and Waters, A. J. (1938) The american species of the genus Stenostomum. Proceedings of The American Philosophical Society, 79, 213 - 300.","Lanfranchi, A. & Papi, F. (1978) Turbellaria (excl. Tricladida). In: ILLIES J, ed. Limnofauna Europaea. Second Edition. Stuttgart: Gustav Fischer Verlag / Amsterdam: Swets & Zeitlinger B. V., 5 - 15.","Kolasa, J. (1977) Turbellaria and Nemertini. Bottom fauna of the heated Konin lakes. Monografie Fauny Polski, 7, 27 - 46.","Eitam, A. Norena C. & Blaustein, L. (2004) Microturbellarian species richness and community similarity among temporary pools: relationships with habitat properties. Biodiversity & Conservation, 13, 2107 - 2117."]}

Castrada multispina sp. nov. (Figure 12) Locality. Temporary, artificial pool in Hai Bar Carmel Nature Reserve. Material. Five individuals, squash preparations, live observations, sagittally sectioned individuals. Holotype. A sagittally-sectioned specimen deposited in the Department of Zoology at Tel Aviv University, Israel, Catalogue Number: VR- 25071. Etymology. The specific name refers to the numerous spines and thorns inside the blind sac. Description. Sexually mature animals up to 0.5 mm long, width up to 0.15 mm (Fig. 12 A). Body shape lanceolate: front rounded, tail pointed. The body colouration is whitish to translucent white. Eyes absent. Adenal rhabdites arranged at the anterior end. Pharynx rosulatus at the end of the first third of the body. The elongate testes are situated ventrally at the sides of the pharynx. The vasa deferentia arise from the posterior end of the testes, and enter together into the proximal region of the copulatory organ. The atrium copulatorium, situated behind the pharynx, shows a distal constriction (no sphincter) and surrounds the copulatory organ, the bursa copulatrix and one spiny blind sac. The copulatory organ is pearshaped with a cup-like ductus ejaculatorius with double-laminar walls (Fig. 12 B). The bursa copulatrix is formed by a protuberance of the atrium. The distal region of the bursa copulatrix is pointed and has small spines in its inner walls (Fig. 12 B). The proximal section of the bursa widens and lacks a stalk or spines. The inner walls of the blind sac are covered with sharp spines (Fig. 12 B), longer (length: 1���2.3 ��m) in the distal section. The shape and size of the spines at the distal region differ among individuals, depending on age and degree of sexual maturity (compare different sizes of spines in Fig. 12 B and 12 C). The receptaculum seminis is incorporated into the oviduct. The ovary has the typical shape of the genus. Ecological features. Castrada multispina was collected during the spring (March 2002) in an artificial pool with cement walls at Hai Bar Carmel (see TABLE 1). Discussion. Castrada multispina is closely related to Castrada infernalis Papi, 1951, C. viridis Volz 1898 and C. horrida Schmidt, 1861. The relationship is based on the configuration of the male apparatus formed by only one spiny blind sac, a pear-shaped copulatory organ and a conical spiny bursa copulatrix. The most conspicuous differences concern the type and size of the spines within the blind sac. C. multispina shows large, sharp spines along the entire inner surface of the blind sac, while C. infernalis bears large spines only at the base; C. viridis and C. horrida lack large spines. The absence of sphincters in the atrium copulatorium of C. multispina further differentiates this species from C. infernalis and C. viridis, but this characteristic is apparently shared with C. horrida. Due to its morphological characteristics, C. multispina can be included in the C. viridis group, characterized by the presence of an atrium copulatorium with thorns or hooks, spiny blind sacs and bean shaped spermatophores without a stalk (group 3 of Luther, 1963). At present, Castrada multispina is only known from Israel. Diagnosis. Castrada species with an atrium copulatorium without a sphincter and a blind sac lined with dense arranged spines, larger (until 2.3 ��m) in the distal region., Published as part of Nore��a, Carolina, Eitam, Avi & Blaustein, Leon, 2008, " Microturbellarian " flatworms (Platyhelminthes) from freshwater pools: New species and records from Israel, pp. 1-20 in Zootaxa 1705 on pages 15-16, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.180877, {"references":["Luther, A. (1963) Die Turbellarien Ostfennoskandiens. IV. Neorhabdocoela 2. Typhloplanoida: Typhloplanidae, Solenopharyngidae und Carcharodopharyngidae. Fauna Fennica, 16, 1 - 163."]}

Castrada (Castradella) biacantha sp. nov. (Figure 13) Locality. Temporary pool on Mount Kavul and Mount Shekhanya, Lower Galilee. Material. Few individuals, live observations, squash preparations. Holotype. One sagittally-sectioned individual deposited in the Department of Zoology at Tel Aviv University, Israel, Catalogue Number VR- 25070. Etymology. The specific name refers to the double spine or thorn at the base of the copulatory organ. Description. Body spindle-like with narrowed posterior end and slightly rounded anterior end (Fig. 13 A). Length 1–1.5 mm. Colour transparent white; without zoochlorellae. Rhabdite-tracts well developed in the anterior end of the body. Pharynx rosulatus (length: 0.25mm) at the end of the first half of the body. Both excretory pores open laterally, behind the pharynx and before the genital area. Testes not well developed in the studied individuals; testes are elongated, sack-like and located laterally to the pharynx. The copulatory organ has a truncheon-like shape, (length: 198 μm) with a proximal vesicula seminalis and distal granular secretion (Fig. 13 B). The ductus ejaculatorius (56.5 μm) is a double bladder, clearly differentiated from the proximal region of the copulatory organ. The copulatory organ, the bursa copulatrix and one small blind sac open into the atrium copulatorium. The opening of the atrium copulatorium into the atrium genitale is regulated through a sphincter. The bursa copulatrix (227 μm) shows longitudinal folds or small grooves. At the base of the bursa copulatrix there is a handsaw-like, strong spine or hook (spine 1, length: 96.8 μm, Fig. 13 B: Sp 1). Two other spines are located at the base of the copulatory organ (spine 2, length: 22.8 μm) and at the base of the blind sac (spine 3, length: 3 μm, width: 9 μm). The first of these spines (spine 2) resembles a double horn with a circular base (Fig. 13 B: Sp 2). The second spine (spine 3, Fig. 13 B: Sp 3) resembles a hook (thumbtack like) with a wide base. The atrium also contains a thorny cushion near the copulatory organ. The well-developed vitellaria are finger-like, strongly branched, stretching from the pharynx to the end of the body. Castrada (Castradella) biacantha is proterandric. All of the studied animals were without eggs. Ecological features. Castrada (Castradella) biacantha was collected during the spring (March 2002) in two of the largest pools at Manof (pools 1 and 28 in Eitam et al, 2004) Discussion. Nasonov (1926) divided the genus Castrada into the subgenera Castrada and Castradella, although this division remains controversial (Papi, 1959; Luther, 1963; Willems, 2005). The subgenera can be distinguished by the different opening of the nephridiopore. Castrada is characterized by one nephridiopore and Castradella by two nephridopores to the outside. Besides this character, other morphological characters could help to distinguish between the taxa, such as the presence of three characteristically shaped (generally sawed) thorns in the atrium copulatorium of the species of Castradella. These characters are not enough to establish a new genus, but sufficient for the formation of a subgenus because they clearly distinguish between two groups of species within the genus Castrada. For a definitive creation or elimination of a subgenus or genus, it would be very advantageous to carry out an exhaustive revision of the genus Castrada and its diagnostic characters. Therefore, we prefer to await this revision and, following the criteria of authors such as Papi (1959), Schwank (1980) and Heitkamp (1982), describe the new species as Castrada (Castradella) biacantha. Given these considerations, seven species constitute the subgenus Castradella: C. baldi (Steinböck 1949), C. gladiata Schwank, 1980, C. granea Braun, 1885, C. lutheri Papi, 1959, C. mochella Schwank, 1980 and C. triacetabula Heitkamp, 1982. Of these seven species, C. baldi, C. gladiata and C. granea are most similar or closely related to C. biacantha. These four species show well-developed spines within the atrium copulatorium, but the size, number and shape of the spines are very different among these species (Table 2). Spines number, shape: size in µ m Another difference between C. gladiata and C. biacantha is the pseudocuticularized ductus ejaculatorius of C. gladiata, which is absent in C. biacantha. Presently, Castrada (Castradella) biacantha is only known from the temporary pools on the slopes of Mount Kavul and Mount Shekhanya, Lower Galilee. Diagnosis. Castrada (Castradella) species with three spines within the atrium copulatorium, the first spine (spine 1) saw-shaped, the second spine (spine 2) double shaped with a circular base and the last spine (spine 3) short and with a rounded base.

Stenostomum sphagnetorum Luther, 1960 (Figure 1) Synonyms: Stenostomum unicolor Schmidt, 1848 Locality. temporary, artificial pool in Hai Bar Carmel Nature Reserve. Material. 6 specimens. Squash preparations and live observations. Photographs. Ecological features. Stenostomum sphagnetorum was collected during spring (March 2002) in a large man-made temporary pool on Mount Carmel, characterized by large amounts of vegetation (see TABLE 1). Stenostomum sphagnetorum is a common inhabitant of the lentic environments of Europe (Luther, 1963; Young, 1970; Mack-Fira, 1974; M��ller & Faubel, 1993) but is also known from lotic and interstitial environments in the USA (Kolasa et al., 1987). This is the first record for this species in Israel., Published as part of Nore��a, Carolina, Eitam, Avi & Blaustein, Leon, 2008, " Microturbellarian " flatworms (Platyhelminthes) from freshwater pools: New species and records from Israel, pp. 1-20 in Zootaxa 1705 on pages 3-4, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.180877, {"references":["Luther, A. (1963) Die Turbellarien Ostfennoskandiens. IV. Neorhabdocoela 2. Typhloplanoida: Typhloplanidae, Solenopharyngidae und Carcharodopharyngidae. Fauna Fennica, 16, 1 - 163.","Young, J. O. (1970) British and Irish freshwater microturbellaria: historical records, new records and a key for their identification. Archiv fur Hydrobiologie, 67, 210 - 241.","Mack-Fira, V. (1974) The turbellarian fauna of the Romanian littoral waters of the Black Sea and its annexes. In: N. W. RISER AND M. P. MORSE, Ed, Biology of Turbellaria. McGraw-Hill, New York: 248 - 290.","Muller, D. & Faubel, A. (1993) The ' Turbellaria' of the River Elbe Estuary. A faunistic analysis of oligohaline and limnic areas. Archiv fur Hydrobiologie. Suppl., 75, 363 - 396.","Kolasa, J.; Strayer, D. & Bannon-O'Donnell, E. (1987) Microturbellarians from interstitial water streams and springs in southeastern New York. Journal of North American Benthological Society, 6, 125 - 132."]}

Phaenocora unipunctata (Oersted, 1848) (Figure 8) Synonyms: Derostoma unipunctatum Oersted, 1848 Derostoma schmiditianum Schultze, 1851 Planaria fodina Dalyell, 1853 Derostoma fodinae (Dalyell, 1853) Derostoma viridis Schultze, 1851 Fasciola obscura Mueller, 1774 Turbella schmidtiana Diesing, 1862 Turbella unipunctatum Diesing, 1862 Locality. Keren Carmel. Temporary, artificial pool in Hai Bar Carmel Nature Reserve. Lahav, northern Negev. Material. A few individuals. Live observations, squash preparations and one sagittally-sectioned individual deposited in the Department of Zoology at Tel Aviv University, Israel, Catalogue Number VR- 25083. Ecological features. Phaenocora unipunctata was found in temporary pools with scarce vegetation and abundant algae (March and April 2002) (see TABLE 1). Feeds on small and medium-sized ���microturbellaria��� (including intraspecific predation), as well as Crustacea, Copepoda and Diptera. Well-distributed in Europe and Asia, Phaenocora unipunctata is also known from Argentina (Luther, 1963; Mack-Fira, 1974; M��ller & Faubel, 1993; Nore��a-Janssen, 1995). This is the first record for Israel., Published as part of Nore��a, Carolina, Eitam, Avi & Blaustein, Leon, 2008, " Microturbellarian " flatworms (Platyhelminthes) from freshwater pools: New species and records from Israel, pp. 1-20 in Zootaxa 1705 on page 10, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.180877, {"references":["Luther, A. (1963) Die Turbellarien Ostfennoskandiens. IV. Neorhabdocoela 2. Typhloplanoida: Typhloplanidae, Solenopharyngidae und Carcharodopharyngidae. Fauna Fennica, 16, 1 - 163.","Mack-Fira, V. (1974) The turbellarian fauna of the Romanian littoral waters of the Black Sea and its annexes. In: N. W. RISER AND M. P. MORSE, Ed, Biology of Turbellaria. McGraw-Hill, New York: 248 - 290.","Muller, D. & Faubel, A. (1993) The ' Turbellaria' of the River Elbe Estuary. A faunistic analysis of oligohaline and limnic areas. Archiv fur Hydrobiologie. Suppl., 75, 363 - 396.","Norena-Janssen, C. (1995) Studies on the taxonomy and ecology of the Turbellarian (Plathelminthes) in the floodplain of the Parana River (Argentina). II. Taxonomy and ecology of the Turbellaria. Archiv fur Hydrobiologie. Suppl., 107, 211 - 262."]}

Bothromesostoma personatum (Schmidt, 1848) Synonyms: Planaria nigricans Fabricius, 1826 Mesostoma personatum Schmidt, 1848 Typhloplana nigra Houghton, 1867 Locality. Temporary pool in Lahav, northern Negev. Material. Many individuals. Live observations, squash preparations. Ecological features. Bothromesostoma personatum is a springtime species (captured in March 2000), typical of pools and small brooks. Normally this species swims upside-down, attaching itself to the surface film. Bothromesostoma personatum is well-known in Eurasia, including Greenland (Steinb��ck, 1932; Luther, 1963; Young, 1970; Mack-Fira, 1974). This is the first record for Israel., Published as part of Nore��a, Carolina, Eitam, Avi & Blaustein, Leon, 2008, " Microturbellarian " flatworms (Platyhelminthes) from freshwater pools: New species and records from Israel, pp. 1-20 in Zootaxa 1705 on page 9, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.180877, {"references":["Steinbock, O. (1932) Die Turbellarien des arktischen Gebietes. Fauna Arctica Jena, 6, 295 - 342.","Luther, A. (1963) Die Turbellarien Ostfennoskandiens. IV. Neorhabdocoela 2. Typhloplanoida: Typhloplanidae, Solenopharyngidae und Carcharodopharyngidae. Fauna Fennica, 16, 1 - 163.","Young, J. O. (1970) British and Irish freshwater microturbellaria: historical records, new records and a key for their identification. Archiv fur Hydrobiologie, 67, 210 - 241.","Mack-Fira, V. (1974) The turbellarian fauna of the Romanian littoral waters of the Black Sea and its annexes. In: N. W. RISER AND M. P. MORSE, Ed, Biology of Turbellaria. McGraw-Hill, New York: 248 - 290."]}

Rhynchomesostoma lutheri Papi, 1963 Locality. Temporary pool on Mount Kavul and Mount Shekhanya, Lower Galilee. Material. One individual, squash preparation, and one sagittally-sectioned individual deposited in the Department of Zoology at Tel Aviv University, Israel, Catalogue Number VR- 25075. Ecological features. Rhynchomesostoma lutheri prefers shallow pools and ponds with abundant vegetation and detritus. In Israel, R. lutheri was found in large temporary pools in the late winter months (February 2002) (Eitam et al., 2004). Until now, Rhynchomesostoma lutheri had only been found in Finland (Luther, 1963) and Spain (Gamo & Nore��a-Janssen, 1998). This is the first record for Israel., Published as part of Nore��a, Carolina, Eitam, Avi & Blaustein, Leon, 2008, " Microturbellarian " flatworms (Platyhelminthes) from freshwater pools: New species and records from Israel, pp. 1-20 in Zootaxa 1705 on page 13, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.180877, {"references":["Eitam, A. Norena C. & Blaustein, L. (2004) Microturbellarian species richness and community similarity among temporary pools: relationships with habitat properties. Biodiversity & Conservation, 13, 2107 - 2117.","Luther, A. (1963) Die Turbellarien Ostfennoskandiens. IV. Neorhabdocoela 2. Typhloplanoida: Typhloplanidae, Solenopharyngidae und Carcharodopharyngidae. Fauna Fennica, 16, 1 - 163.","Gamo, J. & Norena-Janssen, C. (1998) Old and new records of turbellarians from the central areas of Spain. Hydrobiologia, 383, 299 - 305."]}

Castrada multispina sp. nov. (Figure 12) Locality. Temporary, artificial pool in Hai Bar Carmel Nature Reserve. Material. Five individuals, squash preparations, live observations, sagittally sectioned individuals. Holotype. A sagittally-sectioned specimen deposited in the Department of Zoology at Tel Aviv University, Israel, Catalogue Number: VR- 25071. Etymology. The specific name refers to the numerous spines and thorns inside the blind sac. Description. Sexually mature animals up to 0.5 mm long, width up to 0.15 mm (Fig. 12 A). Body shape lanceolate: front rounded, tail pointed. The body colouration is whitish to translucent white. Eyes absent. Adenal rhabdites arranged at the anterior end. Pharynx rosulatus at the end of the first third of the body. The elongate testes are situated ventrally at the sides of the pharynx. The vasa deferentia arise from the posterior end of the testes, and enter together into the proximal region of the copulatory organ. The atrium copulatorium, situated behind the pharynx, shows a distal constriction (no sphincter) and surrounds the copulatory organ, the bursa copulatrix and one spiny blind sac. The copulatory organ is pearshaped with a cup-like ductus ejaculatorius with double-laminar walls (Fig. 12 B). The bursa copulatrix is formed by a protuberance of the atrium. The distal region of the bursa copulatrix is pointed and has small spines in its inner walls (Fig. 12 B). The proximal section of the bursa widens and lacks a stalk or spines. The inner walls of the blind sac are covered with sharp spines (Fig. 12 B), longer (length: 1–2.3 μm) in the distal section. The shape and size of the spines at the distal region differ among individuals, depending on age and degree of sexual maturity (compare different sizes of spines in Fig. 12 B and 12 C). The receptaculum seminis is incorporated into the oviduct. The ovary has the typical shape of the genus. Ecological features. Castrada multispina was collected during the spring (March 2002) in an artificial pool with cement walls at Hai Bar Carmel (see TABLE 1). Discussion. Castrada multispina is closely related to Castrada infernalis Papi, 1951, C. viridis Volz 1898 and C. horrida Schmidt, 1861. The relationship is based on the configuration of the male apparatus formed by only one spiny blind sac, a pear-shaped copulatory organ and a conical spiny bursa copulatrix. The most conspicuous differences concern the type and size of the spines within the blind sac. C. multispina shows large, sharp spines along the entire inner surface of the blind sac, while C. infernalis bears large spines only at the base; C. viridis and C. horrida lack large spines. The absence of sphincters in the atrium copulatorium of C. multispina further differentiates this species from C. infernalis and C. viridis, but this characteristic is apparently shared with C. horrida. Due to its morphological characteristics, C. multispina can be included in the C. viridis group, characterized by the presence of an atrium copulatorium with thorns or hooks, spiny blind sacs and bean shaped spermatophores without a stalk (group 3 of Luther, 1963). At present, Castrada multispina is only known from Israel. Diagnosis. Castrada species with an atrium copulatorium without a sphincter and a blind sac lined with dense arranged spines, larger (until 2.3 μm) in the distal region.

Phaenocora typhlops (Vejdovsky, 1880) Synonyms: Derostoma typhlops Vejdovsky, 1880 Locality. Temporary pools on Mount Kavul and Mount Shekhanya, Lower Galilee. Temporary, artificial pool in Hai Bar Carmel Nature Reserve. Material. Many individuals. Live observations, squash preparations. Morphological remarks. Usually with one spherical, brownish-red egg, but some individuals with three or four eggs. Ecological features. Phaenocora typhlops is well known as a predator within the small pools and ponds of freshwater environments (Young, 1973). In Israel, it was collected in large temporary pools during the winter and spring (December 2001, January and March 2002). Phaenocora typhlops is well-distributed within Europe (Luther, 1963; Mack-Fira, 1974; M��ller & Faubel, 1993). It was reported from Israel for the first time by Eitam et al (2004)., Published as part of Nore��a, Carolina, Eitam, Avi & Blaustein, Leon, 2008, " Microturbellarian " flatworms (Platyhelminthes) from freshwater pools: New species and records from Israel, pp. 1-20 in Zootaxa 1705 on page 10, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.180877, {"references":["Young, J. O. (1973) The prey and predators of Phaenocora typhlops (Vejdovsky) (Turbellaria: Neorhrabdocoela) living in a small pond. Journal of Animal Ecology, 42, 637 - 643.","Luther, A. (1963) Die Turbellarien Ostfennoskandiens. IV. Neorhabdocoela 2. Typhloplanoida: Typhloplanidae, Solenopharyngidae und Carcharodopharyngidae. Fauna Fennica, 16, 1 - 163.","Mack-Fira, V. (1974) The turbellarian fauna of the Romanian littoral waters of the Black Sea and its annexes. In: N. W. RISER AND M. P. MORSE, Ed, Biology of Turbellaria. McGraw-Hill, New York: 248 - 290.","Muller, D. & Faubel, A. (1993) The ' Turbellaria' of the River Elbe Estuary. A faunistic analysis of oligohaline and limnic areas. Archiv fur Hydrobiologie. Suppl., 75, 363 - 396.","Eitam, A. Norena C. & Blaustein, L. (2004) Microturbellarian species richness and community similarity among temporary pools: relationships with habitat properties. Biodiversity & Conservation, 13, 2107 - 2117."]}

Strongylostoma elongatum elongatum Hofsten, 1907 (Figure 9) Synonyms: Mesostoma bologoviense Plotnikow, 1906 Locality. Temporary pools on Mount Kavul and Mount Shekhanya, Lower Galilee. Material. Many individuals, live observations, squash preparations, photographs. Ecological features. Strongylostoma elongatum elongatum was found during the spring (March 2002) in the largest pools of the study area. Strongylostoma elongatum elongatum is known from Europe (Luther, 1963; Gamo & Nore��a-Janssen, 1998) and USA (Kolasa et al., 1987). This is the first record for Israel., Published as part of Nore��a, Carolina, Eitam, Avi & Blaustein, Leon, 2008, " Microturbellarian " flatworms (Platyhelminthes) from freshwater pools: New species and records from Israel, pp. 1-20 in Zootaxa 1705 on page 12, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.180877, {"references":["Luther, A. (1963) Die Turbellarien Ostfennoskandiens. IV. Neorhabdocoela 2. Typhloplanoida: Typhloplanidae, Solenopharyngidae und Carcharodopharyngidae. Fauna Fennica, 16, 1 - 163.","Gamo, J. & Norena-Janssen, C. (1998) Old and new records of turbellarians from the central areas of Spain. Hydrobiologia, 383, 299 - 305.","Kolasa, J.; Strayer, D. & Bannon-O'Donnell, E. (1987) Microturbellarians from interstitial water streams and springs in southeastern New York. Journal of North American Benthological Society, 6, 125 - 132."]}

Gieysztoria rubra (Fuhrmann, 1894) Synonyms: Vortex ruber Fuhrmann, 1894 Dalyellia rubra Graff, 1904 ���1908 Microdalyellia rubra Gieysztor, 1939 Locality. Temporary pools on Mount Kavul and Mount Shekhanya, Lower Galilee. Material. Few individuals. Live observations, squash preparations, whole-mounted individual. Ecological features. Gieysztoria rubra was found in small ponds with sandy bottoms and scarce filamentous algae (March 2001, January 2002). Gieysztoria rubra is broadly distributed in Europe (Luther 1955, Young 1970). It is also known from Kenya in East Africa (Young, 1977). According to Luther (1955), G. rubra is found in Brazil, although it was recorded as G. ornata by Marcus (1946). This is the first record for Israel., Published as part of Nore��a, Carolina, Eitam, Avi & Blaustein, Leon, 2008, " Microturbellarian " flatworms (Platyhelminthes) from freshwater pools: New species and records from Israel, pp. 1-20 in Zootaxa 1705 on pages 6-7, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.180877, {"references":["Luther, A. (1955) Die Dalyelliiden. Acta Zoologica Fennica, 87, 337 pp.","Young, J. O. (1970) British and Irish freshwater microturbellaria: historical records, new records and a key for their identification. Archiv fur Hydrobiologie, 67, 210 - 241.","Young, J. O. (1977) Six new species and records of two established species of Dalyelliidae (Turbellaria: Neorhabdocoela) from freshwater habitats in Kenya, East Africa. Journal of Natural History, 11, 1 - 15.","Marcus, E. (1946) Sobre turbellaria limnicos brasileiros. Boletins da Facultade de Filosofia, Ciencias e Letras. Universidade de Sao Paulo, Zoologia, 11, 5 - 254."]}

Strongylostoma radiatum (M��ller, 1774) Synonyms: Planaria radiata M��ller, 1774 Fasciola radiata M��ller, 1774 Turbella radiata Diesing, 1862 Mesostoma radiatum Diesing, 1862 Mesostoma rostratum Hallez, 1869 Mesostoma wandae Nasonof, 1877 Castrada radiata Graff, 1882 Castrada acuta Braun, 1885 Mesostoma herclotsiannum de Man, 1894 Castrada agilis Dorner, 1902 Locality. Temporary pools in Mount Kavul and Mount Shekhanya, Lower Galilee. Temporary, artificial pool in Hai Bar Carmel Nature Reserve. Material. Many specimens, squash preparations, and sagittally-sectioned individuals, one of which is deposited in the Department of Zoology at Tel Aviv University, Israel, Catalogue Number VR- 25082. Ecological features. According to Schwank and Gamo (1987), Strongylostoma radiatum is a stenothermic species. In central Europe, Strongylostoma radiatum is a summer species characteristic of the vegetative areas of lentic waters (Schwank, 1980). It can also be found frequently in plankton areas (Luther, 1963). In Israel, Strongylostoma radiatum was found in the largest ponds of Mount Kavul and Mount Shekhanya during the spring (March 2002) and in an artificial pond in Hai Bar (March 2001, February���April 2002) (see TABLE 1 and Eitam et al., 2004). Strongylosma radiatum is a well-known species from the freshwater environments of Europe (Luther, 1963; Mack-Fira, 1974) and is also distributed in Africa and South America (Nore��a et al., 2003). It was reported from Israel for the first time by Eitam et al. (2004)., Published as part of Nore��a, Carolina, Eitam, Avi & Blaustein, Leon, 2008, " Microturbellarian " flatworms (Platyhelminthes) from freshwater pools: New species and records from Israel, pp. 1-20 in Zootaxa 1705 on pages 11-12, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.180877, {"references":["Schwank, P. & Gamo, J. (1987) One new species of Castrada (Turbellaria, Neorhabdocoela) and four new records of microturbellarians in the Iberian Peninsula. Archiv fur Hydrobiologie, 110, 605 - 615.","Schwank, P. (1980) Neue limnische Turbellarien. Archiv fur Hydrobiologie. 88, 463 - 490.","Luther, A. (1963) Die Turbellarien Ostfennoskandiens. IV. Neorhabdocoela 2. Typhloplanoida: Typhloplanidae, Solenopharyngidae und Carcharodopharyngidae. Fauna Fennica, 16, 1 - 163.","Eitam, A. Norena C. & Blaustein, L. (2004) Microturbellarian species richness and community similarity among temporary pools: relationships with habitat properties. Biodiversity & Conservation, 13, 2107 - 2117.","Mack-Fira, V. (1974) The turbellarian fauna of the Romanian littoral waters of the Black Sea and its annexes. In: N. W. RISER AND M. P. MORSE, Ed, Biology of Turbellaria. McGraw-Hill, New York: 248 - 290.","Norena, C., Brusa, F. & Faubel, A. (2003) Census of \" Microturbellarians \" (free-living Platyhelminthes) of the zoogeographical regions originating from Gondwana. Zootaxa, 146, 1 - 34."]}

Tetracelis marmorosa (M��ller, 1774) Synonyms: Mesostoma robertsoni Graff, 1882 Mesostoma yungi Fuhrmann, 1900 Tetracelis marmorata (Bosc, 1802) Fasciola marmorosa M��ller, 1774 Vortex marmoratus Diesing, 1862 Locality. Temporary, artificial pool in Hai Bar Carmel Nature Reserve. Material. Two individuals, one with dormant or resistant eggs and one with subitaneous eggs. Squash preparations, live observations, photographs. Ecological features. Tetracelis marmorosa forms numerous subitaneous eggs during the summer months, and produces a single resistant egg during the winter. In temperate climates (southern Europe), Tetracelis shows the two types of eggs, whereas in environments characterized by low temperatures (northern Europe), only dormant eggs are produced. This suggests the existence of two different races (Luther, 1963; Heitkamp, 1982), a southern race and a northern race, which are also differentiated by the presence of different karyotypes (Luther, 1963). During this study, individuals with both egg types, dormant and subitaneous, were collected in the same pool (March 2002). Therefore, the Israeli population could be included in the southern race, distributed along the Mediterranean basin. Currently, Tetracelis marmoratum is known from Europe and Asia (light brackish lake in the region of Lob Noor, Tibet) (Luther, 1963; Young, 1970; Gamo & Nore��a-Janssen, 1998). This is the first record for Israel., Published as part of Nore��a, Carolina, Eitam, Avi & Blaustein, Leon, 2008, " Microturbellarian " flatworms (Platyhelminthes) from freshwater pools: New species and records from Israel, pp. 1-20 in Zootaxa 1705 on page 13, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.180877, {"references":["Luther, A. (1963) Die Turbellarien Ostfennoskandiens. IV. Neorhabdocoela 2. Typhloplanoida: Typhloplanidae, Solenopharyngidae und Carcharodopharyngidae. Fauna Fennica, 16, 1 - 163.","Heitkamp, U. (1982) Untersuchungen zur Biologie, Okologie und Systematik limnischer Turbellarien periodischer und perennischer Kleingewasser Sudniedersachsens. Archiv fur Hydrobiologie, Suppl., 64, 65 - 188.","Young, J. O. (1970) British and Irish freshwater microturbellaria: historical records, new records and a key for their identification. Archiv fur Hydrobiologie, 67, 210 - 241.","Gamo, J. & Norena-Janssen, C. (1998) Old and new records of turbellarians from the central areas of Spain. Hydrobiologia, 383, 299 - 305."]}

Gieysztoria cuspidata (Schmidt, 1861) (Figure 4) Synonyms: Vortex cuspidatus Schmidt, 1861 Dalyellia cuspidata Hofsten, 1907 Microdalyellia cuspidata Gieysztor, 1938 Locality. Temporary pools on Mount Kavul and Mount Shekhanya, Lower Galilee. Material. Few individuals. Live observations, squash preparations, whole-mounted individual, and photographs. Morphological remarks. Stylet with 3���7 spines (European specimens with 3���6 spines), but without real girdle (Fig. 4 C). Spines are thorn-like with a broad base. The curvature of the spines is variable, in some individuals nearly straight, in others sickle-like. Length of the spines is 26.9���28.5 ��m. Ecological features. Gieysztoria cuspidata is a typical inhabitant of freshwater environments (temporary and permanent pools, springs and rivers). G. c u s p i d a t a tolerates temperatures up to 31 ��C and low salinity contents (Luther, 1955). In Israel, it was collected from large and intermediate-sized temporary pools from December to April (December 2001, January - March 2002) and was most common in late February (Fig. 5). Gieysztoria cuspidata shows a European distribution (Luther, 1955; Mack-Fira, 1974). It was reported from Israel for the first time by Eitam et al. (2004). FIGURE 5: Abundance of Gieysztoria cuspidata collected from the two largest pools at Mt. Kavul/Mt. Shekhanya during the winter and spring of 2001���2002. Pool 1 has a maximal surface area of 166 m 2 and maximal water depth of 80 cm. Pool 2 has a maximal surface area of 74 m 2 and maximal water depth of 38 cm., Published as part of Nore��a, Carolina, Eitam, Avi & Blaustein, Leon, 2008, " Microturbellarian " flatworms (Platyhelminthes) from freshwater pools: New species and records from Israel, pp. 1-20 in Zootaxa 1705 on page 7, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.180877, {"references":["Luther, A. (1955) Die Dalyelliiden. Acta Zoologica Fennica, 87, 337 pp.","Mack-Fira, V. (1974) The turbellarian fauna of the Romanian littoral waters of the Black Sea and its annexes. In: N. W. RISER AND M. P. MORSE, Ed, Biology of Turbellaria. McGraw-Hill, New York: 248 - 290.","Eitam, A. Norena C. & Blaustein, L. (2004) Microturbellarian species richness and community similarity among temporary pools: relationships with habitat properties. Biodiversity & Conservation, 13, 2107 - 2117."]}

Castrada viridis Volz, 1898 (Figure 10) Locality. Temporary pools on Mount Kavul and Mount Shekhanya, Lower Galilee. Temporary, artificial pool in Hai Bar Carmel Nature Reserve. Material. Several specimens, live observations, squash preparations, photographs, fixed material for histology and sagittally-sectioned individual deposited in the Department of Zoology at Tel Aviv University, Israel, Catalogue Number VR- 25074. Ecological features. In general, the specimens of Castrada viridis collected in Israel are larger in size than those from populations of northern Europe. C. viridis is a typical inhabitant of small bodies of water in spring and autumn. In Israel, it was collected in large temporary pools from January to April (2000���2002), with large populations from late February (Fig. 11) (see also Eitam et al., 2004). Castrada viridis is already known from Europe (Luther, 1963; Young, 1972; Mack-Fira, 1974; Gamo & Nore��a-Janssen, 1998) and was reported from Israel for the first time by Eitam et al., (2004). FIGURE 10: Castrada viridis Volz, 1898. A. Habitus; lightly squashed. B. Detail of the blind sac and atrium. FIGURE 11: Numbers of Castrada viridis collected from the two largest pools at Mt. Kavul/Mt. Shekhanya during the winter and spring of 2001���2002. Pool 1 has a maximal surface area of 166 m 2 and maximal water depth of 80 cm. Pool 2 has a maximal surface area of 74 m 2 and maximal water depth of 38 cm., Published as part of Nore��a, Carolina, Eitam, Avi & Blaustein, Leon, 2008, " Microturbellarian " flatworms (Platyhelminthes) from freshwater pools: New species and records from Israel, pp. 1-20 in Zootaxa 1705 on pages 13-14, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.180877, {"references":["Eitam, A. Norena C. & Blaustein, L. (2004) Microturbellarian species richness and community similarity among temporary pools: relationships with habitat properties. Biodiversity & Conservation, 13, 2107 - 2117.","Luther, A. (1963) Die Turbellarien Ostfennoskandiens. IV. Neorhabdocoela 2. Typhloplanoida: Typhloplanidae, Solenopharyngidae und Carcharodopharyngidae. Fauna Fennica, 16, 1 - 163.","Young, J. O. (1972) Further studies on the occurrence of freshwater Microturbellaria in the British Isles II. New Records and an emendation to the existing key for the group. Freshwater Biology, 2, 355 - 359.","Mack-Fira, V. (1974) The turbellarian fauna of the Romanian littoral waters of the Black Sea and its annexes. In: N. W. RISER AND M. P. MORSE, Ed, Biology of Turbellaria. McGraw-Hill, New York: 248 - 290.","Gamo, J. & Norena-Janssen, C. (1998) Old and new records of turbellarians from the central areas of Spain. Hydrobiologia, 383, 299 - 305."]}

Mesostoma maculatum Hofsten, 1916 Locality. Temporary pools on Mount Kavul and Mount Shekhanya, Lower Galilee. Material. Many individuals. Live observations, squash preparations, whole-mounted individual, and two sagittally-sectioned individuals deposited in the Department of Zoology at Tel Aviv University, Israel, Catalogue Number VR- 25080 and VR- 25081. Ecological features. Mesostoma maculatum lives in lentic waters, springs and brooks. In Israel, it was collected in temporary pools of Mount Kavul and Mount Shekhanya (March 2000, March 2001, January 2002) and in a temporary pool in Keren Carmel (March 2002). It tends to be negatively associated with larval Salamandra salamandra infraimmaculata, probably because Salamandra is an efficient predator of this flatworm; we have observed high predation rates in the laboratory (Eitam and Blaustein, unpublished data). Mesostoma maculatum is known from Finland (Luther, 1963), and Sweden (Steinb��ck, 1932). It was reported from Israel for the first time by Eitam et al. (2004); this is the southern���most record for this species., Published as part of Nore��a, Carolina, Eitam, Avi & Blaustein, Leon, 2008, " Microturbellarian " flatworms (Platyhelminthes) from freshwater pools: New species and records from Israel, pp. 1-20 in Zootaxa 1705 on page 8, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.180877, {"references":["Luther, A. (1963) Die Turbellarien Ostfennoskandiens. IV. Neorhabdocoela 2. Typhloplanoida: Typhloplanidae, Solenopharyngidae und Carcharodopharyngidae. Fauna Fennica, 16, 1 - 163.","Steinbock, O. (1932) Die Turbellarien des arktischen Gebietes. Fauna Arctica Jena, 6, 295 - 342.","Eitam, A. Norena C. & Blaustein, L. (2004) Microturbellarian species richness and community similarity among temporary pools: relationships with habitat properties. Biodiversity & Conservation, 13, 2107 - 2117."]}

Gieysztoria ornata (Hofsten, 1907) (Figure 3) Synonyms: Dalyellia ornata Hofsten, 1907 Microdalyellia ornata Gieysztor, 1938 Locality. Temporary pools on Mount Kavul and Mount Shekhanya, Lower Galilee. Material. Many individuals. Live observations, squash preparations, whole-mounted individual. Ecological features. Gieysztoria ornata dwells in temporary pools with dense vegetation and also in cold lakes in the northern regions of Europe (Luther, 1955). In Israel, G. ornata was found in pools without vegetation, some with filamentous algae (March 2000, January 2001, February���April 2002). Gieysztoria ornata is known from Europe, Greenland and Brazil (Steinb��ck, 1932; Marcus, 1946; Luther, 1955; Gamo & Leal-Zanchet, 2004). G. ornata was reported from Israel for the first time by Eitam et al., Published as part of Nore��a, Carolina, Eitam, Avi & Blaustein, Leon, 2008, " Microturbellarian " flatworms (Platyhelminthes) from freshwater pools: New species and records from Israel, pp. 1-20 in Zootaxa 1705 on pages 5-6, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.180877, {"references":["Luther, A. (1955) Die Dalyelliiden. Acta Zoologica Fennica, 87, 337 pp.","Steinbock, O. (1932) Die Turbellarien des arktischen Gebietes. Fauna Arctica Jena, 6, 295 - 342.","Marcus, E. (1946) Sobre turbellaria limnicos brasileiros. Boletins da Facultade de Filosofia, Ciencias e Letras. Universidade de Sao Paulo, Zoologia, 11, 5 - 254.","Gamo, J. & Leal-Zanchet, A. M. (2004) Freshwater microturbellarians (Platyhelminthes) from Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Revista Brasileira de Zoologia, 21, 897 - 903."]}

Strongylostoma elongatum spinosum Luther, 1950 Locality. Temporary pools on Mount Kavul and Mount Shekhanya, Lower Galilee. Material. Many individuals, live observations, squash preparations, photographs. Ecological features. Strongylostoma elongatum spinosum was found during the winter (December 2001, February 2002) in the largest pools in Mount Kavul and Mount Shekhanya (see TABLE 1 and Eitam et al., 2004). Strongylostoma elongatum spinosum was found previously only in European countries and in brackish environments such as the Baltic Sea (Luther, 1963) and the lagoon system of the adjacent areas of the Black Sea (Mack-Fira, 1974). This is the first record for Israel., Published as part of Nore��a, Carolina, Eitam, Avi & Blaustein, Leon, 2008, " Microturbellarian " flatworms (Platyhelminthes) from freshwater pools: New species and records from Israel, pp. 1-20 in Zootaxa 1705 on page 12, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.180877, {"references":["Eitam, A. Norena C. & Blaustein, L. (2004) Microturbellarian species richness and community similarity among temporary pools: relationships with habitat properties. Biodiversity & Conservation, 13, 2107 - 2117.","Luther, A. (1963) Die Turbellarien Ostfennoskandiens. IV. Neorhabdocoela 2. Typhloplanoida: Typhloplanidae, Solenopharyngidae und Carcharodopharyngidae. Fauna Fennica, 16, 1 - 163.","Mack-Fira, V. (1974) The turbellarian fauna of the Romanian littoral waters of the Black Sea and its annexes. In: N. W. RISER AND M. P. MORSE, Ed, Biology of Turbellaria. McGraw-Hill, New York: 248 - 290."]}

Castrada (Castradella) biacantha sp. nov. (Figure 13) Locality. Temporary pool on Mount Kavul and Mount Shekhanya, Lower Galilee. Material. Few individuals, live observations, squash preparations. Holotype. One sagittally-sectioned individual deposited in the Department of Zoology at Tel Aviv University, Israel, Catalogue Number VR- 25070. Etymology. The specific name refers to the double spine or thorn at the base of the copulatory organ. Description. Body spindle-like with narrowed posterior end and slightly rounded anterior end (Fig. 13 A). Length 1���1.5 mm. Colour transparent white; without zoochlorellae. Rhabdite-tracts well developed in the anterior end of the body. Pharynx rosulatus (length: 0.25mm) at the end of the first half of the body. Both excretory pores open laterally, behind the pharynx and before the genital area. Testes not well developed in the studied individuals; testes are elongated, sack-like and located laterally to the pharynx. The copulatory organ has a truncheon-like shape, (length: 198 ��m) with a proximal vesicula seminalis and distal granular secretion (Fig. 13 B). The ductus ejaculatorius (56.5 ��m) is a double bladder, clearly differentiated from the proximal region of the copulatory organ. The copulatory organ, the bursa copulatrix and one small blind sac open into the atrium copulatorium. The opening of the atrium copulatorium into the atrium genitale is regulated through a sphincter. The bursa copulatrix (227 ��m) shows longitudinal folds or small grooves. At the base of the bursa copulatrix there is a handsaw-like, strong spine or hook (spine 1, length: 96.8 ��m, Fig. 13 B: Sp 1). Two other spines are located at the base of the copulatory organ (spine 2, length: 22.8 ��m) and at the base of the blind sac (spine 3, length: 3 ��m, width: 9 ��m). The first of these spines (spine 2) resembles a double horn with a circular base (Fig. 13 B: Sp 2). The second spine (spine 3, Fig. 13 B: Sp 3) resembles a hook (thumbtack like) with a wide base. The atrium also contains a thorny cushion near the copulatory organ. The well-developed vitellaria are finger-like, strongly branched, stretching from the pharynx to the end of the body. Castrada (Castradella) biacantha is proterandric. All of the studied animals were without eggs. Ecological features. Castrada (Castradella) biacantha was collected during the spring (March 2002) in two of the largest pools at Manof (pools 1 and 28 in Eitam et al, 2004) Discussion. Nasonov (1926) divided the genus Castrada into the subgenera Castrada and Castradella, although this division remains controversial (Papi, 1959; Luther, 1963; Willems, 2005). The subgenera can be distinguished by the different opening of the nephridiopore. Castrada is characterized by one nephridiopore and Castradella by two nephridopores to the outside. Besides this character, other morphological characters could help to distinguish between the taxa, such as the presence of three characteristically shaped (generally sawed) thorns in the atrium copulatorium of the species of Castradella. These characters are not enough to establish a new genus, but sufficient for the formation of a subgenus because they clearly distinguish between two groups of species within the genus Castrada. For a definitive creation or elimination of a subgenus or genus, it would be very advantageous to carry out an exhaustive revision of the genus Castrada and its diagnostic characters. Therefore, we prefer to await this revision and, following the criteria of authors such as Papi (1959), Schwank (1980) and Heitkamp (1982), describe the new species as Castrada (Castradella) biacantha. Given these considerations, seven species constitute the subgenus Castradella: C. baldi (Steinb��ck 1949), C. gladiata Schwank, 1980, C. granea Braun, 1885, C. lutheri Papi, 1959, C. mochella Schwank, 1980 and C. triacetabula Heitkamp, 1982. Of these seven species, C. baldi, C. gladiata and C. granea are most similar or closely related to C. biacantha. These four species show well-developed spines within the atrium copulatorium, but the size, number and shape of the spines are very different among these species (Table 2). Spines number, shape: size in �� m Another difference between C. gladiata and C. biacantha is the pseudocuticularized ductus ejaculatorius of C. gladiata, which is absent in C. biacantha. Presently, Castrada (Castradella) biacantha is only known from the temporary pools on the slopes of Mount Kavul and Mount Shekhanya, Lower Galilee. Diagnosis. Castrada (Castradella) species with three spines within the atrium copulatorium, the first spine (spine 1) saw-shaped, the second spine (spine 2) double shaped with a circular base and the last spine (spine 3) short and with a rounded base., Published as part of Nore��a, Carolina, Eitam, Avi & Blaustein, Leon, 2008, " Microturbellarian " flatworms (Platyhelminthes) from freshwater pools: New species and records from Israel, pp. 1-20 in Zootaxa 1705 on pages 16-17, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.180877, {"references":["Eitam, A. Norena C. & Blaustein, L. (2004) Microturbellarian species richness and community similarity among temporary pools: relationships with habitat properties. Biodiversity & Conservation, 13, 2107 - 2117.","Nasonov, N. V. (1926) Die Turbellarien-Fauna des Leningrader Gouvernements. Bulletin de l' Academie des Sciences de l' URSS, 1926, 817 - 884.","Papi, F. (1959) Richerchi su alcuni generi affini della fam. Typhloplanidae (Turbellaria, Neorhabdocoela). Archivio Zoologico Italiano, 44, 1 - 51.","Luther, A. (1963) Die Turbellarien Ostfennoskandiens. IV. Neorhabdocoela 2. Typhloplanoida: Typhloplanidae, Solenopharyngidae und Carcharodopharyngidae. Fauna Fennica, 16, 1 - 163.","Willems, W., Artois, T., Vermin, W., Backeljau, T. & Schockaert, E. (2005) \" Typhloplanoida \" (Platyhelminthes: Rhabdocoela) from the Indian Ocean, with the description of six new taxa. Journal of Natural History, 39, 1561 - 1582.","Schwank, P. (1980) Neue limnische Turbellarien. Archiv fur Hydrobiologie. 88, 463 - 490.","Heitkamp, U. (1982) Untersuchungen zur Biologie, Okologie und Systematik limnischer Turbellarien periodischer und perennischer Kleingewasser Sudniedersachsens. Archiv fur Hydrobiologie, Suppl., 64, 65 - 188."]}

Dochmiotrema limicola Hofsten, 1907 (Figure 6) Synonyms: Dochmiotrema valaamica Nasonov, 1917 Olisthanella valaamica Nasonov, 1917 Typhloplanella limicola Cord��, 1923 Locality. Temporary pools on Mount Kavul and Mount Shekhanya, Lower Galilee. Material. Few individuals. Live observations, squash preparations, whole-mounted individual, photographs and two sagittally-sectioned individuals deposited in the Department of Zoology at Tel Aviv University, Israel, Catalogue Number VR- 25076 and VR- 25077. Morphological remarks. Opening of the excretions pore separated in the caudal end of the body (in European specimens the excretory pore is situated caudally to the mouth (Luther, 1963) (Fig. 5 A)). Ecological features. Dochmiotrema limicola is an inhabitant of the sandy, muddy bottoms of shallow pools and seas. It is possible, that this species could tolerate low brackish conditions (S: 0.39 0/0 0; cf. Luther, 1963) In Israel, D. limicola was found in freshwater pools during the late winter and early spring (March 2001, February���April 2002). Dochmiotrema limicola is well-distributed in Europe (Luther, 1963; M��ller & Faubel, 1993), and is also known from Africa (Mead & Kolasa, 1984). It was reported from Israel for the first time by Eitam et al. (2004)., Published as part of Nore��a, Carolina, Eitam, Avi & Blaustein, Leon, 2008, " Microturbellarian " flatworms (Platyhelminthes) from freshwater pools: New species and records from Israel, pp. 1-20 in Zootaxa 1705 on page 8, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.180877, {"references":["Luther, A. (1963) Die Turbellarien Ostfennoskandiens. IV. Neorhabdocoela 2. Typhloplanoida: Typhloplanidae, Solenopharyngidae und Carcharodopharyngidae. Fauna Fennica, 16, 1 - 163.","Muller, D. & Faubel, A. (1993) The ' Turbellaria' of the River Elbe Estuary. A faunistic analysis of oligohaline and limnic areas. Archiv fur Hydrobiologie. Suppl., 75, 363 - 396.","Mead, A. P. & Kolasa, J. (1984) New records of freshwater Microturbellaria from Nigeria, West Africa. Zoologischer Anzeiger, 212, 257 - 271.","Eitam, A. Norena C. & Blaustein, L. (2004) Microturbellarian species richness and community similarity among temporary pools: relationships with habitat properties. Biodiversity & Conservation, 13, 2107 - 2117."]}

Olisthanella obtusa (Schultze, 1851) Synonyms: Mesostomum obtusum Schultze, 1851 Locality. Temporary pools on Mount Kavul and Mount Shekhanya, Lower Galilee. Material. Several individuals. Live observations, squash preparations and two sagittally- sectioned individuals deposited in the Department of Zoology at Tel Aviv University, Israel, Catalogue Number VR- 25072 and VR- 25073. Ecological features. Olisthanella obtusa was found in some of the smallest temporary pools sampled, after the pools dried and refilled with water (April���May 2002) (Eitam et al 2004). Olisthanella obtusa is widely distributed in Europe (Luther, 1963; Young, 1970; M��ller & Faubel, 1993); there are no known records from North America or Africa. It was reported from Israel for the first time by Eitam et al (2004)., Published as part of Nore��a, Carolina, Eitam, Avi & Blaustein, Leon, 2008, " Microturbellarian " flatworms (Platyhelminthes) from freshwater pools: New species and records from Israel, pp. 1-20 in Zootaxa 1705 on page 9, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.180877, {"references":["Eitam, A. Norena C. & Blaustein, L. (2004) Microturbellarian species richness and community similarity among temporary pools: relationships with habitat properties. Biodiversity & Conservation, 13, 2107 - 2117.","Luther, A. (1963) Die Turbellarien Ostfennoskandiens. IV. Neorhabdocoela 2. Typhloplanoida: Typhloplanidae, Solenopharyngidae und Carcharodopharyngidae. Fauna Fennica, 16, 1 - 163.","Young, J. O. (1970) British and Irish freshwater microturbellaria: historical records, new records and a key for their identification. Archiv fur Hydrobiologie, 67, 210 - 241.","Muller, D. & Faubel, A. (1993) The ' Turbellaria' of the River Elbe Estuary. A faunistic analysis of oligohaline and limnic areas. Archiv fur Hydrobiologie. Suppl., 75, 363 - 396."]}

Acrochordonoposthia sp. Locality. Temporary pools on Mount Kavul and Mount Shekhanya, Lower Galilee. Acrochordonoposthia sp. was collected in medium-sized temporary pools in Israel during the winter (January 2002), and disappeared with the beginning of spring and the seasonal rise in temperature. Material. Two specimens. Live observations, squash preparations, photographs. Description. Very mobile body, elongated and narrow. Length 0.7 ��� 1 mm, width 0.15 ��� 0.20 mm. Posterior end rounded, motor and semirigid cilia present. Rhabdite-tracts weakly developed. Dermal rhabdites not recognized. Posterior end with mucus (adhesive or sticky) glands. Pharynx in the first third of the body. Colour transparent or colourless, but with numerous yellow or orange oil drops at the posterior end and irregular dark pigmentation at the anterior end. The two excretion pores open in the last third of the body, just in front of the reproductive organs. Copulatory organ and bursa are located together. The copulatory organ is pear-shaped. Testes spherical, opening laterally in the medial part of the male organ. Unfortunately, the studied individuals were not completely matured, and thus cirrus, penis papillae and female reproductive organs were not observable; therefore, an exact identification of the specimens is not possible. However, these specimens show some clear differences from similar species of the genus Acrochordonoposthia (Acrochordonoposthia conica Reisinger, 1924 and A. apopera Reisinger, 1924): the presence of pigmentation patches (possibly eye spots) at the anterior end and well-developed glands in the posterior end. The genus Acrochordonoposthia is mainly known from Europe, only one (Acrochordonoposthia conica Reisinger, 1925) of the 8 known species of the genus was also found outside of Europe (Greenland, Nearctic region; Steinb��ck, 1932)., Published as part of Nore��a, Carolina, Eitam, Avi & Blaustein, Leon, 2008, " Microturbellarian " flatworms (Platyhelminthes) from freshwater pools: New species and records from Israel, pp. 1-20 in Zootaxa 1705 on pages 17-18, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.180877, {"references":["Steinbock, O. (1932) Die Turbellarien des arktischen Gebietes. Fauna Arctica Jena, 6, 295 - 342."]}

Acrochordonoposthia sp. Locality. Temporary pools on Mount Kavul and Mount Shekhanya, Lower Galilee. Acrochordonoposthia sp. was collected in medium-sized temporary pools in Israel during the winter (January 2002), and disappeared with the beginning of spring and the seasonal rise in temperature. Material. Two specimens. Live observations, squash preparations, photographs. Description. Very mobile body, elongated and narrow. Length 0.7 – 1 mm, width 0.15 – 0.20 mm. Posterior end rounded, motor and semirigid cilia present. Rhabdite-tracts weakly developed. Dermal rhabdites not recognized. Posterior end with mucus (adhesive or sticky) glands. Pharynx in the first third of the body. Colour transparent or colourless, but with numerous yellow or orange oil drops at the posterior end and irregular dark pigmentation at the anterior end. The two excretion pores open in the last third of the body, just in front of the reproductive organs. Copulatory organ and bursa are located together. The copulatory organ is pear-shaped. Testes spherical, opening laterally in the medial part of the male organ. Unfortunately, the studied individuals were not completely matured, and thus cirrus, penis papillae and female reproductive organs were not observable; therefore, an exact identification of the specimens is not possible. However, these specimens show some clear differences from similar species of the genus Acrochordonoposthia (Acrochordonoposthia conica Reisinger, 1924 and A. apopera Reisinger, 1924): the presence of pigmentation patches (possibly eye spots) at the anterior end and well-developed glands in the posterior end. The genus Acrochordonoposthia is mainly known from Europe, only one (Acrochordonoposthia conica Reisinger, 1925) of the 8 known species of the genus was also found outside of Europe (Greenland, Nearctic region; Steinböck, 1932).

Microdalyellia armigera (Schmidt, 1861) (Figure 2) Synonyms: Vortex armiger Schmidt, 1861 Dalyellia armiger Graff, 1904 ���1908 Microdalyellia armiger Papi, 1952 Locality. Permanent spring in Kaukab, Lower Galilee. Material. More than 20 individuals. Live observations, squash preparations, whole-mounted individual. Ecological features. Microdalyellia armigera was collected along the edge of a permanent spring in Kaukab (April 2002) (see TABLE 1). Microdalyella armigera is a species that is well-distributed within the Palaearctic region (Luther, 1955; Young, 1970; Mack-Fira, 1974; M��ller & Faubel, 1993) and has also been reported for the USA. However, the latter record can be considered doubtful, because M. armigera is often confused with M. fusca, a very similar species (Ruebush, 1937; Luther, 1955). For Israel, this is the first record., Published as part of Nore��a, Carolina, Eitam, Avi & Blaustein, Leon, 2008, " Microturbellarian " flatworms (Platyhelminthes) from freshwater pools: New species and records from Israel, pp. 1-20 in Zootaxa 1705 on page 5, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.180877, {"references":["Luther, A. (1955) Die Dalyelliiden. Acta Zoologica Fennica, 87, 337 pp.","Young, J. O. (1970) British and Irish freshwater microturbellaria: historical records, new records and a key for their identification. Archiv fur Hydrobiologie, 67, 210 - 241.","Mack-Fira, V. (1974) The turbellarian fauna of the Romanian littoral waters of the Black Sea and its annexes. In: N. W. RISER AND M. P. MORSE, Ed, Biology of Turbellaria. McGraw-Hill, New York: 248 - 290.","Muller, D. & Faubel, A. (1993) The ' Turbellaria' of the River Elbe Estuary. A faunistic analysis of oligohaline and limnic areas. Archiv fur Hydrobiologie. Suppl., 75, 363 - 396.","Ruebush, T. K. (1937) The genus Dalyellia in America. I. Zoologischer Anzeiger, 119, 237 - 265."]}