Erpobdellid leeches (Annelida, Clitellata, Hirudinida) from Tunisia: new records with the description of a new Trocheta species.
Research article published in Zootaxa (2013)
Abstract
Up to now in Tunisia, freshwater Hirudinida are represented by two mainly haematophagous families: Hirudinidae and Glossiphonidae, and a predatory one: the family Erpobdellidae. The present study provides new information on the diversity and taxonomy of erpobdellid leeches. Identification was based, in addition to morphological data, on the length of sperm ducts and the lengths of ovisacs in relation to the neurosomite (ns) and on the shape and size of the male atrium. Five taxons are found. Two subspecies are reported for the first time in the country: Dina punctata punctata Johansson, 1927 and Dina punctata maroccana Nesemann and Neubert, 1994. Tunisian populations of two species, Erpobdella testacea (Savigny, 1820) and Trocheta africana Nesemann and Neubert, 1994, are described, with records of new localities. The new Trocheta tunisiana n. sp. is discovered and described in detail. Trocheta species live in springs in elevated areas while Erpobdella seem to prefer low altitude reservoirs. A comprehensive comparison of the three genera is presented. The disparity between the actual systematics and phylogeny is discussed. This study gives also a detailed distribution of the five species in the north of Tunisia with notes on ecological preference of the genus Dina. Finally a key for the determination of freshwater erpobdellid species from Tunisia is proposed.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Resumen
Up to now in Tunisia, freshwater Hirudinida are represented by two mainly haematophagous families: Hirudinidae and Glossiphonidae, and a predatory one: the family Erpobdellidae. The present study provides new information on the diversity and taxonomy of erpobdellid leeches.
Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia
Este estudio taxonómico examinó sanguijuelas erpobdélidas (familia Erpobdellidae) en Túnez, reportando cinco taxones, los primeros registros en el país de dos subespecies de Dina punctata, redescripciones de Erpobdella testacea y Trocheta africana, y la descripción de una nueva especie, Trocheta tunisiana, junto con una clave de determinación y notas ecológicas. Su relevancia para la hirudoterapia es fundamental e indirecta: la identificación precisa a nivel de especie y el mapeo de la biodiversidad del orden Hirudinida sustentan cualquier investigación rigurosa del secretoma al garantizar que se estudien los organismos correctos, aunque las erpobdélidas son depredadoras en lugar de las sanguijuelas medicinales hematófagas utilizadas terapéuticamente. Se trata de sistemática descriptiva sin contenido bioquímico, farmacológico ni clínico, por lo que debe citarse únicamente para la taxonomía y diversidad de las sanguijuelas, nunca como evidencia sobre el uso terapéutico de las sanguijuelas.
Citación
Erpobdellid leeches (Annelida, Clitellata, Hirudinida) from Tunisia: new records with the description of a new Trocheta species.
Ben Ahmed R et al. · Zootaxa, 2013
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Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: May 28, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: June 18, 2026