Checklist and Distribution of Marine and freshwater leeches (Annelida, Clitellata, Hirudinea) in Tunisia with identification key Ahmed, Raja Ben Romdhane, Yasmina Tekaya, Saïda Ecologica Montenegrina 2015 2015-01-08 2 1 3 19 Johansson, 1927 Johansson 1927 [151,650,1823,1849] Clitellata Erpobdellidae Dina Animalia Arhynchobdellida 9 12 Annelida subSpecies punctata punctata  ( Fig. 4D)   Diagnosis:The colour of living specimens varies from reddish brown to greenish. The dorsum has a rough surface due to the presence of numerous small papillae and has yellow spots arranged transversally on annulus a2. The somites are divided into four short and one long annuli. The head has four pairs of eyes arranged semi­circular along the anterior edge of the head. The gonopores are separated by 1.5 to 2 annuli.   Figure 5.The distribution of selected leech species (families Glossiphoniidae, Piscicolidaeand Hirudinidae) in Tunisia based upon literature and specimens collected during this study. The symbol indicates the governorate in which the species is found, and not the exact location.   Figure 6.The distribution of selected leech species (Family Erpobdellidae) in Tunisia based upon literature and specimens collected during this study. The symbol indicates the governorate in which the species is found, and not the exact location.  Habitat:It was found in small ditches and in temporary streams.   Distribution:  Dina lineatawas described from Spainand two varieties notataand  punctatawas distinguished. Therefore it is believed that the geographical distribution of  D. punctatarequires confirmation. Prior to Johansson (1927)the variety punctatawas not known and most recent authors did not discriminate both varieties. Also, the taxonomy of the genus  Dinain the western Mediterranean requires revision. Indeed, Minelli (1979)reported that  D. lineatarecorded from Italyis probably  D. punctata. Also Jueg (2008), during his investigations in the Iberian Peninsula, found that  D. punctatawas very common in this area and  D. lineatais totally absent. The latter suggested that  D. lineatareported for the Iberian Peninsula by García­Más & Jiménez (1984) and García­Más et al. (1998) is  Dina punctata. Recently, Nesemann & Neubert (1994)described a new subspecies from Morocco(  D. punctata maroccana) and they suggest that some of the specimens described as  Dina lineataby Moore (1939)from Moroccocan be considered to be conspecific to their new subspecies. We think that in the eastern Mediterranean,  D. punctata maroccanamay be confused with  D. punctata. Until further evidence, the taxonomic status of  Dina lineataand the geographic distribution of  Dina punctataremain uncertain.   In Tunisia( Fig. 6A), it was found in almost all governorates ( Ben Ahmed et al.2013): governorate of Béja: Aïn Oued Ennhas Téboursouk, 36.27.26N, 9.14.54E; Aïn Amdoun, 36.462169N, 09.5682E;  Aïn Touta, Fjeyich, 28 kmafter Tebourba, 36.88403N, 09.53513E; governorate of Jendouba: Aïn Zoulèl Bellarijia(N36.56531/ E08.78953); Aïn Serkha, Fernana, 36.62593N, 08.71408E; governorate of Bizerte Aïn Sidi Saleh, 37.12302N, 10.04002 E;  Aïn Oued Saaden, 37.16745N, 10.10974E;  El Kef governorate: Aïn Bidha(borj elifa­Sers, 17 kmbefore Sers, 36.17575N, 08.87473E; Aïn Oued Errmal (Tejerouine 9kmbefore el Kef, 36.11539N, 08.63863E; Aïn Sidi Rhouma, village Sidi Omar Route borj elifa­Sérs; governorate of Siliana: Aïn Essaniya kissra­Elgariya, 35.46146N, 09.26450E; Aïn Soltane kissra­village, 35.48424N, 09.21588E; Aïn Zakkar, 36.01298N, 09.32182E; Governorate of Kairouan: Aïn Tfifila route oueslatia 44 kmbefore kairouan, 35.51215N, 09.43385E); and by the present paper we add its presence for the first time in the south of the country: Tozeur Governorate: Chbika, 37.1912N, 7.55588E; Tamaghza, 34.2248N, 7.570E. Ain Oued Ennhas Teboursouk & Ain Amdoun Tunisia 36.46217 Ben Ahmed 4 9.5682 In 12 15 1 Beja Tebourba Tunisia 36.88403 Fjeyich 1 9.53513 Ain Touta 12 15 1 Beja Ain Serkha & Fernana Tunisia 36.62593 Ain Zoulel Bellarijia 1 8.71408 12 15 1 Jendouba Tunisia 37.12302 Ain Sidi Saleh 1 10.04002 12 15 1 Bizerte [637,1138,669,695] Tunisia 37.16745 Ain Oued Saaden 1 10.10974 12 15 1 Bizerte Ain Bidha & Sers Tunisia 34.2248 El Kef governorate 45 7.57 12 15 1 Kef