First record of Erpobdella borisi Cichocka & Bielecki, 2015 (Annelida: Hirudinida: Erpobdellidae) from Hazar-Merd Caves, Sulaimaniyah Province_ Iraq.

Abstract

The present investigation based on the morphometric and morphologic characterization of five leech specimens were collected from the water spots and springs of Hazar-Merd Caves serious near the Hazar-Merd Village during May-June of 2022. The examinations of these annelid worms (morphological and anatomical) ensured evident for the first appearance of an erpobdelloid cave leech Erpobdella borisi and adding this species to Iraqi fauna.

Keywords

• Erpobdella, borisi, Hazar-Merd, Cave, Kurdistan