Dendrobaena attemsi (Michaelsen, 1902) (Clitellata, Megadrili) on the Balkan Peninsula and Anatolia: distribution and biogeographical significance

Abstract

In this paper we summarize the knowledge on the presence of Dendrobaena attemsi (Michaelsen, 1902) on the Balkan Peninsula and Anatolia. The aim of this paper is to present new data on D. attemsi and, by analyzing the new and literature records, to establish the first complete list of its records on the Balkan Peninsula and Anatolia. The list provided a general overview of its current distribution and zoogeographical position. D. attemsi is distributed from the Pyrenees through the Central Europe, Balkan Peninsula and Anatolia to the Caucasus. It is common in the Balkan Peninsula, but in Turkey it was rarely found, only in the northern part of the Country. The most important distribution centre of the species in Europe is situated in the Balkanic-Alpine area where it was registered in the largest number of its records. Summarizing all the data reported so far, it can be concluded that D. attemsi in its native range (southern Eurasia) shows a Trans-Aegean distribution

Keywords

• oligochaeta
• lumbricidae
• trans-aegean distribution
• earthworms
• fauna of turkey