Ntislidou, Chrysoula; Mavromati, Efpraxia; Bozatzidou, Maria; Nakas, Georgios; Atanacković, Ana D. (2026). Contribution to the knowledge of freshwater Oligochaeta from Greece: an annotated checklist, with special reference to distribution and new records. Zootaxa. 5874(6): 501-526.

568582

10.11646/zootaxa.5874.6.1 [view]

Ntislidou, Chrysoula; Mavromati, Efpraxia; Bozatzidou, Maria; Nakas, Georgios; Atanacković, Ana D.

2026

5874(6): 501-526

Publication

Annelidabase. Closed access at Zootaxa

This study contributes to the knowledge of freshwater Oligochaeta from Greece by providing the first annotated checklist, with emphasis on species distribution and newly recorded taxa. The checklist is based on a comprehensive review of published literature combined with original data derived from field sampling conducted in the profundal and sublittoral zones of 18 Greek lakes. It includes all aquatic families except the Enchytraeidae. In total, 52 species are currently recognized from Greek inland waters, representing a substantial increase compared to the 26 species previously listed in the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) database. The family Naididae is the most species-rich group (including 21 Tubificinae, 17 Naidinae, 5 Pristininae and 2 Rhyacodrilinae species), followed by Lumbriculidae with three species, while Haplotaxidae, Criodrilidae, Lumbricidae and Propappidae are each represented by a single species. Six species are newly recorded for Greece: Dero dorsalis Ferronière, 1899; Nais pardalis Piguet, 1906; Nais stolci Hrabe, 1981; Paranais frici Hrabe, 1941; Potamothrix vejdovskyi (Hrabe, 1941) and Lophochaeta ignota Štolc, 1886. Despite these additions, the known freshwater oligochaete fauna of Greece remains comparatively less diverse than that of several neighboring Balkan countries. Faunal similarity analysis indicates the closest affinity with Bosnia and Herzegovina and North Macedonia, and the lowest similarity with Kosovo. Rarefaction analysis suggests that sampling effort in lake habitats is approaching completeness; however, significant gaps persist, particularly in lotic systems, springs, ponds, and specialized microhabitats. Further systematic surveys are expected to considerably expand the known diversity and may reveal additional endemic taxa.

Mediterranean

Fauna and Flora, Faunistic inventories, Checklists, Catalogues
Systematics, Taxonomy

Annelida

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