Olisthanella obtusa (Schultze, 1851)

Noreña, Carolina, Eitam, Avi & Blaustein, Leon, 2008, “ Microturbellarian ” flatworms (Platyhelminthes) from freshwater pools: New species and records from Israel, Zootaxa 1705, pp. 1-20 : 9

Olisthanella obtusa (Schultze, 1851)

Synonyms: Mesostomum obtusum Schultze, 1851

Locality. Temporary pools on Mount Kavul and Mount Shekhanya, Lower Galilee.

Material. Several individuals. Live observations, squash preparations and two sagittally- sectioned individuals deposited in the Department of Zoology at Tel Aviv University, Israel, Catalogue Number VR-25072 and VR-25073.

Ecological features. Olisthanella obtusa was found in some of the smallest temporary pools sampled, after the pools dried and refilled with water (April–May 2002) ( Eitam et al 2004).

Olisthanella obtusa is widely distributed in Europe ( Luther, 1963; Young, 1970; Müller & Faubel, 1993); there are no known records from North America or Africa. It was reported from Israel for the first time by Eitam et al (2004).