FIRST RECORD OF THE HEMATOPHAGOUS LEECH LIMNATIS PALUDA (HIRUDINEA: PRAOBDELLIDAE) IN THE NAKHCHIVAN AUTONOMOUS REPUBLIC, AZERBAIJAN, WITH COMMENTS ON ITS GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL PREFERENCES

Abstract

This research provides a detailed report on a new record of Limnatis paluda (Tennent, 1859) from the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, Azerbaijan, emphasizing its significance and the morphological features that confirm its identification. This finding is particularly significant as it fills a geographical gap, provides insights into the distribution patterns of Limnatis leeches and underscores their reliance on water bodies frequented by livestock. The new record corroborates the previously hypothesized distribution range of the species extending from Central Asia to the South Caucasus and the Middle East. © 2025, Croatian Natural History Museum. All rights reserved.