Ants’ diversity (Hymenoptera-Formicidae) in the Algeria’s humid forests, case of the Gerrouche forest massif (Taza National Park)

In order to contribute to the myrmecological fauna knowledg of the Guerrouche forest massif based in northeastern Algeria. A study was conducted on three oak groves (Quercus suber, Q. canariensis and Q.afares). A total of 60 plots were surveyed by using four sampling methods (manual capture, bait, pitfall and Winkler). The inventory revealed 34 ants species belonging to 15 genus and 4 sub-families; Dolichoderinae, Formicinae, Myrmicinae and Ponerinae. Dispatch as follow,  22 species for Cork oak, 14 for Algerian oak and 17 for Afares oak. Myrmicinae dominate in Cork oak and in Algerian oak (82.83 and 81.23% respectively) while in the Afares oak, Formicinae are largely in the lead (68.54%). This study revealed an endemic species to Algeria (Aphaenogaster testaceo-pilosa ssp canescens), three endemic’ species to Algeria and Morocco (Camponotus laurenti, Messor antennatus ans Aphaenogaster foreli) and one endemic to Algeria and Tunisia (Bothriomymrmex decapitans). Comparison of the four sampling methods effectiveness, used reveals that it’s the bait (80.7% of the species total number harvested in the all stations) and manual capture (49.69% of the species total number harvested in the all stations), which allowed the capture of the largest number of species followed by pitfalls traps (31.64% of the species total number harvested in the all stations). The Winkler was much less effective (5.55% of the species total number harvested in the all stations)

Impact of refuse dump on the diet of the Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis in the Béjaia area (Algeria)

The diet of the Yellow-legged Gull (Larus michahellis) has been studied through the analysis of adults’pellets collected in four colonies in the Béjaia area (Algeria). 123 food types were recorded. Waste coming from refuse dumps accounted for the main part of pellet contents (71,4 %). However, diet differed between colonies, the difference depending on the location of the colony relative to the feeding area. Colonies located near the main refuse dump had a similar diet largely dominated by waste whereas the farthest colony presented the most diversifi ed pellets content. The study is complemented by the analysis of a small sample of chick regurgitates which reveals the presence of 28 food types- Le régime alimentaire du Goéland leucophée (Larus michahellis) a été analysé à partir de pelotes de régurgitation des adultes récoltées sur quatre colonies de la région de Béjaia (Algérie). Ont été identifiés 123 types d'aliments. Les déchets issus des décharges d'ordures ménagères constituent la part la plus importante des restes contenus dans les pelotes (71,4 % en moyenne). Cependant une différence de régime alimentaire est observée entre les colonies et apparaît fonction de leur localisation par rapport à la zone d'alimentation. Les colonies les plus proches de la décharge partagent un régime alimentaire largement dominé par les déchets de décharge tandis que la colonie la plus éloignée montre un contenu des pelotes plus diversifié. Ce travail est complété par l'analyse d'un petit échantillon de régurgitats de poussins qui révèle la présence de 28 types d'aliments

Biogeography and ecology of the Algerian island flora

Background and aims – In spite of their proximity to the coasts, the flora of the islands and islets of the Algerian coasts has been poorly studied. This work is the first to provide an overall view of the richness and the determinants of the Algerian island flora. Material and methods – The study is based on a compilation of original floristic data. Two classifications of 30 islands and islets were derived from PCA and HCPC performed on the species occurrence matrix and on a matrix of flora descriptors including species richness, functional traits (life form, seed dispersal, pollination), and biogeographic range. We performed an RDA to explain the variation in flora characteristics by a set of physiographic (longitude, latitude, elevation, area, isolation, steepness index, and area/perimeter ratio) and biotic (seabird density and human presence) variables. Key results – The floristic inventory encompassed a total richness of 295 vascular plant taxa (including subspecies and varieties) on the 30 studied sites. Five main groups of islands and islets can be distinguished based on vegetation composition and three from flora descriptors. RDA model selection revealed that the combination of four variables (seabird density, area, latitude, and longitude) explained 26.6% of the variation in flora characteristics. Taken alone, the density of yellow-legged gull colonies and the island area were the main drivers of this variation. Results showed that floristic richness was associated with larger island area and higher seabird density, the importance of some plant functional traits, such as zoochory and entomogamy, and with a higher proportion of Eurasian holarctic species. Conclusion – In the context of island flora conservation, some of these small islands of Algeria can be considered as “modern refuges” from human pressures, and this is particularly important in the context of Mediterranean ecosystems characterised by a quasi-permanent human impact in various habitats. Two new important plant areas (IPAs) for Algeria are proposed following the results of these floristic inventories

L'utilisation des Coleoptera, Ephemeroptera et Diptera comme bioindicateurs de la qualite des eaux de quelques Oueds en Algérie

S'ha dut a terme un estudi per avaluar la qualitat de l'aigua de tres uadis a Algèria: Oued Sahel (regió de Bouira), Oued Djedir (regió de Djelfa) i Oued M'zi (regió Laghouat). Van ser seleccionats en base a la seva ubicació en diferents zones bioclimàtiques d'Algèria; zones semiàrides temperades, semiàrides fredes i àrides. Es van prendre mostres en un total de 14 estacions situades en diferents uadi durant els anys 2013 i 2014, amb un total de 18 mostres. L'estudi es va realitzar utilitzant macroinvertebrats aquàtics (coleòpters, efemeròpters i dípters), capturats en cada uadi com a bioindicadors de la qualitat hidrobiològica. Es donen les dades sobre els bioindicadors (coleòpters, efemeròpters i dípters) i el seu valor, així com la valorització de la qualitat de l'aigua del tres uadis. Els resultats es comparen amb altres estudis realitzats a Algèria.We conducted a study to assess the water quality of three wadis in Algeria, namely: Oued Sahel (Bouira region), Oued Djedir (Djelfa region) and Oued Mzi (Laghouat region). They were chosen based on their location in different bioclimatic levels in Algeria,: mild semiarid, cold semi-arid and arid areas. A total of 14 stations were sampled in the different wadis during the years 2013 and 2014, taking in all 18 samples. The study was conducted using aquatic macroinvertebrates (beetles, mayflies and Diptera) captured in each Oued as bio-indicators of hydro-biological quality. Data on biological indicators (Coleoptera, Ephemeroptera, Diptera), their valuation and the quality of the three rivers were discussed. The results were compared with other studies in Algeri

Does urbanisation have an impact on the trophic ecology of the Algerian hedgehog Atelerix algirus in northern Algeria?

The Algerian hedgehog, which is an endemic Mediterranean species, is a nocturnal and terrestrial insectivorous mammal. Atelerix algirus’ populations are widespread in various habitats comprising human agglomeration, such as rural, suburban or natural ecosystems. However, the impact of the habitat’s characteristics on its diet remains unknown in Algeria. To contribute to a better understanding of this question, we have analysed 158 faeces samples of the Algerian hedgehog in three different areas: urban, suburban and natural area.The findings show that the Algerian hedgehog is an opportunistic species. It feeds on several classes of Arthropoda, but the harvester ant Messor barbarus dominates largely its menu with AR = 74.81% in the diverse habitats. Furthermore, the HAC and FCA analyses confirm the positive impact of the level of urbanisation and the anthropogenic activity on the Algerian hedgehog prey richness in the north of Algeria (79 prey species and 5574 individuals ingested in the urban area, compared to 64 prey species and 3188 individuals ingested in the natural zone)

Does urbanisation have an impact on the trophic ecology of the Algerian hedgehog Atelerix algirus in northern Algeria?

The Algerian hedgehog, which is an endemic Mediterranean species, is a nocturnal and terrestrial insectivorous mammal. Atelerix algirus’ populations are widespread in various habitats comprising human agglomeration, such as rural, suburban or natural ecosystems. However, the impact of the habitat’s characteristics on its diet remains unknown in Algeria. To contribute to a better understanding of this question, we have analysed 158 faeces samples of the Algerian hedgehog in three different areas: urban, suburban and natural area.The findings show that the Algerian hedgehog is an opportunistic species. It feeds on several classes of Arthropoda, but the harvester ant Messor barbarus dominates largely its menu with AR = 74.81% in the diverse habitats. Furthermore, the HAC and FCA analyses confirm the positive impact of the level of urbanisation and the anthropogenic activity on the Algerian hedgehog prey richness in the north of Algeria (79 prey species and 5574 individuals ingested in the urban area, compared to 64 prey species and 3188 individuals ingested in the natural zone)