Contribution to the knowledge of Chalcidoidea (Hymenoptera) of Biskra, Algeria

Contribución al conocimiento de los Chalcidoidea (Hymenoptera) de Biskra, Argelia Este trabajo aporta una lista de avispas Chalcidoideas recolectadas en la región de Biskra, en el suroeste de Argelia, en 2017. Consta de un total de 35 individuos clasificados en 17 especies de Chalcidoideos pertenecientes a ocho familias e incluye cinco géneros registrados por primera vez en Argelia. Aphelinus asychis Walker, 1839 (Chalcidoidea, Aphelinidae) y Pachyneuron groenlandicum Holmgren, 1872 (Chalcidoidea, Pteromalidae) son asimismo nuevos registros en Argelia. Se consignan brevemente los datos bilógicos y la distribución geográfica de cada especie. Datos publicados en GBIF (doi: 10.15470/jx3ahv)We provide here a list of Chalcidoid wasps collected from the region of Biskra in the south east of Algeria in 2017. The list is comprised of 35 individuals classified into 17 species belonging to eight families. Five genera are reported for the first time from Algeria. Aphelinus asychis Walker, 1839 (Chalcidoidea, Aphelinidae) and Pachyneuron groenlandicum Holmgren, 1872 (Chalcidoidea, Pteromalidae) are new records from Algeria. Biological data and geographical distributions of each species are mentioned. Data published in GBIF (doi: 10.15470/jx3ahv)Contribució al coneixement dels Chalcidoidea (Hymenoptera) de Biskra, Algèria Aquest treball aporta una llista de vespes Chalcidoidees recol·lectades a la regió de Biskra, al sud-oest d’Algèria, el 2017. Consta d’un total de 35 individus classificats en 17 espècies de Chalcidoideus pertanyents a vuit famílies i inclou cinc gèneres registrats per primera vegada a Algèria. Aphelinus asychis Walker, 1839 (Chalcidoidea, Aphelinidae) i Pachyneuron groenlandicum Holmgren, 1872 (Chalcidoidea, Pteromalidae) també són nous registres a Algèria. Es consignen breument les dades biològiques i la distribució geogràfica de cada espècie. Dades publicades a GBIF (doi: 10.15470/jx3ahv

NUMERICAL EVALUATION OF POPULATIONS OF THE WHITE SCALE PARLATORIA BLANCHARDI TARG. 1868 (HEMIPTERA, DIASPIDIDAE) AS A FUNCTION OF THE POSITION OF THE ADULT FEMALES ON LEAFLETS OF DATE PALM (PHOENIX DACTYLIFERA L) IN THE PALM GROVES OF ZIBAN (BISKRA, ALGER

RESUMENotre étude s’est déroulée pendant deux années consécutives 2010 et 2011 sur les folioles des palmiers de la variété DegletNour dans la région de Biskra. L’objectif de notre recherche est d’étudier l’impact de la position des folioles sur la dynamiquedes populations de la cochenille femelle adulte de Parlatoria blanchardi. Pour la réalisation de cette étude nous avons effectué72 sorties. Nous avons prélevé 1728 folioles des quatre orientations du palmier. Nous avons observé minutieusement sous laloupe binoculaire un total de 21176 cochenilles. Les résultats de cette étude révèlent que les quatre directions du palmier sonttoutes infestées par les cochenilles femelles. La répartition de ce déprédateur sur les folioles des différentes orientations estvariable. L’orientation Sud est la moins infestée par les femelles de la cochenille (4848 femelles en 2010 et 173 femelles en2011), où le taux de mortalité est également le plus élevé (26 ,87% en 2010 et 45% en 2011) alors que le taux de cochenillesparasitées est le moindre (23,33% en 2010 et 12 ,09% en 2011). La direction Sud est ainsi la moins favorable audéveloppement de la cochenille blanche étant donné qu’elle est la plus exposée aux rayons solaires directs et aux vents chauds.MOTS CLES: Parlatoria blanchardi ; Dynamique des populations ; Orientation ; Palmier dattier ; Biskra ; Algérie.ABSTRACTOur study is conducted for two consecutive years 2010 and 2011. We worked on the palm trees of the variety Deglet -Nour.The aim of our research is to study the impact of the position of the leaflets on dynamic of populations of the female cochinealParlatoria blanchardi. For the realization of this study we performed 72sorties. We have collected 1728 leaflets of the fourdirections of the palm tree. We have thoroughly inspected under the binocular a total of 21176 cochineals. The results of thisstudy indicate that the four directions of the palm are all infested with female scale. The distribution of this pest on the leafletsin different directions varies. The results of our study show that the South orientation is the least infested by the femalecochineal (4848 females in 2010 and 173 females in 2011) .From this direction even has the highest mortality rate (26, 87% in2010 and 45% in 2011) and lower in parasitized white scale (23, 33% in 2010 and 12,09%in 2011). South direction is lessfavorable to the development of white scale compared to other directions. It is more exposed to direct sunlight and hot winds.KEYWORDS: Parlatoria blanchardi; fluctuations; Orientation; date palm; Biskra; Algeria

Incidence and geographical distribution of cereal cyst nematode (CCN, Heterodera spp.) in winter wheat fields in Algeria

Incidència i distribució geogràfica del nematode enquistat dels cereals (CCN, Heterodera spp.) en camps de blat d’hivern d’Algèria Els nematodes enquistats dels cereals (CCN, Heterodera spp.) són els nematodes paràsits vegetals més nocius per al blat, especialment a les zones de conreu de cereals, arreu del món. L’estiu de 2015 vam prendre mostres en 22 camps de blat i les vam analitzar mitjançant la tècnica de l’embut de Fenwick. L’estudi va revelar que el 54,55 % dels camps de blat estaven infestats pel nematode enquistat dels cereals. La infestació es va observar en diverses localitzacions del nord d’Algèria, però no a la zona desèrtica del sud. Les densitats de població de CCN al sòl de les zones infestades van variar entre 0,6 ± 0,54 i 8,6 ± 19,96 quists/500 g de sòl sec. A més, vam trobar una mitjana de 56,33 ± 15,18 i 364,70 ± 81,93 segons estadis juvenils i ous per quist, respectivament. La infestació era més severa als camps dedicats al cereal de Draa Semar i Djendel, amb 86,6 ± 19,96 quists/500 g de sòl i 57,4 ± 17,55 quists/500 g de sòl, respectivament. Les taxes més baixes d’infestació es van observar als altres camps: Ras Elouad, Sidi Mbarek i Sedraia, amb 0,6 ± 0,54 quists/500 g de sòl, 1,6 ± 1,67 quists/500 g de sòl i 2,4 ± 1,67 quists/500 g de sòl, respectivament. Heterodera spp. estava distribuït en tota la zona de conreu de cereal d’Algèria i podria causar una pèrdua de rendiment econòmic en aquestes regions. En mostrem la distribució en un mapa.Dades publicades a Mendeley (Doi:10.17632/rtsbcn6k9y.2) Incidencia y distribución geográfica del nematodo enquistado de los cereales (CCN, Heterodera spp.) en campos de trigo de invierno de Argelia Los nematodos enquistados de los cereales (CCN, Heterodera spp.) son los nematodos parásitos vegetales más dañinos para el trigo, especialmente en las zonas de cultivo de cereales, en todo el mundo. En el verano de 2015 tomamos muestras en 22 trigales y las analizamos utilizando la técnica del embudo de Fenwick. El estudio reveló que el 54,55% de los trigales estaban infestados por nematodo enquistado de los cereales. La infestación se observó en varias localizaciones del norte de Argelia, pero no en la zona desértica del sur. Las densidades de población de CCN en el suelo de las zonas infestadas variaron entre 0,6 ± 0,54 y 8,6 ± 19,96 quistes/500 g de suelo seco. Además, hallamos un promedio de 56,33 ± 15,18 y 364,70 ± 81,93 segundos estadios juveniles y huevos por quiste,  respectivamente. La infestación era más severa en los campos dedicados al cereal de Draa Semar y Djendel, con 86,6 ± 19,96 quistes/500 g de suelo y 57,4 ± 17,55 quistes/500 g de suelo, respectivamente. Las tasas más bajas de infestación se observaron en los otros campos: Ras Elouad, Sidi Mbarek y Sedraia, con 0,6 ± 0,54 quistes/500 g de suelo, 1,6 ± 1,67 quistes/500 g de suelo y 2,4 ± 1,67 quistes/500 g de suelo, respectivamente. Heterodera spp. estaba distribuido en toda la zona de cultivo de cereal de Argelia y podría causar una pérdida de rendimiento económico en esas regiones. Mostramos la distribución en un mapa. Datos publicados en Mendeley (Doi:10.17632/rtsbcn6k9y.2)Cereal cyst nematodes (CCN, Heterodera spp.) are the most damaging plant-parasitic nematode species on wheat, causing severe economic loss in global wheat production. In summer 2015, we analyzed samples collected from 22 wheat fields in Algeria using the Fenwick can technique. The study revealed that 54.55 % of wheat fields were infested with cereal cyst nematodes. The species was observed in several locations in the northern part of Algeria but not in the southern desert area. Population densities of CCNs in soil varied between the regions at an infestation rate of between 0.6 ± 0.54 and 86.6 ± 19.96 cysts per 500 g of dried soil. Furthermore, we found an average of 56.33±15.18 and 364.70 ± 81.93 second-stage juveniles and eggs/cyst. The infestation was most severe in cereal fields in Draa Semar and Djendel with 86.6 ± 19.96 cyst/500g of soil and 57.4±17.55 cysts/500g of soil, respectively. Infestation was lowest in fields in Ras Elouad, Sidi Mbarek and Sedraia with 0.6 ± 0.54 cysts/500g of soil; 1.6 ± 1.67 cysts/500g of soil and 2.4 ± 1.67 cysts/500g of soil, respectively. Heterodera spp. was distributed throughout the cereal growing province in Algeria and could cause economic loss in these regions. Data published in Mendeley (Doi:10.17632/rtsbcn6k9y.2

The nutritional quality of Spirulina platensis of Tamenrasset, Algeria

Spirulina platensis, a blue green microalga, has been used since ancient times as a source of food because of its high protein content (65%) and nutritional value. Lipids isolated from S. platensis have been shown to contain high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids, including linolenic acid which is a precursor of arachidonic acid; this cyanobacteria contains, also, several kinds of sterols. The aim of this study is to evaluate the nutritional quality of S. platensis of Tamenrasset, Algeria. This study shows the analysis of nutritional quality of S. platensis of Tamanrasset, Algeria, to know nutritional value of our local strain. Biochemical analysis was performed for moisture, protein, glucose, lipid and minerals content. The chemical composition is based on the identification of fatty acids, using gas chromatography and quantification of the mineral elements by using the atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). The results showed that S. platensis of Algeria has an important nutritional quality. Key words: Spirulina platensis, nutritional, quality, proteins, fatty acids

Seasonal variation of the diet of the Fennec fox, Vulpes zerda (Canidae, Carnivora), in Algeria

Les variations saisonnières du régime alimentaire du Fennec, Vulpes zerda, ont été étudiées à partir de crottes collectées à Ben Ahmed, région de Ghardaïa (Sahara septentrional algérien). De l’automne 2010 au printemps 2011, 130 crottes ont livré 726 proies animales appartenant à 17 ordres, 30 familles et 75 espèces. Les proies principales ont été les Insectes (554 individus), suivis par les Mammifères (142 individus) et les Arachnides (14 individus). Cependant, en biomasse les Mammifères ont été les proies dominantes (86,5 %) devant les Insectes (10,7 %) et les oiseaux (1,2 %). Un spectre semblable a été trouvé au cours des trois saisons étudiées, toutefois les fréquences des principaux groupes ont varié significativement. L’automne a été la saison de plus forte prédation sur les Mammifères, en hiver les Isoptères ont été les proies les plus nombreuses, au printemps ce furent les Orthoptères et les Arachnides. La prédation des Coléoptères, Squamates et Oiseaux a été stable au fil des saisons. Ces résultats confirment que le Fennec est un prédateur opportuniste.The seasonal diet of the Fennec fox, Vulpes zerda, has been investigated in Ben Ahmed, Ghardaïa region (northern Sahara, Algeria) using scat content analysis. In 130 scats collected from autumn 2010 to spring 2011 we identified 726 animal prey items belonging to 17 orders, 30 families and 75 species. The main preys were insects (554 individuals), followed by mammals (142 individuals) and arachnids (14 individuals). However, biomass was dominated by mammals, (86.5 %), followed by insects (10.7 %) and birds (1.2 %). Similar patterns were observed among the seasons, but the frequencies of the main contributing taxa were significantly different. Autumn was the season when mammals were the most consumed; in winter Isoptera were the most numerous preys; in spring Orthoptera and Arachnida were abundantly fed upon, whereas predation of Coleoptera, squamates and birds were similar along the seasons. These results confirm that the fennec fox is an opportunistic predator

Impact of predation by Cattle Egret Bubulcus Ibis L. on wildlife of farmlands in Chlef region (Algeria)

Mohamedi, A., S. Doumandji, A. Ababou, M. Koudjil, and a. Rouabhi. 2016. Impact of predation by cattle egret Bubul ibiscus ibis L. on wildlife of farmlands in Chlef region of Algeria. Lebanese Science Journal, 17(2): 117- 129. The study was conducted in the region of Chlef which is located approximately at 200 km North- West of Algiers and at 36º 12' North latitude and 1 ° 19' East longitude. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of predation of Cattle Egret on crop pests in four different agricultural areas of the region (cereal, potato, citrus orchard and uncultivated field), from the comparison between preys consumed by the predator and the potential preys available in these environments.Trappings of preys made in the area studied have revealed that the abundance of potential preys differs from one habitat to another, although not exploited environment is richer than the others. The calculation of the diversity with the index of Shannon-Wiever and the similarity with the index of community of Jaccard have shown that the preys consumed by the cattle egret are only partly similar to the set of potential preys. It is possible that this bird looks for its preys in other areas different from those surveyed. The calculation of attendance of agricultural environments by the Cattle Egret showed that this bird is very opportunistic; it uses these areas in a well-planned manner, depending on the availability of preys. Thus, the impact of its predation on wildlife and especially the insect fauna of different agricultural habitats, although it differs from one medium to another, remains important and beneficial to local culture

Analysis of pellets from a suburban Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus nest in El Harrach, Algiers, Algeria

The diet of a Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus in a suburban area of Algiers at El Harrach was determined by pellet analysis over two years. In both years, the hybrid sparrow (Passer domesticus x P. hispaniolensis) was the main prey item, based on relative frequency (22.3% and 58.7% in 1999 and 2000, respectively). Greenfinch Carduelis chloris was the next most important prey item in 1999 (14% of relative frequency), followed by Kuhl's Pipistrelle Pipistrellus kuhli (9.4%), striped earwigs Labidura riparia and rose chafers Potosia cuprea (7.9% each) and millipedes Polydesmus sp., which contributed 5.8% of the relative proportion. In 2000, the other prey species in the diet made up less than 5% of the proportion. In terms of biomass, the hybrid sparrow was the main prey represented, with 47.6% in 1999 and 78.7% in 2000, followed by Carduelis chloris, with 29.8% of biomass, and ocellated skink Chalcides ocellatus, with 10.2% of biomass in 1999. In 2000, the other prey species made up less than 10% of the biomass. As with other urban studies in Europe, birds make up an important component of the kestrel's diet. Ostrich 2006, 77(3&4): 175–17

Effect of cold and scarification on seeds germination of pistacia atlantica L. for rapid multiplication

This study was carried out to determine the effects of mechanical scarification and cold treatment of seeds at + 4°C before sowing seed of Pistacia atlantica. In these cases, the durations at cold temperature, which have been taken into account, are successively 60, 50, 40, and 30 days. After these periods, the rate of germination and the speed of germination are calculated every 4 days. The rates of germinations concerning the not scarified seeds having undergone a cold treatment lasting 50 days are the most important that is a value of 39% from the 09-05-2010 until the 29-05-2010. The speed germination is maximum that is 89 germinated seeds /4 days. In addition this same rate reaches a maximum of 70%. Concerning the pistachio tree seeds of the atlas treated mechanically with duration of cold treatment at + 4°C during 30 days. For the same category of seed the speed of germination is maximum that is 214 seeds/4 days. Thus the scarification and the 30 days stay are the fastest means which allow to obtain the seedlings of pistachio tree in a rather short tim