ABSTRACT
The caddisfly fauna of Algeria is far from complete. In this study, we present data from Trichoptera sampling in northwestern Algeria (Tafna and Ghazouana River basins) during 20142019, enhancing knowledge of this group in the country. We were able to identify 30 species and 17 genera in the study area. Among the listed taxa, five species (Hydroptila fortunata, Ecnomus deceptor, Tinodes waeneri, Limnephilus lunatus, Setodes argentipunctellus,) are new records for Algeria. An updated species checklist of Algerian Trichoptera includes 63 species. We also provide an update of the Maghreb checklist with comments on species distributions. The Maghrebian caddisfly checklist, which includes 44 Maghrebian endemic species, is still very poor in relation to that of neighboring Mediterranean geographical areas and countries, such as the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal), France, or Italy.
Subject(s)
Holometabola , Insecta , Africa, Northern , Algeria , Animals , RiversABSTRACT
Twelve species of the genus Hydropsyche (Trichoptera) are reported from the Maghreb; six in Tunisia, eight in Morocco, and eleven in Algeria. These three North African countries are inhabited by common species, except that H. siltalai has been reported only from Algeria and H. pandiel only from Morocco. A list of Hydropsyche species known from the Maghreb is presented and a key for identification of described larvae of Maghreb Hydropsyche species is provided.
Subject(s)
Holometabola , Insecta , Animals , LarvaABSTRACT
The main purpose of our paper is to document genus Hydropsyche (Trichoptera: Hydropsychidae) in northwestern Algeria and to provide the larval descriptions of the species set. Larvae, pupae, and imagines were collected from 14 sampling sites over a five-year period (2014-2019). Eight Hydropsyche species have been identified, with Hydropsyche siltalai being a new record for Algeria and North Africa, and Hydropsyche pellucidula a new record for Algeria. A comparison of our checklist with those of the Moroccan Rif and Europe is provided, as well as the geographical distribution of each species. This Algerian Hydropsyche species revision provides precise and reliable taxonomic characters for distinguishing larvae of the species, and a taxonomic key is proposed for their identification. In addition, information regarding their distribution is included.
Subject(s)
Insecta , Algeria , Animals , LarvaABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The Mediterranean basin is known to be the cradle of many endemic species. Within mayflies (Insecta, Ephemeroptera), North African species belonging to the family Baetidae remain poorly known and, traditionally, affinities to European fauna were proposed. Recent studies, based on molecular reconstructions, showed closer relationships to Mediterranean islands fauna. NEW INFORMATION: Baetidae were sampled from North-West Algerian wadis (Tafna basin) and involved in COI barcoding reconstructions. Seven species were identified. The subgenus Rhodobaetis is represented by Baetis atlanticus known previously from Macaronesian islands, Europe and Morocco and the Maghrebian endemic Baetis sinespinosus. Specimens, previously identified as Cloeon cf. dipterum, correspond to Cloeon peregrinator and, until now, only reported from Macaronesia. Besides the confirmation of endemicity of some species, such as Procloen stagnicola and B. sinespinosus, our molecular study showed quite original results for relationships between European, insular and Algerian species. Baetis maurus stood out as a North African endemic sister clade to an Iberian clade. Furthermore, we found clear interspecific distances between Algerian and European clades for A. cf. sinaica and B. cf. pavidus, suggesting the presence of cryptic species in Algeria. However, additional studies are needed, as, for the moment, no clear morphological characters were found to separate the different clades and support them as valid species.
