Les Collemboles(Hexapoda, Arthropoda) du Nord-Est algerien

Abstract

Several hundreds of samples taken in seven localities of the Algerian NorthEast are analyzed. The taxonomic study on the level of the species reveals the presence of a total of 113 species of Collembola. The inventory of the country in Collembola is enriched by a contribution by 56 new species, of which 49 are announced here for the first time in North Africa. The majority of the species lately announced in Algeria are also new for North Africa, which shows that a East Algerian fauna quite different from that of the surrounding countries, in particular of Morocco which was studied the most. Fauna met is composed of species belonging to the four orders of known Collembola, 15 families and 55 genera. The prevalence of the Poduromorpha order with 57 species and 26 genera constitutes a remarkable character of the fauna of Collembola. Inside this group, the family emerges from Neanuridae which is represented by 27 species belonging to 3 subfamilies. One of them, Frieseinae with 11 species of the same genera (Friesea) constitutes the other original character of the collembolan fauna. Among the seven prospected localities, it is mountainous massif of Edough that the essence of the total collected and identified species comes, that is to say 78 species. The most unexpected character of this fauna is the diversity of the Friesea genera (8 species) and Hypogastrura genera of the astonishing richness specific of Neanuridae met in the massif of Edough: 19 species against only 10 in the remainder of the country. What makes it distinguish from all the Mediterranean forested mountains vaster and more intensely studied. Four new species are described: Deutonura n.sp.zana, Friesea n.sp.major, Friesea n.sp.algirica and Friesea laouina, of which is published, (Deharveng & Hamra-Kroua, 2004). Twenty two species are rare, are listed with comments on their taxonomic position, and makes it possible to expect new discoveries. Affinities of the settlement of Collembola are primarily with Mediterranean fauna. The fauna of Edough consists of some European elements and circumméditerranéen. The dynamics of the settlement of Collembola endogens is determined by the seasonal variation of the fundamental edaphic factors: temperature and moisture. Their seasonal, obvious impact surfaces some, feels even in the in-depth ground.