Species diversity of Myrmecofauna (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) on the southern slope of Djurdjura National Park (Northern Algeria)
Citation
Labbaci A, Marniche F, Daoudi-Hacini S, Boulay R, Milla A (2022). Species diversity of Myrmecofauna (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) on the southern slope of Djurdjura National Park (Northern Algeria). Version 1.3. Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15470/htbs0q accessed via GBIF.org on 2024-08-25.Description
This study was carried out at three study sites in the forests of the southern part of Djurdjura National Park. We found a high variety of ants, with 2651 individuals belonging to 25 species and three subfamilies, Dolichoderinae, Myrmicinae and Formicinae. Sampling methods used were pitfall traps and hand collection. The dominant subfamily was Formicinae, representing 48% of individuals collected. Seven species belonged to this subfamily, 31% of which were Camponotus cruentatus. The second most common species found (18%) was Tapinoma magnum, an invasive species in many countries. Relative abundance, frequency of occurrence, and diversity varied across the three study sites. Site 1, a black pine forest, had higher species richness (20 species) than site 2, a cedar strip (15 species), and site 3, a mixed holm oak forest (16 species). Our study area has a diverse fauna of ants and distribution of their populations is wide.Sampling Description
Study Extent
The National Park of Djurdjura is located in the northern-central part of Algeria (36° 27′ 47″ N, 4° 10′ 41″ E), covering an area of 185 km2 (Mouslim and Nouel-Kheiter, 2017). The altitude of the Djurdjura chain averages 2,000 meters and has all the typical characteristics of high mountains. The Park is divided into four sectors. Three are located on the northern slope. Our work was conducted in the fourth sector, located in the southern part and known for the Tikjda mountain pass. This region has a humid, cool bio-climate characterized by four months of drought (June to September) and an estimated average rainfall of 1,258 mm/year. The monthly temperatures range from 18 °C to 23.4 °C (Derridj, 1990; Asmani, 1993). The snowfall period may last up to four months in the best years (Derridj, 1990). Being on the southern side of Djurdjura, this sector is directly influenced by hot winds (sirocco). Three sites were chosen according to their landscape type. Site 1 is located in the Tigounatine region (fig. 1) at an altitude of 1,480 m and it has a southern exposure (36° 27' 10.55″ N 4° 06' 22.37″ E). It is covered by black pine forest with a diversified floral assemblage (Ilex aquifolium L., 1753, Daphne laureola L., 1753, Berberis vulgaris L., 1753, Rosa canina L., 1753, Anthylis montana L. 1753, Juniperus communis L., 1753). Site 2 is located in the Taghzarth region at an altitude of 1,510 m with a north-west exposure (36° 27' 31.66″ N 4° 06' 38.86″E) (fig. 2). It is rocky with considerable floral diversity, including Genista spp. L., 1753, Crataegus monogyna L., 1753, Astragalus spp. L., 1753, and Juniperus communis L., 1753.The site sampled was situated on the edge of a cedar forest. Site 3 is located in the Tawyalt region at an altitude of 1,490 m with a northeastern exposure (36° 26' 28.40″ N 4° 06' 57.16″ E) (fig. 3). It is a mixed holm oak forest Quercus ilex L., 1753 with cedar, Cedrus atlantica Carrière, 1855, Cytisus scoparius L., 1822, and Sambucus nigra L., 1753, Acer campestre L., 1753, Ilex aquifolium L., 1753, Juniperus oxycedrus L., 1753. This site has suffered from fires on several occasions.Sampling
The study was conducted during spring and summer in March 2016 and July 2017, in accordance with the recommendations of Cagniant (1973) and Barech et al. (2016).Quality Control
The Barber pots consisted of metallic containers (7.4 cm diameter × 10.5 cm long), placed at ground level. They were filled to one-third with a solution of water and a drop of liquid dishwashing soap to break the surface tension. For each study site, we selected a 100 meter transect and positioned a pitfall trap every 5 m (20 traps). The pitfall traps were left in place for 48 hours. Their contents were then collected using a strainer and placed in Petri dishes where the date and place of collection were recorded. Ants were identified based on the determination keys found in AntWeb and AntCat. Concerning the identification of Tapinoma genus, species level was determined by Pr. Seifert Bernhard, Senckenberg Museum für Naturkunde Görlitz, Am Museum 1, 02826 Görlitz, Germany. The samples are deposited in the Collection Insectarium at the National High School of Agricultural Sciences, Algiers, Algeria.Method steps
- Ants were sampled using two methods, visual detection and direct hand collection (Romero and Jaffe, 1989), and the Barber pots method (Campos et al., 2011). Hand collection was performed when the pots were placed; two researchers actively searched for ants in the vegetation and under stones and rocks for 60 minutes. The ants were then preserved in 70° ethanol.
Taxonomic Coverages
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Hymenopterarank: order
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Formicidaerank: family
Geographic Coverages
The National Park of Djurdjura is located in the northern-central part of Algeria (36° 27′ 47″ N, 4° 10′ 41″ E), covering an area of 185 km2 (Mouslim and Nouel-Kheiter, 2017). The altitude of the Djurdjura chain averages 2,000 meters and has all the typical characteristics of high mountains.
Bibliographic Citations
- Labbaci, A., Marniche, F., Daoudi-Hacini, S., Boulay, R., Milla, A., 2019. Species diversity of Myrmecofauna (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) on the southern slope of Djurdjura National Park (Northern Algeria). Arxius de Miscel·lània Zoològica, 17: 219-229, Doi: https://doi.org/10.32800/amz.2019.17.0219 - https://doi.org/10.32800/amz.2019.17.0219
Contacts
Asma Labbacioriginator
National High School of Agricultural Sciences
Algiers
DZ
email: asmalabbaci412@gmail.com
userId: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6680-9676
F. Marniche
originator
National High School of Veterinary
Algiers
DZ
S. Daoudi-Hacini
originator
National High School of Agricultural Sciences
Algiers
DZ
R. Boulay
originator
Research Institute of Insect Biology, University of Tours
Tours
FR
A. Milla
originator
National High School of Veterinary
Algiers
DZ
Asma Labbaci
metadata author
National High School of Agricultural Sciences
Algiers
DZ
email: asmalabbaci412@gmail.com
userId: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6680-9676
Montse Ferrer
publisher
position: Managing Editor AMZ
Arxius de Miscel·lània Zoològica, Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona
Ps Picasso s/n
Barcelona
08003
Barcelona
ES
email: montseferrerf@gmail.com
Asma Labbaci
administrative point of contact
National High School of Agricultural Sciences
Algiers
DZ
email: asmalabbaci412@gmail.com
userId: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6680-9676
F. Marniche
administrative point of contact
National High School of Veterinary
Algiers
DZ
S. Daoudi-Hacini
administrative point of contact
National High School of Agricultural Sciences
Algiers
DZ
R. Boulay
administrative point of contact
Research Institute of Insect Biology, University of Tours
Tours
FR
A. Milla
administrative point of contact
National High School of Veterinary
Algiers
DZ