Int. J. Biosci. 2021 International Journal of Biosciences | IJB | ISSN: 2220-6655 (Print), 2222-5234 (Online) http://www.innspub.net Vol. 19, No. 2, p. 90-100, 2021 RESEARCH PAPER OPEN ACCESS Place of Diptera in the Sahara wetlands of Algeria (Ouargla, Northern Sahara) Chennouf Rekia1*, Saggou Hayet2, Benbrahim Keltoum1, Lamrani Cherifa2, AbikeurRezka1, Marniche Faieza3, Guezoul Omar1, Ould El Hadj Mohamed Didi4 1Laboratory of Saharan Bioresources Preservation and Valorization Kasdi Merbah Ouargla University,30000 Algeria 2Laboratory of Phɶniciculture Kasdi Merbah University, Algeria 3El Alia National Veterinary College, Algiers, Algeria 4Laboratory for the Protection of Ecosystems in Arid and Semi-arid Zones Kasdi Merbah Ouargla University, Algeria Key words: Diptera, wetlands, inventory, Ephydridae, Dolichopodidae. http://dx.doi.org/10.12692/ijb/19.2.90-100 Article published on August 22, 2021 Abstract The present study focuses on the inventory of the dipterian fauna of four wetlands in the Ouargla region (Northern Sahara, Algeria). These are the lake of Hassi Ben Abdallah, Sebkhat Sefioune lake, Chott Ain El Beida and thepalm grove of the ksar (oasis). For a systematic inventory of species, different techniques are used. This inventory reveals a dipteran fauna that is rich in 106 species divided into 43 families.The family Ephydridae is indeed the best represented, with 14 species (47.6%). It is followed by the Dolichopodidae with 14 species (13.9%) with the dominance of the species Asyndetusappendiculatus (10.1%). In the lake of Hassi Ben Abdallah, 81 species of Diptera are inventoried, they are distributed among 35 families. In Sebkhat Sefioune and during the 12 months, 60 species were inventoried, distributed in 30 families. On the other hand, in the Chott Ain El Beida, 27 species were caught. They are distributed among 15 families. In the ksar palm grove, 38 species were recorded, distributed in 22 families. It is noted that 17 species are common to the four wetlands in the Ouargla region. However, 27 species are only found at the level of the lake of Hassi Ben Abdallah, with 14 species caught only at lake Sebkhat Sefioune and 9 species of Diptera are specific to the ksar palm grove. It should be noted that no specific species were reported at Chott Ain El Beida. The latter is the least diversified station. The ksar palm grove is the most balanced environment in terms of families and dipterian species compared to the other stations. The lake of Hassi Ben Abdallah has the most species. * Corresponding Author: Chennouf Rekia [email protected] 90 Rekia et al. Int. J. Biosci. 2021 Introduction Algeria has been the subject of research work by some Diptera is one of the most numerically important authors such as Boukraa et al. (2011), who studied the orders of the insect class (Duvallet et al., 2017). populations of sandflies, vectors of the agents Diptera is cosmopolitan by their distribution, they are responsible for leishmaniasis in the region of M'Zab commonly united in the same hostility, that of the (Ghardaïa). Merabti (2015), interested in the inappropriate insects, unclean, dangerous by their composition and structure of Culicidian populations contact and their bite. Indeed, many species play an in the Biskra region. Chennouf et al. (2017) and active role in the transmission of diseases, which can Chennouf (2018), study arthropodological fauna in be mild, severe, or even deadly. Their knowledge and the Hassi Ben Abdallah and Sebkhat Sefioune lakes in identifications are indispensable for physicians, the Ouargla region. ecologists, hygienists, zoologists and entomologists (Séguy, 1924). Medical and veterinary entomology Materials and methods considers that Diptera, especially hematophagi, are Choice of stations the main vectors of infectious diseases, such as The region of Ouargla (31°58' N., 5° 20' E.) is located malaria, which is transmitted to humans by a dozen in the southeast of Algeria, 800 km from the capital culicids. In spite of the unpleasantness and of certain Algiers. The Ouargla region is characterized by a species, most play an important ecological role, not particularly contrasted climate despite the relatively only do they participate in the elimination of excreta northern latitude (Rouvillois Brigol, 1975). Aridity is (coprophagous species) but also of cadavers (species expressed not only by high summer temperatures and saprophages). Aquatic species account for more than low rainfall but also by the high evaporation due to 10% of the fish diet (Fontaine et al.1976). dry air (Ould El Hadj, 2002). Some families of Diptera (Chironomidae) have a The dry period lasts all year round. In the framework positive ecological role both in the larval and in the of this research, we have chosen four wetlands, the aquatic environment the adult state (Dejoux, 1981). lake of Hassi Ben Abdallah, the lake of Sebkhat They are an abundant source of energy for many Sefioune, the Chott Ain El Beida and a palm grove of species of predators, in both aquatic and terrestrial the l’ksar (oasis). environments. They are detritus feeders which intervene in the chain of saprophages and also play a Lake of Hassi Ben Abdallah:The lake of Hassi Ben considerable role in the functioning of aquatic Abdallah has an area of 10 ha and a maximum depth ecosystems.of stagnant water, immature stages are of 4.7 meters. It is located west of the commune of eaten by insects (dragonfly larvae, dytic larvae), and Hassi Ben Abdallah at a distance of 1 km from the fish, adults are preyed upon by insects, amphibians, national road linking the communes of Sidi Khouiled reptiles, birds and bats (Coldrey and Bernard,1999; to Hassi Ben Abdallah. Bourassa, 2000).Algeria has several wetlands, which are among the most precious resources in terms of The waters of the lake originally come from the water biological diversity and natural productivity table of the Ouargla basin, but also the drainage (Boumezbeur, 2004). The wetlands are an important waters of the Ouargla basin (B.H.S., 2015). habitat for the fauna in the Sahara, particularly the Diptera. At the same time, the palm grove is an Lake Sebkhat Sefioune: The lake of Sebkhat Sefioune integral part of the Saharan ecosystem and is at an altitude of 129 m. It is located north of the constitutes an ideal environment for the protection of Ouargla oasis at 52 km. In the recent past, this area insects of ecological, agronomic and economic has been dry. It is from November 2009 that drainage interest (Munier,1973).The richness and dipterian water from the city of Ouargla was diverted to diversity that can be found in the Saharan regions of Sebkhat Sefioune (Bouchibi Baaziz et al., 2010). 91 Rekia et al. Int. J. Biosci. 2021 Chott Ain El Beida: The Chott Ain El Beida is located Identification of samples not far from the city of Ouargla at 8 Km. It is The trapped species are recovered in pots containing sandwiched between the palm grove of Ouargla to the 70° alcool bearing the number of the trap pot and the west and south, the palm grove of Ain El Beida to the date of trapping. At the laboratory level, the samples east and it opens on northern dune formations. It are examined, determined and counted using a should be remembered that this Chott is a Saline binocular magnifying glass. These samples were depression whose flooded part is constituted by the brought back to the zoology laboratory of Algiers Sebkha, with a surface of 6853 ha. Stretching in a under the assistance of Professor MarnicheFaiza at north-western, south-eastern direction over a length the National Superior Veterinary School of Algiers for of 5.3 km, its width varies from 01 to 1.5 km. It is confirmation of the species of diptera. On the basis of traversed by a network of drains that channel the dichotomous keys and works let us quote those of excess water from the palm grove of Ouargla. In Seguy (1923), MC. Alpineet al. (1981), Perrier (1983), 2004, the Chott d'Ain El-Beida, is classified in the list Mc Alpine et al. (1992), Matille (1993), Haupt (2000), of the convention international Ramsar Convention, Mcgavin (2000) and Bouchard (2004). to protect the rich fauna and flora of this area (TAD, 2004). Results For the present study, 17743 individuals are Ksar palm grove: It is a palm grove with an inventoried. They are divided between 3893 unorganized plantation, located 1 km northeast of the individuals for Lake Hassi Ben Abdallah and 11535 city of Ouargla. It covers an area of 7 ha. It is individuals for Lake Sebkhat Sefioune, 1661 characterized by a plantation of date palm individuals at Chott Ain El Beida and 654 individuals (Phoenixdactylifera L). Irrigation is of the in the palm grove. The inventoried species are submersion type. This palm grove has 153 feet of date described and classified, this inventory shows a palms and fodder crops. It is worth noting the richness of 106 species divided into 43 families, 31 presence of drains in the palm grove. Brachycera and 12 Nematocera (Table 2). Qualitative inventory Among the families, the Ephydridae family is better The sampling of the dipterian fauna (larvae and represented, with 14 species (47.6%), especially the adults), lasted 12 months, covering all seasons. The species Notiphila sp. with 17.2%. It is followed by monitoring of Diptera is carried out through a series Dolichopodidae with 14 species (13.9%) with the of samples taken in and around the lakes: Hassi Ben dominance of the species Asyndetus appendiculatus Abdallah Lake, Chott de Ain El Beida and Sebkhat (10.1%). The Chironomidae represent 6.6%. The Sefioune and at the level of the phoenic environment family Culcidae comes in fourth place with 3 species at intervals of 30 days.