TITLE:
Habitat Characterization of Black Flies (Diptera: Simuliidae) in the Tafna Catchment of Western Algeria
AUTHORS:
Chafika Chaoui Boudghane-Bendiouis, Karima Abdellaoui-Hassaïne, Boutaïna Belqat, Evelyne Franquet, Samira Boukli Hacene, Baya Yadi
KEYWORDS:
Mediterranean Fauna, Aquatic Insects, Diversity, Ecology, Microhabitat, Microdistribution
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Ecology,
Vol.4 No.16,
December
22,
2014
ABSTRACT: Physical Habitat characterization
of black flies was performed in the Tafna Basin of Algeria, based primarily on stream
size, substrate, and aquatic and riparian vegetation. A total of 143 samples were
taken between April and October 2009 at 11 sampling sites in the Tafna catchment.
Dams exerted an effect through a slowdown of
flow and sedimentation of fine particles, eliminating coarse microhabitats
favorable for black flies. Stream and substrate characteristics are key parameters
that determined the microhabitats of the species. Of 10 species considered, four
were widely present with significant plasticity for the stream and substrate. Four
other species were more closely associated with faster streams and eroded substrate.
A greater rheophilic tendency was found for Simulium bezzii (Corti), Simulium sergenti Edwards, Simulium quadrifila Grenier, Faure and Laurent and Simulium galloprovinciale Giudicelli, which
represents a new record for Algeria.