Abundance and Distribution of the Forest Cockroaches in Different Algerian Ecosystems

Authors

Zakaria Hedjouli, Applied Neuroendocrinology Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Badji Mokhtar, Annaba, AlgeriaFollow
Wafa Habbachi, Applied Neuroendocrinology Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Badji Mokhtar, Annaba, Algeria.Follow
Fatiha Masna, Department of Natural Sciences, Ens Taleb Ebderrahman, Laghouat, AlgeriaFollow
Saliha Benhissen, Department of Natural and Life Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Mohamed Boudiaf, M'sila, Algeria.Follow
Sarra Habbachi, Applied Neuroendocrinology Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Badji Mokhtar, Annaba, AlgeriaFollow
Abdelmadjid Yagoub Asloum, Ecology of Terrestrial and Aquatic Systems, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Badji Mokhtar, Annaba, AlgeriaFollow
Abdelkrim Tahraoui, Applied Neuroendocrinology Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Badji Mokhtar, Annaba, AlgeriaFollow

Abstract

Forests have many insect species that are unique to biodiversity and play a crucial role in the functioning of ecosystems. Forest cockroaches are the best example of forest litter insects, which also help decompose fallen leaves. The composition of the Blattoptera fauna can vary from one region to another, depending on the habitat and numerous biotic and abiotic factors In order to study the diversity, abundance, and distribution of forest cockroaches in different Algeria ecosystems, we have selected four sites from three Wilayas: Senalba (Djelfa), Ain achir (Annaba), Seraidi (Annaba), and Lehnaya (El-taref). These sites are classified into two distinct forest groups (Pinus halepensis and Quercus canariensis). In all areas, the samples were collected each month manually, starting from April 2019 until March 2020. We have collected 1231 individuals of cockroaches and describe eight species from all locations: Loboptera ovolobata (Bohn, 1991), Loboptera decipiens (Germar, 1817), Ectobius kervillei (Bolivar, 1907), Dziriblatta nigriventris (Chopard, 1936), Dziriblatta stenoptera (Chopard, 1937), Phyllodromica zebra (Rhen, 1903), Dziriblatta sp. (Chopard, 1936) and some Ectobius (Stephens, 1835) specimens have not yet been identified. With 51% L. decipiens was the most abundant species, followed by L. ovolobata with 27%. Despite that, the number of larvae was substantially higher than the number of adults in all forests examined. However, the abundance and biodiversity of cockroaches in the Djelfa forest were greater than those of the other woods. This study made it possible to characterize the diversity and dynamics of cockroach species populations in different Algerian ecosystems according to diverse Mediterranean forests.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.35691/JBM.1202.0196

Article History

Received: April 10, 2021; Accepted: April 29, 2021; Published: August 26, 2021

Recommended Citation

Hedjouli, Z., Habbachi, W., Masna, F., Benhissen, S., Habbachi, S., Asloum, A., & Tahraoui, A. (2021). Abundance and Distribution of the Forest Cockroaches in Different Algerian Ecosystems, Journal of Bioresource Management, 8 (3).
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35691/JBM.1202.0196