Salaheddine Doumandji

Analysis of pellets from a suburban Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus nest in El Harrach, Algiers, Algeria

The diet of a Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus in a suburban area of Algiers at El Harrach was determined by pellet analysis over two years. In both years, the hybrid sparrow (Passer domesticus × P. hispaniolensis) was the main prey item, based on relative frequency (22.3% and 58.7% in 1999 and 2000, respectively). Greenfinch Carduelis chloris was the next most important prey item in 1999 (14% of relative frequency), followed by Kuhls Pipistrelle Pipistrellus kuhli (9.4%), striped earwigs Labidura riparia and rose chafers Potosia cuprea (7.9% each) and millipedes Polydesmus sp., which contributed 5.8% of the relative proportion. In 2000, the other prey species in the diet made up less than 5% of the proportion. In terms of biomass, the hybrid sparrow was the main prey represented, with 47.6% in 1999 and 78.7% in 2000, followed by Carduelis chloris, with 29.8% of biomass, and ocellated skink Chalcides ocellatus, with 10.2% of biomass in 1999. In 2000, the other prey species made up less than 10% of the biomass. As with other urban studies in Europe, birds make up an important component of the kestrels diet.

Diet variability in the White Stork Ciconia ciconia in eastern Algeria

The diet of the White Stork Ciconia ciconia was studied at El Merdja, Algeria, from 1997 to 1999 and in 2007 by analysing 240 regurgitated pellets. A total of 12 234 prey types were identified and classified into six categories. Insects dominated during each month and year of the study. Three orders of insects were mainly consumed. Coleoptera species were the most frequently consumed prey during all months and years, followed by Dermaptera species, except in 1998 when Orthoptera were more frequent. The frequency of families of prey insects varied considerably depending on the year: Carabidae were dominant in 2007, Tenebrionidae in 1999 and Carcinophoridae in 1997.

First molecular evidence for the presence of Crocidura pachyura (Mammalia, Soricidae) in Kabylie (Algeria)

Abstract To date, Crocidura pachyura is considered to occur in Tunisia and the Mediterranean islands Pantelleria, Sardinia, and Ibiza, and its presence in eastern Algeria is questioned. During recent small mammal surveys in Kabylie (Algeria), 30 new specimens of shrews were collected in three different localities (Cap Djinet, Boukhalfa, and Darna). By sequencing one mitochondrial (cytochrome b) and two nuclear (intron 14 of the Y-linked DBY gene and intron 6 of the X-linked zinc finger protein gene) genes, we confirm the presence of C. pachyura in Algeria from sea level up to 1150 m a.s.l. The sister species of C. pachyura is Crocidura russula, a species widely distributed in western Algeria, Morocco, and Europe. We did not detect any signal of hybridization between these two species in Kabylie.

Diet of Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus in a farmland area near Algiers, Algeria

The diet of the Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus was analysed in a recently colonised area in Meftah, south-eastern Algiers, Algeria. The diet was determined by analysing 144 pellets. Our data showed that the diet was dominated by rodents with Algerian mouse Mus spretus comprising between 61% and 77% of the diet. Based on relative biomass, rodents were the main prey species, comprising 88.1% of the diet in 2006, 68.4% in 2007 and 52.0% in 2008. Birds were the second-most important prey, comprising as much as 43.4% of the diet in 2008. The Algerian mouse was the major prey species both in spring (60.0% in 2007) and in summer (80.0% in 2006).

Bird Species Diversity of the Mitidja Plain (Northern Algeria) with Emphasis on the Dynamics of Invasive and Expanding Species

Abstract This treatise investigates the poorly studied bird fauna of Mitidja Plain (Northern Algeria), with particular notes on the occurrence and expansion of new and alien species. Direct observations, supported by ornithological surveys carried out by Progressive Frequential Sampling (PFS), a version of a point count method, have allowed us to identify 125 bird species. These represent 31% of all species known from Algeria. The species recorded belong to 14 orders, 39 families and 37 genera. According to their biogeographic origins, 36 are Mediterranean, 32 Palearctic, 24 Holarctic, 17 European and 16 of European-Turkestani origin. The Mitidja Plain holds 60 resident-breeder species (48% of all registered species) and is a transit zone for many migratory species (summer and winter migrants constituting 20% and 14% of the total, respectively) and occasional visitors (RA = 12%). Among recently expanding species (introduced or local), the Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto and Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus, sampled by the spot-mapping method, experienced a very rapid population growth. The first observations of the former were made in 1996 in Algiers. Its numbers experienced a steep increase after 2002, starting from 5.75 pairs/10 ha to reach up to 31.5 pairs/10 ha in 2006. The same applies for the Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri, surveyed by direct-count at roosting sites. This species has been able to increase and reproduce since its first introduction into the wild in 1996. The increase in study species populations, especially the Rose-ringed Parakeet, may derive from good weather conditions that favoured the species through providing better feeding conditions, thus high reproduction outcomes.

Diet of Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus (Pontoppidan, 1763) in desert area at Hassi El Gara (El Golea, Algeria)

AbstractThe diet of the Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus was analysed in an arid environment in Hassi El Gara located in the southeast of El Golea (Ghardaia, Algeria). The diet was determined by analysing 138 pellets. Our data showed that the diet was dominated by mammals (Chiroptera and Rodentia). Based on relative biomass, birds were the main prey species. Mammals were the second most important prey. Mammals were the major food item throughout the seasons and their contribution to the diet ranged from 50.7% in spring to 73.6% in summer. Birds were the second numerous prey with 8.1% in summer and 29.6% in spring. The dominant prey species was Myotis sp., making up 37.8%. It was followed by Gerbillus nanus (5.4%), Columba livia (4.3%) and Bufo mauritanicus (4.1%).

Rapid increase in numbers and change of land-use in two expanding Columbidae species (Columba palumbus and Streptopelia decaocto) in Algeria

BackgroundInvestigating population ecology of urban bird species, particularly the invasive and expending species, is the key for the success of urban management and planning strategies.MethodsPopulations of two Columbidae species, the Woodpigeon (Columbapalumbus) and the Eurasian Collared Dove (Streptopeliadecaocto), were monitored from 1992 to 2010 in the Algiers Sahel, the Mitidja Plain and surrounding areas (Northern Algeria). Monitoring of species densities was performed by the mapping-plot method. The foraging flight routes of Woodpigeon and the distribution of Eurasian Collared Dove were assessed by systematic observations.ResultsThe number of counted birds was statistically constant at first years of the survey, and then increased significantly, beginning from low numbers, their densities accelerated sharply between 2001 and 2006, then reached to an equilibrium state. The significant increase in Woodpigeon’s population could be explained by the reduced hunting pressure and by species adaptation to new food resources provided by nearby agriculture. Indeed, monitoring of flight directions of the species revealed the use of agricultural landscapes and habitats, which is a good indicator explaining adaptation and trophic niche of the species. The occurrence of the Eurasian Collared Dove in Algiers began in 2000. Its density experienced a rapid increase with similar trend pattern as that of Woodpigeon. Its distributional range is confined mainly in suburban environments of the Mitidja Plain.ConclusionThe modifications of habitats, urbanization increase and the lessening of hunting in the Mitidja Plain facilitated the rapid expansion of the Eurasian Collared Dove and Woodpigeon as well contributed to the increase in their numbers over time.

Bioecology of Culicidae (Diptera; Nematocera) of the Tizi-Ouzou Wetlands (Algeria)

In Algeria, Culicidae form the most harmful biting insects to populations, among which some species may transmit infectious diseases (particularly malaria).

Helminths in the Digestive Tract of Chickens in the Region of Sidi Aissa (Algeria)

Domestic chicken Gallus gallus domesticus (L. 1758) is the most domestic poultry used for meat and eggs (Lehmann 2015). In Algeria and until the early 1960s, poultry farming was essentially rustic and traditional.

Piophila megastigmata McAlpine 1978 (Diptera: Piophilidae): the first record from northern Africa of this forensically relevant fly

Summary Piophila megastigmata McAlpine (Diptera: Piophilidae) is recorded for the first time from Algeria, northern Africa. This is the first Palaearctic record of the species outside the Iberian Peninsula, and the only record from Africa apart from its type locality in eastern South Africa. The current report extends significantly the known distribution in the Palaearctic Region of a species of forensic interest and of potential economic importance as a food pest.