We investigated the odonates of Wadi Cherf, a tributary of Wadi Seybouse, and explored the main environmental factors that may be important drivers of the abundance and diversity of Odonata assemblages. PCA analyses demonstrated a significant altitudinal gradient associated with water flow, temperature, vegetation cover, substrate and adjacent land use. Notably, pollution was a dominant structuring factor and the most widespread species, Ischnura graellsii and the North African endemic Platycnemis subdilatata, were the most pollution-tolerant species. Similarly, co-inertia analysis indicated that environmental factors could account for 70% of the co-variation in shaping odonate assemblages. Equally important, threatened species were associated with less degraded but vulnerable habitats, most susceptible to anthropogenic impacts. There is thus a need to develop monitoring tools to assess the ecological integrity of North African rivers and implement a management plan that considers both connectivity and heterogeneity to ensure that Wadi Cherf, a sanctuary to three threatened species Calopteryx exul (EN), Coenagrion mercuriale (EN) and Gomphus lucasii (VU), continues to provide critical ecosystem functions.

The reproductive ecology of the Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) in a monospecific colony was monitored in 2003 at Sidi Achour, north-eastern Algeria. A set of physical characteristics were quantified to investigate their influence on breeding success. Prior to hatching, roughly one-third of the nests were subjected to vandalism in one single incident, which highlighted the anthropogenic influence on the reproductive success of Cattle Egrets breeding close to urban areas. Mean clutch size was 3.10 ± 0.13 eggs per nest (n = 31 complete clutches). The mean clutch size did not vary significantly when lost clutches were taken into account: 2.99 ± 0.09 eggs per nest (n = 86 nests). Clutch size, which exhibited a marked seasonal decline, correlated marginally with nest diameter and height above water but not with the location of a nest within a colony (central or peripheral). Hatching success for complete clutches was high (83.0%) and an average of 2.29 ± 0.18 chicks per nest survived to 12–15d of age. Growth curve...

Freshwater biodiversity in the Maghreb region remains largely unexplored, providing significant opportunities for further discovery. Algerian caddisflies have received relatively little attention. The present study aims to fill gaps in caddisfly taxonomy and distribution by conducting a comprehensive survey of rivers and streams in northeastern Algeria, with a focus on collecting adult caddisflies. Through our research, we identified a total of 28 species from Algeria, and a new caddisfly species, Hydropsyche tenerifa, collected in the Canary Islands, expanding our knowledge of the caddisfly fauna in North Africa. Among these discoveries, we describe 15 new species (H. cherfa, H. makhloufa, H. seybousa, H. algirica, H. dbabcha, H. farrahae, H. guitna, H. chenioura, H. edougha, H. louara, H. vinconi, H. linae, H. nardjissae, Agapetus ferrerasi, A. yasminae) from Algeria and reclassify three subspecies or varieties as distinct species (Wormaldia numidica, Thremma africanum, Mesophylax hoggarensis). In addition, our surveys led to the discovery of three previously unrecorded caddisfly species (Lype reducta, Lepidostoma kumanskii, and Adicella syriaca) in Algeria, as well as the expansion of the known range of seven additional species. These results underscore the importance of the Maghreb's freshwater biodiversity and highlight the need for a more comprehensive understanding of caddisfly taxonomy in the region. By providing a clearer taxonomy and distributional framework for caddisflies, our research establishes a solid foundation for future monitoring and conservation initiatives targeting these important aquatic insects and the ecosystems they inhabit.