Background: In zooarchaeology, reference collections are essential for identifying skeletal remains and for predicting measurements of living animals. To date, the archaeozoological studies in Algeria are still limited and morphometric reference datasets of local breeds are yet to be established. This study aimed to reveal the correlations between measurements of living animals and their skulls. Methods: A total of 30 females of the Ouled Djellal Algerian White Arab breed were analyzed: 15 adults and 15 young adults. Eight external body measurements were taken before slaughter and the live weight was estimated. After slaughter, the heads were collected, meticulously cleaned, weighed and measured. Sixteen craniometric measurements were taken and two indices were calculated. Result: The differences between the mean values of young adults and adults were not statistically significant (p greater than 0.05), except for wither height, naso-dental oblique length (CL31), greatest palatal breadth (CB14), greatest breadth across the premaxillae (CB18) and least height of the occipital (CH5). Young adults have a higher neurocranium and are more massive, whereas adults have a wider viscerocranium. Correlations between cranial and external measurements were partially significant, predominantly in adults. The strongest correlation was observed between the thoracic perimeter and condylobasal length (p less than 0.0001). These results provide a new reference dataset for archaeozoology.

This study aims to evaluate the morphometric characteristics of Algerian Fantasia horses. A sample of 25 Fantasia horses was measured, with six key morphometric parameters recorded. Body indices were calculated to analyze their structural conformation. These horses, mainly of the Barb and Arab-Barb breeds, exhibit variability due to breeding objectives, whether aesthetic or functional. The results showed that the withers height was 155.19 ± 2.76 cm, with a body length of 154.31 ± 4.38 cm, indicating a square-type conformation, as confirmed by a body profile index of 1.01 ± 0.02. The dactyl-thoracic index was 0.11 ± 0.004, indicating bone thickness consistent with body weight.Comparisons with existing studies highlight the unique physical characteristics of these horses. The results provide valuable data for future research and breeding programs.

Background: Algeria has no documented national companion-animal cancer registry, and limited information is available on tumors encountered in veterinary practice or reaching histopathological confirmation. This dual-source descriptive study combined two independently analyzed components: a histopathology-based descriptive case series of diagnostic tumor submissions from dogs and cats, and a cross-sectional questionnaire survey of veterinarians practicing in Algeria. The first component characterized tumors reaching histopathological confirmation, whereas the second examined practitioner-reported tumor patterns, perceived diagnostic-resource availability, and self-reported preparedness. Results: The histopathology-based case series comprised 86 tumor submissions from 81 animals accrued between March 2022 and March 2025. Mammary tumors were the largest category (43/86; 50.0%), followed by cutaneous/subcutaneous tumors (20/86; 23.3%); 80 tumors (93.0%) were classified as malignant. Among 162 questionnaire responses collected between October 2024 and May 2025, 111 respondents selected “dogs and cats” as their main animal group. Mammary tumors were reported by 109 respondents (98.2%), cutaneous/subcutaneous tumors by 79 (71.2%), and canine transmissible venereal tumor (CTVT) by 54 (48.6%); multiple categories could be reported. The most frequent self-reported preparedness rating was “Moderately prepared” (52/111; 46.8%), while 99 of 110 respondents with valid data (90.0%) rated diagnostic resources as either “Insufficient” or “Not at all satisfactory.” Mammary and cutaneous/subcutaneous tumors ranked first and second in both sources, whereas the rankings of the remaining categories differed. Because the sources represented different populations, analytical units, denominators, and diagnostic pathways, the comparison was restricted to an exploratory descriptive assessment and was not interpreted as evidence of differences in population-level tumor occurrence. Conclusions: This study provides an initial structured account of companion-animal tumor documentation in Algeria. The partial agreement between the two sources, together with unfavorable diagnostic-availability ratings, suggests potential gaps between clinical recognition, histopathological confirmation, and systematic recording. Standardized submission and coding procedures, improved specimen-transport and formal pathology-referral pathways, broader geographic participation, and progressive development of companion-animal cancer registration are needed to strengthen the national evidence base.