Ants' diversity (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in the Algeria's humid forests, case of the Gerrouche forest massif (Taza National Park)

Abstract

In order to contribute to the myrmecological fauna knowledge of the Guerrouche forest massif based in northeastern Algeria. A study was conducted on three oak groves (Quercussuber, Q. canariensis and Q. afares). A total of 60 plots were surveyed by using four sampling methods (manual capture, bait, pitfall and Winkler). The inventory revealed 34 ants species belonging to 15 genus and 4 sub-families; Dolichoderinae, Formicinae, Myrmicinae and Ponerinae. Dispatche as follow, 22 species for Cork oak, 14 for Algerian oak and 17 for Afares oak. Myrmicinae dominate in Cork oakand in Algerian oak (82.83 and 81.23% respectively) while in the Afares oak, Formicinae are largely in the lead (68.54%). This study revealed an endemic species to Algeria (Aphaenogaster testaceo-pilosa ssp canescens), three endemic' species to Algeria and Morocco (Camponotus laurenti, Messor antennatus and Aphaenogaster foreli) and one endemic to Algeria and Tunisia (Bothriomyrmex decapitans). Comparison of the four sampling methods effectiveness, used reveals that it's the bait (80.7% of the species total number harvested in the all stations) and manual capture (49.69% of the species total number harvested in the all stations), which allowed the capture of the largest number of species followed by pitfalls traps (31.64% of the species total number harvested in the all stations). The Winkler was much less effective (5.55% of the species total number harvested in the all stations).