Dacus frontalis is an economically important fruit fly widely distributed across Africa and already intercepted in the European Union, making reliable diagnostics essential for trade and phytosanitary surveillance. Recent coordinated sampling with African partner institutions revealed unusually high mitochondrial divergence in the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) barcode region, with approximately 4% divergence between North African and sub-Saharan populations. This level of intraspecific variation complicates routine identification and highlights the need for a geographically broader molecular reference framework, as well as complementary genomic tools able to resolve lineage structure and support future origin tracing. To improve diagnostic robustness, we are expanding continental COI coverage by generating new Sanger barcodes and by recovering mitochondrial barcode sequences from short-read genomic datasets. In parallel, we are developing an ortholog-based genomic workflow that combines OMA standalone for ortholog detection with Read2Tree for phylogenomic reconstruction. This framework is intended to move beyond single-locus inference and provide genome-wide resolution of differentiation patterns within D. frontalis . Current analyses based on COI consistently recover two well-differentiated mitochondrial lineages, broadly corresponding to northern and sub-Saharan sampling regions. Increasing barcode coverage is improving the representation of African populations and refining our interpretation of this divergence. The ortholog-based component is still under development, but it is expected to test whether the same structure is supported across the nuclear genome and to identify markers useful for future origin-tracing applications. Building an integrated molecular framework combining expanded COI coverage with an emerging ortholog-based genomic approach will strengthen diagnostic capacity for D. frontalis . By enabling more robust identification and providing a foundation for future origin tracing, this work supports early detection, surveillance, and phytosanitary preparedness in Africa and in regions at risk of introduction, including the European Union, where D. frontalis has already been detected in France and a single intercepted specimen was recorded in Belgium.

As a major abiotic factor, climate change is expected to profoundly alter biological communities. On this basis, identifying how past temperature variations affected species diversification and distribution can help to predict the effects of the ongoing climate change. In this study, we focused on the harvester ant genus Messor Forel, which is adapted to dry environments by specializing in a granivorous diet. The phylogenomic analyses of 2524 ultraconserved‐element loci obtained from 58 Messor species and subspecies support their monophyly. Phylogenetic relationships uncovered in this study enabled us to redefine historical taxonomic groups, providing a solid basis for future revisions that encompass the entire genus diversity. Molecular dating and biogeographical analyses indicate an emergence in the Irano‐Indian area approximately 20 million years ago. Our results suggest a rapid geographical dispersal from their ancestral range towards the Western Palaearctic, reaching Northeastern Africa during the early Miocene. We found a major diversification event during the mid‐Miocene climatic optimum, from which we inferred the emergence of the common ancestor of all Messor groups. Their diversification appears to be affected by temperature, suggesting a higher speciation rate during warmer periods. This confirms that the ecological specialization of Messor makes them strongly dependent on thermal conditions. Our results highlight the importance of abiotic factors on diversification processes, especially for highly specialized species that may exhibit predictable evolutionary responses to climate changes.

Ants are indicators of habitat disturbance and key providers of ecological services and disservices to agricultural activities. We assessed species richness and functional structure of ant communities in olive groves of the Kabylia region, in northern Algeria. We compared three sampling methods (pitfall traps, hand capture, and bait traps) in four orchards with different elevations. We identified 53 ant species belonging to 17 genera and four subfamilies: Dorylinae, Dolichoderinae, Formicinae, and Myrmicinae. Species richness varied among orchards from 24 to 30, with species accumulation curves suggesting satisfactory coverage at all sites. Hand capture had the highest success per effort, while baits performed the worst. Overall, Kabylia's olive groves were richer in species than many Mediterranean agricultural and even some natural habitats documented in the literature, revealing relatively high ant diversity. Ants were classified into eight functional groups, with an overall composition comparable to similar studies conducted in southern Europe. Hot Climate Specialists, Generalised Myrmicinae, and Opportunists dominated, highlighting the role of thermal stress on the functional composition of the ant communities in the study sites. Many detected species may contribute to key ecological services, including soil enrichment and biological control of weeds and insects.

In order to study the biodiversity of fruit flies (Diptera, Tephritidae) in two pomegranate agroecosystems in M’sila (North East of Algeria) and to monitor the dynamics of their populations, we used two types of trapping between October 2017 and November 2018. The first type is based on McPhail traps baited with the pheromone trimedlure and is exclusively intended for the study of the dynamics of the populations of the ceratitis. The second is mass trapping based on a network of olipe traps baited with diammonium phosphate, intended to study both the biodiversity of other fruit flies captured by this trap and their population dynamics. The inventory of Tephritidae revealed the presence of six species namely: Acanthiophilus helianthi (Rossi, 1794), Bactrocera oleae (Rossi, 1790), Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann, 1824), Dacus frontalis (Becker, 1922), Tephritis nigricauda (Loew, 1856) and Tephritis praecox (Loew, 184 4). We note the rediscovery of D. frontalis 22 years after its first report. Two species of Tephritidae marked their dominance in the traps of the massive trapping network, namely: T. praecox and B. oleae. The use of the density of flies per trap and per day was assessed by calculating the FTD: number of flies per trap per day which constitutes a tool for indicating the level of the population and its monitoring, for phytosanitary alerts related to fruit flies. The FTD values of the fruit fly attracted by the McPhail trap according to the field trips were between 0.1190 at the end of June and 10.7083 (peak) at the beginning of October for the Boukhmissa orchard and between 0.0159 at the end of June and 3.1429 (peak) at the end of October for the Ouled Addi orchard.

The spotted wing drosophila Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura, 1931) could potentially become a serious invasive pest of fruit crops in the North of Africa in the coming years, leading to substantial economic losses. This pest is reported for the first time in Algeria. It was detected in M'sila in the north-east of the country within an pomegranate agroecosystem near the salt lake Chott Zahrez Echergui. Trapping was conducted from 21 March 2018 to 23 January 2019 in two orchards. The prevalence (flies/trap/day) and population dynamics of D. suzukii and two other fruit flies ( Zaprionus indianus and D. melanogaster ) trapped in the same orchards are reported. Low numbers of these three fly species were found in trap samples. At present, the ecological and economic impact of D. suzukii on pomegranate are poorly known in North Africa.

Résumé: Nous avons échantillonné des fourmis dans la forêt de Yakouren en combinant trois méthodes: pots barber, chasse à vue et appâts alimentaires. Vingt-sept (27) taxons ont été répertoriés appartenant aux sous-familles suivantes: Myrmicinae, Formicinae et Dolichoderinae. Camponotus alii, Pheidole pallidula et Crematogaster auberti levithorax sont les espèces les plus abondantes. Le calcul de différents estimateurs de richesse (Chao 1, Jackknife 1 et ICE) montrent qu'il y a toujours une possibilité de rencontrer de nouvelles espèces en augmentant l'effort d'échantillonnage. La composition des peuplements de fourmis dans le massif de Yakouren révèle une faible dégradation du milieu par rapport à des relevés réalisés dans les années 1960. Le milieu souffre des actions anthropiques, dont des incendies, que subit la région depuis plusieurs décennies. Les statuts taxonomiques de Camponotus lateralis purius et d'Aphaenogaster sardoa ujhelyii sont discutés.

We sampled the ants in the Yakouren forest by combining three methods : Pitfall traps, hand sampling and bait traps. Twenty-seven (27) taxa were collected from the subfamilies Myrmicinae, Formicinae and Dolichoderinae. Camponotus alii, Pheidole pallidula and Crematogaster auberti are the most abundant species respectively. Different estimators of richness (Chao 1, Jackknife 1 and ICE) show that it would be possible to obtain new species by increasing the sampling effort. The composition of the ant populations in the mountains of Yakouren reveals a low environmental degradation compared to surveys conducted in the 1960s. The environment suffers from anthropogenic actions, including fires, the latter for several decades. The taxonomical status of Camponotus lateralis purius and Aphaenogaster sardoa ujhelyii are discussed.

Pomegranates are attacked by invasive fruit flies of the family Drosophilidae including the African fig fly, Zaprionus indianus. This species is reported for the first time from North-East Algeria reared from pomegranate fruits from two commercial pomegranate orchards. This vinegar fly is an opportunist that uses both fallen fruits and damaged fruits still on the pomegranate tree as breeding substrates. We report percent infestation of fruit of Z. indianus and of several other pomegranate insect pests.

espanolSe presenta una nueva clave para determinar las especies de Monomorium del Magreb y las Islas Canarias para reemplazando la clave publicada anteriormente por Barech et al. (2017). Monomorium bernardi, M. lanzarotense, M.planidorsum y M. subnitidum se elevan a buena especie. Monomorium planidorsum (= M. sp.1 Cagniant, 2006) es nueva para Marruecos EnglishA new key to the species Monomorium of the Maghreb and the Canary Islands is presented replacing the one previously published by Barech et al. (2017). Monomorium bernardi, M. lanzarotense, M.planidorsum and M. subnitidum are raised to good species. Monomorium planidorsum (= M. sp.1 Cagniant, 2006) is new for Morocco francaisUne nouvelle cle de determination des especes de Monomorium du Maghreb et des Canaries est presentee en remplacement de celle publiee precedemment pour Barech et al. (2017). Monomorium bernardi, M. lanzarotense, M.planidorsum et M. subnitidum sont eleves au statut de bonne espece. Monomorium planidorsum (= M. sp. 1 Cagniant, 2006) est nouveau pour le Maroc.

Messor hodnii n. sp. is a new species of myrmicine ant from Chott El Hodna in Algeria. The description and illustration is based on the worker caste. This species has a psammophore and it strongly resembles M. caviceps. Here, we provide a key to Messor species in the Maghreb region (North Africa), integrating the new species. Thirty-six taxa of this genus are recognized. New statuses are reported : M. postquadratus, M. postpetiolatus, M. punctaticeps, M. sordidus and M. santschii which raised to species; Messor hesperius is demoted to subspecies level as M. minor hesperius. We recommend to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to classify Messor hodnii n. sp. as critically endangered species (RC).

Messor hodnii n. sp. est une nouvelle espèce de Formicidae Myrmicinae du Chott El Hodna en Algérie. La description et l'illustration sont basées sur la caste d'ouvrière. Cette espèce fait partie des fourmis pourvues d'un psammophore et ressemble fortement à l'espèce M. caviceps. Nous proposons ici une clé du genre Messor au Maghreb (Afrique du Nord), intégrant la nouvelle espèce. Trente-six taxons de ce genre sont reconnus. De nouveaux statuts sont signalés à l'égard de M. postquadratus, M. postpetiolatus, M. punctaticeps, M. sordidus et M. santschii qui sont érigés en bonnes espèces. Messor hesperius est rétrogradé en sous-espèce comme M. minor hesperius. Nous recommandons d'attribuer un statut de protection pour M. hodnii n. sp. par l'Union Internationale pour la Conservation de la Nature (UICN) en la classant dans la catégorie d'espèces extrêmement en danger (CR).

espanolSe presenta el primer estudio sobre la diversidad de hormigas de la zona de la presa de El Ksob (M'sila, Argelia), realizado en abril de 2015. Se aplicaron dos tecnicas de muestreo (a mano y con trampas de caida), y el muestreo llevo a la identificacion de 4483 individuos de hormigas de 16 especies y 3 subfamilias (Formicinae, Myrmicinae y Dolichoderinae). Los Myrmicinae dominaban en numero de especies, seguidos por los Formicinae, mientras que los Dolichoderinae tenian un nivel bajo de individuos. Monomorium subopacum y Monomorium salamonis son las especies mas frecuentes. Presentamos el redescubrimiento de la hormiga endemica Aphaenogaster rupestris. EnglishA survey of the ant fauna found in the vicinity of the K'sob dam (M'sila, Algeria) was carried out in April 2015. Two sampling methods (by hand and with pitfall traps) were used, and the sampling led to the identification of 4483 ant specimens belonging to 16 species and 3 subfamilies (Formicinae, Myrmicinae and Dolichoderinae). The Myrmicinae dominated in number of species, followed by the Formicinae, while the Dolichoderinae only occurred in low numbers. Monomorium subopacum and Monomorium salamonis were the most frequent species. Here, we report the rediscovery of the endemic ant Aphaenogaster rupestris. francaisLe present travail consiste a l’etude de la diversite myrmecologique aux abords du Barrage El Ksob (M’sila, Algerie) qui s’est deroulee en avril 2015 et presente le premier inventaire de la faune de fourmis de ce milieu humide et artificiel. Deux methodes d’echantillonnage (recolte manuelle et pots barber) ont ete adoptees, et l’echantillonnage a mene a l’identification de 4483 individus de fourmis de 16 especes et 3 sous–familles (Formicinae, Myrmicinae et Dolichoderinae). Les Myrmicinae dominent en nombre d’especes, suivies par les Formicinae, alors que les Dolichoderinae presentent une faible abondance en termes d’effectifs. Les deux especes Monomorium subopacum et Monomorium salomonis sont les plus frequentes. Nous signalons ici la redecouverte de la fourmi endemique Aphaenogaster rupestris.

Myrmecological investigations were conducted in an olive grove agro-ecosystem. Among the taxa we report the presence of the cryptic ant species Lioponera longitarsus, subfamily Dorylinae, for the first time in Algeria. Standard morphological measurements are presented for worker and queen. The discovery of this genus for the fourth time in North Africa in different habitats within a semi-arid climate suggests that the populations of Lioponera may be native but it is not possible to exclude them having been transported by humans.

The Algerian hedgehog, Atelerix algirus, is recorded from North Africa, the Balearic, Canary and Maltese islands, and into parts of the Mediterranean coastal regions of Spain. The lack of an archeozoological record in Europe, Balearic, Maltese or Canary Islands has led several authors to postulate recent introductions by humans, but few studies actually investigated this hypothesis. We used both mitochondrial and nuclear genes to test it. To this aim, we widely sampled the Algerian hedgehog in North Africa (Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia), continental Spain (Catalonia), and Balearic and Canary islands. Our mitochondrial and nuclear data are consistent and show low genetic diversity across the geographical range of the Algerian hedgehog. Our results suggest the recent colonisation of Spain, Balearic and Canary Islands by this species (Holocene), probably mediated by humans. Several subspecies, mainly based on pelage variations, have been described either from mainland or island populations, but our data do not show any genetic discontinuity, suggesting that subspecific recognition may be unwarranted.

The mechanisms shaping island biotas are not yet well understood mostly because of a lack of studies comparing eco-evolutionary fingerprints over entire taxonomic groups. Here, we linked community structure (richness, frequency and nestedness) and genetic differentiation (based on mitochondrial DNA) in order to compare insular butterfly communities occurring over a key intercontinental area in the Mediterranean (Italy-Sicily-Maghreb). We found that community characteristics and genetic structure were influenced by a combination of contemporary and historical factors, and among the latter, connection during the Pleistocene had an important impact. We showed that species can be divided into two groups with radically different properties: widespread taxa had high dispersal capacity, a nested pattern of occurrence, and displayed little genetic structure, while rare species were mainly characterized by low dispersal, high turnover and genetically differentiated populations. These results offer an unprecedented view of the distinctive butterfly communities and of the main processes determining them on each studied island and highlight the importance of assessing the phylogeographic value of populations for conservation.

In the first study of its kind, ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) were sampled near a unique natural environment, a large saline lake, Chott El Hodna, a Ramsar Conservation Wetland in eastern Algeria. The species of ants were determined at two sites, Medbah and Birkraa in spring (March April) 2011 using pitfall trapping and hand collecting. We provide a checklist and some observations on 24 species belonging to 14 genera and four subfamilies (Dolichoderinae, Dorylinae, Formicinae and Myrmicinae). To evaluate the ant diversity, we used data from pitfall traps for calculating ecological indexes.

We report here the first known cases of natural infection of hedgehogs with Leishmania major. Cutaneous leishmaniasis is an important public health problem in the area of M'sila, a semi-arid province in Algeria's northern Sahara, where two species of hedgehog live, Atelerix algirus and Paraechinus aethiopicus. The aim of this research was to survey Leishmania infection in these hedgehogs and evaluate whether they were reservoir hosts of Leishmania in an endemic zoonotic focus of leishmaniasis. Serological and molecular methods were used to determine the presence of Leishmania in 24 hedgehogs caught directly by hand and identified at species level as 19 A. algirus and 5 P. aethiopicus. Specific anti-Leishmania antibodies were detected in 29.2% of individuals by Western blot and in 26.3% by ELISA. The real-time PCR performed in spleen, ear and blood samples detected Leishmania spp. DNA in 12.5% of the individuals, one A. algirus and two P. aethiopicus. Three skin and two spleen samples of these animals were found to be parasitized and were identified by molecular test as L. major. Considering our results, it is suggested that hedgehogs have a potential epidemiological role as reservoir hosts of L. major.