Abstract. Patterns of selection are widely believed to differ geographically, causing adaptation to local environmental conditions. However, few studies have investigated patterns of phenotypic selection across large spatial scales. We quantified the intensity of selection on morphology in a monogamous passerine bird, the barn swallow Hirundo rustica, using 6495 adults from 22 populations distributed across Europe and North Africa. According to the classical DarwinFisher mechanism of sexual selection in monogamous species, two important components of fitness due to sexual selection are the advantages that the most attractive males acquire by starting to breed early and their high annual fecundity. We estimated directional selection differentials on tail length (a secondary sexual character) and directional selection gradients after controlling for correlated selection on wing length and tarsus length with respect to these two fitness components. Phenotype and fitness components differed significantly among populations for which estimates were available for more than a single year. Likewise, selection differentials and selection gradients differed significantly among populations for tail length, but not for the other two characters. Sexual selection differentials differed significantly from zero across populations for tail length, particularly in males. Controlling statistically for the effects of age reduced the intensity of selection by 60 to 81%, although corrected and uncorrected estimates were strongly positively correlated. Selection differentials and gradients for tail length were positively correlated between the sexes among populations for selection acting on breeding date, but not for fecundity selection. The intensity of selection with respect to breeding date and fecundity were significantly correlated for tail length across populations. Sexual size dimorphism in tail length was significantly correlated with selection differentials with respect to breeding date for tail length in male barn swallows across populations. These findings suggest that patterns of sexual selection are consistent across large geographical scales, but also that they vary among populations. In addition, geographical patterns of phenotypic selection predict current patterns of phenotypic variation among populations, suggesting that consistent patterns of selection have been present for considerable amounts of time.

Patterns of selection are widely believed to differ geographically, causing adaptation to local environmental conditions. However, few studies have investigated patterns of phenotypic selection across large spatial scales. We quantified the intensity of selection on morphology in a monogamous passerine bird, the barn swallow Hirundo rustica, using 6495 adults from 22 populations distributed across Europe and North Africa. According to the classical Darwin-Fisher mechanism of sexual selection in monogamous species, two important components of fitness due to sexual selection are the advantages that the most attractive males acquire by starting to breed early and their high annual fecundity. We estimated directional selection differentials on tail length (a secondary sexual character) and directional selection gradients after controlling for correlated selection on wing length and tarsus length with respect to these two fitness components. Phenotype and fitness components differed significantly among populations for which estimates were available for more than a single year. Likewise, selection differentials and selection gradients differed significantly among populations for tail length, but not for the other two characters. Sexual selection differentials differed significantly from zero across populations for tail length, particularly in males. Controlling statistically for the effects of age reduced the intensity of selection by 60 to 81%, although corrected and uncorrected estimates were strongly positively correlated. Selection differentials and gradients for tail length were positively correlated between the sexes among populations for selection acting on breeding date, but not for fecundity selection. The intensity of selection with respect to breeding date and fecundity were significantly correlated for tail length across populations. Sexual size dimorphism in tail length was significantly correlated with selection differentials with respect to breeding date for tail length in male barn swallows across populations. These findings suggest that patterns of sexual selection are consistent across large geographical scales, but also that they vary among populations. In addition, geographical patterns of phenotypic selection predict current patterns of phenotypic variation among populations, suggesting that consistent patterns of selection have been present for considerable amounts of time.

Abstract. Laref N, Rezzag-Beddida R, Boukheroufa M, Sakraoui R, Henada RLI, Hadiby R, Sakraoui F. 2021. Diversity and status of day butterflies (Lepidoptera: Rhopalocera) in different plant associations of the Edough Forest Massif (Northeastern Algeria). Biodiversitas 23: 954-961. The current study seeks to evaluate the biodiversity and the structure of the Lepidoptera, Rhopalocera stand in the Edough mountain range, Northeastern Algeria. The main objective is to analyse specific and dynamic fluctuations depending on the forest species and assess their functional role. The resulting work was conducted during the 2021 spring season at the Ain Bocal Natural Site, characterized by a succession of four forest species in a sampling corridor approximately 2 km long. The sampling strategy was based on the linear transect method derived from the British BMS Butterflies Monitoring Scheme method, where 390 individuals were counted to calculate and analyse the stand structure parameters. We were also able to carry out the taxonomic identification of 13 species belonging to four families, Pieridae, Nymphalidae, Lycaenidae and Papilionidae. Overall, the results revealed that the Mixed Algerian Oak Forest (Zean Oak Forest) is the richest in species, followed by Cork Oak Forest, Algerian Oak Forest and Maritime Pine Forest. The forest of the Edough, by its composition in habitats and ecological niches, allows the installation of the lepidopterological biodiversity.

Winter Diet of the Common Genet, Genetta genetta (Carnivora, Viveridae), and the African Golden Wolf, Canis anthus (Carnivora, Canidae), in Altitudinal Locality of the Edough Forest (Northeastern Algeria). Boukheroufa, M., Sakraoui, F., Belbel, F., Sakraoui, R. -Th e understanding of several interactions between carnivores is very important to plan eff ective programs of conservation. In this study, we tested the hypothesis of interspecifi c competition when trophic resources are the most limited by comparing the diets of the african golden wolf and the common genet in winter period, and in altitudinal locality on Edough mountain. To achieve this goal, a total of 60 scat samples were collected from the study area. We were able to identify four food categories for genets (arthropods, small mammals, birds and plants) and six food categories in the diet of african golden wolf (arthropods, small mammals, large mammals, birds, fruits and anthropogenic wastes). Our results showed a signifi cant variation in the diets between the species, more than 50 % of diets consist of fruits and large mammals for the African golden wolf, and small mammals and birds for the Common Genet. Prey category richness was highest for the African golden wolf than for genets. Th e trophic niche overlap was partial between the two predators (Pianka's overlap index = 0.688). All these results probably refl ect a compromise in use of resources in order to minimize the competitive pressure between the two predators.

The objective of this study is to analyse the share of small mammals in the diet of the African Golden Wolf (Canis anthus), to deduce its functional role as regulator of densities of this food category. Methods: Sampling campaign was carried out during the winter period 2020, when trophic resources are least abundant, and when the small mammals are most abundant. We choosed two different ecological conditions to conduct the scats sampling in the Edough Mountain Range, once in the natural environment of Berouaga and the second in Ain Barbar landfill. 30 droppings were collected in the field and at each site, then sterilized, washed, sorted and identified in the laboratory. Results: We were able to identify rodents, wild boar’s carcass, arthropods, birds, plants and wastes (plastic bag, papers, aluminium foils..). Occurrence frequencies analysis of item preys stand shows that the African golden wolf consumes micromammals less frequently in the natural environment, to avoid interspecific competition pressure with other predators like common genets, and does not consume them at all in the anthropized environment, since the anthropogenic resources are abundant, easily accessible and requiring no energy loss. Conclusion: By its opportunistic behavior, the African Golden Wolf turns away from its role as regulator of natural populations of small mammals, in the presence of anthropogenic resources.