Diversity and status of day butterflies (Lepidoptera: Rhopalocera) in different plant associations of the Edough Forest Massif (Northeastern Algeria)

Abstract

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.

Diversity and richness of day Butterflies species (Lepidoptera: Rhopalocera) in the Chettaba Forest, Constantine, Northeastern Algeria

“…Besides Tennent, who produced a systematic and ecological list of butterflies (1996), Samraoui (1998) inventoried butterflies occupying the most interesting habitats in North-eastern Algeria. Other investigations were made like those of Chakali et al (2002); Frahtia (2005); Remini and Moulaï (2015); Saad and Bounaceur (2018); Kacha et al (2017Kacha et al ( , 2020; Allache and Demnati (2020); Berkane et al (2019Berkane et al ( , 2021 and recently Laref et al (2022) in the Edough Forest Massif.…”

“…While most butterflies are found in herbaceous habitats like grasslands and lawns (Börschig et al 2013), they can also be found in forest environments due to the composition, structure, and variability of plant communities. Edges and herbaceous intra-forest settings (Clearings, forest roads and open stands) can thus act as refuges, providing not only favorable microclimatic conditions but also nectar resources and host plants (Laref et al 2022). Forest environments, according to Dajoz (2007), are excellent biodiversity reservoirs, more biologically diverse than any other terrestrial ecosystem, and they provide numerous benefits for wildlife, both in terms of botanical diversity and the spatial-temporal distribution of different plant species, providing ecological resources that meet the vital needs of animals (Budiaman et al 2016).…”