The diversity of terrestrial Isopoda in the Berkoukech area, Kroumirie, Tunisia

Abstract

Until now, no investigations have been made on the diversity of woodlice in any region of Tunisia. In the framework of the "MEDCORE" project, particular emphasis has been put on the study of terrestrial isopod diversity in the Berkoukech area (north-west of Tunisia). Two sites were selected for this study: the beach dune system and an inland site located in Rabouet Bou Ali.In the beach dune system, isopods were studied in three biotopes: a grazed meadow (biotope 1), a maquis of Pistacia lentiscus, Quercus coccifera, Erica arborea, Phylleria angustifolia, and Callycotome villosa (biotope 2), and a climax forest of Quercus coccifera, Juniperus oxycedrus, Juniperus phoenicea, and Callycotome villosa (biotope 3). In Rabouet Bou Ali, a Quercus suber forest (biotope 4) was chosen for study.In the Berkoukech area, 12 species of terrestrial isopods belonging to five families were collected: Tylidae, Porcellionidae, Philosciidae, Platyarthridae, and Armadillidiidae. Among these, two species are reported as new for Tunisia. Furthermore, this study indicates that isopods are not evenly distributed in the various biotopes: they vary in number of species as well as in number of specimens. Biotope 2 shows the highest diversity and is the most homogeneous (Is = 3.16; H = 1.76; J = 0.88), while biotope 4 exhibits the lowest values (Is = 1.2; H = 0.475; J = 0.3). The similarity between the various communities, estimated by the Bray-Curtis index, shows that the biotopes cluster according to their plant associations. RÉSUMÉJusqu'à présent aucune investigation relative à la diversité des isopodes terrestres n'a été réalisée en Tunisie. Dans le cadre du projet «MEDCORE», une étude sur la diversité des isopodes terrestres dans le bassin versant de Berkoukech, localisé au Nord-Ouest de la Tunisie, a été effectuée. On a échantillonnée une zone littorale ainsi qu'une zone plus intérieure, cette derniére localisée á Rabouet Bou Ali.Pour ceci quatre habitats (biotopes) ont été sélectionnés. Dans la zone littorale, la diversité des isopodes terrestres a été étudiée dans trois biotopes différents: une prairie dégradée (biotope 3 )

High level of genetic variation in mitochondrial 16S rDNA among populations of Porcellionides pruinosus (Brandt, 1833) (Crustacea: Isopoda: Oniscidea) in Tunisia

“…The cosmopolitan species Porcellionides pruinosus (Brandt, 1833), characterised by a controversial taxonomic history and high ecological plasticity, exhibits geographical variations of its morphological features and its reproduction pattern. This species is highly synanthropic and is considered to be the most widely distributed species of terrestrial isopods (Vandel 1962;Garthwaite & Sassaman 1985;Michel-Salzat et al 2001;Lefebvre & Marcadé 2005;Achouri et al 2008). Originally native to Asia Minor (Vandel 1962) and carried extensively elsewhere by humans, P. pruinosus has colonised the entire world except the polar regions.…”

“…In Tunisia, the morphology (size and colour) of specimens from populations belonging to P. pruinosus varies with geographical locality and also changes with the bioclimatic levels, ranging from albinism to purplish blue (Achouri & Charfi-Cheikhrouha 2002). Furthermore, analyses using scanning electron microscopy and phenetic analysis have presented important phenotypic variations, and showed a polymorphism in some morphological characters such as the length of the antennae and the form of the pleotelson (Achouri & Charfi-Cheikhrouha 2005;Achouri et al 2008). Moreover, these populations exhibit different reproductive behaviours (Achouri & Charfi-Cheikhrouha 2005).…”

Étude de la diversité des Isopodes Terrestres dans les Agrosystèmes Oasiens de la Tunisie

“…Différentes (Achouri et al, 2008) ainsi que celle du parc national de Chambi (Khila et al, 2018). Egalement, cette richesse est légèrement moins importante que la richesse spécifique des isopodes terrestres des zones , 1954 ;Rushton and Hassall, 1987).…”

“…La diversité des oniscoïdes a été traitée en Europe (Orgiazzi et al, 2016) et quelques études ont été faites dans les pays de l'Afrique du Nord (Budde-Lund, 1885 ;Dollfus, 1896 ;Gadeau de Kerville, 1908 ;Monod, 1932 ;Paulian De Felice, 1939, 1942Shcmalfuss, 1989 ;Simon, 1885 ;Vandel, 1949). En Tunisie, plusieurs travaux de recherches portant sur la systématique et la répartition géographique des isopodes terrestres ont été réalisés dans le Nord et le centre : Berkoukech (Kroumourie) (Achouri et al, 2008), les agrosystèmes de la Medjerda (Fraj et al, 2010), les zones humides et côtières (Khemaissia et al, 2012(Khemaissia et al, , 2016 et dans certains parcs (Hamaied et al, en cours ;Khila et al, 2018).…”

Plant communities preferences of terrestrial crustaceans (Isopoda: Oniscidea) in a protected coastal area of southeastern Sicily (Italy)

“…Literature provides many studies about isopods diversity in the Mediterranean coastal wetland (e.g., Achouri et al 2008;Hamaïed-Melki et al 2011;Kemaissia et al 2012;Messina et al 2012); habitat preference (Vilisics et al 2007); but a few scientific studies on their plant communities preferences. Among these, David et al (1999) evaluated the relationship between diplopods and isopods and the vegetation structure in southern France; Sfenthourakis (1992); Sfenthourakis et al (2005Sfenthourakis et al ( , 2008 studied the habitat preference in natural areas in Greek mountains; Souty-Grosset et al (2008) reported the relationships among habitats, plant components and communities of terrestrial isopods in the Region Poitou-Charentes (France).…”