Research on the Ecology of Water Mites (Acari: Hydracarina) in North-East of Algeria (Wetland Complex of El-Kala National Park)

Abstract

An analysis of eight physical and chemical parameters was realized to determine the influence of species on the biodiversity of water mites. A total of 292 water mites belonging to 9 species were collected from the two lakes (Tonga and Oubeira), El-mellah lagoon, and Goureate pool from November 2007 to November 2009. Despite this importance, the Hydracarina have not been well investigated or documented in northern Algeria or elsewhere in Africa. To expand current knowledge of the Hydracarina in Algeria, we examined water mites biodiversity and physical and chemical characteristics of mites habitats in 4 locations of the wetland complex in the North-East of Algeria. We found 9 species belonging to 5 families The species dominants (dominance>5%) were Eylais hamata (24%), Piona alpicola (22%), Arrenurus novus (13%), Eylais sp.(12%), Piona nodata (10%), Arrenurus batillifer (10%) and (dominanceË‚5%) were Hydrochoreutes intermedius (4.5%), Diplodontus sp.(3.5%), Hydrachna globosa (3.4%) distributed among our sample sites, and were able to determine significant differences in physical and chemical parameters among the sites as well. This research project can hopefully serve as a model for further studies on the distribution and habitat preferences of African Hydracarina especially in Algeria.