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Noureddine Soltani

  • Biodiversity Journal, 14 (2): 0373-0383

    Rabah Larba Azzeddine Zeraib & Noureddine Soltani
    Assessment of soil metallic contamination in several sites from Northeast Algeria by use of terrestrial gastropod: Cornu aspersum (O.F. Müller, 1774) (Helicidae)
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2023.14.2.373.383

    ABSTRACT
    The study aimed to determine concentrations of some trace elements (Fe, Mn, and Pb) in soils of five sites in Northeast Algeria (Sidi Ammar, Drean, Chatt, Besbes, and El-Kala) during the spring and autumn of 2019. All of the sites were chosen due to their proximity to industrial factories. In addition, the activity of glutathione S-transferase (GST) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE), indicators of oxidative stress and neurotoxicity respectively, were measured in land snail Cornu aspersum (O.F. Müller, 1774) (Mollusca Gastropoda Helicidae) collected from all studied sites. The concentration of heavy metals in these soils decreases as follows: Fe > Mn > Pb. GST and AChE activities were found to vary between sites and by season. The highest levels of GST activity were registered during the spring at sites closest to potential sources of pollution. AChE values showed inhibition in spring as compared to autumn. In addition, the highest inhibition values were recorded at the Sidi Ammar site. These increased levels of bioindication stress responses correlated significantly with increasing metal concentration in soil samples collected at each site. The differences recorded between the sites studied are related to their level of pollution, while the seasonal variations were due to the effect of heavy metals leaching in autumn.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 13 (4): 0805-0812

    Khaoula Mahmoudi, Fatiha Bendali-Saoudi & Noureddine Soltani
    Potential predation of Cyclops fuscus Jurine, 1820 (Crustacea Copepoda) against two mosquito species Culex pipiens Linnaeus, 1758 and Culiseta longiareolata Macquart, 1838 (Diptera Culicidae)
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2022.13.4.805.812

    ABSTRACT
    Due to the increasing pesticide-resistance by vectors, predation of mosquito larvae is one of the most important ecosystems’ services contributing to public health and safety from mosquito-borne diseases. In order to contribute in developing newer and safer biological control tools, the evaluation of the predatory potential of natural mosquito enemies is required. In this regard, our study aimed to evaluate the predatory potential of Cyclops fuscus Jurine, 1820 (Crustacea Copepoda) against two mosquito species, Culex pipiens Linnaeus, 1758 and Culiseta longiareolata Macquart, 1838 (Diptera Culicidae), at four different larval stages (L1, L2, L3, L4) under laboratory conditions. During the 3 days of the experiment, C. fuscus showed an efficiency in the predation of mosquito larvae at some development stages. However, this efficacy followed decreasing rates after the first day. The larvae from the two first instars were almost predated in the first 24 hours with an average mortality of L1=16.0 ± 2.64 (80%); L2=7.33 ± 2.08 (95%) for Cx. pipiens and L1=19.0 ± 1.0 (36.65%); L2=9.0 ± 1.0 (45%) for Cs. longiareolata. Then, the predation rate decreased to negligible. By the end of the experiment, the total consumed larvae of L3 and L4 stages was only 20% for both instars in the case of Cx. pipiens against 25% and 40% of L3 and L4 for Cs. longiareolata larvae. Therefore, our results revealed that developmental stage of the culicidae is an important factor to determine their trophic position (p < 0.001). On the other hand, C. fuscus seems to be having a restrictive role to pre-imaginal Culicidae populations, and thus can be considered to regulate the mosquito population dynamics.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 13 (4): 0767-0774

    Amina Yezli, Abdelmalek Salahi, Asma Boukari & Noureddine Soltani
    Metallothioneins as a biomarker of metallic pollution in Donax trunculus Linnaeus, 1758 (Mollusca Bivalvia) from the gulf of Annaba (Algeria)
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2022.13.4.767.774

    ABSTRACT
    In recent years, the Gulf of Annaba has observed an increase in the pollution level, in particular by heavy metals. The present experiment aimed to assess pollution by measuring the rate of metallothioneins (MTs), a biomarker of metallic contamination, measured in the digestive gland of Donax trunculus Linnaeus, 1758 (Mollusca Bivalvia) an edible mollusk widely used in biomonitoring of water quality. This sentinel species was sampled during two seasons (winter and summer 2019) at two sites in the Gulf of Annaba (Northeast Algeria): El Battah site far from any source of pollution and Sidi Salem site exposed to various sources of pollution. The biochemical analyzes reveal spatio-temporal changes. The levels of proteins recorded in the two studied sites were higher in summer and values from El Battah individuals were significantly higher compared to those from Sidi Salem. In addition, they show an induction in MT rates in individuals from the two sites (Sidi Salem and El Battah) in summer with higher values recorded in individuals from Sidi Salem. This difference is related to the proximity of sources of contamination at Sidi Salem compared to El Battah. The rates of MTs vary also according to abiotic factors such as hydrodynamics or temperature which can explain the significant seasonal difference with a more marked induction in summer. Conclusively, our study shows the sensitivity of D. trunculus to chemical stress induced by heavy metal contamination as evidenced by an induction of MTs with significant effects of both sites and seasons.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 13 (3): 0587-0596

    Nesma Abir Daas, Asma Boukari & Noureddine Soltani
    The wedge clam Donax trunculus Linnaeus, 1758 (Bivalvia Donacidae) as bioindicator for monitoring of the Annaba gulf (Algeria): measurements of lipid and malondialdehyde rates during the reproduction (Spring 2021)
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2022.13.3.587.596

    ABSTRACT
    The present study aimed to assess the potential impact of pollution on total lipid levels as well as the response of a lipid peroxidation biomarker, malondialdehyde (MDA) in a sentinel and edible species, Donax trunculus Linnaeus, 1758 (Bivalvia Donacidae). The samples were collected during the major spawning phase (spring) over three months (March, April, May) in year 2021 from two selected sites in the Gulf of Annaba: El Battah (reference site), and Sidi Salem (polluted site). Biochemical analyses showed a significant increase in total lipid levels determined in the mantle of D. trunculus in individuals from El Battah compared to those from Sidi Salem. The highest values are observed during the first two months (March, April), which corresponds to the accumulation of reserves at the beginning of reproduction. The lowest rates are recorded at the end of the breeding season (May) corresponding to the period of emission of gametes which is privileged by the increase in temperature. Sex differences reveal an accumulation of reserves and a greater energy allocation in females compared to males during reproduction. Measurement of MDA indicates an increase in rates recorded in individuals from Sidi Salem compared to those from El Battah. Moreover, sex differences demonstrate a greater response in females compared to males. Overall, the results obtained demonstrated that the Gulf of Annaba is subjected to stress conditions from anthropogenic origin that are more pronounced in the populations of D. trunculus from Sidi Salem, linked to the level of pollution of this site. Thus, D. trunculus appears to be an appropriate sentinel species for the assessment of ecotoxicological risk in the Gulf of Annaba.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 12 (4): 0865-0873

    Nawel Kheroufi, Amel Hamdani & Noureddine Soltani
    Acute exposure of cadmium on Donax trunculus Linnaeus, 1758 (Mollusca Bivalvia) during the vitellogenesis process: histological and biochemical aspects
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2021.12.4.865.873

    ABSTRACT
    This work aims to evaluate the impact of cadmium on the vitellogenesis of Donax trunculus Linnaeus, 1758 an edible Mollusk species, by carrying out a histological study in which the morphometric parameters of the oocytes were measured, and by using vitellogenin (Vtg) and vitellin (Vn) as biomarkers of reprotoxicity. Clams were collected from a clean site (El-Battah) during the period of morphological maturity and reared under laboratory conditions. Cadmium chloride was added to the rearing water at two sublethal concentrations (LC10 and LC25-96h) previously determined. Two-way ANOVA revealed significant effects of Cd concentrations and exposure time on all studied parameters. The data obtained suggest that this metal can act as endocrine-disrupting chemicals in Donax trunculus.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 12 (2): 0495-0500

    Fatima Zohra Boumaza, Hayet Beldi, Brahim Draredja, Bilal Filali & Noureddine Soltani
    Composition and distribution of Patellidae (Mollusca Gastropoda) in the Algerian East coast: the case of Jijel
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2021.12.2.495.500

    ABSTRACT
    This study is a contribution to the knowledge of the ecology and biology of Patellidae in the Jijel region in the East of Algeria. These gastropods colonizing the supralittoral and mid-littoral stage are considered as excellent indicators of coastal marine pollution. The qualitative study of Patellidea’s familly in Jijel reveals the existence of four species: Patella caerulea; P. rustica; P. ulyssiponensis, and Cymbula safiana at Beni Belaid Station. Nevertheless, in Zaway Rabta we have found only two species: Patella caerulea and P. rustica. The station of Beni Belaid presente the highest values of density with 92 ± 4 ind./m² compared to the Zaway Rabta station up to 64 ± 8 ind./m². We recorded a predominance of Patella caerulea in Beni Belaid station (65.26%) and an important presence in Rabta Zaway station with 40%.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 12 (1): 0003-0016

    Nour-El Houda Hafsi, Kaouther Hamaidia, Choukri Barour & Noureddine Soltani
    A survey of Culicidae (Insecta Diptera) in some habitats in Souk-Ahras province (Northeast Algeria)
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2021.12.1.3.16

    ABSTRACT
    A survey of immature Culicidae was conducted in diverse habitats of Souk-Ahras province (Northeast Algeria) between December 2018 and November 2019. Altogether, 12,861 specimens were collected and identified. Nineteen species of mosquitoes, belonging to two main subfamilies viz. Culicinae (accounts for 84.21 %) and Anophelinae (as 15.79 %), under 5 genera (Culex, Culiseta, Anopheles, Aedes and Uranotaenia). Among identified species, six were mentioned for the first time in the province of Souk-Ahras. The predominant species of the total mosquito fauna was Cx. pipiens L. with an abundance rate of 69.63 %. Two habitats were characterized by the highest prevalence of 11 species, Taoura (with 1 spp. Anophelinae, 10 spp. Culicinae) and Sedrata (with 11 spp. of Culicinae). However, Souk-Ahras site contained the largest abundance (41.20%) belonging to 6 species. In addition, the spatial distribution of mosquitoes according to climatic factors (temperature, rainfall, humidity) was discussed. Data supported by some ecological indices of composition and structure revealed that the diversity level in Souk-Ahras province was between medium and very low compared to a scale varied between 0 and 1 (global Simpson index 0.50). The most diversified site in species was Taoura with the highest Shannon index value (2.11). Since vectors occurrence is constantly changing, it will be suggested that mosquito control should be intensified within other potential breeding sites in northeastern Algeria.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 11 (1): 007-014

    Houda Bouzeraa, Hanen Sellami, Radhouane Gdoura, Mohamed Achou & Noureddine Soltani
    Genetic diversity of the Honeybee Apis mellifera Linnaeus, 1758 (Hymenoptera Apidae) from Jijel (Northeast Algeria)
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2020.11.1.7.14

    ABSTRACT
    Traditionally, subspecific classification and phylogeographic inferences in Apis mellifera Linnaeus, 1758 (Hymenoptera Apidae) were first classified according to their morphological and behavioral traits along with their geographical distributions. Morphometrical analyses conducted on large datasets have established different evolutionary lineages of honeybees. In the last two decades of honeybee genetic analysis and conservation, subsequent studies based on variations in mitochondrial DNA largely confirmed Ruttner’s phylogeographic structure of Apis mellifera. However, very little is known about Algerian honeybee diversity. Therefore, this study assessed the genetic diversity of honeybees (Apis mellifera) in Northeastern Algerian, in North Africa, using the mitochondrial DNA marker (mtDNA) COI-COII (Cytochrome Oxidase I and II). In total, thirty honeybee workers were sampled from three sites of Jijel province. A PCR-RFLP (Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism) analysis of the mtDNA samples distinguished the honeybee evolutionary lineages from this region. Our study revealed that studied honeybee populations have A (African lineages) evolutionary group features. Notably, the northern Algerian honeybee populations had elevated diversity compared to the southern populations.