Orthopteroids on three Species of Cistaceae in the Region of Tlemcen (Algeria)

Abstract

The region of Tlemcen is located in the northwestern part of Algeria. It is characterized by the Mediterranean climate. It moves away from the coast about 60 km.Cistus salvifolius or Cistus with sage leaves is a thermophilic shrub characterizing the Mediterranean region. It is a moderately fragrant plant that can reach 100 cm in height. Cistus ladaniferus or Cistus gum is a woody pyrophyte shrub with glutinous leaves, used in medicine up to 1.5 m in height. These two cists are found in the mountains of Tlemcen. On the other hand, Cistus monspeliensis is a shrub with very vigorous vegetation known for its medicinal virtues and is present in the Nedroma zone.We propose to study the Orthopteroid fauna associated with these three Cistaceae. It includes 3 orders namely Orthoptera, Mantoptera and Dermaptera. The order of Orthoptera is divided into 02 sub-orders: that of Caelifera includes 03 families: those of Pamphagidae, Pyrgomorphidae and Acrididae. The second suborder, which of the Ensifers, comprises 2 families: those of the Gryllidae and the Tettigoniidae. The order Mantoptera includes the family Mantidae. The order Dermaptera has only one family, that of Forficulidae. Of the 3 Cistaceae, 25 species of Orthopteroids have been inventoried. Cistus ladaniferus has 16 species; C.salvifolius and C. monspeliensis have 15 species respectively. Orthoptera are the most numerous. We count 13 species on the sage-leaved cistus.Two species of Mantidae are found on the rockrose. Mantis religiosa is found in the different stations of Cistaceae. Sphodromantis linicola is found on Cistus ladaniferus. Forficula auricularia (Dermaptera) is present on all three Cists. Six species of Orthopteroids seem common to the 3 plants considered.