Diversity and distribution patterns of reptiles in the northern Algerian Sahara (Oued Souf, Taibet and Touggourt)

Abstract

The present study was based on the observations and captures of reptiles in the Northern Algerian Sahara (2011-2013). The studied habitats were the erg (sand dunes), palm grove, reg, Sebkha, and urban sites. We have identified 30 species (20 Saurians, 9 Ophidians and one Testudines) these species are classified into two orders (Anura and Squamata), 12 families and 22 different genera. Among the identified species, 7 protected species in Algeria and 5 species endemic to the Mediterranean. A total of 93.3% (28 species) are assessed as Least Concern and one species was considered to be Data Deficient (Scincopus fasciatus). One species is listed as near threatened (Uromastix acanthinurus). The highest species richness was noticed in the palm groves with 19 species as well as the Shannon diversity index= 3.35. The evenness is at its highest in the sebkha and the urban site with 0.9 and 0.86. The correspondence factorial analysis showed that some species were characteristic of habitats such as Tarentola neglecta and Tarentola deserti which are a specific species of the urban sites and the palm groves, while Scincus scincus was a specific species of the Erg. The generalized linear model showed that the geographic coordinate, spatiotemporal factors and human activity have significant effect on the distribution of reptiles.