New data on the Chironomidae (Diptera) of the Rif (Northern...

P O L I S H J O U R N A L O F E N T O M O L O G Y

P O L S K I E

P I S M O

E N T O M O L O G I C Z N E

VOL. 80: 587-599 Gdynia 30 September 2011

DOI: 10.2478/v10200-011-0046-8

New data on the Chironomidae (Diptera) of the Rif

(Northern Morocco)

KAWTAR KETTANI1, PETER H. LANGTON

2

1Université Abdelmalek Essaadi, Faculté des Sciences,

Laboratoire Diversité et Conservation des Systèmes Biologiques,

Tétouan, Maroc (Morocco)*; 2University Museum of Zoology Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, U.K

*Address for correspondence: [email protected]

ABSTRACT. New collections of pupal exuviae of chironomids in various fresh water ecosystems

in the Rif in the north of Morocco revealed an interesting inventory. The chironomid community

collected is diverse enough and interesting, and rare species are present. Of a total of 141 identified

taxa, 46 species have proved to be new for the Rif and 31 for Morocco. The chorological tendency

is mainly Palaearctic and Mediterranean. The majority of the sites investigated belong to protected

areas in the north of Morocco, such as SIBE Jbel Moussa, SIBE Jbel Tidirrhine, SIBE Jbel

Bouhachem and Talassemtane National Park, which belong to the Intercontinental Reserve of the

Mediterranean Biosphere.

KEY WORDS: Chironomidae, Mediterranean mountain streams, Intercontinental Reserve of

Biosphere of Mediterranean, Rif, Morocco.

INTRODUCTION

Within the framework of the study of Diptera biodiversity of fresh water of the Western Rif

and central Morocco, hydrobiological investigations were carried out in various aquatic

habitats from running water to stagnant water and from the high summits of mountains to

the foothills with the aim of recording chironomid diversity in terms of taxonomic,

biogeographic and ecological specificity and also in terms of endemism and scarcity

relative to this strategic geographical area situated between Europe and Africa.

Polish Journal of Entomology 80 (3)

588

Prior works devoted to this family of Diptera already made it possible to record for

Morocco a checklist of chironomids (KETTANI et al. 2001). However, new collections in

protected areas in the north of Morocco allow us to add additional species for the Rif and

some new for the whole of the Moroccan territory. The diversity and originality of certain

aquatic habitats specific to the Riffian cordillera reveal an interesting chironomid

community.

STUDY AREA AND METHODS

The Rif is a mountain chain in the shape of an arc located in the north-west of Morocco,

with its convexity directed towards the south and its concave face bordering the

Mediterranean (Fig. 1). The Rif belongs to the Alpine system and is characterized by a very

compartmentalized and complex relief. It also has a highly varied climate and a rich flora,

including nearly all of the Moroccan forest species.

It is dominated by a calcareous spine where the highest point of 2452 m on the Jbel

Tidirrhine ridge culminates. This spine follows the arched pattern of the chain by separating

two slopes: a precipitous one on the Mediterranean side, and a gentler one on the other

Atlantic-continental side. As a whole, this Riffian chain has a mild and wet climate, with

precipitation in excess of 1000 mm per annum.

The flora and vegetation reflect the Riffian climate, which is typically Mediterranean.

The bioclimate is primarily wet with high humidity and allows the growth of deciduous

groves, the only fir plantations of Morocco, the Riffian Cedar plantations, Pine forests,

stands of Cork Oaks, Olives, Tetraclinis and Kermes Oak.

The karstic mountain landscape is dominant with an important orography; abundant

resurgences occur in the schist-limestone interface, and is enclosed in the middle of a not

very permeable series of marls, clays and schists. The study area occupies the central, most

diverse part of the Riffian massif, which is regarded as the most original ecological entity,

with respect to the large biodiversity that it presents through the exceptional complexes of

ground-climate-flora and vegetable groupings.

The investigated aquatic sites occur in a number of separate hydrographic systems: the

River Laou and the River Martil (Mediterranean rivers); the River Loukkos and the River

Sebou (Atlantic rivers).

Only 28 sites (Fig. 1) will be taken into account in this present study from a multitude

of other sampled sites, because these 28 stations have provided new chironomid taxa for

Morocco. These sites include a variety of habitats and are characterized by a large range of

geological, orographical, morphometric, mesological and floristic variables. The sites

include a selection of lotic and lentic habitats from the plain and lower slopes. The

krenobionts, particularly of the cold springs of the high mountains, the lakes and the ponds,

are also represented in this selection.

KETTANI K., LANGTON P.H.: New data on the Chironomidae (Diptera) of the Rif

589

Fig. 1. Map showing the location of the streams studied in the Rif (North of Morocco) and the 28

sampling sites.

Eleven sites belonging to the River Martil were investigated during the spring and

summer seasons of 2003, 2006 and 2008. These sites include the upper courses (T1, B1,

dB) belonging to Ain Ksour and SIBE (Site of Biological and Ecological Interest) Jbel

Bouhachem between altitudes of 950 and 1062 m, the middle courses (T2, H1, Z1, Z2)

belonging to the River Taida, the River Hamma and the Ez-Zerka Cascade between 207 and

650 m in altitude, and the lower courses (N1, Z3) with the Rivers Nakhla and Boujdad

located below 81 m and the limnocrenes (SG, DM) in the outskirts of the town of Tetouan at 25 m.

Two sites belong to the catchment area of the River Laou: Dayat Amlay (DA) at 258 m

and Dayat Ain Rami (DR) at 373 m investigated in spring and summer 2003. They


590

represent extensive marshes approximately 13 500 m2

in surface area. These two sites

belong to the area of Chefchaouen and are located in the Talassemtane National Park

(BCEOM-SECA 1994).

In the catchment of the River Sebou, ten sites were investigated in the High Sebou that

feed mainly the River Oueghra, which is considered to be among the principal affluents of

this catchment. The majority of these stations of the High Sebou are rheocrene sources,

rivulets and permanent streams of a high mountain with a very steep slope, related to the

abrupt relief of the Riffian chain. Four sites lie in the area of Fifi, from 1177 m to 1260 m –

the River Bouztate (F2), sources and rivulets of Bab Karn (SF, F1) and Dayat Fifi (DF) –

these streams flow into the River Aoudour, which is a tributary of the River Oueghra. The

springs of Khandek En- Nâsser (SA) and rivulets of Bab Tariouant (A1) also belong to the

River Aoudour. The samples were taken in April 2004 from the rivulets of Bab Tariouant,

in February 2005 and June 2006 from the Fifi area and in June 2006 from the area of

Khandek En-Nâsser. The other sites of the High Sebou belong to the River Ketama (IF, K1,

K2, K3), which crosses and drains a dense forest of cedars through a network of channels.

Their altitudes range from 1300 to 1600 m and were investigated in April 2004.

The SIBE of Jbel Moussa at the north-western end of Morocco is a protected area. The

quality and the diversity of the landscape are exceptional, given its small surface area,

incorporating marine, littoral, forest and montane environments. At the time of this study an

extensive hydrobiological survey of the reserve was being carried out. Only two of the sites

that were sampled in June 2006 – Lake Dalia (DD) and the River Hatba (J1) – are included

in this paper.

Among a multitude of sites investigated in April 2003, especially in the River Loukkos,

only three sites (L1, L2, L3) located at an altitude of 9 m are included in this study.

Code of the sites investigated

The various sites investigated are represented by codes reproduced on the map (Fig. 1)

and in the species inventory (Table).

OUED (RIVER) MARTIL (35°N, 5°W)

DB: Lemtahane marsh (LEMTAHANE, SIBE Jbel Bouhachem, 970 m)

B1: River Rehhal (LEMTAHANE, SIBE Jbel Bouhachem, 962 m)

T1: Tributary of the River Taida (AÏN KSOUR, My Abd es Sêlam, 1062 m)

T2: River Taida (TAIDA, 650m)

H1: River El Hamma (El HAMMA, 240 m)

N1: River Nakhla (KOUDIAT KRIKRA, 80 m)

Z1: Ez-Zerka cascade (EZ ZERKA, 207 m)


591

Z2: River Ez-Zerka (EZ ZERKA, 180 m)

Z3: River Boujdad (KITANE, 42 m)

SG: Geniores spring (TETOUAN, 25 m)

DM: Mtalssi pond (TAMOUDA, 31 m)

OUED (RIVER) LAOU (35°N, 5°W)

DR: Dayat Aïn Rami (EL HABTEYINE, Chefchaouène, 373 m)

DA: Dayat Amlay (RHABET AMLAY, Chefchaouène, 258 m)

OUED (RIVER) SEBOU (34°N, 4°W)

A1: Bab Tariouant rivulet (JBEL BENI SALAH, 1405m)

SA: En-Nâsser spring (KHANDEK EN NASSER, 1177m)

F1: Bab Karn rivulet (FIFI, 1216 m)

F2: Bouztate rivulet (FIFI, 1259 m)

SF: Bab Karn spring (FIFI, 1220 m)

DF: Fifi pond (FIFI, 1179 m)

SI: Issârhene spring (ISSARHENE, Ketama, 1600 m)

K1: River Issârhene (ISSARHENE, Ketama, 1600 m)

K2: River Ketama (KOUDIAT ECH CHIBA, Ketama, 1480 m)

K3: River Sgara (TLETA KETAMA, Ketama, 1300 m)

SIBE JBEL MOUSSA (35°54'N, 5°25'W)

DD: Lake Dalia (DALIA, OUED ER RMAL, SIBE Jbel Moussa, 169 m)

J 1: River El Hatba (EL HATBA, OUED EL MARSA, 165 m)

OUED (RIVER) LOUKKOS (35°N, 6°W)

L1: Lagoons of Loukkos (LOUKKOS, 9 m)

L2: Boucharène Nord Est (Lagoons of Loukkos, LOUKKOS, 0 m)

L3: Boucharène Sud Ouest (Lagoons of Loukkos, LOUKKOS, 0 m)

This work is based mainly on the study of chironomid pupal skins collected using a drift

net. For more stagnant water, chironomid exuviae were taken with a hand net of 250 m

mesh size. The identification of the pupal exuviae was based on the keys of LANGTON

(1991) and revised by PHL.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

A total of 51 genera including 125 chironomid species and 16 taxa unidentified to

species were recorded at the 28 sites. They were identified from 5998 pupal exuviae. Newly

recorded for the Rif are 46 species, and these are the main objects of this present study. The


592

table records these new species with indications relating to their abundance and distribution

in the area of the study with the other taxa not yet formally described.

Table. Inventory of chironomids collected in the study area. ◘ – new data for Morocco, ● – new data

for the Rif.

Record R.

MARTIL

R.

LAOU

R.

SEBOU

SIBE

J.M.

R.

LOUKKOS

DIAMESINAE (1)

Diamesa tonsa PAGAST ● ◘ K2, K3

TANYPODINAE (3)

Macropelopia adaucta KIEFFER ● ◘ S1, SF,

DF

Xenopelopia falcigera

(KIEFFER) ● ◘ SA, DF L2

Zavrelimyia nubila (MEIGEN) ● ◘ DB DR, DA DF

ORTHOCLADIINAE (26)

Bryophaenocladius subvernalis

(EDWARDS) ● T1, H1

Chaetocladius melaleucus

(MEIGEN) ● ◘

K3, A1,

F2

Chaetocladius perennis

(MEIGEN) ● ◘ H1

Chaetocladius sp Issarhêne ● S1

Corynoneura celtica EDWARDS ● ◘ H1

Corynoneura coronata

EDWARDS ● ◘ H1

Cricotopus annulator

GOETGHEBUER ● K3

Eukieffereilla ancyla SVENSSON ● ◘ B1

Eukieferiella brevicalcar

(KIEFFER) ●

K1, K2,

K3, A1,

F2

Eukiefferiella lobifera

GOETGHEBUER ● K3, F2

Eukiefferiella dittmari

LEHMANN ● ◘ Z2 F1

Heleniella serratosiori RINGE ● ◘ H1 F2

Krenosmittia camptophleps

(EDWARDS) ● K1, K2


593

Limnophyes minimus MEIGEN ● B1

Orthocladius luteipes

GOETGHEBUER ● F2

Orthocladius oblidens

(WALKER) ● F2

Parametriocnemus

boreoalpinus GOUIN ● ◘ T1

P. valescurensis MOUBAYED &

LANGTON ● ◘ K1

Psectrocladius limbatellus

(HOLMGREN) ● ◘ L1

P. obvius (WÛLKER) ● S1

Psectrocladius sordidellus

(ZETTERSTEDT) ● L2

Pseudorthocladius near Pe3

LANG.1991 ● ◘ K1

Pseudosmittia sp ● F2

Thienemanniella acuticornis

(KIEFFER) ● H1 K2, K3

Tvetenia discoloripes

(GOETGHEBUER) ● ◘ N1 F2

Zalutshia humphriesiae

DOWLING & MURRAY ● ◘ DB DF

CHIRONOMINAE (33)

Chironomini (18)

Chironomus sp near calipterus ● ◘ SG

Chironomus longistylus

GOETGHEBUER ● ◘ K2

Chironomus luridus STRENZKE ● DM

Chironomus nuditarsis KYEL ● ◘ Z3 J1

Chironomus prasinus MEIGEN ● ◘ DM

Chironomus salinarius

(KIEFFER) ● DM

Chironomus Pe nov 1 Amlay ● ◘ DA

Chironomus Pe nov 2 Amlay ● ◘ DA

Chironomus sp Issarhêne ● S1

Chironomus sp nov Fifi ● DF

Dicrotendipes modestus (SAY) ● ◘ DM

Kiefferulus tendipediformis

(GOETGHEBUER) ● DD


594

Microtendipes chloris

(MEIGEN) ● ◘

SA, SF,

DF

Microtendipes diffinis

(EDWARDS) ● DR, DA SF

Polypedilum sp Dalia ● DD

Stictochironomus histrio

(FABRICIUS) ● ◘ F2 DD

S. near sticticus (FABRICIUS) ● ◘ S1

Stictochironomus sp Issaguen ● S1

Tanytarsini (15)

Micropsectra bidentata

(GOETGHEBUER) ● T2, Z1 SA

Micropsectra notescens

(WALKER) ● ◘

K2, K3,

A1, F2,

SF, DF

Paratanytarsus inopertus

(WALKER) ● DM

P. mediterraneus REISS &

SÄWEDAL ● ◘ L3

Rheotanytarsus Pe 3 LANGTON

1991 ● ◘ K3

Stempellinella sp 1 Issarhêne ● K1, K2

Stempellinella sp 2 Ketama ● K2

Tanytarsus chinyensis

GOETGHEBUER ● ◘ DF

Tanytarsus pallidicornis

(WALKER) ● ◘ DF J1

Tanytarsus recurvatus

BRUNDIN ● ◘ H1

Tanytarsus signatus VAN DE

WULP ● DR, DA S1

Tanytarsus verralli

GOETGHEBUER ● ◘ T2

Tanytarsus Pe 14 LANGTON

1991 ● ◘ S1

Tanytarsus Pe 23 LANGTON

1991 ● ◘ H1

Zavrelia Pe 1 LANGTON 1991 ● ◘ F2

In this list, 31 species are newly recorded for Morocco, which increases the total of the

species of Chironomidae known for Morocco to 362 and for the Rif (north of Morocco) to


595

234 species when added to published data (KETTANI et al. 2001; KETTANI et al. 2010). This

result exemplifies the great specific richness characteristic of Mediterranean streams.

With regard to the specific composition of this community of chironomids, these 46

species belong to 31 genera and four subfamilies with most species in the Chironominae

(Fig. 2), followed by the Orthocladiinae. Species recorded from the Tanypodinae and

Diamesinae proved to be rare (4 species in all, Table) where the majority (16 species of

Tanypodinae and 2 species of Diamesinae) were already recorded (KETTANI et al. 2001).

Although the Chironominae have proved to be more diverse (33 species within 12 genera),

the number of genera listed in the Orthocladiinae is greater with 16 genera. This result

reflects the rheophilic character of the Orthocladiinae species, because the majority of the

investigated sites are on a more or less steep slope and have the typical torrential character

of waters flowing into the Mediterranean Sea.

Fig. 2. Comparison between the different taxa of Chironomidae.

The Chironomini and Tanytarsini are little represented in the upstream sites and become

more frequent in the lower altitude sites and become more diverse in the potamon. The

Tanypodinae, characteristic limnobionts, are more frequent in stagnant waters or potamon

and also reveals an interesting fauna in the investigated limnocrene springs and ponds.

The scarcity of the two species Sympotthastia zavreli PAGAST (already recorded) and


596

Diamesa tonsa (HALIDAY) (newly recorded) is probably due to the relatively higher

temperature in the majority of the investigated sites (an average temperature of higher than

12°C).

Chaetocladius KIEFFER, Pseudosmittia EDWARDS, Zalutschia LIPINA and Zavrelia

KIEFFER are recorded for the first time for the Rif and are present mainly in the upstream

affluents of the River Sebou. Just as for Morocco, the genus Zalutschia and Zavrelia are

new records for North Africa (BOUMAIZA & LAVILLE 1988), which increases the total

genera of chironomids known for Morocco to 93. The genus Zalutschia with the species

Zalutschia humphriesiae DOWLING & MURRAY was collected in shallow marshes

(Lemtahane marshes) and at an altitude of 970 m in the SIBE Jbel Bouhachem. The genus

Zavrelia with the unknown species Zavrelia Pe 1 LANGTON 1991 was collected at Fifi

(River Sebou) at 1259 m from mountain streams of clear oxygenated water.

On the qualitative level, Tanytarsus VAN DER WULP (8 species) and Chironomus

LINNAEUS (9 species) are the most diverse genera in the area, and the most species-rich.

These genera are represented by some species unknown to science. On the quantitative

level, Macropelopia adaucta KIEFFER, Eukieferiella brevicalcar (KIEFFER), Chironomus

nuditarsis KEYL, Microtendipes chloris (MEIGEN) and Micropsectra notescens (WALKER)

were abundant in the collections.

Chorological analysis of the collected species reveals that more than 75% are of

Palaearctic origin, followed by Mediterranean species (12%). A small percentage are

Afrotropical (4%). So there are great similarities between the faunas of the southern and

northern shores of the Mediterranean. On the other hand, there is little similarity with the

Afrotropical fauna.

The hydrographic catchment of the River Martil, which is one of the principal

Mediterranean rivers, presents an important list of chironomid species (75 taxa), in which

16 have proved to be new for Morocco and contain interesting and rare species such as

Eukiefferiella ancyla SVENSSON, Heleniella serratosioi RINGE, Parametriocnemus

boreoalpinus GOWIN & THIENEMANN, Zalutschia humphriesiae DOWLING & MURRAY,

Paratanytarsus inopertus WALKER and Tanytarsus recurvatus BRUNDIN. Z. humphriesiae

and T. recurvatus have a restricted distribution. These species were collected from both

lower-altitude as well as high-altitude localities, mainly in the SIBE of Jbel Bouhachem, a

protected area of Morocco belonging to the Intercontinental Reserve of the Mediterranean

Biosphere, whose natural resources are of great quality and of great ecological and

biological interest.

The two sites on the River Laou – Dayat Amlay and Dayat Ain Rami (DA and DR)

located in the area of Chefchaouen – are marshes which cover a large area with a

remarkable faunistic and floristic diversity (Matricaria chamomilla L., Mentha pulegium

L., Rosa canina L., Asparagus albus L., Ranunculus aquatilis L., Euphorbia peplus L.


597

Anagallis arvensis L., Mentha rotundifolia (L.), Cistus monspeliensis (L.), Eleocharis

palustris (L.), Ampelodesmos mauritanicus (POIR.)). The locality at Dayat Amlay (DA) is

distinguished from the other investigated localities by the presence of new taxa. At least

two species new to science of the genus Chironomus: Chironomus Pe nov1 and

Chironomus Pe nov2 (PHL’s designations) were found there. Microtendipes diffinis

(EDWARDS) and Tanytarsus signatus WULP, quantitatively dominate the collections at this

site.

From the hydrographic catchment of the High Sebou, mainly the River Aoudour (Fifi)

and the River Ketama (Ketama), the collections produced an important list, which is far

from being exhaustive, made up of 75 chironomid taxa, 18 species of which have proved to

be new for Morocco, including two not yet formally described. Among these species, some

have proved to be interesting and rare, such as Diamesa tonsa, Parametriocnemus

valescurensis MOUBAYED & LANGTON, Pseudorthocladius near Pe3 LANGTON 1991,

Heleniella serratosiosi, Tvetenia discoloripes (GOETGHEBUER & THIENEMANN) and

Zavrelia Pe 1 LANGTON 1991. Zavrelia Pe 1 LANGTON 1991 seems to be an endemic

species that occurs only in the north of Morocco; it was collected in the Bouztate stream

(Fifi). Diamesa tonsa and Heleniella serratosiosi have a restricted distribution in Europe.

The area of Fifi in common with that of Ketama contains aquatic habitats of great

landscape quality, which reveal an original and specific diversity related to the

heterogeneity of the habitats (COFFMAN 1989; LANGTON & CASAS 1999). These aquatic

ecosystems are encompassed by forest formations where the canopy layers are dominant

and whose species are mostly rare or endemic to these areas. These landscapes with strong

floristic and faunistic potential belong to the SIBE of Jbel Tidirrhine, which lies at an

altitude of 2652 m.; the majority of the sites investigated in these streams which drain the

Riffian Cedar plantations are of high altitude.

SIBE Jbel Moussa also belongs to the Intercontinental Reserve of the Mediterranean

Biosphere. The faunistic inventory of aquatic macroinvertebrates revealed the presence of a

considerable number of endemic species and several faunistic innovations. With regard to

chironomids, extremely interesting results were obtained with respect to Chironomini and

Tanytarsini species. Stictochironomus sticticus and Chironomus nuditarsis species were

abundant in the collections.

From the lagoons of Low Loukkos, which are characterized by a low altitude and

relatively saline water (the salinity reaches values of 34.00 mg/L), 4 species proved to be

new for Morocco, including two species of Psectrocladius: P. limbatellus (HOLMGREN) and

P. sordidellus (ZETTERSTEDT); Paratanytarsus mediterraneus REISS & SÄWEDAL and

Xenopelopia falcigera (KIEFFER). These species have certainly a clear preference for

stagnant water and high salinity.

Collections of chironomid species taken only from stagnant water such as pools in


598

springs and ponds at low and high-altitude in the area of study reveal a rich community and

some interesting species.

This community is composed of 53 taxa (including 6 species not described yet formally)

which divide into one Prodiamesinae species (Prodiamesa olivacea (MEIGEN)), thirteen

species of Tanypodinae (Ablabesmyia longistyla FITTKAU, Macropelopia adaucta KIEFFER

& KIEFFER, Macropelopia nebulosa MEIGEN, Nilotanypus dubius (MEIGEN), Paramerina

cingulata (STEPHENS), Paramerina divisa (WALKER), Procladius choreus (MEIGEN),

Procladius Pe 3 LANGTON 1991, Psectrotanypus varius (FABRICIUS), Xenopelopia

falcigera (KIEFFER), Xenopelopia nigricans (GOETGHEBUER), Zavrelimyia barbatipes

(KIEFFER), Zavrelimyia nubila (MEIGEN)), twelve taxa of Orthocladiinae (Brilla flavifrons

(JOHANNSEN), Chaetocladius sp 1 Issarhêne, Cricotopus bicinctus (MEIGEN), Cricotopus

sylvestris (FABRICIUS), Cricotopus trifasciatus (MEIGEN), Orthocladius obumbratus

JOHANNSEN, Psectrocladius brehmi KIEFFER, Psectrocladius obvius (WALKER),

Psectrocladius sordidellus (ZETTERSTEDT), Rheocricotopus fuscipes (KIEFFER),

Rheocricotopus tirolus LEHMANN, Zalutshia humphriesiae DOWLING & MURRAY), nineteen

taxa of Chironomini (Chironomus calipterus KIEFFER, Chironomus plumosus (LINNAEUS),

Chironomus prasinus MEIGEN, Chironomus riparius MEIGEN, Chironomus Pe nov 1,

Chironomus Pe nov 2, Chironomus sp. Issarhêne, Dicrotendipes modestus (SAY),

Glyptotendipes pallens (MEIGEN), Harnischia fuscimana KIEFFER, Kiefferulus

tendipediformis (GOETGHEBUER), Microtendipes chloris (MEIGEN), Microtendipes diffinis

(EDWARDS), Polypedilum nubeculosum (MEIGEN), Polypedilum sp. Stictochironomus

maculipennis (MEIGEN), Stictochironomus pictulus (MEIGEN), Stictochironomus sticticus

(FABRICIUS), Stictochironomus near sticticus) and eight species of Tanytarsini

(Micropsectra pallidula (MEIGEN), Micropsectra notescens (WALKER), Paratanytarsus

dissimilis (JOHANNSEN), Tanytarsus chinyensis GOETGHEBUER, Tanytarsus heusdensis

GOETGHEBUER, Tanytarsus pallidicornis (WALKER), Tanytarsus signatus WULP and

Tanytarsus Pe 14 LANGTON 1991. The Chironomini, Orthocladiinae and Tanypodinae have

proved particularly diverse within these lentic ecosystems and reveal species with a very

restricted distribution.

In comparison with the remainder of Morocco, only Psectrocladius sordidellus,

Chironomus plumosus, Glyptotendipes pallens, Harnischia fuscimanus and Tanytarsus

signatus are also present in the stagnant water of Lake Aguelmane Axighx and in the

Reserve El Makhazine in the Middle Atlas (AZZOUZI & LAVILLE 1987).

These new data on Chironomids of the Rif raise the species list by 46 for the Rif, of

which 31 species are newly recorded for Morocco. This chironomid community is

characterized by a wide diversity, being a result of the high individuality of the

Mediterranean aquatic ecosystem and the heterogeneity of the investigated aquatic habitats.

This result is far from being exhaustive, considering the potential that is concealed in


599

the Riffian aquatic ecosystems. These ecosystems are characterized by great habitat

heterogeneity and deserve thorough large-scale studies at a time when these Mediterranean

ecosystems are becoming increasingly vulnerable and weakened by human activities.

REFERENCES

AZZOUZI A., LAVILLE H. 1987. Premier inventaire faunistique des Chironomidés (Diptera,

Chironomidae) du Maroc. Annales de Limnologie 23: 217-224.

BCEOM-SECA Groupement 1994. Le Plan directeur des Aires Protégées du Maroc, Ministère chargé

des Eaux et Forêts Vol. 1 & 2.

BOUMAIZA M., LAVILLE H. 1988. Premier inventaire faunistique des Chironomidés (Diptera:

Chironomidae) des eaux courantes de Tunisie. Annales de Limnologie 24: 173-181.

COFFMAN W.P. 1989. Factors that determine the species richness of lotic communities of

Chironomidae. Acta Biologica Debrecina, Oecologica Hungarica 3: 95-100.

KETTANI K., EL OUAZZANI T., CALLE MARTINEZ D. 2001. Mise à jour de l’inventaire des

Chironomidés (Diptera) connus du Maroc. Annales de Limnologie 37: 323-333.

KETTANI K., BELQAT B., EL HOUARI H. 2010. Les Chironomidés (Diptera, Nematocera) du Parc

National de Talassemtane (Rif, Maroc): faunistique et biogéographie. Travaux de l’Institut

Scientifique de Rabat. Série Zoologie, 47: 67-72.

LANGTON P.H., CASAS J. 1999. Changes in chironomid assemblage composition in two Mediterraean

mountain streams over a period of extreme hydrological conditions. Hydrobiologia 390: 37-49.

LANGTON P.H. 1991. A Key to the pupal exuviae of west Palearctic Chironomidae. Cambridgeshire,

386 pp.

Received: July 06, 2011

Accepted: July 11, 2011

New data on the Chironomidae (Diptera) of the Rif (Northern...

Documents

Transcript of New data on the Chironomidae (Diptera) of the Rif (Northern...