Browsing by Author "Benamor, Naceur"

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    Feeding ecology of the vulnerable aoudad (Ammotragus lervia) in north-western Sahara
    (John Wiley and Sons Inc, 2023) Bounaceur, Farid; Benamor, Naceur; Bissaad, Fatima Zohra; Lasgaa, Faten; Baghadid, Sabah; Rezigua, Faiza; Aulagnier, Stéphane
    The feeding ecology of the aoudad (Ammotragus lervia) was investigated for the first time in north-western Sahara, Djebel Antar (Bechar province, Algeria), from autumn 2015 to summer 2016. Microhistological analyses of faeces revealed an annual diet composed of 23 identified taxa belonging to 16 plant families. The highest species diversity was recorded in spring and summer (23 species), despite a marked consumption of two species: Vachellia tortilis (17.7%) and Avena sterilis (14.0%); diet diversity was lower in autumn and winter (16 species), including mainly Teucrium polium (14.7%, 21.0%) and Gymnocarpos decander (19.7%, 10.0%). The main plant parts consumed during these seasons were stems (77.7%, 65.3%), while leaves and inflorescences were mostly consumed during spring and summer (54.7%, 52.3%). Forbs dominated the aoudad's diet, with 46.3% average relative abundance, including mainly T. polium, Limoniastrum feei, and Chrysanthemum macrocarpum. Woody plants including mainly V. tortilis and G. decander accounted for 33.3% (50.0% in autumn), and grasses including A. sterilis and H. murinum for 20.4% (32.0% in summer). Based on this diet, A. lervia can be classified as a “generalist mixed-feeder.”
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    Is there a future for the last populations of aoudad (Ammotragus lervia) in northern Algeria?
    (Zoological Society of Pakistan, 2016) Bounaceur, Farid; Benamor, Naceur; Bissaad, Fatima Zohra
    Very small natural populations of aoudad or barbary sheep remained in northern Algeria. Areas where aoudad has been previously reported were surveyed from 2012 to 2015 in spring and autumn. Animals were recorded at only four localities in the north-eastern part of the mountains, south of Tebessa, Batna, M’Sila and north east of Biskra, and only one in the western part south of Tiaret. Sighted groups included 1 to 11 individuals. The main threats to this species are reported, captive breeding is suggested as a tool for conservation