Abstract
We compiled 16 exotic ant species found in the Maghreb in wild ecosystems, gardens and urban areas. Five of these introduced species are considered major ecological and agricultural household pest species that have become established above all in Morocco. During our investigation in a citrus orchard of ITMAS Heuraoua, Algiers, we detected two exotic ants, Nylanderia jaegerskioeldi (Mayr, 1904) and Strumigenys membranifera Emery, 1869, plus nine native ant species. The Formicinae ant N. jaegerskioeldi is recorded for the first time in Algeria, taking the number of exotic ants in the country to 11. This is the fourth known record in North Africa. A brief comparison between the exotic ant fauna of Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia and neighboring countries highlights the need to improve the limited knowledge of ants in North Africa.
Highlights
A large number of plant and animal species have been transferred to new locations either deliberately or unintentionally (Vitousek et al, 1997)
The second study site of ENSV is located in El Alia–Oued Smar 14 km east of Algiers at the same time it is a part of Mitidja and Algerian Sahel where the urban area occupies a very small portion place around 10 m2 of surface
Species which were not mentioned yet recently have been added to the list as follows: Tetramorium simillimum added by Bernard (1967) in Algeria and Monomorium monomorium.added by Bernard (1967) in Algeria and by Cagniant (2006) in Agadir and Marrakesh (Morocco)
Summary
A large number of plant and animal species have been transferred to new locations either deliberately (e.g. for food, medicine, landscaping, or as pets) or unintentionally (e.g. in ballast water, via potted plants, top soil, or redwood) (Vitousek et al, 1997) We refer to such organisms that have completed the first step of the introduction process (i.e., initial 'dispersal') as non–native, alien, or exotic species. Many established non–native species (i.e. species that have completed the second step of the dispersal process or 'exotic established species' in Wittenborn and Jeschke (2011)) possess invasive attributes and constitute a major part of the global environmental change Such species have the potential to spread, often considerably, after establishment and can affect native ecosystems, causing devastating ecological consequences The species has successfully established in a wide range of habitats including forests, cultivated fields, pastures, and even manicured gardens and lawns (Deyrup, 1997)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
