Algerian West Coast Research Articles

The seasonal variation of the inhibitory effect of bioactive extracts of a marine algae (Corallina officinalis) collected from the Algerian west coast

Algae are increasingly becoming the center for interest due to researchers for their composition of various important bioactive molecules. The objective of this study is to investigate the seasonal variations in the concentrations of flavonoids, polyphenols, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoids, as well as the antimicrobial activity of methanolic extracts from the red alga Corallina officinalis collected from western Algeria. The results of the biochemical assays show that the best polyphenol contents are recorded by the summer extract with a concentration of 33.29 μgEqAG/mg. The recorded flavonoid contents are 967.33; 869; 239.66 and 156 µgEQ/mg for summer, autumn, spring and winter respectively. For chlorophyll a and b the winter extract recorded the highest values. The best results of antibacterial tests were noted for the summer season with diameters of 14.33 mm against the two-bacteria E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus resistant to methicillin (SARM). The autumn extract gave low activity against E. coli, Pseudomonas, SARM and Klebsiella. For the winter extract we noted resistance against B. cereus, Pseudomonas and B. subtilis while E. coli, SARM, Klebsiella and the yeast Candida albicans recorded low activity. For the spring extract, resistance was observed against all the bacteria tested except for the E. coli and Klebsiella strains. The extracts obtained can be used as an antibacterial due to their rich content of bioactive molecules. The best results of antibacterial tests are noted for the summer season.

Multi-biomarker Approach as a Response of Oxidative Stress in Mytilus galloprovincialis (Lamarck, 1819) Obtained from the Algerian west coast

Multi-biomarker Approach as a Response of Oxidative Stress in Mytilus galloprovincialis (Lamarck, 1819) Obtained from the Algerian west coast

On the presence of Ocnus planci Brandt, 1935 (Echinodermata: Dendrochirotida: Cucumariidae) in the Mostaganem region (Western Algerian coast).

In Algeria, few studies have been carried on the Holothuriodea especially the family Cucumariidae Ludwig, 1894. A specimen was caught as bycatch from a commercial benthic trawler on the Mostaganem coast (northwest of Algeria). Based on a detailed study of the morphological, anatomical and endoskeletal characters, this specimen is confirmed to be Ocnus planci (Brandt, 1835). We report it herein as the first observation from the Algerian west coast. This species has been recorded several times in the Mediterranean sea. It is characterised by a calcareous ring, whose radial plates are longer than the interradial plates, the presence of buttons and perforated button plates of different sizes in the body wall, as well as various shapes of rosettes, baskets and nodules with small perforations.

Natural diet of the pink spiny lobster, Palinurus mauritanicus (Malacostraca, Decapoda, Palinuridae), from the Algerian west coast

Abstract The pink spiny lobster, Palinurus mauritanicus Gruvel, 1911 is a target species of commercial fisheries along the Algerian west coast. To better understand the natural diet of a population of P. mauritanicus, a study was conducted between June 2021 and May 2022, which aimed to compare the consumed food items based on sex, seasonality, and body size. This approach involved analysing stomach contents and determining ingested prey, with seasonal sampling conducted at three main fishing ports (Béni Saf, Bouzedjar and Oran). The results showed that fish (in general “Pisces”, but only Osteichthyes retrieved) (46.42%), Crustacea (34.28%), Annelida Polychaeta (23.33%), and Mollusca (18.57%) were the major components of the lobster’s diet. Echinodermata (8.57%), Porifera (2.38%) and Bryozoa (0.95%) were classified as minor groups. We also showed that sex and season affected the prey items consumed by the lobster. Based on the vacuity index, the pink spiny lobster was found to be feeding intensively in spring and decreasingly so in summer, autumn and winter. These results indicate that the pink spiny lobster is to be characterized as an omnivorous generalist and opportunist.

Marine Malacostraca (Arthropoda, Crustacea) from the Gulf of Oran (Algerian west coast)

Abstract This present paper presents an inventory of benthic Malacostraca in the Gulf of Oran. The softbottom crustacean fauna was studied between February 2021 and September 2021. Samples were collected from 8 coastal stations. The class Malacostraca was represented with 2 subclasses, Eumalacostraca and Phyllocarida. Sixty-one species and 290 individuals belonging to seven crustacean orders (Amphipoda, Decapoda, Isopoda, Tanaidacea, Mysida, Lophogastrida and Leptostraca) were identified. Amphipoda were represented with the highest number of species (36) followed by Decapoda (11) and Isopoda (6). Tanaidacea and Mysida were poorly represented, with 3 and 2 species, respectively. Lophogastrida and Leptostraca were both represented by only one species. Among the crustaceans encountered, Ampelisca was the most dominant genus. The present inventory indicates that the carcinological fauna in the Gulf of Oran is less diversified than it is in other zones that have been studied on the Algerian coast (Gulf of Arzew, Bay of Bou-Ismail, and Bay of Algiers).

Bio-Socioeconomic Study of the Recreational Fishery in the Mostaganem Area: Case of Fishing from a Boat on the Algerian West Coast

Bio-Socioeconomic Study of the Recreational Fishery in the Mostaganem Area: Case of Fishing from a Boat on the Algerian West Coast

Antibacterial and antifungal activity of Lavandula angustifolia and Thymus vulgaris essential oils grown in the Algerian west coast

ABSTRACT The screening of natural products in the quest for new antimicrobial and antifungal agents has become the need of the hour in order to combat drug-resistant pathogenic microbes.The aim was to evaluate the antibacterial and antifungal activities of Lavandula angustifolia and Thymus vulgaris essential oils (EOs).The antimicrobial activity was tested on Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus using agar disc diffusion and the antifungal screening was done in the same way against Candida albicans. The Thymus Vulgaris EO collected from Oran was very active against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans. Lavandula angustifolia EO collected from Oran was extremely active against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans, Candida albicans was the most sensitive to the essential oils. Essential oils of L. angustifolia and T. vulgaris are highly effective natural antibacterial and antifungal agents that can be used to treat infections and food poisoning.

A first study on the bioaccumulation of trace metals in Rhyssoplax olivacea (Mediterranean Polyplacophora)

This study investigates, for the first time, the bioaccumulation of trace metals in the chiton Rhyssoplax olivacea. Fe, Cu, Co, Cr and Cd were measured in the shell and soft tissue of R. olivacea sampled in five sites along the Algerian west coast during the cold and hot seasons. Physiological and contamination indices were calculated. The condition index provides information on habitat quality and on R. olivacea reproductive performance and physiological status. The metal/shell-weight index informs on the bioavailability of trace metals. The trace element pollution index is used to assign a global contamination status to the studied sites. The trace element spatial variation index ranks Cd and Cr as trace metals of primary environmental concern based on the overall variability of their levels. An exhaustive review compiling data on trace element bioaccumulation in chitons is performed. The potential use of R. olivacea as bioindicator species is discussed.

Stock status of the bogue Boops boops (Walbaum, 1792) in Algerian West Coast (Southwestern Mediterranean Sea)

The current study offered management-related information on the fisheries biology of Boops boops. A subsample of 2068 specimen ranging between 9 to 35 cm total length was obtained from 11 commercial catches on Western Algerian coast. To better understand the growth and mortality, distribution frequency of total length, total length–body weight relationship and age were analyzed for B. boops. The estimated parameters of the Von Bertalanffy growth were L∞=30.045 cm, K = 0.117 year−1 and t0=−2.919 year. The B. boops have a long life span (9 years) with growth performance index estimated at 2.03, and the study area seemed supported mainly by nine age groups. The instantaneous rates of total mortality (Z) was 0.418 year−1, natural mortality (M) was estimated at 0.24 year−1. Rates of fishing mortality (F) and exploitation (E) were 0.178 and 0.43 year−1, respectively. Regarding the fishing effort, the stock of bogue appears overexploited. The yield per recruit (Y’/R = 24.86 g) is very close to the MSY. This result indicates that the bogue’s stock is in a state of full exploitation. The MSY model is more prudent than MSE model in predicting the model.

Morphological distinction of the Ophioderma Müller & Troschel, 1840 species (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea: Ophiacanthida: Ophiodermatidae) from the Algerian west coast

Ophioderma longicaudum (Bruzelius, 1805) is a very common brittlestar in the Mediterranean Sea that had been considered as a complex of cryptic species since 2009. Recently, five species were separated from this complex, but they remain morphologically very close. The aim of this study is to attempt for the first time to identify the species of Ophioderma found at the Algerian west coast, using morphological and morphometric analysis. A total of 67 individuals of Ophioderma species were collected from three stations at the Mostaganem coast (Salamandre, Stidia-East and Stidia-West) during 2020 and 2021 and between 1.5 and 8 m depth. The morphological features showed a strong variability between the analysed individuals. Some resembled O. hybridum Stöhr, Weber, Boissin & Chenuil, 2020, others O. zibrowii Stöhr, Weber, Boissin & Chenuil, 2020 and some O. longicaudum (Bruzelius, 1805). Few resembled O. africanum Stöhr, Weber, Boissin & Chenuil, 2020 or O. guineense Greeff, 1882. The morphometric study displayed a significant discrimination between individuals and confirmed the morphological results suggesting that.

Grain Size Data Analysis of Marine Sediments, from the Gulf of Oran (Algerian West Coast)

Grain Size Data Analysis of Marine Sediments, from the Gulf of Oran (Algerian West Coast)

Diet composition of the deep-water rose shrimp, Parapenaeus longirostris (Decapoda, Dendrobranchiata, Penaeidae), from the Algerian west coast

Abstract The deep-water rose shrimp, Parapenaeus longirostris (H. Lucas, 1846), is the most dominant shrimp species on the Algerian west coast. In that area, the diet of P. longirostris was studied between July 2020 and June 2021. This approach to the diet of the rose shrimp was based on analysis of the stomach contents and determination of the ingested prey. A seasonal sampling was carried out in the main fishing ports (Béni Saf, Bouzedjar, Oran and Mostaganem). The results obtained showed that the shrimp feed intensively in spring and increasingly less in winter and summer. Crustaceans, foraminiferans, polychaetes, and molluscs constituted the most frequent preys in the diet, with respective frequencies of 58.85, 55.95, 36.63 and 32.04%. Small microplancton and mesoplancton prey (radiolarians, copepods, and various larvae) were less important in the diet of P. longirostris. Fish and echinoderms constitute accidental prey, of which the frequency is less than 10%.

Morphometric analysis of three Mediterranean limpets Patella caerulea Linnaeus, 1758, P. rustica Linnaeus, 1758 and the endangered P. ferruginea Gmelin, 1791 (Gastropoda Patellidae) from the Algerian West Coast

Morphometric analysis of three Mediterranean limpets Patella caerulea Linnaeus, 1758, P. rustica Linnaeus, 1758 and the endangered P. ferruginea Gmelin, 1791 (Gastropoda Patellidae) from the Algerian West Coast

Epigenetic effects of climate on dairy parameters of Prim’Holstein breed in west coast Algeria

This research aimed to evaluate the effect of the epigenetic climatic factor of heat stress expressed by the THI on some parameters of milk production of Prim'Holsteins cows kept in the climate of the Algerian West coast. The THI was used as an indicator of the heat stress threshold. A sample of 75 lactating cows was divided into three groups according to THI level. The cows of group 1, with severe stress (THI>78), those of group 2, with light stress (THI 72-78), and those of group 3 in thermal comfort (THI<72). The daily milk production (DMY), the Physico-chemical quality (TB, TP, and EST), and the hygienic quality (total flora FMAT) of raw milk showed a decrease with the increase of the THI threshold. A significant effect (p<0.05) of heat stress is recorded on the Physico-chemical and microbiological parameters of milk. The FMAT count values of raw milk samples were highest for groups 1 and 2, while a low bacterial load was recorded for group 3 (THI<72). Heat stress had a negative impact on the performance of Prim'Holsteins cows. These preliminary results show the severity of the negative impact of heat stress in the littoral region on the production and the physicochemical and hygienic quality of milk and will serve as a useful guide for farmers to adopt actions to mitigate the impact within the barns for the sustainability of livestock.

New occurrence of cetacean stranded on the Algerian West Coast and Associated Threats: (2016-2020)

The cetacean populations of the Algerian west coast are monitored in terms of relative abundance, demographic and ecological parameters, and death causes by Environmental Monitoring Network Laboratory team (EMNL) throughout the Algerian west coast. A survey of cetaceans stranded along the Algerian west coast (2016-2020) allowed us to record a total number of 52 stranding events, know the appearance frequency of different species, specify the spatio-temporal distribution, and determine some causes of death. The stranding included 08 species: one species of balaenopteridae, one species of physeteridae, one species of ziphidae, and five species of delphinidae. From the stranding data recorded on the Algerian west coast, we can conclude that there are two frequent species: the Delphinus delphis (31%) and Stenella ceoruleoalba (21%) of all stranded cetaceans, two commun species: Ziphius cavirostris (17%) and Tursiops truncatus (11%), two uncommon species: Grampus griseus (8%) and Globicephala melas (6%), and two rare species: Physeter catodon (4%) and Baleanoptera acutorostrata (2%). Stranding events occurred all the year round with the highest frequency in winter n=19 (36,54%) and less in spring n=16 (30,77%). Following post-mortem necropsies on the dead animals, 51,92% (n=27) of cetaceans stranded on the Algerian west coast presented criteria related directly or probably to interaction with fishing gears and boat collision. The other causes of death were not determined (n=25, or 48,08%). The D. delphis and S. ceouleoalba were more vulnerable to human and fisheries interaction.

First record of Luidia atlantidea Madsen, 1950 (Echinodermata: Asteroidea: Paxillosida: Luidiidae) in the Sidi-Medjdoub areaMostaganem (West Algerian coast, Mediterranean Sea).

The genus Luidia is currently represented in the Mediterranean Sea by three species, namely Luidia ciliaris (Philippi, 1837), Luidia sarsii sarsii (Dben Koren in Dben, 1844) and Luidia atlantidea (Madsen, 1950) which is an Atlantic species recently reported from the Spanish and Tunisian coasts. Two individuals of Luidia atlantidea were collected as bycatch from small-scale fisheries in the region of Sidi-Medjdoub (Mostaganem, Algeria) at a depth of 53 m. The detailed study of the morphological and anatomical characters allowed us to formally identify the two individuals of Luidia atlantidea and therefore to report it for the first time in the Algerian West coast.

Ecological Diagnosis of the Algerian West Coast Marine Environment by Using Benthic Macroalgae

The main objective of this study is to carry out an ecological diagnostic of intertidal rocky marine habitats in Oran coastline (South Western Mediterranean). The ecological status and ecological quality were assessed by using the abundance and composition of benthic macroalgae to indicate shifts in the aquatic ecosystem in Nine (9) targeted stations. The floristic inventory has revealed a total of 18 taxa, including 5 Rhodophyta, 8 Phaeophyta and 5 Chlorophyta. The calculation of environmental quality indices (average cover, global average cover and species richness) showed a heterogeneity in the composition and the distribution of macroalgae between the different stations as well as a very high diversity at the station (S1) which was characterized by the presence of fourteen (14) species of algae of the three groups compared to the other stations. The algal flora of the Oran Bay was characterized by the dominance of Chlorophyta, followed by Phaeophyta and Rhodophyta.

Distribution of phytobenthosis in the presence of an invasive alga Caulerpa cylindracea on the Algerian west coast

Abstract. Ghellai M, Bachir-Bouiadjra MEA, Dahloum L, Megharbi A, Bachir-Bouiadjra B. 2021. Distribution of phytobenthosis in the presence of an invasive alga Caulerpa cylindracea on the Algerian west coast. Biodiversitas 22: 5644-5653. We have targeted and followed the speed of expansion of Caulerpa cylindracea Sonder 1845 through visiting sixteen sites on the Algerian west coast, out in five provinces which are; Tlemcen, Aïn Témouchent, Oran, Mostaganem and Chlef, where it was listed in eight stations; the coastal lines of Oran and Mostaganem, and in a single station in the province of Aïn Témouchent. The phytosociological surveys were established, made it possible to see the frequency of each identified taxon, mentioning a high degree of disturbance in the appearance of benthic macrophytes regarding the dominance of the invasive species. The calculation of the Shannon index and equitability identify the ecological state of the sites, varies from average (H’ around 3.29 for sites little and not invaded by Caulerpa) to poor (H’: 1.74 for Salamandre), with low macrophytic biodiversity (0.4?E?0.64). The calculation of the Caulerpa racemosa (ICar) index on sandy to rocky substrates with algae does not appear to be a limiting factor for the spread of the invasive species. The previous analyses were validated statistically using Factorial correspondence analysis (FCA), Ascending hierarchical classification (AHC), Principal component analysis (PCA), justifying the unbalanced state according to the degrees of pollution.

The Antimicrobial Activity of Two Marine Red Algae Collected from Algerian West Coast

The Antimicrobial Activity of Two Marine Red Algae Collected from Algerian West Coast

Integrated use of condition indexes, genotoxic and cytotoxic biomarkers for assessing pollution effects in fish (Mullus barbatus L., 1758) on the West coast of Algeria

Coastal pollution is a severe threatens to aquatic organisms. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the temporal and spatial variability of the biological responses of Mullus barbatus collected between autumn 2019 and summer 2020 from two impacted areas and a control site, along the Algerian west coast. Besides the condition indexes (gonadosomatic index GSI, hepatoso-matic index HSI and Fulton’s condition factor K), the micronucleus test (MNT) and the neutral red retention time (NRRT) assay were measured in erythro-cytes. The results revealed a significant correlation between the different fish condition indexes, in link with their reproduction cycle at the three sam-pling sites. Also, GSI, HSI and K showed significant differences between the sites (p<0.05), highlighting the fact that the worst environmental conditions occur at the polluted sites in comparison to the reference one. The study of the two biomarkers showed a significant increase (p<0.05) in the frequency of micronuclei (MN) occurrence in the summer period correlated with signifi-cantly (p<0.05) shorter NRRT. In addition, the erythrocytes of M. barbatus populations from the so-called polluted areas presented statistically (p<0.05) higher MN frequencies and shorter NRRT than those of the reference site. This work should contribute to the validation of the use both of the condi-tion indexes (GSI, HSI and K) and the biomarkers (MN and NRRT tests) in bio-monitoring studies of the marine environment since they allowed to deter-mine the level of exposure to the general environmental stress of the investi-gated red mullet populations and, consequently, the quality of their biotope.