New observational data on orchid species in the Tiaret region (West Algeria)

Agrarian Academic Journal

agrariacad.com

doi: 10.32406/v6n6/2023/9-16/agrariacad

 

New observational data on orchid species in the Tiaret region (West Algeria). Novos dados observacionais sobre espécies de orquídeas na região de Tiaret (Oeste da Argélia).

 

Abdelkader Nouar¹, Belgacem Nouar², Benchohra Maamar³ , Hicham Berrabah⁴ , Sid Ahmed Aouadj⁵ , Elhadj Tir⁶

 

^1- University of Tiaret. Algeria. E-mail: nouarabdelkader2000@gmail.com

^2- University of Tlemcen, Forest Conservation of Tiaret. Algeria. E-mail: nouar.belkacem@hotmail.fr

^3- University of Tiaret. Algeria. E-mail: benchohra_19@hotmail.fr

^4- University Center of Mila. Algeria. E-mail: hichember55@gmail.com

^5- University of Relizane, Laboratory of Ecology and Management of Natural Ecosystems (LEGEN 13). Algeria. E-mail: sidahmedaouadj@yahoo.com

^6- University of Tlemcen, Algeria & Forest Conservation of Tiaret. Algeria. E-mail: imadtir@yahoo.fr

 

Abstract

 

Algeria, due to its geographical position, presents a great diversity of biotopes occupied by significant floristic wealth. Located in the west of the country, the Tiaret region appears as a contact zone between the Oran Tell and the Algerian -Constantin Tell, on the one hand, and between the Mediterranean Tell and the high steppe plains, on the other hand. This region is home to a very remarkable floristic diversity in general and orchids in particular which unfortunately remains very little studied and poorly known. This contribution concerns a new observation of Ophrys scolopax var. picta (Link) Rchb. f. (Orchidaceae) in the wilaya of Tiaret not previously reported. The species was discovered in a place called Chehama (Commune of Sebt) in the far north of the wilaya in the borders with the wilaya of Tissemsilt. This discovery will enrich the orchidoflora of Algeria in general and that of Tiaret in particular.

Keywords: Ophrys scolopax var. picta (Link) Rchb. f. Flora. Orchids.

 

 

Resumo

 

A Argélia, pela sua posição geográfica, apresenta uma grande diversidade de biótopos ocupados por significativa riqueza florística. Situada no oeste do país, a região de Tiaret surge como zona de contacto entre o Tell de Oran e o Tell argelino-Constantin, por um lado, e entre o Tell mediterrânico e as altas planícies de estepe, por outro. Esta região abriga uma diversidade florística em geral e de orquídeas em particular muito notável que infelizmente permanece muito pouco estudada e pouco conhecida. Esta contribuição diz respeito a uma nova observação de Ophrys scolopax var. picta (Link) Rchb. f. (Orchidaceae) na wilaya de Tiaret não relatada anteriormente. A espécie foi descoberta em um lugar chamado Chehama (Comuna de Sebt) no extremo norte da wilaya, na fronteira com a wilaya de Tissemsilt. Esta descoberta enriquecerá a orquidoflora da Argélia em geral e a de Tiaret em particular.

Palavras-chave: Ophrys scolopax var. picta (Link) Rchb. f. Flora. Orquídeas.

 

 

Introduction

 

One of the most diverse families worldwide, orchids contain 25,000 to 30,000 taxa and 800 genera (GRAVENDEEL et al., 2004), This family is more diverse in the tropical region which 95% are present in tropical regions and only 5% at temperate-regions (TELEPOVA-TEXIER, 2011, ČÁKOVÁ, 2013); in Europe, it is mainly in the Mediterranean region where several genera are endemic. With the exception of the northern shore of the latter region, the southern shore has not been the subject of both complete and in-depth studies (MARTIN et al., 2015).

Moreover, plant richness of the Mediterranean region is estimated at 25,000 species or 30,000 species and subspecies, representing approximately 10% of the world’s higher plants present on only 1.6% of the earth’s surface (MEDAIL; QUEZEL, 1997).

The vast Algerian territory and its geographical location give it a very diverse flora estimated at 3700 species subspecies (QUÉZEL; SANTA, 1962-1963) updated by (DOBIGNARD; CHATELAIN, 2010-2014) who report more than 4000 species and subspecies.

One of the most species-rich families of seed plants, the orchid family brings together approximately 880 genera comprising more than 25,000 species worldwide (CRIBB et al., 2003; AOUADJ et al., 2020; AOUADJ et al., 2023).

This wonderful family has been the subject of very old botanical explorations (QUÉZEL; SANTA, 1962-1963; BATTANDIER; TRABUT, 1895; MAIRE, 1960) and even recent ones (DE BELAIR et al., 2005; REBBAS; VELA, 2008; REBBAS; VELA, 2013; BABALI et al., 2018; KREUTZ et al., 2013; KREUTZ et al., 2014; BEGHAMI et al., 2015; BOUGAHAM et al., 2015; HAMEL; MEDDAD-HAMZA, 2016; MADOUI et al., 2017; HAMEL et al., 2017; MIARA et al., 2018; BOUKEHILI et al., 2018; BABALI et al., 2019; REBBAS et al., 2021; AOUADJ et al., 2023; AOUADJ et al., 2020; DE BELAIR; BOUSSOUAK, 2002; AIT MEDJBER et al., 2023) for a better knowledge of orchids in Algeria.

From these explorations, new orchid taxa have been discovered for the country or even formally described while others certainly remain to be discovered (MIARA et al., 2018).

The present work takes stock of the observation of a new orchid taxon not reported by the work of (MIARA et al., 2018) of which 20 species have been reported in the Wilaya of Tiaret.

 

Material and methods

 

The place called Chehama (Commune of Sebt) is located in the extreme north of the Wilaya of Tiaret, Algeria) (Figure 1). The vegetation is marked by relics of holm oak and a very diverse herbaceous layer on marly soil.

As part of the study of the floristic richness of the Chehama region during the spring periods of 2021, 2022 and 2023, our search for orchid taxa was carried out in a subjective manner (GOUNOT, 1969) in using our prior knowledge of the terrain and sites likely to contain orchids.

 

Results

Identification, botanical description and geographical distribution

 

The scientific name is given according to recent updates of the African database of the Geneva botanical garden (DOBIGNARD; CHATELAIN, 2010-2014). The scientific name is often followed by homotypic (preceded by the sign ≡) and heterotopic (preceded by the sign =) synonyms.

Quézel and Santa (1962-1963) described that the Ophrys picta Link with a lip deeply trilobed, subcylindrical, wasp-shaped, velvety purple-brown with symmetrical spots, provided at the base with two gibbosities or 2 slender horns; appendage lanceolate and curved above. Plant 15-45 cm. Fairly large flowers, in loose spikes 3-12.

It is quite common in the Tell of the Constantine Saharan Atlas sub-sector (Aures) and the Constantine Tell sector (Bellezma) in the habitats of scrub, pastures and forests with a West Mediterranean chorology.

 

Figure 1 – Location of the observation site.

 

Synonyms

 

≡ Ophrys scolopax var. picta (Link) Rchb. f.

≡ Ophrys scolopax subsp. picta (Link) Kreutz 

= Ophrys insectifera var. apiformis Desf.

= Ophrys scolopax subsp. apiformis (Desf.) Maire & Weiller 

= Ophrys sphegifera Willd.

= Ophrys picta var. sphegifera (Willd.) FM Vásquez

 

Floristic procession

 

On April 9, 2021, we found some specimens (<5) of this species in question in a lawn at the following geographical coordinates: Lat 35.668871 and long 1.374208 (Figure 2), in a floristic procession composed of: Prunus dulcis (Mill.) DA Webb, Juniperus oxycedrus L, Calicotome spinosa (L.) Link, Genista  tricuspidata Desf, Drimia maritima (L.) Stearn, Thymelaea hirsuta Endl, Ophrys fusca  Link, Ophrys speculum Link, Adonis annua L, Lysimachia arvensis (L.) U. Manns & Anderb, Erodium moschatum (Burm.) L’ Her, Sherardia arvensis L, Centaurea pullata L, Muscari comosum L. Mill, Plantago lagopus L, Marrubium vulgare L, Matthiola lunata DC, Ranunculus arvensis L, Bellis sylvestris L and Hyoseris radiata L.

 

Figure 2 – Ophrys picta Link, Chehama region, Tiaret (Algeria).

 

According to De Belair et al. (2005), this taxon is represented with a number of specimens per station which generally does not exceed ten, isolated or in groups of two to five where a rainy year was clearly more favorable than the dry years.

 

Observation sites in Algeria

 

Several papers dealing with orchids inventory in different regions of Algeria. These regions are represented in the figure below (Figure 3).

 

Discussion

 

Works carried out on the inventory of orchids in Algeria show that this taxon exists in several regions in the east of the country, Ophrys scolopax var. picta (Link) Rchb. f. (Orchidaceae) has been listed in 7 regions, most of them are in the East of the country, ranging from the far East, in Annaba (HAMEL; MEDDAD-HAMZA, 2016) to the high plaine of the Numidea region (Souk-Ahras,  Constantine,  Guelma) (DE BELAIR et al., 2005) and Souk-Ahras (BOUKEHILI et al., 2018); closer to the center, works of (MADOUI et al., 2017) in Setif and (KREUTZ et al., 2013) in Bejaia.

Despite many papers were published dealing with biodiversity, none has ever signaled it presence in Tiaret, our work is the first to confirm the presence of Ophrys scolopax var. picta (Link) Rchb. f. (Orchidaceae) in this region.

 

Figure 3 –  Ophrys scolopax var. picta (Link) Rchb. f. (Orchidaceae ) distribution in Algeria.

 

Conclusion

 

It is clear from these studies that the Tiaret area is characterized by remarkable floristic diversity, in particular by the presence of rare, endemic and protected species, notably orchids. Botanical explorations of several regions of Tiaret remain very necessary for a better knowledge of the floristic richness in general and the orchidoflora in particular.

 

Interest conflicts

 

There was no conflict of interest of the authors.

 

Authors’ contribution

 

Abdelkader Nouar – land survey and collect data; Belgacem Nouar – original idea, land survey, collect data, writing and corrections; Benchohra Maamar – reading and interpretation of works, writing and corrections; Hicham Berrabah – writing and corrections; Sid Ahmed Aouadj and Elhadj Tir – guidance, corrections and revision of the text.

 

Acknowledgement

 

Our thanks go to the gentlemen: Mohamed Ibn Tattou (Mohamed V University Rabat, Morocco); Babali Brahim (Abou Bakr University Belkaid Tlemcen, Algeria) and Errol Vela (University of Montpellier, France) for the taxon confirmation.

 

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Received on December 11, 2023

Returned for adjustments on January 8, 2023

Received with adjustments on January 11, 2023

Accepted on January 12, 2023