Localization of the studied stations.
Abstract
Although wetlands were remarkable habitats with their fauna and flora diversity, few studies have been devoted to the study of amphipod biodiversity in this ecosystem type. The amphipod communities of six wetland types belonging to 117 stations were studied with respect to species composition, abundance and their relationship with environmental parameters. Amphipods were collected during spring. At each station, eight quadrats of 50 × 50 cm2 were randomly placed. Animals were preserved in alcohol at 70°C. In the laboratory, the specimens collected were identified and counted. Physicochemical parameters (organic matter, particle size, heavy metals) of sampled soils were determined. The results showed that the highest species richness was observed in lagoons with the presence of eight species namely Orchestia montagui, Orchestia gammarellus, Orchestia mediterranea, Orchestia stephenseni, Orchestia cavimana, Platorchestia platensis, Deshayesorchestia deshayesii and Talitrus saltator, whereas in the hill lakes and dams banks, no specimens were collected. The biodiversity of amphipod species depends on climatic (temperature, humidity) and edaphic (organic matter, particle size, heavy metals) factors.
Keywords
- Tunisia
- wetlands
- neuro-inflammation
- Amphipoda
- diversity
- environmental factors
1. Introduction
In the Mediterranean, there was a high diversity of wetlands (lagoon, lake, sebkha, wadi, hill reservoir and dam) that were of great importance in conservation of biology. They were considered among the most biologically diverse and productive ecosystems [1]. They offer a wide variety of natural habitats for plants and aquatic animals as well as semi-terrestrial and terrestrial species. The interactions of biological (plants, animals, microorganisms, etc.) and physicochemical components (granulometry, temperature, humidity, etc.) of wetlands enable them to perform many ecological functions such as shoreline stabilization and water purification. Lacaze [2] mentioned that lagoon wetlands harbour a diverse fauna, but were threatened by intense anthropogenic exploitation and pollution. As they receive continental freshwater from their catchment area, many lagoons have been subjected to severe degradation of water quality caused by pollution and
Among wetlands, sandy beaches were more studied and characterized by the presence of a large number of invertebrates. Talitridae amphipods were among the most dominant invertebrates living on wetlands [6]. These talitrids play an important role as decomposers of organic matter and were considered as potential bio-indicators of sandy beaches quality [7, 8]. This role was estimated using genetic approach, behavioural approach as well as reproduction and spatio-temporal distribution studies [9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32].
In Tunisia, amphipod communities inhabiting wetlands bank, other than sandy beaches [21, 22, 23, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35] have not received much attention. Through this study, we propose a description as exhaustive as possible of the biodiversity of these communities taking into account geographical, climatic and edaphic specificities. More specifically, we addressed the following questions: (1) Does the diversity of Talitridae amphipods follow a north-south cline? (2) Is the correlation between specific diversity and wetlands type is significant?
2. Materials and methods
2.1. Study site
This study focuses on wetlands that consist of permanent or temporary areas of fresh or brackish water and adjacent lands. They include all wadis, chotts, lagoons, hill lakes, sebkhas and dams. The majority of these areas, several of which were of international importance, were found in the north, particularly near the coast. In this study, 117 stations namely
Stations | Wetland type | Governorate | GPS | Sediment type |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. Bizerte | Lagoon | Bizerte | 37°13′8″N/009°55′1″E | Loamy sand |
2. El Bcherliya | Lagoon | Bizerte | 37°10′03″N/010°09′57″E | Loamy sand |
3. Ghar El Melh Old harbour | Lagoon | Bizerte | 37°10′04″N/010°11′40″E | Loamy sand |
4. Boughaz | Lagoon | Bizerte | 37°10′09″N/010°13′12″E | Sandy loam |
5. Sidi Ali Mekki | Lagoon | Bizerte | 37°09′50″N/010°14′45″E | Fine silt |
6. Tunis North lagoon | Lagoon | Tunis | 36°48′01″N/010°12′27″E | Loamy sand |
7. Tunis South lagoon | Lagoon | Tunis | 36°47′59″N/010°12′26″E | Sandy |
8. Korba lagoon | Lagoon | Nabeul | 36°38′12″N/010°54′11″E | Loamy sand |
9. Tazarka lagoon | Lagoon | Nabeul | 36°32′20″N/010°50′38″E | Sandy-clay-silt |
10. Bhiret El Biben | Lagoon | Medenine | 33°15′57″N/011°08′28″E | Sandy |
11. Ichkeul | Lake | Bizerte | 37°06′37″N/009°41′21″E | Loamy sand |
12. Bouhnach | Lake | Ariana | 36°58′57″N/010°08′56″E | Sandy loam |
13. Majin Chitane | Lake | Bizerte | 37°09′07″N/009°05′54″E | Sandy-clay-loam |
14. El Ouafi | Sebkha | Bizerte | 37°09′22″N/010°13′38″E | Sandy Silt |
15. Raoud | Sebkha | Ariana | 36°55′57″N/010°10′48″E | Clay |
16. Ariana | Sebkha | Ariana | 36°56′53″N/010°11′4″E | Sandy clay |
17. Kalaat Andalous | Sebkha | Ariana | 37°05′06″N/010°10′16″E | Clay |
18. Sliman | Sebkha | Nabeul | 36°42′02″N/010°27′37″E | Sandy |
19. Maâmoura | Sebkha | Nabeul | 36°28′2″N/010°48′21″E | Sandy |
20. Sidi Khlifa | Sebkha | Sousse | 36°14′20″N/10°26′15″E | Clay |
21. Assa Jriba | Sebkha | Sousse | 36°0′46″N/10°25′36″E | Clay |
22. Halk El Menzel | Sebkha | Sousse | 36°0′23″N/10°27′15″E | Loamy sand |
23. Sousse | Sebkha | Sousse | 35°47′45″N/10°38′48″E | Sandy silt loam |
24. Monastir | Sebkha | Monastir | 35°46′21″N/10°46′47″E | Loamy sand |
25. Argoub | Sebkha | Gabès | 33°38′20″N/10°16′56″E | Clay |
26. Khalfallah | Sebkha | Medenine | 33°26′59″N/010°56′32″E | Clay |
27. Gorgabiya | Sebkha | Medenine | 33°23′45″N/10°54′54″E | Sandy |
28. Moknine | Sebkha | Monastir | 35°37′13″N/10°55′17″E | Clay loam |
29. Gargour | Sebkha | Sfax | 34°37′32″N/10°38′22″E | Sandy clay |
30. Sidi El Hani | Sebkha | Sousse | 35°32′14″N/010°18′35″E | Sandy Silt |
31. Kalbiya | Sebkha | Kairouan | 35°54′25″N/010°17′08″E | Silty |
32. Metbasta | Sebkha | Kairouan | 35°45′14″N/010°06′57″E | Silty |
33. M’Habbil | Sebkha | Medenine | 33°24′47″N/010°51′59″E | Clay |
34. Kairouan | Sebkha | Kairouan | 35°44′6″N/010°6′52″E | Silty |
35. Mchiguig | Sebkha | Sfax | 34°58′58″N/010°03′06″E | Sandy Silt |
36. Thrayaa | Sebkha | Gabès | 34°10′10″N/010°00′47″E | Sandy silt loam |
37. Gataaya | Sebkha | Kébili | 33°41′44″N/008°53′44″E | Sandy clay |
38. Jemna | Sebkha | Kébili | 33°34′48″N/009°00′15″E | Clay |
39. Blidette Sguira | Sebkha | Kébili | 33°35′18″N/008°51′06″E | Sandy silt loam |
40. Blidette Kbira | Sebkha | Kébili | 33°34′27″N/008°51′37″E | Sandy silt loam |
41. Guidma | Sebkha | Kébili | 33°25′44″N/008°47′45″E | Sandy clay |
42. Golaa | Sebkha | Kébili | 33°31′18″N/008°57′26″E | Sandy clay |
43. Zarzara | Sebkha | Kébili | 33°31′07″N/008°56′30″E | Clay |
44. El Korsi | Wadi | Bizerte | 37°11′12″N/009°46′52″E | Sandy loam |
45. Tinja | Wadi | Bizerte | 37°10′10″N/009°45′26″E | Loamy sand |
46. Lebna wadi Estuary | Wadi | Nabeul | 36°38′58″N/010°54′57″E | Sandy loam |
47. Khniss | Wadi | Monastir | 35°43′13″N/010°48′57″E | Sandy |
48. Lakaarit | Wadi | Gabès | 34°06′29″N/009°58′55″E | Sandy |
49. El Fared | Wadi | Gabès | 33°44′59″N/010°12′31″E | Sandy-clay-silt |
50. Majerda | Wadi | Bizerte | 37°05′03″N/010°08′17″E | Loamy sand |
51. Joumin | Wadi | Bizerte | 37°0′37″N/009°41′59″E | Sandy |
52. Sidi Bou Ali | Wadi | Sousse | 35°58′8″N/010°27′20″E | Sandy |
53. Hamdoun | Wadi | Monastir | 35°46′51″N/010°40′48″E | Sandy loam |
54. Zerkine | Wadi | Gabès | 33°41′22″N/010°15′12″E | Sandy |
55. Zigzaw | Wadi | Gabès | 33°35′40″N/010°18′42″E | Clay |
56. Zas | Wadi | Medenine | 33°30′53″N/010°20′28″E | Clay |
57. Koutine | Wadi | Medenine | 33°26′34″N/010°23′9″E | Silty |
58. Hessi Amor | Wadi | Medenine | 33°21′47″N/010°37′14″E | Clay |
59. Bouhamed | Wadi | Sidi Bouzid | 33°18′6″N/010°44′5″E | Silty |
60. Demna | Wadi | Gabès | 33°56′27″N/010°1′35″E | Loamy sand |
61. Maleh | Wadi | Gabès | 34°0′2″N/009°59′57″E | Loamy sand |
62. Widran | Wadi | Sfax | 34°31′7″N/010°4′17″E | Clay |
63. Zit | Wadi | Zaghouan | 36°27′01″N/010°16′43″E | Sandy |
64. El Harat | Wadi | Zaghouan | 36°21′50″N/010°18′34″E | Sandy |
65. Lassoued | Wadi | Siliana | 36°24′20″N/010°12′37″E | Sandy loam |
66. Sidi Hmid | Wadi | Zaghouan | 36°24′21″N/009°58′56″E | Silty |
67. Bouthiben | Wadi | Zaghouan | 36°22′16″N/009°54′0″E | Sandy |
68. El Kbir wadi | Wadi | Siliana | 36°13′26″N/009°44′49″E | Loamy sand |
69. Siliana | Wadi | Siliana | 36°12′03″N/009°42′57″E | Sandy-clay-silt |
70. El Kbir | Wadi | Siliana | 36°07′11″/009°35′28″E | Sandy-clay-silt |
71. Bargou | Wadi | Siliana | 36°05′25″N/009°33′48″E | Loamy sand |
72. Massouj | Wadi | Siliana | 36°04′57″N/009°22′30″E | Fine silt |
73. Saboun | Wadi | Siliana | 35°52′11″N/009°11′37″E | Silty |
74. Zguifa | Wadi | Siliana | 35°45′55″N/009°01′22″E | Loamy sand |
75. Raguey | Wadi | Jendouba | 36°27′51″N/008°23′27″E | Sandy loam |
76. Mazbla | Wadi | Jendouba | 36°29′11″N/008°18′28″E | Sandy loam |
77. El Maleh | Wadi | Ariana | 36°58′41″N/010°09′55″E | Sandy loam |
78. Lanj | Wadi | Jendouba | 36°34′46″N/008°30′25″E | Sandy |
79. Lahmam | Wadi | Jendouba | 36°32′55″N/008°26′53″E | Loamy sand |
80. Soufi | Wadi | Jendouba | 36°29′20″N/008°23′49″E | Sandy loam |
81. Menzel Tmim | Wadi | Nabeul | 36°42′26″N/010°43′27″E | Sandy loam |
82. El Widyen | Wadi | Nabeul | 36°47′03″N/010°53′39″E | Sandy |
83. Sliman | Wadi | Nabeul | 36°41′36″N/010°28′53″E | Loamy sand |
84. Lebna | Wadi | Nabeul | 36°39′13″N/010°54′31″E | Sandy loam |
85. Houith | Hill lake | Bizerte | 37°4′59″N/009°58′5″E | Loamy sand |
86. Morra | Hill lake | Bizerte | 37°05′53″N/009°59′08″E | Sandy |
87. Bnt Liba | Hill lake | Bizerte | 37°05′52″N/009°59′08″E | Sandy-clay-silt |
88. Ghar Ettine | Hill lake | Bizerte | 37°04′02″N/009°15′53″E | Sandy |
89. Sidi Daoued | Hill lake | Bizerte | 37°03′14″N/009°23′47″E | Sandy |
90. Khelifa wadi | Hill lake | Zaghouan | 36°13′40″N/009°47′13″E | Sandy |
91. Jetta | Hill lake | Siliana | 35°59′44″N/009°26′48″E | Sandy |
92. Ain Ben Ali | Hill lake | Siliana | 36°03′47″N/009°17′35″E | Sandy |
93. Zrab wadi | Hill lake | Siliana | 36°02′8″N/009°16′54″E | Sandy |
94. Khalsi | Hill lake | Siliana | 35°57′10″N/009°10′32″E | Sandy |
95. Jdaïda wadi | Hill lake | Siliana | 35°53′53″N/009°11′12″E | Loamy sand |
96. Ettal wadi | Hill lake | Siliana | 35°53′20″N/009°10′54″E | Sandy loam |
97. Ksayir Hamdoun | Hill lake | Siliana | 35°48′10″N/009°03′57″E | Sandy |
98. Ouled Ali | Hill lake | Siliana | 35°50′58″N/009°09′31″E | Sandy |
99. Zraybiya | Hill lake | Jendouba | 36°28′25″N/008°21′29″E | Loamy sand |
100. At 5km d’El Kssour | Hill lake | Kef | 35°52′05″N/008°55′52″E | Clay |
101. Bni Mtir | Dam | Jendouba | 36°44′47″N/008°44′19″E | Sandy loam |
102. Sidi Barrak | Dam | Béja | 37°00′52″N/009°06′12″E | Sandy |
103. El Hma | Dam | Ben Arous | 36°35′16″N/010°18′24″E | Sandy clay |
104. Bakbaka | Dam | Ben Arous | 36°34′35″N/010°20′17″E | Loamy sand |
105. Bnt Jedidi | Dam | Nabeul | 36°25′09″N/010°27′26″E | Sandy-clay-silt |
106. Ermal wadi | Dam | Sousse | 36°19′50″N/010°21′29″E | Sandy loam |
107. Jneyhiya | Dam | Siliana | 36°12′25″N/009°44′20″E | Sandy loam |
108. Siliana | Dam | Siliana | 36°07′57″N/009°21′14″E | Loamy sand |
109. Lakhmas | Dam | Siliana | 35°59′55″N/009°28′15″E | Sandy-clay-silt |
110. El Gattar | Dam | Siliana | 36°01′47″N/009°15′56″E | Sandy |
111. Cheikh El Maïz | Dam | Siliana | 36°01′15″N/009°15′8″E | Sandy |
112. El Kharroub wadi | Dam | Siliana | 36°01′43″N/009°15′8″E | Sandy |
113. Mchaker wadi | Dam | Siliana | 35°58′57″N/009°10′20″E | Sandy loam |
114. Ermal | Dam | Siliana | 35°49′21″N/009°07′33″E | Loamy sand |
115. Mallègue | Dam | Kef | 36°18′48″N/008°42′21″E | Sandy loam |
116. Kasseb | Dam | Béja | 36°45′36″N/009°0′5″E | Sandy |
117. Ermal | Dam | Siliana | 36°23′54″N/010°04′52″E | Loamy sand |
2.2. Sampling methods and laboratory procedures
Quantitative samples of amphipods were taken in spring of 2008, 2009 and 2010 in the early morning hours using quadrates method [36, 37]. In the bank of each site, eight quadrates of 50 × 50 cm2 were randomly placed. The content of each quadrat (7 cm depth) was placed in an individual bag, and then the animals were sorted by hand. Twenty minutes were devoted to each quadrat. Humidity and temperature of air and soil were measured
2.3. Soil analysis
The particle size, organic matter and heavy metals of soil samples taken from 117 stations were analysed. Grain size distribution of these composite samples was analysed using different sieves in descending order (from 2 to 25 μm).
A subsample was brought to the inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) laboratory at University of Kiel and sieved to obtain the <250-μm grain size fraction which was then dried and milled [39]. Heavy metals were extracted from a 250-mg sample of powder with 10 mL 7 N nitric acid on a hot plate at 80°C (2.5 h). The solution was made up to 20 mL, centrifuged at 3500 rpm for 15 min, and the supernatant transferred to a 20-mL sample vial. The metals vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), tin (Sn), thallium (Tl), lead (Pb), lithium (Li), rubidium (Rb) and strontium (Sr) were analysed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Average analytical reproducibility was estimated from replicate analyses of some samples and was found to be better than 2% Relative Standard Deviation (RSD) (1 sigma relative standard deviation) for all elements. The accuracy of analytical results was monitored by analysing certified reference materials (CRM): GSMS-2 (marine sediment; Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, PR China) and Reference material, coastal sediment (PACS-1) (coastal sediment; National Research Council Canada (NRCC) Canada) as unknowns along with the samples. Organic matter content was determined by weighing before and after ashing at 450°C for 3 h at the University of Salzburg.
2.4. Data analysis
To compare the amphipod community structure among stations, different faunistic parameters were calculated using quantitative data such as species richness, relative species abundance, etc. Mean density of the amphipod community at each station and the mean density of each species at each station were expressed as number of individuals per m2. Species diversity and evenness were calculated by the Shannon-Weaver index and Pielou’s evenness index [40], respectively. The degree of similarity between sampling stations was evaluated using similarity cluster dendrograms. The analysis above was performed with the PRIMER software package [41]. Principal component analysis of amphipod distribution and site characteristics was performed using Xlstat software.
3. Results
3.1. Temperature, humidity, organic matter and grain size
Temperature (°C) and humidity (%) were measured
The percentage of organic matter differs between and within wetland types (Figure 1C). The highest values were observed in the banks of Bizerte lagoon (9.46%), Majin Chitane (12.23%), Halk Menzel (16.13%), Bargou wadi (20.66%), Ouled Ali (17.62%) and Kasseb (12.64%) (Figure 1C).
An heterogeneity in grain size nature was observed between stations ranging from sandy substrates, loamy sand, sandy loam, sandy silt, sandy-clay, silty clay, clay-loam, sandy-clay-silt, sandy-clay-loam, sandy-silt-loam, fine silt to clay substrates (Table 1).
3.2. Heavy metals
In the lagoon, the highest concentrations for the majority of heavy metals, vanadium, nickel, zinc, arsenic, cadmium, thallium and lead were recorded in the northern lagoon of Tunis. The bank of Bizerte lagoon was characterized by the highest concentrations of chromium (26.393 ppm) and manganese (281.748 ppm). While the highest copper content (39.098 ppm) was observed in El Bcherliya. The Korba lagoon revealed the highest concentration in cobalt and rubidium with 8.311 and 15.814 ppm, respectively. Bhiret El Biben was characterized by the highest concentration of lithium (29.087 ppm), strontium (2101.549 ppm) and tin (7.340 ppm). In addition, the lowest concentration for all the heavy metals studied was recorded in the bank of Sidi Ali Mekki lagoon. The different metals analysed in these lagoons do not exceed the maximum tolerate values [42] except lead that exceeds 100 ppm in the northern lagoon of Tunis (133.556 ppm).
In the second type of wetlands, lakes, the highest contents of manganese (1806 ppm), zinc (131.955 ppm), arsenic (4.211 ppm), cadmium (0.678 ppm), thallium (0.170 ppm) and lead (47.060) were observed in Ichkeul lake. Furthermore, Bouhnach lake was characterized by the important contents of lithium (7.735 ppm), vanadium (23.893 ppm), chromium (15.711 ppm), cobalt (7.497 ppm), nickel (16.567 ppm), strontium (643.783 ppm) and tin (0.140 ppm) and it was rather Majin Chitan lake that presented the highest concentration of copper (15.577 ppm) and rubidium (11.632 ppm). According to Henin [42], these stations were not contaminated since the content of heavy metals does not exceed the maximum tolerated values.
Concerning sebkhas, the highest concentrations in vanadium, rubidium and thallium were recorded in Sebkha Halk Menzel (36.357, 19.239 and 0.140 ppm, respectively). For chromium, manganese and tin, the highest concentrations were recorded in sebkhas of Sidi Khlifa (554.628 ppm), Moknine (387.880 ppm) and Sousse (2.793 ppm), respectively. The highest concentration of cobalt, nickel, strontium and cadmium was, respectively, observed in the Halk Menzel (10.460 ppm), Raoued (23.106 ppm), Sidi El Hani (3305.249 ppm) and Golla (0.422 ppm). Concerning copper, arsenic and lithium, the highest concentration was, respectively, recorded in sebkha Ariana (23.238 ppm), sebkha Golla (14.507 ppm) and sebkha Kairouan (41.861 ppm), and it was rather the sebkha Monastir that showed the highest concentration of zinc (86.453 ppm) and lead (48.741 ppm). According to these results and taking into account the tolerance thresholds, no sebkha was considered polluted with the exception of sebkha Sidi Khlifa that was considered as polluted by chromium which exceeds the maximum tolerated value (150 ppm) [42].
In wadis, the highest concentrations of vanadium (44.619 ppm), chromium (40.413 ppm), zinc (147.822 ppm) and lead (303.910 ppm) were recorded in Lahmam wadi. The highest concentration of cobalt (19,723 ppm), nickel (29,283 ppm), rubidium (27,016 ppm), and thallium (0.183 ppm) were found in Zit wadi. Whereas for lithium, manganese, copper, arsenic, strontium, cadmium and tin, the highest concentrations were, respectively, recorded in Soufi wadi (26.527 ppm), Mazbla wadi (644.069 ppm), Joumin wadi (19.448 ppm), Lanj wadi (9.380 ppm), Khniss wadi (1410.100 ppm), Bargou wadi (1.412 ppm) and El Korsi (1.019 ppm). According to Henin [42], the different prospected wadis were not polluted except for Joumin, Lassoued and Bargou wadis, which were considered as polluted with cadmium whose percentage exceeds the maximum tolerated value (0.7 ppm) as well as Lahmam wadi in which a lead concentration exceeded 100 ppm.
Sixteen hill lakes and 17 dams belonging to different bioclimatic stages were prospected. In the banks of these closed and artificial ecosystems, no amphipod was found.
Concerning heavy metals, in hill lakes, the highest concentrations of vanadium (46.795 ppm), cobalt (14.661 ppm), nickel (30.362 ppm), copper (16.611 ppm) and lead (23.047 ppm) were observed in Sidi Daoued hill lake. The highest concentration of zinc (88.804 ppm), arsenic (4.590 ppm), cadmium (3.031 ppm), thallium (0.176 ppm) was found in Zrab wadi hill lake. The khlifa wadi hill lake was characterized by the important content of lithium (24.891 ppm) and strontium (930.812 ppm) and it was rather Ouled Ali hill lake that presented the highest concentration of rubidium (16.526 ppm) and tin (0.629 ppm). Hill lakes of Khalsi and Ksayir Hamdoun were characterized by the highest concentration of chromium (43.394 ppm) and manganese (530.039 ppm). This analysis of heavy metals revealed that only Ain Ben Ali, Zad and Khalsi hills lakes were contaminated by the cadmium. Concerning dams, our results showed that Sidi Barrak dam was characterized by the highest concentration of majority of heavy metals, namely manganese (1060.291 ppm), cobalt (14.085 ppm), copper (22.840 ppm), zinc (151.90 ppm), arsenic (6.246 ppm), thallium (0.544 ppm) and lead (166.067 ppm); while Kasseb dam showed the highest concentration of vanadium (37.377 ppm), chromium (41.476 ppm), nickel (32.579 ppm) and rubidium (18.714 ppm). The highest concentration in lithium (15.013 ppm), cadmium, (5.426 ppm) and tin (0.137 ppm) was found in Gattar dam; while that of strontium (731.645 ppm) was observed in Jneyhiya dam.
3.3. Species richness
Eight species of amphipoda Talitridae, namely
Species richness (S) varied between stations of the same as well as the different types of wetlands.
In lagoons, species richness varied between one species in El Bcherliya and eight species in the bank of Bizerte lagoon near Menzel Jmil. The differences observed between lagoons were highly significant (
Concerning sebkhas, among 30 sebkhas studied, talitrids were found in only four sebkhas namely: El Ouafi, Maâmoura, Moknine and Gargour. Species richness was equal to one species in the bank of sebkhas El Ouafi and Maâmoura namely
For wadis, individuals were collected only in six wadis among the 41 stations prospected. Species richness varies from one (El Fared wadi, Laakarit wadi, Khniss wadi and Lebna wadi) to six species (El Korsi). In hill lakes and dams, no species were collected.
3.4. Relative abundance and density
A total of 340 specimens of amphipoda Talitridae were collected in lagoons. The bank of Bizerte lagoon revealed statistically the most important relative abundance of amphipod community (36.04%) (Anova test:
In sebkhas, 352 specimens of amphipods were collected. Sebkha Gargour revealed the highest relative abundance (50%) followed by sebkha Moknine which abundance was equal to 34.66%. However, in the bank of the two other sebkhas, the abundance was relatively low in Mâamoura with 15.06% and very low in sebkha El Ouafi with 0.28%. The Anova test revealed a highly significant difference in relative abundance between these sebkhas (
Concerning wadis, 558 individuals were found. The most important global mean density was observed in the bank of El Korsi.
3.5. Diversity
According to the Simpson index (Is), the most important diversity was observed in the Bizerte lagoon where we noted the highest value which tends towards the specific richness (6.059) and the community was more balanced in Boughaz.
In Ghar El Melh old harbour, we obtained the lowest diversity compared to that observed in Boughaz. This result could be explained by the fact that this index does not consider rare species into account.
The Shannon-Weaver (H’) index ranged from 1.287 in the bank of Sidi Ali Mekki lagoon to 2.771 in the bank of Bizerte lagoon where the diversity was relatively significant. This index, which takes into account the rare species, was often accompanied by the equitability index, which was more or less insensitive to specific richness. It ranged from 0.812 (Sidi Ali Mekki) to 0.996 (Boughaz) where the community was more balanced.
In the banks of different sebkhas, we did not observed a great diversity, so the analysis of diversity was not carried out.
In wadis, results showed that the Simpson index varies between 1 in the Lebna wadi estuary, Khniss, Laakarit and El Fared wadis and 5.78 in El Korsi station where we found the highest species richness (
3.6. Amphipod distribution according to environmental factors and wetland types
To better understand the species distribution in the different wetland types and to elucidate the parameters involved in their distribution, a canonical correspondence analysis was carried out (Figure 2). The first three axes, F1, F2 and F3 extract, respectively, 71.43, 20.23 and 5.55% of the variance. The two species,
4. Discussion
The study of the biodiversity talitrid populations in six types of wetlands revealed differences between these types.
The different prospections carried out in wetlands showed globally that the most important species richness was observed in lagoons. Moreover, no individual was collected in hill lakes and dams. Among lagoons studied, the bank of Bizerte lagoon was the most diverse one with eight species. This result was confirmed by several diversity indices performed in the present study.
Our hypothesis concerning the existence of a north/south diversity gradient was confirmed only for wadis. Furthermore, we did not reveal any significant difference concerning the vulnerability of lentic wetlands compared to the lotic type. Concerning Oniscidean group collected from the banks of Tunisian wetlands where many species were found in sympatry with amphipods, a positive correlation between species richness and altitudinal gradient has been highlighted [43]. The same authors showed that species richness differs significantly depending on wetland types or bioclimatic zones.
A total of 2420 amphipods belonging to different species were determined in all prospected wetlands; more than half of the specimens were collected in lagoons (
The diversity of the different talitrid species was related to the presence of different parameters. This relation depends on the wetland type; for example, in lagoons, the sandhopper
Our results showed that the two species
According to Williams [50], the relationship between population movements and trophic preferences does not seem to be a major parameter in the structuring of zonation despite the important mobility of the sandhopper
Attention was also given to biodiversity and biogeography for Oniscidean communities living in sympatry with amphipods in different wetland types prospected in the present study. Khemaissia et al. [43] showed that
Through these results, we did not reveal any significant difference regarding the vulnerability of lentic type wetlands compared to the lotic type wetlands. In order to test this hypothesis, the number of this last wetland type (lotic type) should be multiplied.
Acknowledgments
The present study was funded by the Research Unit of Bio-ecology and Evolutionary Systematics (UR11ES11), Faculty of Science of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar. We would like to thank Dr. Dieter Garbe-Schönberg (Institut für Geowissenschaften, ICP-MS Labor, Universität zu Kiel, Kiel, Germany) and Dr. Martin Zimmer (Leibniz Center for Tropical Marine Ecology Fahrenheitstr. Bremen, Bermany) for assistance with soil analysis.
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
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