Evolution de la répartition de la loutre d'Europe (Lutra lutra) au Maroc

Conference (2013, April 22)

Phylogeography of the garden dormouse Eliomys quercinus in the western Palearctic region

in Journal of Mammalogy (2012), 93(6),

The garden dormouse, Eliomys quercinus (Rodentia, Gliridae), displays a surprisingly high karyotypic diversity, with the number of chromosomes varying between 2N ¼ 48 and 2N ¼ 54. We aimed to assess ... [more ▼]

The garden dormouse, Eliomys quercinus (Rodentia, Gliridae), displays a surprisingly high karyotypic diversity, with the number of chromosomes varying between 2N ¼ 48 and 2N ¼ 54. We aimed to assess whether the karyotypic diversity is congruent with the mitochondrial differentiation of the populations; improve our understanding of the taxonomic relationships between garden dormouse populations based on both chromosomal and mitochondrial information; and establish the phylogeographic history of the species and the time of differentiation of mitochondrial lineages of E. quercinus and E. melanurus. For this purpose we sequenced the mitochondrial cytochrome-b (Cytb) gene for 62 E. quercinus and 4 E. melanurus from 27 localities representing all the known chromosomal races of the genus Eliomys in the western Palearctic region. Our results 1st showed that populations of E. quercinus are separated into 4 evolutionarily significant units partially congruent with the chromosomal races and corresponding to Iberian (2N¼48), Italian (2N¼48 or 50), western European (2N¼48, 49, or 50), and Alpine (2N ¼ 52 or 54) mitochondrial lineages or clades. The existence of hybrid individuals between chromosomal races and the presence of several chromosomal races within each mitochondrial lineage both indicate that gene flow persists between chromosomal races. Second, we estimated that the major mitochondrial lineages differentiated from each other around 4.2 6 SD 1 million years ago, thus predating the Quaternary glaciations. Third, E. quercinus displayed a higher haplotypic variability in the Mediterranean peninsula than in the northwestern European populations. However, E. quercinus did not show a pattern of ostglacial recolonization of northwestern Europe from Iberian or Italian populations. Our results also suggest that additional, unexpected refuge regions around the Alps exist for the species. Such information will be useful for deciphering the priorities for the protection of E. quercinus, which is listed as ‘‘Near Threatened’’ on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species and is protected by Appendix III of the Bern Convention. [less ▲]

Etude du régime alimentaire et la stratégie trophique saisonnière de la loutre d'Europe (Lutra lutra) sur l'oued Beht (Maroc)

Conference (2012, May)

Web-building spiders and blood-feeding flies as prey of the notch-eared bat (Myotis emarginatus)

in Belgian Journal of Zoology (2012), 142(1), 59-67

Conservation of the endangered notch-eared bat (M. emarginatus) requires a specific action plan based on precise ecological requirements of this species. The analysis of the diet of three colonies in ... [more ▼]

Conservation of the endangered notch-eared bat (M. emarginatus) requires a specific action plan based on precise ecological requirements of this species. The analysis of the diet of three colonies in southern Belgium revealed: (1) spatial and seasonal variations of the diet; (2) the consumption of web-building spiders (Araneus diadematus, A. triguttatus, Cyclosa conica, Enoplognatha sp., Larinioides patagiatus, Neriene emphana); (3) the predominance of blood-feeding dipterans in the diet (Stomoxys calcitrans and Musca autumnalis). Since the populations of these two ectoparasitic flies are sensitive to the use of antiparasitic drugs, these drugs should be used with caution by farmers and veterinarians in the vicinity of maternity colonies. [less ▲]

Clé de détermination des restes crâniens de poissons collectés sur les rives nord du lac Tanganyika et de ses environs

in Bulletin scientifique de l'Institut national pour l'environnement et la conservation de la nature (2012), 10

Lake Tanganyika is very rich in fish species. It is exploited by fishermen and by fish-eating birds often seen as competitors of man. An osteological study was undertaken to establish a methodological ... [more ▼]

Lake Tanganyika is very rich in fish species. It is exploited by fishermen and by fish-eating birds often seen as competitors of man. An osteological study was undertaken to establish a methodological tool as a basis to studying the diet of fish-eating birds. Fish were collected, grouped by family. They were then transported to the laboratory to extract features of the cranial bones of each species or genus. An identification key to these bones has been prepared based on the similarities and differences between these bones. Correlations between the length of bone characteristics and size of fish were calculated. [less ▲]

Analyse des potentialités d'accueil du lynx boréal (Lynx lynx) dans l'est de la province de Liège (Belgique)

in Rosoux, René; de Bellefroid, Marie des Neiges; Baillon, Jacques (Eds.) et al Lynx... le grand retour ? (2011)

The fist lynx were seen in eastern Belgium at the end of the 1990s. Since then, both sightings and tracks have been recorded there and in the Ardenne (south east Belgium). Whether this presence indicates ... [more ▼]

The fist lynx were seen in eastern Belgium at the end of the 1990s. Since then, both sightings and tracks have been recorded there and in the Ardenne (south east Belgium). Whether this presence indicates a spontaneous return of individuals deriving from the population reintroduced in Germany or results from illicit releases, it raises the question of the suitability and the carrying capacity of habitats in an area of dense human occupation. Using two software programs, a mapping model to assess habitat characterization, drawn from relevant criteria for this species, was tested to estimate the potential host of the study area, via the determination of areas of suitable habitats, and the dispersion potential of the species, through the identification of the most viable dispersal corridors. The findings of the study (multi criteria analysis of potential host of habitats, identification of corridors of lowest cost, estimation of the potential population...), compiled on the basis mapping model and simulations, suggest that a return of the lynx in Wallonia may be sustainable if supported and managed wisly by the regional administrative services. [less ▲]

Première approche du choix des proies et de la stratégie alimentaire chez le balbuzard pêcheur en France continentale

in Recherches Naturalistes en Région Centre (2010), 18

La population nicheuse de balbuzards pêcheurs en région Centre, principalement établie en forêt d'Orléans et en Sologne, a fait l'objet d'une prémière étude sur le choix des proies et la stratégie ... [more ▼]

La population nicheuse de balbuzards pêcheurs en région Centre, principalement établie en forêt d'Orléans et en Sologne, a fait l'objet d'une prémière étude sur le choix des proies et la stratégie alimentaire. L'analyse a été menée sur un échantillon d'une quinzaine de couples. Les premiers résultats montrent que les rapaces consomment une large gamme de poissons, évaluéenà plus de 20 espèces. Quels que soient la méthode utilisée et le nid étudié, ce sont les cyprinidés qui constituent la grande majorité des proies. En période d'étiage, les espèces de poisson de fond viennent également enrichir le régime alimentaire en raison de la faible profondeur de l'eau. [less ▲]

Étude du régime et de la sélectivité alimentaire du grand cormoran (Phalacrocorax carbo) sur le lac Kivu (R.D. Congo)

in Annales des Sciences et Sciences Appliquées de l'Université Officielle de Bukavu (2010), 2

This contribution intends to give a preliminary view of the diet of the Cormorant on the lake Kivu. Fifty pellets were collected from August to October 2004 in a colony situated in Bukavu and analysed. A ... [more ▼]

This contribution intends to give a preliminary view of the diet of the Cormorant on the lake Kivu. Fifty pellets were collected from August to October 2004 in a colony situated in Bukavu and analysed. A reference collection of fish skull bones was also prepared and correlations between the length of some characteristic bones and the total length of the fish were computed, allowing the assessment of the length of each prey identified in the pellets. The cormorants eat mainly Haplochromis species (either in relative abundance or occurrences) but the biomass intake is dominated by the genera Tilapia and Oreochromis (together: 65 %). The importance of catfish (Clarias sp.) or barbels (Barbus sp.) is very small (< 4%, whatever the expression of the results). The sardine Limnothrissa miodon appears in 1 out of 5 pellets but its contribution in terms of biomass is negligible. Comparing the diet with the available resources, it appears that the cormorant is an opportunistic predator, taking almost all the available taxa (except Raiamas moorii) without selecting a particular one, except the big cichlids (genus Tilapia and Oreochromis). However, more than 90% of its preys are small fish measuring less than 10 cm. [less ▲]

Martin pêcheur d'Europe, Alcedo atthis

in Jacob, Jean Paul; Dehem, Christophe; Burnel, André (Eds.) et al Atlas des oiseaux nicheurs de Wallonie 2001/ 2007 (2010)

The kingfisher is widespread in Wallonia but is missing locally in middle Belgium and in higher Ardenne. The field prospection for the atlas took place in a favorable climatic context; the current ... [more ▼]

The kingfisher is widespread in Wallonia but is missing locally in middle Belgium and in higher Ardenne. The field prospection for the atlas took place in a favorable climatic context; the current population, estimated at 450 650 pairs, reflects probably the saturation of the habitat. The highest densities are found along large rivers, with important fishing ressources and numerous nesting sites (Lesse, Ourthe, Semois, Viroin). The limiting fator seems to be the lack of nesting sites. [less ▲]

De la cerise au sanglier: contribution à l'étude du régime alimentaire de la fouine, Martes foina (Erxleben 1777) en Belgique

in Naturalistes Belges (Les) (2010), 91

The study of the diet of an animal contributes to a better knowledge of its ecology. The present study consists of the analysis of five faeces samples collected in various environments as well as 26 ... [more ▼]

The study of the diet of an animal contributes to a better knowledge of its ecology. The present study consists of the analysis of five faeces samples collected in various environments as well as 26 stomach contents, to underline the various food resources consumed by the stone marten. The results obtained overlap rather well the data of the literature. Therefore, it allows to strenghten the researches carried out in the bordering countries. The conclusions of the present study are the following ones: the stone marten is an animal polyphagous and non-specialized. Its food spectrum covers as well the animal kingdom as the vegetable one. Furthermore, samples allowed to point out seasonal variations in the diet. Also, net differences are observed between urban and rural environments. Finally, the variety and the relative occurrence of the various elements gathered show how much the stone marten is an opportunistic animal which adapts itself to the environmental resources [less ▲]