Rhyacophila F.J. Pictet 1834

Khettar, Sihem, Haouchine-Bouzidi, Nawel, Kherbouche-Abrous, Ourida, Radi, Nora, Elalami, Majida & Beladjal, Lynda, 2022, Taxonomy and Distribution of Trichoptera in El Harrach Wadi (Northcentral Algeria) with the First Record of Hydropsyche incognita in North Africa, Zootaxa 5120 (4), pp. 482-500 : 485

Genus Rhyacophila F.J. Pictet 1834

Rhyacophila is the only genus of this family found in Algeria. Two species were found and identified, Rhyacophila munda McLachlan 1862 and Rhyacophila urgl Malicky & Lounaci 1987 .

Rhyacophila munda McLachlan 1862

= R. oreina Navás 1936 , synonymized by Botosaneanu & Malicky, 1978.

= R. atlantica Navás 1936 , synonymized by Botosaneanu & Malicky, 1978.

The larva of this species has been described and diagnosed by Viedma & Garcia de Jalón (1980) and Vieira-Lanero (2000).

Algerian literature records. Tizi Ouzou, Aissi Wadi ( Lounaci et al. 2000; Malicky & Lounaci 1987). Djurdjura Mountains ( Sekhi et al. 2016). Tlemcen, Tafna Watershed (Bemmoussa & Abdellaoui-Hassaine 2017).

International literature records. MOROCCO ( Ajakane 1988; Alaoui 2006; Badri 1985; Bonada et al. 2008; Bouzidi 1989; Dakki 1986; El Agbani 1984; El Bazi et al. 2017; Guellaf et al. 2021; Hajji et al. 2012, 2013; Khadri 2018; Lamri et al. 2016a, 2016b; Mabrouki et al. 2020; Ouahsine 1993; Tayoub 1989; Zerrouk et al. 2021). PORTUGAL ( González & Menéndez 2011). SPAIN ( Bonada et al. 2004, 2008; González & Menéndez 2011; Martin et al. 2014; Ruiz-Garcia et al. 2006; Ruiz-Garcia & Ferreras-Romero 2008; Vieira-Lanero 2000). TUNISIA ( Kraiem 1986; Kumanski 2006; Tobias & Tobias 2008).

Material studied. ALGERIA, Blida, Hammam Melouane, Badour Wadi (S8) (36°28’43”N, 3°04’07”E) , 410 m a.s.l.: 29.v.2010, 1 larva; 25.vi.2013, 1 larva ; 22.ii.2013, 1 larva ( CSK01 ). Maktaa Lazreg, Boumaane Wadi (S1) (36°27’27”N, 3°00’27”E) , 270 m a.s.l.: 07.vi.2013, 1 larva ( CSK02 ). Maktaa Lazreg, El Aach Wadi (S4) (36°28’17”N, 3°00’24”E) , 200 m a.s.l.: 07.vi.2013, 8 larvae; 25.vi.2013, 1 larva ; 22.iii.2013, 1 larva ( CSK03 ) .

Distribution. Algeria, Morocco, Portugal, Spain, and Tunisia.

Comment. We found this West Paleartic species for the first time in the study area. It belongs to the Pararhyacophila Group ( Döhler 1950). It was collected in fast-flowing biotopes in the tributaries of the El Harrach Wadi ( Fig. 2 ) between only 200 and 410 m a.s.l.

Figures

FIGURE 2. Distribution of Rhyacophila munda McLachlan 1862, Oxyethira sp., Cheumatopsyche sp., and Diplectrona sp.