Trapelus boehmei Wagner, Melville, Wilms & Schmitz, 2011 (Squamata: Agamidae): New locality in the Southwest of Algeria

Abstract

Trapelus boehmei (Squamata: Agamidae) is distributed on the High Plateau of North Algeria, from M’sila to Naâma and Tlemcen-south. An uncertain presence noted from El Tarf to Batna and Tebessa in Northeast of Algeria. In this note, a new locality of this species at Tindouf region of Southwest of Algeria.

Keywords: Reptilia; Trapelus boehmei; Tindouf; South-west Algeria.

Full text

Alger. j. biosciences 03(02) (2022) 085-090 85
Algerian Journal of Biosciences
ISSN: 2716-9375
Journal homepage: https://www.journal.acse.science/index.php/ajb/index
* Corresponding author :Chedad Abdelwahab Tel.: 00213778610632
E-mail address: agrochedad@yahoo.fr / ORCID: Abdelwahab Chedad https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8098-1803
Peer review under responsibility of University of El Oued. All rights reserved.
Short Note
Trapelus boehmei Wagner, Melville, Wilms & Schmitz, 2011
(Squamata: Agamidae): New locality in the Southwest of Algeria
Mayssara El Bouhissia,b, Fayçal Seddikic,d, Abdelwahab Chedade,f*
aLaboratory Ecodevelopment of spaces, Djilali Liabes University. Sidi Bel Abbes, Algeria
bDirectorate of Forest Conservation of Sidi Bel Abbes, (General Directorate of Forestry), 22000 Sidi Bel Abbes, Algeria
cAssociation for the protection of wildlife, Tindouf, 37000, Algeria
d Algerian wildlife watching association, Algeria
e Department of Biological Sciences, Laboratory of Saharan Bio-ressources: Preservation and Valorisation, University Kasdi Merbah,
Ouargla, Algeria
f Directorate of Forest Conservation of Ghardaïa, (General Directorate of Forestry), 47000 Ghardaïa, Algeria
ARTICLE INFOR
ABSTRACT
Article history:
Received 29 July 2022
Revised 31 October 2022
Accepted 06 November 2022
Trapelus boehmei (Squamata: Agamidae) is distributed on the High Plateau
of North Algeria, from M’sila to Naâma and Tlemcen-south. An uncertain
presence noted from El Tarf to Batna and Tebessa in Northeast of Algeria. In
this note, a new locality of this species at Tindouf region of Southwest of
Algeria.
Keywords:
Reptilia;
Trapelus boehmei;
Tindouf;
South-west Algeria.
Faculty of Natural Sciences and Life, University of El Oued. All rights reserved
1. Introduction
North Africa biogeography is considered to be
particularly complex, because it is located in very
complex orographic structures that evolved
mainly during the Neogene, and can become a
prerequisite to the fragmentation of the range of
different species, leading to high biodiversity
endemic taxa [1, 2, 3]. Among these ecological
barriers such as mountains, which are considered
as an important factor leading to fragmentation of
the range of different species [4].
The genus Trapelus Cuvier, 1817 [5] in the
agamid subfamily, Agaminae was resurrected by
it has a broad distribution across northern Africa
into the Middle East and Asia [6, 7]. In the
Saharo-Sindian, this genus currently consists of
15 species, with six species occur in Africa [7],
i.e, Trapelus pallidus (Reuss, 1834): Egypt,
Republic of Djibouti, Jordan [8, 9]; Trapelus
savignii (Duméril & Bibron, 1837): eastern
Egypt[10]; Trapelus mutabilis (Merrem, 1820):
northern Africa[11]; Trapelus tournevillei
(Lataste, 1880) [12]: Algeria and Tunisia;
Trapelus schmitzi (Wagner and Böhme, 2007):
Algeria; Chad[13] and Trapelus boehmei
(Wagner, Melville, Wilms and Schmitz, 2011) :
north-western Africa[7].
Therefore, Algeria counts four Trapelus
species: T. tournevillei, T. schmitzi, T. boehmei

El bouhissi et al / Alger. j. biosciences 03(02) (2022) 085-090 86
and T. mutabilis [14, 15, 16, 17, 18].
According to the IUCN red list all this species
are ranked least concern species (LC),
characterized by a wide range, except T. schmitzi
have an unknown status (DD [14, 15, 16, 17, 19].
However, in Algeria, two species, i.e, T.
tournevillei and T. mutabilis are protected by
Algerian flat (12-235) of 24 May 2012.
The objective of this note is to provide a new
locality of this species in the Sahara of the
Southwest of Algeria at Tindouf, situated at
Tindouf region at more than 200Km east from the
distribution range [16].
2. Materials and methods
2.1. Study area
Tindouf region is located in the Southwestern
part of Algeria and covers an area of 158,874
km2, representing 6.67% of the total area of the
National territory [20]. This region is
characterized by hyper arid climate with an
average annual rainfall of 35mm [21] (Fig. 1).
This region is relatively homogeneous. It is
characterized by the extension of the Tabular
platform of the Hamadas [22]. The average
altitude is around 450 m. Overall, the topography
is flat with low slopes ranging between 0 and 3
% [23].
2.2. Reptile sampling
We recorded species based on transects from
10 to 20 km in open areas, each transect was
divided to 150 m of observation segment because
reptiles are small animals with limited ranges,
and deserve a good concentration in observation,
further, we searched animal species in cavities
and under rocks [24, 25].
3. Results and Discussion
As part of the Herpetological inventory in the
region of Tindouf. The first observation of this
species was on July 23, 2022. A single individual
of Trapelus boehmei male, with bluish coloration
on the throat (nuptial coloration) , measures more
than 20 cm in length, taking sunbathes at
10:15pm (Fig. 3a, b), where the temperature was
estimated at 36 C°.
The type locality is a Wadi bed,
characterized by rocky plateau (Reg) with some
plants, i.e, Acacia raddiana, Retama raetam,
Tamarix gallica (Fig. 2).
3.1. Taxonomic account
Agamidae Gray, 1827
Trapelus Cuvier, 1817
Trapelus boehmei Wagner, Melville, Wilms &
Schmitz, 2011
Type material. Algeria, Tindouf, Region of
Hassi Mounir, 6°26'39.83"O, 28°19'34.99"N,
457m, 23/07/2022 (M. El Bouhissi & F.
Seddiki), one individual ♂. This specimen was
photographed, examined and released in the same
area.
3.2. Description
Trapelus boehmei has a relatively long head
tapering abruptly at the nose. Body escalation is a
matrix of small, feebly keeled and homogeneous
scales intermixed with larger keeled scales,
which usually differ in coloration from the matrix

El bouhissi et al / Alger. j. biosciences 03(02) (2022) 085-090 87
scales in breeding coloration of adult males.
Males have bluish coloration on the throat and
body when in nuptial coloration, and a small
gular pouch [7].
3.3. Biogeographical and ecological
considerations
The range of this species is confirmed in the
northwest of Africa in Algeria, Mauritania and
Niger, with an uncertain distribution in Mali,
Tunisia and Western Sahara.
As for Algeria, the distribution is confirmed in
the High Plateau, from M’sila to Naâma and
Tlemcen-south, with an uncertain presence from
Batna, extends to the entire east of Algeria
between El Tarf and Tebessa (Fig.01) [7].
Recently, many studies have been
concentrated in desert regions, which has led to
the discovery of several new expansion sites,
among which the current study, and others
researches like El-Menia [26], El Oued and
Touggourt [18, 27].
The presence of the Trapelus boehmei in
Tindouf is interesting and it i suggest that further
research at different seasons, in order to learn
more about the distribution of this species and
others of the genus Trapelus.
Fig. 1. Map of known distribution of Trapelus boehmei in Algeria (following
Wagner & Wilms, 2013). News locality (red circle).

El bouhissi et al / Alger. j. biosciences 03(02) (2022) 085-090 88
Fig. 2. General view of the study area, Hassi Mounir, Tindouf.
Fig. 3. Trapelus boehmei in natural habitat. a: Close-up view (Snout–vent length), b: General view.
A
B

El bouhissi et al / Alger. j. biosciences 03(02) (2022) 085-090 89
Acknowledgments
We thank three reviewers for their comments and suggestions. We also would like to thank all the members of the
association: protection of wildlife, Tindouf, and Mr. M. Beddek to contribute to the identification this species' genus.
Conflict of Interest
The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest
References
1. Beauchamp, W., Allmendinger, R.W., Barazangi, M., Demnati, A., El Alji, M., Dahmani, M. Inversion tectonics and the evolution of the High
Atlas Mountains, Morocco, based on a geological-geophysical transect. Tectonics, 1999. 18: 163-184. DOI: 10.1029/1998TC900015.
2. Hewitt, G.M. Mediterranean Peninsulas: the evolution of hotspots. In: Zachos F, Habel J (eds). Biodiversity Hotspots. 2011. Springer, Berlin,
Heidelberg.
3. Husemann, M., Schmitt, T., Zachos, F.E., Ulrich, W.U., Habel, J.C. Palaearctic biogeography revisited: Evidence for the existence of a North
African refugium for wes tern Palaearctic biota. J Biogeogr, 2014, 41: 81-94. DOI: 10.1111/jbi.12180.
4. Chedad, A, Ait Hammou, M., Chelghoum, H., Chedad, A., Ould Amara, O., El Bouhissi, M., Dahmani, W., Sadine, S.E. Diversity and distribution
pattern of scorpions from the Ouarsenis massif of Tissemsilt, North-West Algeria. Biodiversitas. 2022, 23(5): 2444-2450. DOI:
10.13057/biodiv/d230523
5. Cuvier G.L.C.F.D. Le règne animal distribué d’après son organisation, pour servir de base à l’histoire naturelle des animaux et d’introduction à
l’anatomie comparée. Avec figures, dessinées d’après nature. Tome II, contenant les reptiles, les poissons, les mollusques et les annélides. Paris :
Deterville 1817.
6. Moody, S.M. Phylogenetic and historical relationships of the genera in the family Agamidae (Reptilia: Lacertrilia). Unpublished PhD thesis,
University of Michigan, 1980.
7. Wagner, P., Melville, J., Wilms, T.M., Schmitz, Opening a box of cryptic taxa – The first review of the North African desert lizards in the Trapelus
mutabilis Merrem, 1820 complex (Squamata: Agamidae) with descriptions of new taxa. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, A. 2011, 163:
884-912. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1096-3642.2011.00726.x
8. Reuss, A. Zoologische Miscellen, Reptilien. Abhandlungen aus dem Gebiete der beschreibenden Naturgeschichte. Zoologische Miscellen. Museum
Senckenbergianum, 1834. 1: 27–62.
9. Ineich, I. Reptiles & Amphibiens de la République de Djibouti. Internal report to the Ministère de l’habitat, de l’urbanisme, de l’environment et de
l’aménagement du territoire. 2001. Bureau National de la diversité biologique, Djibouti.
10. Duméril, A.M.C, Bibron, G. Erpétologie Générale ou Histoire Naturelle Complete des Reptiles. 1837.Vol. 4. Paris: Libr. Encyclopédique Roret,
570 pp.
11. Merrem B. Versuch eines Systems der Amphibien –Tentamen Systematis Amphibiorum. Marburg : J. C. Kriegeri. 1820.
12. Lataste F. Diagnoses de reptiles nouveaux d'Algérie ». Le Naturaliste, 1880, 2(41), p. 325.
13. Wagner P, Böhme, W. A new species of the genus Trapelus Cuvier, 1816 (Squamata: Agamidae) from arid central Africa. Bonner Zoologische
Beiträge. 2007. 55: 81–87.
14. Joger, U., Geniez, P., Nouira, S. 2006. Trapelus tournevillei. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2006: e.T61588A12501750.
https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2006.RLTS.T61588A12501750.en. Accessed on 26 July 2022.
15. Wagner, P. & Wilms, T. 2013. Trapelus schmitzi. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2013: e.T203805A2771549.
https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T203805A2771549.en. Accessed on 26 July 2022.
16. Wagner, P. & Wilms, T. 2013. Trapelus boehmei. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2013: e.T203803A2771535.
https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T203803A2771535.en. Accessed on 24 July 2022.
17. Beddek M. Déficit de connaissances de la biodiversité et biologie de la conservation : le cas de l’Herpétofaune d’Algérie. Biodiversité et Ecologie.
Université Montpellier, 2017. Français. NNT: 2017MONTT167
18. Mouane A., Harrouchi A., Ghennoum I., Sekour M. Diversity and distribution patterns of reptiles in the northern Algerian Sahara (Oued Souf,
Taibet and Touggourt). Algerian Journal of Biosciences. 2021, 02(02) :078-087.
19. Wagner, P., Wilms, T., Niagate, B. 2021. Trapelus mutabilis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: e.T198525A2529839.
https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-1.RLTS.T198525A2529839.en. Accessed on 26 July 2022.
20. Ould Safi., M. Caracterisation et l’état sanitaire de l’Arganeraie de Tindouf [Characteristics and health status of Argan grove of Tindouf]. Thèse de
Magister. 2014. Univ. Tlemcen. Algérie. 62p.
21. Remini, B., Abidi Saad, N. The Foggara of Tindouf (Algeria): A Hydraulic heritage declined. Larhyss Journal. 2019, 39: 215-228
22. Kchairi, R. Contribution à l’étude écologique de l’Arganier Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels, dans la région de Tindouf (Algérie). Mémoire de Magister,
université des sciences et de la technologie « Houari Boumediene » 2009 :76p.
23. Benkheira, A. L’Arganeraie Algérienne. Bulletin d’information, conservation de la biodiversité et gestion durable des ressources naturelles,
publication du projet. ALG/ G35. 2009, 15p.
24. Carvajal-Cogollo, J.E., Urbina-Cardona, N. Ecological grouping and edge effects in tropical dry forest: reptile-microenvironment relationships.
Biodiversityand Conservation. 2015. 24: 1109–1130.
25. Nekhla, H., Mansouri, I., Zahri, A., Squalli, W., Achiban, H., Hmidani, M., El Agy A., Harrach, A., El Ghadraoui, L. The Ecological importance of
Chamaerops humilis steppe for animal biodiversity in Northwest Africa (Morocco). Zoology and Ecology. 2022. 32(1):74–83.
https://doi.org/10.35513/21658005.2022.1.8

El bouhissi et al / Alger. j. biosciences 03(02) (2022) 085-090 90
26. Sadine S., Bounab C., El Bouhissi M. A new locality of an invasive Gecko, Cyrtopodion scabrum (Heyden,1827) in Algeria (Squamata:
Gekkonidae). Algerian Journal of Biosciences. 2021, 02(01):016-018. doi : http://dx.doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.5045172
27. Mouane A, Bourougaa D, Hamdi M, Boudjerada K, Harrouchi A, Ghennoum I, Sekour M, Chenchouni, H. The Rough Bent-toed Gecko
Cyrtopodion scabrum (Heyden, 1827) (Squamata: Gekkonidae): First records in Algeria and NW Africa with morphometric and meristic
description of population. African Journal of Ecology. 2020. https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.127976
Recommended Citation
El Bouhissi, M, Seddiki, F., Chedad A. Trapelus boehmei (Wagner, Melville, Wilms & Schmitz, 2011) (Squamata: Agamidae): New
locality record in the South-west of Algeria at Tindouf. Alger. j. biosciences. 2022, 03(02):085-090.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License