Affinité et organisation écologique du peuplement coléoptèrologique des écosystèmes dunaires mobiles au niveau de la frange septentrionale et de la région oriental du Maroc

Abstract

The present work aims for a better understanding of the ecological organization of entomological groups of beetles found in mobile dunes of Eastern Morocco and in the northern fringe of the Sahara. This study is carried out over a route of 4000 km from the Guercif dunes (north) to the large dunes of Merzouga (Sahara), passing by dunes of the following stations: Northeast Missour ; Midelt, Aïn Beni Methar, Tendrara, Rich, Boulman, Bouârfa, Boudnib and Erfoud. From analysis of affinity, three major faunal groups were identified. The first group is formed by the northern stations (Guercif, Northeast Missour, Midelt and Aïn Beni Methar) housing faunal species of the Mediterranean dunes. The second group consists of Tendrara, Bouârfa, Rich and Bouânane stations, having a high level of fauna similarity due in part to their proximity. The last group was formed by the station of Merzouga, Erfoud, Boudnib and Figuig which feature a frankly Saharan population. Taxa collected in these Saharan stations were collected along a north-south geographical gradient whose northern end is formed by the characteristic species of the Mediterranean area while the southern end is made of the wildlife species characteristic of the Saharan fringe.