A. Fouzi Taybi

Université Mohammed Premier | UMP · Department of Biology

Recent studies on freshwater gastropods of the family Hydrobiidae from Morocco have led to a number of discoveries of new taxa. New field studies in the oriental region of Morocco have led to the discovery of living specimens of Islamia cf. tifertiensis Glöer, Mabrouki, et Taybi, 2020, previously described only on the basis of empty shells. The stu...

The subfamily Sphaeriinae is a diverse and ecologically significant group of freshwater invertebrates, playing a keystone role in the energy flow and nutrient cycling in aquatic ecosystems. Despite a long history of its study, the taxonomic structure and species content of this group are a matter of ongoing disputes between malacologists. We clarif...

Invasive species are a major threat to global biodiversity. Therefore, it is crucial to monitor their presence and expansion within invaded areas and carry out studies to improve our knowledge of their biology and ecology. One of the most effective and spectacular invaders among freshwater snails is the acute bladder snail (Physella acuta) (Draparn...

Alien and invasive species pose a significant threat to global biodiversity, causing costly economic and environmental damage. Recent field surveys in northern Morocco have led to the discovery of the fountain bladder snail Physa fontinalis (Linnaeus, 1758), providing the first evidence of its occurrence in North Africa. The exotic species is curre...

In this paper, we describe a new species of the Hydropsyche angustipennis species group, Hydropsyche nador sp. n., from Selouan and Bni Snassen areas in Morocco. The males of the new species are closest to those of Hydropsyche maroccana Navás, 1936 and H. resmineda Malicky, 1977 but differ from them mainly in the shape of the apical part of phallus...

Aquatic ecosystems are exposed to human activities, which has a negative impact on their health. To assess the quality of Selouane Wadi's surface water, physicochemical and biological characterizations were carried out at a total of seven stations, quarterly between September 2021 and June 2022. In addition, an analysis of heavy metals in sediments...

The species richness of the freshwater gastropods in Morocco is one of the highest in North Africa. Theodoxus sandsi sp.n. is a new gastropod from Morocco, which can be distinguished from its congeners by shell morphology and operculum criteria. The new species was found in the Middle Atlas massif, a cornerstone of the freshwater biodiversity in Mo...

Dung beetles feed on and bury animal droppings, and their role is crucial in reducing the accumulation of manure, which diminishes the useful surface area of pastures. The aim of this research was to characterize the seasonal organization of dung beetle communities (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea) in the Middle Atlas region of Morocco in terms of core a...

Distribution of the alien Tubifcid worm Branchiura sowerbyi (Beddard, 1892) in Morocco. The tubifcid worm Branchiura sowerbyi Beddard, 1892 is one of the most successful invasive freshwater oligochaetes worldwide. In the Maghreb region, this species was known only from two localities in Morocco and from one locality in Libya. This paper presents no...

We report the first record of Diplodontus semiperforatus (Walter, 1925) for Iran. Thus far, this halobiontic species was only known from the Western Mediterranean. We discuss the environmental characteristics of the sampling sites and present the first barcodes of D. semiperforatus and its sister species D. scapularis Dugès, 1834.

As a result of recent field surveys conducted in the Northeastern part of Morocco, a description of a new springsnail Gafaita gafaitensis gen. et sp.n. (Gastropoda: Hydrobiidae) Morocco is provided. Photos of the holotype and paratypes are presented in addition to an illustration of the penis morphology. Further information on the autecology and ha...

Menzella timedrinensis gen. et sp. nov. is described from the Middle Atlas in Morocco. This description increases the known diversity of valvatiform hydrobiids (Hydrobiidae) of Morocco to ten species and eight genera, all known only from Morocco. A key to the genera and a brief overview of the valvatiform hydrobiids of Morocco are also provided. Ре...

Recent field surveys on snails conducted in the oriental region of Morocco have led to the discovery of a new species belonging to a new genus, described here as Znassela bnisnasensis gen. et sp. nov. It can be distinguished from the other hydrobiid snails by the morphology of the shell and male anatomy. The new hydrobiid snail differs mainly by it...

Background. The Mediterranean Region of the West Palearctic is one of the most species-rich biomes in the world, hosting a high level of endemism and relict species with important conservation value. The North Africa Atlas Mountains (spanning Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia) belong to a poorly-investigated region of the Mediterranean area, with overlo...

The exotic freshwater mollusc Helisoma duryi is a popular ornamental freshwater snail used to control microalgae in aquariums which occurs now as an introduced species in aquatic habitats of Europe, Africa and South America. We report the first finding of an acclimated population of H. duryi in Morocco and discuss the possible role of the trade of...

In this paper, we present new data on the distribution of Theodoxus spp. in Morocco, providing new records of three known species, in addition to a record of an unknown species resembling the extinct T. valentinus (Graells, 1846) recorded only from Spain, where it is endemic to the Valencia region. Identification key and photos of the species are a...

Résumé. – La répartition de Cassolaia maura cupreothoracica sur la totalité de l’aire de Cassolaia maura, bien qu’avec des niveaux de présence très variables, ne permet pas de considérer ce taxon comme une sous-espèce. Il est synonyme de C. maura dont il constitue une simple forme chromatique. On the validity of Cassolaia maura cupreothoracica Kore...

The distribution of Cassolaia maura cupreothoracica over the entire Cassolaia maura area, although with very variable levels of presence, does not allow this taxon to be considered a subspecies. It is synonymous with C. maura of which it constitutes a simple chromatic form.

The Mediterranean region of the Western Palearctic is one of the most species-rich biomes in the world, hosting a high level of endemism and relict species with important conservation value. The North Africa Atlas Mountains (spanning Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia) belong to a poorly investigated region of the Mediterranean area, with overlooked aqu...

The planarian Girardia tigrina sensu lato is the most successful freshwater invasive triclad. While Antarctica remains a continent without reports for this species, the single African record is unreliable. Therefore, the species is still unknown on this continent despite the presence of adequate water masses for its occurrence. Here, we report the...

Invasive species are a major threat to global biodiversity. One of the most effective invaders among freshwater snails is the North American ancyline gastropod Ferrissia californica (= fragilis). A new population of this species has been found in Lake Zerrouka (Northern Morocco), a Protected Area, which is also a site of ecological and biological i...

This work presents currently available knowledge on alien species (AS) found in the inland waters of Morocco. The objective is to provide an updated list of alien species and identify the main introduction pathways and possible threats to native biodiversity. The dataset was built from an extensive literature search supplemented by our own research...

The Chinese pond mussel Sinanodonta woodiana s.l., is a successful global invader. We report its first finding in Morocco, which represents the first record of the species in the African continent. Measures are needed to increase monitoring and management of its invasion process.

The species richness of the Hydrobiidae in Morocco is one of the highest in North Africa. Mahrazia benlemlihi gen. et sp. nov. is a new stygobiont hydrobiid gastropod from the Saiss aquifer, north-central Morocco. It can be distinguished by the morphology of the shell and anatomical details.

The genus Ifrania Glöer, Mabrouki et Taybi 2020 (Hydrobiidae) was recently described from Morocco; its type species is Ifrania zerroukansis Glöer, Mabrouki et Taybi, 2020 found in the Middle Atlas massif, geographically isolated and known for its other endemic molluscs. Ifrania bahhouensis sp. n. is a new valvatiform hydrobiid gastropod from Morocc...

The species richness of the Hydrobiidae in Morocco is one of the most diverse in North Africa. Ainiella zahredini gen. et sp.n. is a new valvatoid hydrobiid gastropod from Morocco; it can be distinguished from other Moroccan hydrobiids by the morphology of the shell and anatomical criteria. How to cite this article: Taybi A.F., Glöer P., Mabrouki Y...

Although Mercuria genus has received considerable attention in Morocco in terms of species discoveries , new species continue to be found in the country. The aim of this paper is to describe two new species of Mercuria found recently in northeastern Morocco. Iako je rod Mercuria u Maroku prilično dobro istražen, još uvijek se u zemlji otrkivaju nov...

New samples of freshwater molluscs collected in the northern part of Morocco revealed four new species of the genus Pseudamnicola Paulucci, 1878, i.e., P. bouhaddiouii sp.n., P. berrahoui sp.n., P. tafoughaltensis sp.n., and P. skourensis sp.n. Descriptions and photos of the species and the anatomy as well as the type localities are presented. How...

While coprophagous beetles (Scarabaeidae) have been intensively studied in the Mediterranean basin, coprophilous and other equally important dung-associated beetles have received less attention. This study represents the first effort to understand the temporal patterns and dynamic of the whole beetle community in arid conditions, including Scarabae...

Idrisiella bourkaizensis gen. et sp.n. is a new valvatiform hydrobiid gastro-pod from Morocco; it can be distinguished by the morphology of the shell and anatomical criteria. The new genus and species was found in the northern part of Morocco, in the border of the Middle Atlas massif, which is a geographical barrier known for its other endemic moll...

The objective of this work is to study the physicochemical and biological quality of the waters of Aguelmam Sidi Ali from 2015 to 2016. The Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric ANOVA test was used to detect any variability in water temperature, oxygen concentration, pH, electrical conductivity, salinity, turbidity, concentration of solid solvents, ammonia...

Leishmanioses are of public health concern in Morocco, mainly the Zoonotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (ZCL) endemic in the Moroccan pre-Saharian area. Transmission of this disease depends on eco-epidemiological and socio-economic conditions. Therefore, a multivariable approach is required to delineate the risk and intensity of transmission. This will...

A new planorbid gastropod species is described: Gyraulus marocana sp. nov. It can be distinguished from other known species by its regularly striated ivory shell, with four whorls separated by a deep suture, prostate gland with 20 diverticula, phallotheca twice as long as the preputium and its orange stylet. The new species was found in the norther...

Nuevos registros de sanguijuelas del género Limnatis (Hirudinea, Praobdellidae) en el Cáucaso meridional y Asia central: relaciones filogenéticas de las poblaciones eurasiáticas y africanas Las sanguijuelas del género Limnatis Moquin–Tandon, 1827 infestan las mucosas de varios mamíferos, incluidos los seres humanos y los ungulados domésticos. Se cr...

The caddisfly fauna of North Africa and Morocco is still poorly known, with only a few historical and recent investigations, carried out sporadically. In this paper we describe a new species, Tinodes atlasensis Ibrahimi, Mabrouki & Taybi, sp. nov. from the Atlas Mountains in Morocco. The new species is closest to Tinodes baenai Gonzales & Otero, 19...

First record of the white prawn Palaemon longirostris H. Milne Edwards, 1837 in the Med-iterranean waters of Morocco. In this paper, we provide the first record of the white prawn Palaemon longirostris, a palaemonid shrimp with socioeconomic interests, in the northeastern coasts of Morocco, and the third confirmed record for the Mediterranean. Futu...

The objective of this work is to study the physicochemical and biological quality of the waters of Aguelmam Sidi Ali from 2015 to 2016. The Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric ANOVA test was used to detect any variability in water temperature, oxygen concentration, pH, electrical conductivity, salinity, turbidity, concentration of solid solvents, ammonia...

New faunistic and distributional data are provided on grasshopper and cricket fauna from the Oriental region of Morocco, a poorly studied area, covering 88,681 km². An annotated list of 62 species, belonging to 41 genera and 10 families, is given. Fourteen species are newly recorded for the Oriental region. Moreover, at least 14 taxa are rediscover...

The fanworm Branchiomma luctuosum (Grube, 1870) is here reported from the Marina of Saidia, representing the first record of this alien species from Morocco and for the entire Mediterranean coast of Africa. Recreational boating, and in general maritime transport, constitutes the most possible vector of introduction. As this species can show invasiv...

Descripción de un nuevo valvátido Pikasia smenensis n. gen. n. sp. (Gastropoda, Hydrobiidae) en Marruecos Los recientes estudios de campo llevados a cabo en el norte de Marruecos han permitido descubrir una nueva especie perteneciente a un nuevo género, Pikasia n. gen., que se describe en este artículo. Se presentan fotografías del holotipo y el pa...

Listed recently in the top ‘‘hundred worst’’ alien species and the third ‘‘worst alien’’ mollusc in Europe, the New Zealand mudsnail has become cosmopolitan. We report its first finding in the African continent, in Morocco. Established populations of Potamopyrgus antipodarum were found in the Low Moulouya wetland, a Ramsar and Biological and Ecolog...

Galba oblonga (Puton, 1847), Stagnicola fuscus (Pfeiffer, 1821) and Ancylus striatus Quoy & Gaimard, 1834 are reported for the first time in North Africa, while Mercuria globulina (Letourneux & Bourguignat, 1887) is new to Morocco. In addition, we provide new distributional data on the two Moroccan endemic and recently described species Aghbalia ag...

In this paper, we provide the first record of Phyllolabis savtshenkoi in Morocco previously known only from Spain and the Canary Islands. In addition, Dicranomyia goritiensis and Geranomyia caloptera are recorded for the first time in the oriental region of Morocco.

Aquatic Hemiptera are barely used as "indicators" because they are considered ubiquitous organisms of great dispersal capacity and a wide range of occupied habitats. Here, we address this topic analyzing the environmental factors determining the distribution of the species found in a northeastern Moroccan basin with a strong altitudinal gradient, a...

Two new hydrobiid species Islamia karawiyiensis n. sp and Mercuria atlasica n. sp. are described here from Fez prefecture of Morocco. Samples were collected in 2020. Photos of the holotypes are presented in addition to the penis morphology of the new Mercuria. The map of the sampling area with the type locality and the habitat description are given...

Alien species are among the main threats to global biodiversity and are recognized as the second leading cause of extinctions around the world. The invasive American blue crab Callinectes sapidus was recently recorded from Morocco in one single place in the Marchica lagoon. Since its first record, we reported it for the first time from the Moulouya...

Aquarium and ornamental fish trade is currently recognized as a major source of invasive species in aquatic ecosystems around the world. The swordtail Xyphophorus hellerii is a popular ornamental freshwater fish that occurs as an introduced species in the aquatic habitats of at least thirty-one countries. We report the first finding of an establish...

The physico-chemical parameters of surface water from the largest Maghrebian river flowing into the Mediterranean Sea, the Moulouya River, show a large variability in space and time, under the influence of natural and anthropogenic phenomena. This study was conducted between March and August 2014, and involved regular bimonthly monitoring of nine a...

In 2014–2019, we carried out an examination of Trichoptera of the Moulouya River basin in the Oriental, Fèz-Meknès and Drâa-Tafilalet regions of Morocco. Caddisflies of the territories of the High Plateau, the oriental Sahara and the eastern parts of the Rif, Middle Atlas and the High Atlas have been studied for the first time. We collected and ide...

Melloulou River, which is located in Middle Atlas of Morocco, is a good example of a very wet and poorly known basin, and therefore of special conservation concern. The aim of this study was to draw up an initial inventory of the benthic macroinvertebrates taxa, and to analyze its longitudinal distribution in the basin, particularly searching for t...

In this paper, we provide new additions to the freshwater gastropod fauna of Morocco. Pseudamnicola luteola (Küster, 1852) and the recently described Mercuria gauthieri Glöer, Bouzid & Boeters, 2010 are recorded for the first time in the country and the presence of Ecrobia vitrea (Risso 1826) as well as Radix labiata (Rossmässler, 1835) is confirme...

Incidència, distribució i biologia de les espècies invasives de peixos en masses d’aigua dolça i salabrosa del NE del Marroc Monitorar la presència i l’expansió d’espècies exòtiques i millorar-ne el coneixement biològic i ecològic sembla clau per mitigar l’impacte que poden exercir en les comunitats natives. Les espècies de peixos exòtiques consti...

Recent field surveys conducted on the Middle Atlas of Morocco have led to the discovery of two new species belonging to two new genera (Ifrania n. gen. and Fessia n. gen.) described here. Photos of the holotypes are presented in addition to the penis morphology of the new genera, the map of the sampling area with the type localities and the habitat...

From 2014 to 2019 at more than 100 localities freshwater molluscs were collected along the basin of Moulouya River and Oriental Region of Morocco. These samples revealed two new hydrobiid species which are described here. One new species of Islamia and one species of a new genus. Photos of the holotypes are presented in addition to the penis morpho...

The alien boatman Trichocorixa verticalis verticalis (Hemiptera: Corixidae) is expanding in Morocco This paper updates the presence of the Nearctic "water boatman" Trichocorixa verticalis verticalis in North Africa, showing a new range of the alien species that strongly have increased its distribution area in Morocco since its first record in 2010....

A historical overview of the leech fauna of Morocco, based on both literature data, museum collections and new material, sampled in more than 100 sites in the Moulouya River basin (eastern region of Morocco), is provided. Twenty species from five families and ten genera are currently known, of which Helobdella europea Kutschera, 1987, is a new reco...

The almond tree is not very demanding in agricultural practices, the adoption of a simple technical program adapted to harsh climatic conditions can help to keep the trees fruitful and productive. In eastern Morocco, still almond is a resistant tree, pests attack can lead to reduced production in quantity and quality. Poorly adapted to local condit...

Noves dades sobre la fauna de libèl·lules (Odonata) de la conca del riu Moulouya i la regió oriental del Marroc S’ofereixen noves dades faunístiques i de distribució de libèl·lules (Odonata) a l’est del Marroc, en una zona que comprèn la regió administrativa Oriental i la conca del riu Moulouya, amb una extensió de 119.268 km2. Es proporciona una...

Monitoring amphibian populations, especially over fragile ecosystems such as arid and semiarid landscapes, helps to detect demographic trends and ecological risks. During several campaigns carried out between 2013 and 2017 across the Moulouya River Basin and the Oriental Region of Morocco, we identified nine amphibian species from the 11 previously...

Considered by some researchers to be invasive in some parts of Europe, the freshwater shrimp Atyaephyra desmarestii has been poorly studied in Morocco. This study reports from the survey of 90 stations situated in the Moulouya watershed and in the Oriental region of the country. Twenty-nine stations, visited three times between 2014 and 2016, revea...

The aim of this study is to investigate the longitudinal zonation of macroinvertebrates assemblages in the Za River basin, the main tributary of Moulouya River (Morocco). This work carried out in three campaigns between March and August 2014 on 12 stations selected. This study allowed the identification of 137 species classified in 109 genera and 6...

We present old and new faunistic and distributional data on aquatic Polyphaga (Coleoptera) from the east of Morocco, comprising the Oriental Region and the basin of Moulouya River. A checklist of 91 species belonging to 27 genera and seven families is provided. Ochthebius quadrifossu-latus (Hydraenidae) and Pomatinus substriatus (Dryopidae) are new...

New faunistic and distributional data on aquatic Hemiptera from the Oriental Region of Morocco and the Moulouya River basin, covering an area of 119,268 km2, are presented. An annotated list of 45 species, 21 genera and 11 families is provided. Nine species are new records for the entire studied area, and two for the Moulouya River basin. We redisc...

Bio-ecology of Potamon algeriense (Herbst, 1785) (Crustacea, Decapoda) in eastern Morocco. To contribute to the knowledge of Potamon algeriense bio-ecology in eastern Morocco and the Moulouya watershed, a total of 90 stations were surveyed between 2013 and 2016. Of these, only 14 stations (out of the 90 surveyed) were positive concerning the occurr...

Distribution of aquatic beetles from the east of Morocco (Coleoptera, Polyphaga). We present old and new faunistic and distributional data on aquatic Polyphaga (Coleoptera) from the east of Morocco, comprising the Oriental Region and the basin of Moulouya River. A checklist of 91 species belonging to 27 genera and seven families is provided. Ochthe...

Habitus of Ochtephilus (s. str.) praepositus Mulsant & Rey, 1878, recorded for the first time in Morocco and North Africa

Background The Gracilaria bursa-pastoris is an abundant alga that is responsible for the eutrophication in Nador lagoon in Morocco. Therefore, the lagoon is a deposit of bioresources whose economic value can be enhanced. Antioxidative properties of seaweed extracts have been studied in several geographic regions, but only a few studies have been pe...

New faunistic and distributional data on aquatic beetles (Adephaga: Gyrinidae, Haliplidae and Dytiscidae) from the Oriental Region of Morocco and the basin of Moulouya River are presented. A check-list of 55 species of three families and 25 genera is provided. Eight species are new records for the basin of Moulouya River and nine species for the Or...

Thirty sampling stations were surveyed each season during the period 2013-2015 in the objective to determine the water quality in the coastal areas between Saidia and Cala Iris. The CPA Analysis shows 5 groups associated following the water quality of 12 components. Only the sites close to the agglomerations bordering the lagoon of Nador and Al Hoc...

The Moulouya's watershed and the Oriental Morocco have been always considered as the poorest in terms of Ephemeroperological settlement. Thanks to our repetitive campaigns, and the difficult territories carried out for the first time, including the High Plateaus, the oriental Sahara and the oriental parts of the Rif, Middle Atlas and the High Atlas...

In this paper, we present new data on the distribution of freshwater mollusks in the Oriental Morocco and the Moulouya's watershed. During our repetitive campaigns in hard to reach territories visited for the first time, and a compilation of published and unpublished records, we were able to list at least 23 species belonging to 18 genera and 11 fa...

To determine the statue of the metallic trace elements contamination in the groundwater of Triffa's Plain (Eastern Morocco), the water of 34 wells were studied out through two sampling campaigns (June and November 2013 respectively). The results of the analyzes showed that the groundwater in the Triffa's Plain is heavily contaminated with metallic...

In order to monitor the spatial and temporal variability of the water quality of Oued Za on its passage from the town of Taourirt, eleven physicochemical descriptors were repeatedly measured over time (the four Seasons of the year 2015) in four stations located upstream and downstream of the agglomeration. To study the temporal stability of the spa...

In order to determine the temporal distribution of the riparian Coleopterological settlement of Ait Assa wadi, a watercourse located in the south-east of Morocco and studied for the first time, a monthly monitoring was carried out over a period of 15 months, from January 2014 to March 2015. The composition of the global stand and its evolution over...

This study carried out between March and August 2014, offers a monitoring of nine abiotic descriptors in 11 sampling stations chosen along Oued Melloulou, main tributary on the left bank of Oued Moulouya. The use of partial triadic analysis facilitates the monitoring of spatio-temporal variability of these physico-chemical descriptors, and highligh...

Recent surveys in the Moulouya watershed and in eastern Morocco have led to a discovery of Ochtephilus (s str.) praepositus Mulsant & Rey, 1878, reported for the first time from the Maghreb. Here we provide its distribution range in North Africa, which is restricted to high altitude of the Middle and High Atlas mountains, in addition to an overview...

This paper provides the description of a new species of Aphelocheirus (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Aphelocheiridae), Aphelocheirus pemae sp. nov. from Morocco. The species was found in two sites located in different basins (Sebou and Moulouya rivers) that are separated by approximately 400 km. Photographs of the dorsal habitus of the female and illustr...

This work provide information about the tri-trophic relationship between Elodea canadensis Michx., Hydrellia sp. and Ademon decrescens (Nees, 1811) (plant-host-parasite, respectively). The sampling was conducted between March and July 2014 at seven stations in the basin of the Moulouya River (Morocco). This relationship is mainly found in areas whe...

L’étude des lames apicales des genitalia de 196 mâles d’Orthomus lacouri issus de 40 stations sur les 45 prospectées dans le massif des Beni Snassen (Maroc) et ses environs montre que les aires des sous-espèces lacouri et haroldi, d’une part, et kocheri et haroldi, d’autre part, sont parapatriques et présentent un certain chevauchement, caractérisé...

The physicochemical parameters of surface water from the Moulouya know quite significant variability in space and time under the influence of anthropogenic or natural phenomena. This study proposes a bimonthly follow-9 abiotic descriptors 22 stations on the Moulouya. It is based on processing data collected during the measurement period from 03 Mar...

Studies of stoneflies in eastern Morocco and the watershed of the Moulouya are very limited. By combining our research with those already made, the number of stoneflies in the study area is at least 9 species belonging to 8 genera and six different families, with a clear predominance of Mediterranean and endemic species. This work, focused on the m...

In order to make monitoring of spatio-temporal variability in the quality of the water in Oued Za, nine physico-chemical descriptors have been measured repeatedly in time (3campagnes: between early March and late August 2014) in twelve sampling stations chosen along this hydro system. To study the temporal stability of the spatial structure and mea...