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In the present work, we investigated the bio-uptake of 4 MTE (Ni, Cd, Pb, Zn) in the thalli of some species of lichens near a road crossing the Dar-Chichou forest (NE- Tunisia). In the absence of previous studies on the lichenic heritage of this forest, the objectives of this work are.first of all to identify for the first time the lichen species present in the forest, to determine the impact of this road pollution on certain physiological parameters of these pioneer species, such as the chlorophyll a and b levels, the content of carotenoids, theperoxidation (H2O2) and the ipoperoxidation (MDA) and on the other hand, to show the bioindicatory and bioaccumulative importance of these lichens in front of certain trace metals (Pb, Cd, Zn and Ni). In this study, 23 lichen species with different thallus was detected. The amounts of MTE in thalli of several lichen species were determined using the flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Significant positive correlations between the production of H2O2 and the MDA content and on the MTE content (Ni, Pb, Zn) indicating a defense against oxidative stress. The presence of Evernia prunastri, Xanthoria parietina, Physcia adscendens and Cladonia stellaris, made it possible to classify the air quality of the Dar-Chichou Forest. P. adscendens present the weakest reaction against oxidative stress (H2O2) and seemed the most resistant compared to the two other species. This study was conducted as part of a comprehensive approach combining chemical and biological parameters to assess the effect of road traffic on air quality. It provides the first database in Tunisia referring to MTE contamination and their probable biological effects. This study fills a necessary gap in the literature.

During recent investigations on the terrestrial invertebrates of the tropical rainforest on Martinique Island (Pitons du Carbet), specimens of a new species of the terrestrial amphipod genus Cerrorchestia Lindeman, 1990, C. taboukeli sp. nov., were collected by means of different quantitative and non-quantitative methods (hand collection and Tullgren extraction) in the forest floor. The new species can be easily distinguished from the only other species of the genus, C. hyloraina Lindeman, 1990, by gnathopod 2 (carpus short, palm longer than wide), pereopod 4 dactylus with a denticulate patch, pereopod 5 basis ovate with a deep posterodistal lobe reaching the distal end of the ischium, pleopod 3 ramus with more than six articles. Cerrorchestia tabouleki sp. nov. is the first forest-hopper discovered in the Lesser Antilles, raising the question of island colonization by terrestrial amphipods. Ecological data and a key to terrestrial Talitridae of Central America and the Caribbean islands are provided.

Northern Africa, although one of the world hotpots of biodiversity, is poorly studied and the freshwater fauna living in this part of the world remains partly unknown. This study focused on the diversity and distribution of the poorly known epigean freshwater amphipods. We performed an exhaustive analysis of the literature on this group of crustaceans and sampled 106 additional localities from the eastern part of Algeria and in Tunisia. Our results showed an important diversity with 25 species (including the presence of at least three new undescribed species) and a very high rate of endemism with 52% of species occurring at on only 1 or 2 sites. We also highlighted a very low diversity on each site with only 4.4% of sites harboring more than 1 species. The comparative distribution of certain species between Europe and Maghreb and also between the western and eastern part of Northern Africa allow us to discuss some hypotheses about the factors underlying this endemism and the biogeographical origin of species. However, our study revealed a general lack of knowledge in the region, especially in the South of Morocco and Algeria. Hence, more information would be needed to propose adapted conservation strategies of freshwater fauna in Maghreb. Our results showed theimportant diversity of Maghreb despite the scarcity of fresh waters and the weak knowledge on this area. We highlighted a very high rate of endemism with 52% of species occurring at on only 1 or 2 sites. We found enough data to discuss some hypotheses about the factors underlying this endemism and the biogeographical origin of species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]