Do water physicochemical parameters explain richness and phenology of aquatic beetles (Coleoptera) in Tonga Lake (Northeast Algeria)?

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to investigate the biodiversity and structure of the aquatic beetle community living in Tonga Lake, a protected area classified by Ramsar in 1983, northeastern Algeria, as well as to analyse the effect of environmental factorsin particular, the degree of invasion by physicochemical parameters of the water on the abundance and species richness of the aquatic beetle community. The collections were carried out between March 2017 and February 2018, at three selected sites. In total, 1.212 individuals were collected, 24 species were determined. The highest diversity was recorded during spring. Water samples were sampled seasonally from each site. The GLM showed that aquatic beetle abundance varied considerably among sites on a seasonal basis. GLM also showed significant effects of water physicochemical parameters on abundance and species richness of the beetle community.