Hydrobiologia 486: 119–123, 2002. A.M. Maeda-Mart´ ınez, B.V. Timms, D.C. Rogers, F.A.Abreu-Grobois & G. Murugan (eds), Studies on Large Branchiopod Biology 4. © 2002 Kluwer Academic Publishers. Printed in the Netherlands. 119 The large branchiopods (Anostraca, Notostraca and Spinicaudata) of Numidia (Algeria) Boudj´ ema Samraoui 1 & H.J. Dumont 2 1 Laboratoire de Recherche des Zones Humides, University of Annaba, 4 rue Hassi-Beïda, Annaba, Algeria E-mail: bsamraoui@hotmail.com 2 Laboratory of Animal Ecology, Ghent University, B-9000, Ghent, Belgium E-mail: Henri.Dumont@rug.ac.be Key words: Crustacea, Branchiopoda, Anostraca, Notostraca, Spinicaudata, inventory, wetlands, Algeria Abstract Between 1995 and 1999, we surveyed the large branchiopods (Crustacea, Branchiopoda) of Numidia, the coastal plain of northeastern Algeria. Samples from ca 100 sites yielded two species of Anostraca (Chirocephalus diaphanus, new to Numidia, and Tanymastix stagnalis), one notostracan (Lepidurus apus lubbocki) and one spi- nicaudatan (Cyzicus tetracerus). The absence of Streptocephalus torvicornis bucheti is noteworthy. An annotated check-list of all large branchiopods known from Algeria is also presented and discussed. Several species appear to be in danger of extinction. Introduction The distribution and ecology of North African large branchiopods are currently best known from Morocco (Gauthier, 1929; Péres, 1939; Boutin, 1982; Thiéry, 1986, 1987; Roux & Thiéry, 1988), and the Sahara desert (Dumont et al., 1991). In Algeria, no stud- ies followed the seminal work of Gauthier (1928a, b, 1930a, 1931, 1933a, 1934a), and our knowledge on distribution, phenology and ecology of North African large branchiopods is limited. This assessment holds true for Numidia, the coastal lowland of northeast Al- geria, which was visited by Gauthier (1928a, 1930a, 1933a, b). During their zooplankton survey of Tunisia, Dumont et al. (1979) made an incursion in Numidia but recorded no large branchiopods. Our survey of Numidia is part of an effort of the Laboratoire de Recherche des Zones Humides (L.R.Z.H., University of Annaba) to investigate the biodiversity of Algerian wetlands. A check-list of the known large branchio- pods of Algeria is presented. Methods and list of localities Around 100 sites, all situated at 0–50 m altitude above sea level (Fig. 1), were sampled with a dip-net and plankton net (mesh size 50 µm) between 1995 and 1999. Samples were kept in formalin (4%) pending identification in the laboratory. Conductivity was re- corded with a Hanna conductimeter. Ecological de- scriptions of the sites are given in Samraoui & Bélair (1997, 1998). Only sites with at least one large bran- chiopod species are listed below. Most localities were determined with a global positioning system as decim- als of minutes and with a resolution of about 120 m (Garmin 45; Garmin/Europe Ltd, Romsey, U.K.). Other positions were taken from maps. In locality designations, the words ’Garaet’ or ’Garaa’ (lake/ large pond), Mare (small pond/pool) are abbreviated to ’G’ and ’M’. New records are noted by (!). We follow the nomenclature for Anostraca of Belk & Brtek (1995). Specimens have been deposited in the reference collection of the University of Annaba. List of localities I. The El Kala wetlands complex (eastern Numidia; prefix ‘E’) 1. Joinonville (36 ◦ 52.82  N, 7 ◦ 45.42  E), 3020 µS cm −1 ; 2. M. Boukhadra (36 ◦ 52.807  N, 7 ◦ 44.382  E), 6240 µS cm −1 ; 3, Salines (36 ◦ 50.34  N, 7 ◦ 47.46  E), 16 890 µS cm −1 ; 4. M. Gérard (36 ◦ 50.663  N, 8 ◦ 08.888  E), 340 µS cm −1 ; 5. M. El Feid (36 ◦ 43.970  N, 8 ◦ 01.739  E), 990 µS cm −1 ; 6. M.