Résumé:
Our study presents the species diversity of rodent communities from palm groves and sand dunes in a
desert area (Touggourt, Southeast Algeria). Samples were collected from four stations: two sites of sand
dunes and tow sites of palm groves. The method of random trapping was performed using 24 cages of
Besançon Technique Service (BTS) installed at each station. All captured species were of the family Muridae
and belonged to two subfamilies: Murinae and Gerbillinae. The most common species at all stations
was Gerbillus nanus (31 specimens), followed by Rattus rattus (23 specimens) and Gerbillus tarabuli
(18 specimens). The murine species Rattus rattus and Mus spretus were found at agriculture sites (palm
groves) while the Gerbillinae Gerbillus nanus, Gerbillus gerbillus and Gerbillus tarabuli preferred natural
environments (sand dunes) where the soil was light and sandy.
