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Coordinated and published by The Grassroots Institute, the Grassroots Journal of Natural Resources (GJNR) is an international journal dedicated to the latest advancements in natural resources throughout the world. The goal of this journal is to provide a platform for scientists, social scientists, policy analysts, managers and practitioners (on all academic and professional levels) all over the world to promote, discuss and share various new issues and developments in different arenas of natural resources.
Nabil Berrahal*1, Dina Lila Soualili2, Karim Mezali3, José M. Guerra-Garcia4
1Protection, Valorization of Coastal Marine Resources and Molecular Systematics Laboratory, Department of Marine Sciences and Aquaculture, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Life, Abdelhamid Ibn Badis University, Route Nationale N° 11, Kharrouba, 27000 Mostaganem, Algeria. Email: nabil.berrahal.etu@univ-mosta.dz
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-6243-1105
2Protection, Valorization of Coastal Marine Resources and Molecular Systematics Laboratory, Department of Marine Sciences and Aquaculture, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Life, Abdelhamid Ibn Badis University, Route Nationale N° 11, Kharrouba, 27000 Mostaganem, Algeria. Email: dinalila.soualili@univ-mosta.dz
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9218-5182
3Protection, Valorization of Coastal Marine Resources and Molecular Systematics Laboratory, Department of Marine Sciences and Aquaculture, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Life, Abdelhamid Ibn Badis University, Route Nationale N° 11, Kharrouba, 27000 Mostaganem, Algeria. Email: karim.mezali@univ-mosta.dz
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7222-9002
4Marine Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Seville, Seville, Spain.
Email: jmguerra@us.es | ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6050-4997
*Corresponding author
Grassroots Journal of Natural Resources, 9(2): 1-21. Doi: https://doi.org/10.33002/nr2581.6853.090201
Received: 25 May 2026
Reviewed: 20 July 2026
Provisionally Accepted: 20 July 2026
Revised: 29 July 2026
Finally Accepted: 31 July 2026
Published: 30 August 2026
Caprellidae amphipods form an important group of benthic crustaceans associated with various biotic substrates, particularly macroalgae. This study aimed to identify Caprellidae species and evaluate their biodiversity in association with macroalgae along the coast of Mostaganem (Algeria). Samples were collected from two types of macroalgae: Ulva sp. (green alga) and Cystoseira sp. (brown alga), at three coastal sites: Stidia, Salamandre, and Hadjadj. The individuals collected were identified to the species level and classified according to their sex. The results identified six species belonging to the genus Caprella: Caprella acanthifera Leach, 1814; Caprella andreae Mayer, 1890; Caprella danilevskii Czerniavski, 1868; Caprella grandimana Mayer, 1882; Caprella hirsuta Mayer, 1890; and Caprella liparotensis Haller, 1879. The biodiversity analysis shows a higher abundance of Caprella species on the brown alga Cystoseira sp. than on the green alga Ulva sp., with Caprella danilevskii Czerniavski, 1868 being the dominant species. Although species richness is similar between habitats, population structure varies depending on the study site and the type of macroalgae. These results highlight the importance of macroalgae as key habitats for Caprellidae and emphasize their role in maintaining biodiversity in coastal ecosystems of the Mostaganem region.
Identification; Marine biodiversity; Caprellidae; Coastal ecosystems; Mostaganem
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Berrahal, N., Soualili, D.L., Mezali, K. and Guerra-Garcia, J.M. (2026). Taxonomic Identification and Biodiversity Assessment of Caprellidae Amphipods, Crustaceans associated with Macroalgae along the Coast of Mostaganem (Algeria). Grassroots Journal of Natural Resources, 9(2): 1-21. Doi: https://doi.org/10.33002/nr2581.6853.090201
Berrahal, N., Soualili, D. L., Mezali, K., & Guerra-Garcia, J. M. (2026). Taxonomic Identification and Biodiversity Assessment of Caprellidae Amphipods, Crustaceans associated with Macroalgae along the Coast of Mostaganem (Algeria). Grassroots Journal of Natural Resources, 9(2), 1-21. https://doi.org/10.33002/nr2581.6853.090201
Berrahal N., Soualili D. L., Mezali K., Guerra-Garcia J. M. Taxonomic Identification and Biodiversity Assessment of Caprellidae Amphipods, Crustaceans associated with Macroalgae along the Coast of Mostaganem (Algeria). Grassroots Journal of Natural Resources, 2026, 9 (2), 1-21. https://doi.org/10.33002/nr2581.6853.090201
Berrahal, Nabil, Soualili, Dina Lila, Mezali, Karim, Guerra-Garcia, José M. 2026. “Taxonomic Identification and Biodiversity Assessment of Caprellidae Amphipods, Crustaceans associated with Macroalgae along the Coast of Mostaganem (Algeria)”. Grassroots Journal of Natural Resources, 9 no. 2: 1-21. https://doi.org/10.33002/nr2581.6853.090201
Berrahal, Nabil, Dina Lila Soualili, Karim Mezali and José M. Guerra-Garcia. 2026. “Taxonomic Identification and Biodiversity Assessment of Caprellidae Amphipods, Crustaceans associated with Macroalgae along the Coast of Mostaganem (Algeria)”. Grassroots Journal of Natural Resources, 9 (2): 1-21. https://doi.org/10.33002/nr2581.6853.090201
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