Like many vast emerging nations with extensive remote regions, Algeria faces significant gaps in data on species’ geographical distribution. More than 80% of its territory lies within the Sahara Desert—a seemingly prohibitive environment that nonetheless supports remarkable biological diversity. Data availability is particularly limited for amphibians and reptiles, partly due to historically low interest in herpetological research, but primarily because of chronic underfunding for biodiversity conservation.

An important step forward in understanding Algerian biogeography comes from a study recently published in Acta Herpetologica. The publication presents the first comprehensive atlas of the herpetofauna of Batna Province, a vast and topographically diverse region in northeastern Algeria. Covering approximately 12,000 square kilometers and ranging from 70 to over 2,300 meters above sea level, the province encompasses a mosaic of habitats.

The Atlas is the result of a decade of dedicated field surveys combined with a critical review of 150 years of historical records. Beyond updated taxonomic lists, conservation assessments, and detailed distribution maps, it also provides Arabic common names for each species—an intentional effort to foster local engagement and public awareness.

In total, the Atlas documents 47 species: 4 anurans, 14 snakes, 12 lacertid lizards, 5 geckoes, 4 skinks, 3 agamids, 2 tortoises, 1 trogonophid, 1 chameleon, and 1 monitor lizard. Remarkably, although Batna Province represents only 0.5% of Algeria’s total area, it hosts 25% of the country’s amphibian diversity and 43% of its reptile diversity. Seven species are reported for the first time in the province. However, anthropogenic pressures—particularly habitat degradation and illegal wildlife trade—pose serious threats to many of the documented species. These findings underscore the need for stronger enforcement of conservation laws and more restrictive measures to protect vulnerable taxa.

In the absence of a national herpetological atlas, this publication represents a major advancement in the understanding of Algerian biodiversity. Nevertheless, the authors emphasize the urgent need for increased national funding to support further fieldwork in poorly sampled grid cells—especially those along provincial borders and in remote, difficult-to-access areas.

Click here to dive into the remarkable diversity of Batna’s herpetofauna and discover a hidden stronghold of North African biodiversity.

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