Effet de l'urbanisation sur le phénotype de la Tourterelle turque (Streptopelia decaocto) dans le Nord-Est Algérien The effect of urbanization on the phenotype of the Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto) in northeastern Algeria

Numerous species were adapted to humans, especially invasive species associated to humans in towns and cities. These adaptations to urban environments are expressed by changes in behaviour and physiology, reflecting phenotypic plasticity or evolution (Moller, 2008). Although the Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto) is one of the most common Columbidae species in the different Algerians environments during the recent years (Merabet et al. 2010, Belabed 2013), the data on its biometry are almost non existent. This work, conducted during 2011, in northeastern Algeria, aims to produce information on the effect of the degree of urbanization on the phenotype of Collared Doves adult in Annaba (extreme northeastern Algeria), based on their morphometric data. To do this, our methodology was to capture adult individuals in two different sites: one urban and one suburban, and measure the morphological parameters. The parameters that have been considered are : weight, height, width and length of the beak, length of culmen, collar, tarsus, stretched and bent wing, the fifth remix and finally the wing span. Our results show that there are significant differences between the individuals captured in both environments. Indeed, the collar, the stretched and bent wing and the wing span are more important for individuals in suburban site. Whereas, urban individuals show height and a larger bill length. Showing differences in adaptive flight and food, between the two sites. while urban individuals show a height and length of beak more important. This reflects differences in adaptive flight and food between the two sites.