Numerous mammalian species of North Africa have an enigmatic distribution between the Mediterranean and Saharan area. In order to study the distribution of hedgehogs in Tunisia, field data were collected from several protected areas and various natural and peri-urban environments during 4 years 2015-2018 covering the all bioclimatic zones present in the country. The present work provides a detailed geographical and ecological distribution of hedgehogs with a total of 168 occurrence data of Atelerix algirus and Paraechinus aethiopicus. Atelerix algirus showed a wide distribution range from north to south being absent only in the extreme Saharan environment. Paraechinus aethiopicus has been recorded in the centre and the south with a specialisation in the arid and Saharan environment. A parapatry distribution is also shown with a sympatric area between arid and Saharan bioclimates. Our results improve knowledge of the bioclimatic niche and habitat characteristic of these taxa not clearly defined in previous research. The presence of the two hedgehogs on Djerba Island (A. algirus and P. aethiopicus) is also confirmed. Résumé De nombreuses espèces de mammifères d'Afrique du Nord ont une répartition énigmatique entre la zone méditerranéenne et saharienne. Afin d'étudier la répartition des hérissons en Tunisie, des données de terrain ont été recueillies dans plusieurs zones protégées et divers environnements naturels et périurbains au cours des quatre ans 2015-2018 couvrant toutes les zones bioclimatiques présentes dans le pays. Le présent travail fournit une répartition géographique et écologique détaillée des hérissons avec un total de 168 données d'occurrence d' Atelerix Algirus et de Paraechinus aethiopicus. A. algirus a montré une large gamme de distribution du Nord au Sud étant absent uniquement dans l'environnement extrême saharien. Paraechinus aethiopicus a été enregistré dans le centre et le sud avec une spécialisation dans l'environnement aride et saharien. Une distribution de parapatrie est également présentée avec une zone sympatrique entre les bioclimats arides et sahariens. Nos résultats améliorent la connaissance de la niche bioclimatique et de l'habitat caractéristique de ces taxons qui n'étaient pas clairement définis dans les recherch précédentes. La présence des deux hérissons sur l'île de Djerba (Atelerix algirus et P. aethiopicus) est également confirmée.

Two species of hedgehogs are known to occur in northern part of Africa: the Algerian hedgehog Atelerix algirus and the Ethiopian hedgehog Paraechinus aethiopicus. Within each species several subspecies were described based on morphometrical data and pelage coloration, but all these subspecies have enigmatic and unclear definitions. We investigated the phylogeographical history and taxonomy of these two species based on mitochondrial DNA data covering the entire geographical distribution of A. algirus and the North African distribution of P. aethiopicus. We also used climatic niche modelling to make inferences about their evolutionary history. Low genetic diversity was recovered in both species. While no phylogeographic pattern was found in P. aethiopicus, two haplogroups were identified within A. algirus. This could be explained by the fact that continuous high or moderate climatic suitability occurred throughout most of the Saharan desert since the LGM (Last Glacial Maximum) for the first species, while during the LGM there were several disconnected areas of high climatic suitability for A. algirus: one in South-West Morocco, one at the coastal Moroccan-Algerian border and one in Tunisia-coastal Libya. Our genetic results confirm that A. algirus recently colonized Spain, Balearic and Canary Islands, and that this colonization was probably mediated by humans. Suitable climatic conditions occurred throughout most of the Southern and Eastern Iberian Peninsula during the last 6,000 years which could have favored the spatial expansion of the Algerian hedgehog after its arrival in Europe. According to our molecular results subspecific recognition within North Africa is unwarranted for both species.

Long‐term population studies on large mammals are rare. Here, we have examined the threatened scimitar‐horned oryx, addax and dama gazelle's populations over the last 20 years in Bou Hedma National Park. Using monthly count data of the three studied species collected since 1995, we examined their population trends. Using autocorrelation analyses, we discovered endogenous natural cyclical fluctuations in the numbers of each species, with a periodicity of approximately 3 years. For all three studied species which seem to be opportunistic breeders, births and deaths occurred throughout the year, although with notable seasonality. By means of cross‐correlation, we discovered that during the first 7 years for which data were available, addax numbers were positively correlated with those of dama and inversely correlated with numbers of oryx. This pattern reversed during the following 4‐year period. The number of oryx was negatively correlated with dama during the first 4 years and then became positively correlated during the subsequent 7‐year period. Thus, we draw attention to difference in response to environmental and anthropogenic factors. Incorporating fundamental long‐term population data into developing management approaches, especially for potentially competitive species, is vital for their future long‐term survival and the success of conservation actions.

From 2015 to 2018, a total of 60 dens of red fox Vulpes vulpes have been visited in three sites of southern Tunisia. In this arid habitat, we recorded deposited skins of hedgehogs in front of 34 dens, an uncommon behaviour to our knowledge. These sightings suggest that red fox can be the main predator of hedgehogs in arid zones of North Africa.

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