Facteurs environnementaux et répartition spatiale des crustacés dans un cours d'eau peu anthropisé à Makak (Région du Centre Cameroun)

Abstract

This study examines the influence of environmental factors on the spatial distribution of crustaceans in the Matourou stream, located in a forest area of the District of Makak (Center Region of Cameroon). The physico-chemical analyses reveal good ecological conditions : waters slightly basic (average pH value of 7.28 ± 0.81), well oxygenated (saturation rate = 82.54 ± 8.22 %), slightly mineralized (electrical conductivity = 25.89 ± 6.13 µS/cm) and with low organic matter loads (oxydisability = 1.42 ± 1.70 mg/l). Concerning crustaceans, two freshwater shrimp species known as Caridina sp. (Atyidae) and Macrobrachium sp. (Palaemonidae), and an undetermined species of crab belonging to the genus Soudanonautes (Potamidae), were identified. A total number of 2132 individuals were collected. Caridina sp. is the dominant species with 90.43 % of relative abundance, followed by Soudanonautes spp. (7.83 %) and Macrobrachium sp. (1.74 %). Macrobrachium sp. is absent in the upper stream.

Keywords

• crustaceans
• environmental factors
• abundance dynamic
• Matourou stream
• Cameroon