TITLE:
Diversity of Zooplanktonic Crustaceans in a Soudano Guinean Crater Lake: Tison Lake (Adamawa, Cameroon)
AUTHORS:
Cédric Anicet Nguiema, Gwladys Joelle Mogue Kamdem, Rodrigue Nanfack Dongmo, Mamert Onana Fils, Serge Hubert Zebaze Togouet
KEYWORDS:
Cladocera, Copepods, Dynamics, Crater Lake, Sudano-Guinean Region
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.12 No.9,
September
2,
2025
ABSTRACT: This study investigated the diversity of zooplanktonic microcrustaceans in Lake Tison, a crater lake located in the High Guinean Savannah of Cameroon. Sampling was conducted on a fortnightly basis from November 2018 to January 2020. Physicochemical parameters were measured vertically at the center of the lake, from −0.5 m to −20 m. Organisms were collected from both the shoreline and the water column. During the dry season, the euphotic layer measured 7.07 ± 0.45 m, with cooler (23.46˚C ± 1.03˚C), more mineralized (880.13 ± 22.12 µS/cm), and well-oxygenated (7.34 ± 0.31 mg/L) water. In contrast, the metalimnetic waters were colder (20.05˚C ± 0.5˚C), less oxygenated (5.25 ± 1.26 mg/L), and highly mineralized (962.33 ± 22.5 µS/cm). A total of 15 species were identified, including a newly recorded species, Camptocantus sp. The littoral zone exhibited the highest species richness (15 species), with Coronatella hardingi being the dominant species (94 ind/L) during the dry season. In the water column, species richness was lower (4 species), with Mesocyclops leuckarti being the most abundant (12 ind/L) at a depth of −10 m during the dry season. Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) distinguished periphytic from pelagic organisms, with their distribution influenced by factors such as temperature, salinity, conductivity, pH, and dissolved oxygen. These findings enhance our understanding of the diversity and dynamics of zooplanktonic microcrustaceans in crater lakes.