Lake Ejagham

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Lake Ejagham
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Lake Ejagham
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Lake Ejagham
Coordinates 5°45′N8°59′E / 5.750°N 8.983°E / 5.750; 8.983 Coordinates: 5°45′N8°59′E / 5.750°N 8.983°E / 5.750; 8.983
Type Solution basin
Primary outflows Munaya River (part of the Cross River system)
Basin  countries Cameroon
Max. lengthApproximately 1,050 metres (3,440 ft) [1]
Max. widthApproximately 700 metres (2,300 ft) [1]
Surface area0.49 square kilometres (0.19 sq mi) [2]
Max. depthApproximately 18 metres (59 ft) [1]

Lake Ejagham is a small lake near Eyumodjock in the Southwest Region of Cameroon. Unlike many other lakes in the region, it is not a volcanic lake, but is likely a solution basin formed by groundwater during the last Ice Age. [1] This highly isolated lake is roughly oval in shape, lacks an inflow, but has an outflow into the Munaya River (part of the Cross River system). [1] [3] The outflow is impassable to most fishes because of a waterfall. [1]

Contents

Biology

Despite its very small size, it supports 7 endemic species of coptodonine and oreochromine cichlid fishes ( Coptodon deckerti , C. ejagham , C. fusiforme , C. nigrans , Sarotherodon lamprechti , and S. knauerae ). Of these, 6 were only scientifically described in 2010 and 2011, and have therefore not been rated by the IUCN, but they likely face the same threats as C. deckerti (the single older species that has been rated by the IUCN). [2] [4] [5] C. deckerti is considered critically endangered due to pollution and sedimentation from human activities. It could also be threatened by large emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the lake's bottom (compare Lake Nyos), [5] although Ejagham is too shallow to contain very high amounts of this gas. [6] A species of catfish from the genus Parauchenoglanis has been introduced to the lake, and this probably presents a serious threat to the endemic cichlids. [2]

The Ejagham cichlids are commonly considered a prime example of sympatric speciation within its two genera. Studies indicate a level of secondary gene flow between the lake's species and relatives from nearby regions, and this likely facilitated the speciation (i.e., the Ejagham species not strictly the result of sympatric speciation). [7]

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>Tilapia</i> (genus) Genus of fishes

Tilapia is a genus of cichlid fishes endemic to freshwater habitats in Southern Africa. In the past this was a very large genus including all species with the common name tilapia, but today the vast majority are placed in other genera.

The dikume is a critically endangered species of fish in the family Cichlidae. It is endemic to Lake Barombi Mbo in western Cameroon.

<i>Myaka</i> (fish) Species of fish

The myaka (Myaka myaka) is a critically endangered species of cichlid endemic to Lake Barombi Mbo in western Cameroon. It prefers open, deeper waters where it feeds on phytoplankton and small insects, only venturing into shallower waters to spawn. This species can reach a length of 6.7 centimetres (2.6 in) SL. It is currently the only known species in its genus, but it is very close to Sarotherodon. The myika is threatened because of pollution and sedimentation due to human activities. It is potentially also threatened by large emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the lake's bottom (compare Lake Nyos), although studies indicate that Barombo Mbo lacks excess amounts of this gas. Konia, Pungu and Stomatepia are three other equally threatened genera of ciclids that also are endemic to Lake Barombi Mbo.

<i>Pungu</i> Species of fish

The pungu is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Barombi Mbo in Cameroon where it prefers shallow waters of about 1 to 3 metres in depth. It feeds on invertebrates, sponges, diatoms and macrophytes. This species can reach a length of 10 centimetres (3.9 in) SL. It is currently the only known member of its genus, nested within the Sarotherodon. The pungu is threatened because of pollution and sedimentation from human activities. Konia, Myaka and Stomatepia are three other equally threatened genera of cichlids that also are endemic to Lake Barombi Mbo. The specific name of this fish honours the Fisheries Development Officer of Nigeria, P.I.R. MacLaren, who used his position to collect specimens of fishes, including the type of this species. The genus name honors common name of this fish used by the Barombi people ("pungu").

<i>Stomatepia</i> Genus of fishes

Stomatepia is a genus of cichlids endemic to Lake Barombi Mbo in western Cameroon. Although generally recognized as distinct, the genus is very close to Sarotherodon. The Stomatepia species are all recognized as critically endangered by the IUCN because of pollution and sedimentation due to human activities. They are potentially also threatened by large emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the lake's bottom (compare Lake Nyos), although studies indicate that Barombo Mbo lacks excess amounts of this gas. Konia, Myaka and Pungu are three other equally threatened genera of ciclids that also are endemic to Lake Barombi Mbo.

Coptodon bemini is a critically endangered species of fish in the cichlid family. It is endemic to Lake Bermin in Cameroon. It is threatened by pollution and sedimentation from human activities, and potentially also by large emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the lake's bottom (compare Lake Nyos), although Bermin is too shallow to contain very high amounts of this gas.

Coptodon deckerti is a critically endangered species of fish in the cichlid family, endemic to Lake Ejagham in western Cameroon. It is threatened by pollution and sedimentation from human activities, and potentially also by emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the lake's bottom (compare Lake Nyos), although Ejagham is too shallow to contain very high amounts of this gas. A species of catfish from the genus Parauchenoglanis has recently been introduced to the lake, and this probably presents a serious threat to the endemic cichlids.

<i>Coptodon kottae</i> Species of fish

Coptodon kottae is an endangered species of fish in the cichlid family, Cichlidae. It is endemic to Lake Barombi-ba-Kotto and the smaller nearby Lake Mboandong in the Southwest Region of Cameroon.

Lake Barombi Mbo


Lake Barombi Mbo or Barombi-ma-Mbu is a lake near Kumba in the Southwest Region of Cameroon. It is located in the Cameroon volcanic chain, and is the largest volcanic lake in this region. It is one of the oldest radiocarbon-dated lakes in Africa, with the youngest lava flow in it being about one million years old. On old colonial maps the area was known as Elefanten Sea, but the elephants living in the area were extirpated due to ivory trading.

Stomatepia mongo, the Mongo, is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Barombi Mbo in western Cameroon. It can reach a length of 10.3 centimetres (4.1 in) SL. This species is seriously threatened by pollution and sedimentation due to human activities. It is potentially also threatened by large emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the lake's bottom (compare Lake Nyos), although studies indicate that Barombo Mbo lacks excess amounts of this gas. Even compared to other cichlids that are endemic Lake Barombi Mbo, Stomatepia mongo is a very rare species.

Konia is a small genus of critically endangered cichlids endemic to Lake Barombi Mbo in western Cameroon. Although generally recognized as distinct, the genus is very close to Sarotherodon. The Konia species are threatened because of pollution and sedimentation due to human activities. They are potentially also threatened by large emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the lake's bottom (compare Lake Nyos), although studies indicate that Barombo Mbo lacks excess amounts of this gas. Myaka, Pungu and Stomatepia are three other equally threatened genera of cichlids that also are endemic to Lake Barombi Mbo.

<i>Sarotherodon linnellii</i> Species of fish

Sarotherodon linnellii, sometimes known as the unga, blackfin tilapia or blackbelly tilapia, is a cichlid endemic to Lake Barombi Mbo in western Cameroon. This species reaches a length of 18.5 centimetres (7.3 in) SL. It is critically endangered because of pollution and sedimentation due to human activities. It is potentially also threatened by large emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the lake's bottom (compare Lake Nyos), although studies indicate that Barombo Mbo lacks excess amounts of this gas.

Lake Bermin

Lake Bermin is a small lake in the volcanic chain in the Southwest Region of Cameroon. It is a volcanic lake with a diameter of about 700 m (2,300 ft) and a crater rim that rises to a height of about 46 m (150 ft). This highly isolated lake is roughly circular in shape, lacks an inflow, but has an outflow into the Cross River system.

Coptodon fusiforme is a species of fish in the cichlid family, endemic to Lake Ejagham in western Cameroon. It was only scientifically described in 2010, so has not been rated by the IUCN, but it likely faces the same risks as the critically endangered C. deckerti, which is threatened by pollution and sedimentation from human activities, a catfish from the genus Parauchenoglanis that has been introduced to the lake, and potentially also by large emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the lake's bottom (compare Lake Nyos), although Ejagham is too shallow to contain very high amounts of this gas.

Coptodon ejagham is a species of fish in the cichlid family. It is endemic to Lake Ejagham in western Cameroon. It was only scientifically described in 2010 and has therefore not been rated by the IUCN, but it likely faces the same risks as the critically endangered C. deckerti, which is threatened by pollution and sedimentation from human activities, a catfish from the genus Parauchenoglanis that has been introduced to the lake, and potentially also by large emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the lake's bottom (compare Lake Nyos), although Ejagham is too shallow to contain very high amounts of this gas.

Coptodon nigrans is a species of fish in the cichlid family. It is endemic to Lake Ejagham in western Cameroon. It was only scientifically described in 2010 and has therefore not been rated by the IUCN, but it likely faces the same risks as the critically endangered C. deckerti, which is threatened by pollution and sedimentation from human activities, a catfish from the genus Parauchenoglanis that has been introduced to the lake, and potentially also by large emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the lake's bottom (compare Lake Nyos), although Ejagham is too shallow to contain very high amounts of this gas.

Sarotherodon lamprechti is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Ejagham in western Cameroon. This phytoplanktivore can reach a length of 9.9 centimetres (3.9 in) SL. It has not yet been rated by the IUCN, but it likely faces the same risks as the critically endangered Coptodon deckerti, which is threatened by pollution and sedimentation from human activities, a catfish from the genus Parauchenoglanis that has been introduced to the lake, and potentially also by large emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the lake's bottom (compare Lake Nyos), although Ejagham is too shallow to contain very high amounts of this gas.

Sarotherodon knauerae is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Ejagham in western Cameroon. This species can reach a length of 7.5 centimetres (3.0 in) SL and feeds on detritus. It has not yet been rated by the IUCN, but it likely faces the same risks as the critically endangered Coptodon deckerti, which is threatened by pollution and sedimentation from human activities, a catfish from the genus Parauchenoglanis that has been introduced to the lake, and potentially also by large emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the lake's bottom (compare Lake Nyos), although Ejagham is not deep enough to contain very high amounts of this gas.

Lake Barombi Koto

Lake Barombi Koto, also known as Lake Barombi Kotto or Lake Barombi-ba-Kotto, is a small lake in the volcanic chain in the Southwest Region of Cameroon. It is a volcanic lake with a diameter of about 1.2 km (0.75 mi). There is a small island in the middle, which is densely inhabited by the Barombi, a tribe of fishers. The Tung Nsuia and Tung Nsuria streams, each about 1–2 m wide and 0.3 m deep near their mouth, are the only inflows into the lake, and they dry out in dry season.

<i>Coptodon</i> Genus of cichlids

Coptodon is a genus of cichlids native to fresh, brackish and coastal marine waters in Africa with C. zillii also found in the Middle East. It is the only genus in the tribe Coptodonini. Formerly included in Tilapia, this genus and tribe was separated in 2013. Despite the change in genus, Coptodon spp. are still referred to by the common name tilapia. Several species are important in local fisheries and a few are aquacultured.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Freshwater Ecoregions of the World (2008). Western Equatorial Crater Lakes. Archived 2011-10-05 at the Wayback Machine
  2. 1 2 3 Dunz, A. R., & Schliewen, U. K. (2010). Description of a Tilapia (Coptodon) species flock of Lake Ejagham (Cameroon), including a redescription of Tilapia deckerti Thys van den Audenaerde, 1967. Spixiana, 33(2): 251-280
  3. Schliewen, U.K., Tautz, D., and Pääbo, S. (1994). Sympatric speciation suggested by monophyly of crater lake cichlids. Nature 368(6472): 629-632.
  4. Neumann, D., Stiassny, M. L. J, & Schliewen, U. K. (2011). Two new sympatric Sarotherodon species (Pisces: Cichlidae) endemic to Lake Ejagham, Cameroon, west-central Africa, with comments on the Sarotherodon galilaeus species complex. Zootaxa 2765: 1–20
  5. 1 2 Moelants, T. (2010). "Tilapia deckerti". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2010: e.T21897A9337295. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-3.RLTS.T21897A9337295.en . Retrieved 25 December 2017.
  6. Freeth, S.J.; C.O. Ofoegbu; and K.M. Onuoha (1992). Natural Hazards in West and Central Africa, pp. 50—51. ISBN   978-3-663-05239-5
  7. Martin; Cutler; Friel; Touokong; Coop; and Wainwright (2015). Complex histories of repeated gene flow in Cameroon crater lake cichlids cast doubt on one of the clearest examples of sympatric speciation. Evolution 69-6: 1406–1422. doi : 10.1111/evo.12674