Preliminary Data on the Taxonomic Composition and the Spatio-Seasonal Variation of the Zooplanktonic Population of Fish Ponds in Kisangani, DR Congo

Abstract

The overall objective of this study was to determine the taxonomic composition and spatial seasonal variation of the zooplankton population in fish ponds in Kisangani, DR Congo. The collection of zooplankton in fishponds was carried out using plankton nets in the Artisanal and Plateau boyoma districts for four months, two months per season. At the end of this study, 3 sub-classes, 13 families and 22 species were listed. The subclass Monogononta (Rotifers) was the best represented with 7 families and 14 species identified. On the other hand, the family Brachionidae was the richest with 6 species. The high specific richness of zooplankton according to site and season was recorded in the Artisanal district with 19 species and in the rainy season with 22 species. Thus, it should be noted that the fish ponds of Kisangani have a high specific diversity of zooplankton that can vary according to the sites and seasons. Certain species such as Tropocyclops prasinus prasinus, Moina macrocopa, Brachionus falcatus, Thermocyclops sp and Brachionus calyciflorus are more abundant than others present. However, the list of species presented is not exhaustive given the sampling period, which was only 4 months, and the collection effort, which was only carried out at two sites.