Gulf of Guinea Rivers & Streams - A Global Ecoregion
One of the highest richness and endemism levels for freshwater ecosystems in Africa
Snapshot: Ecoregion 163
Size:
521,000 sq. km (208,000 sq. miles)
Habitat type:
Small Rivers
Geographic Location:
Central West Africa: Cameroon, DRC, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Nigeria, and the Republic of Congo
Conservation Status:
Vulnerable
Quiz Time!
Which is the world's largest frog?
Answer:
Goliath, the largest frog in the world, can be up to 35 inches long with its back legs outstretched and can weigh upto 3.25 kgs. It is currently severely endangered.
About the Area
Some of the principal rivers in this ecoregion are the Cross, Ogooué, Sanaga, Nyong, Ntem, and Kouilou, which run through equatorial forest and savanna before emptying into the Gulf of Guinea.
These rivers contain some of the highest endemism levels for any of Africa's riverine freshwater systems. There is also great species variation among streams and often within the same river basin.Local Species
This ecoregion is home to at least ten endemic species of crabs, and has the second highest richness in fish species of river systems in Africa. Species include a variety of endemic Killifish (Aphyosemion spp.), Barbs (Barbus spp.), and Cichlids (Cichlidae).
Parts of this ecoregion reportedly support the highest densities of amphibian species in mainland Africa, including the most distinctive of these - the Goliath frog (Conraua goliath). These waters are also home to the Giant African water shrew (Potomogale velox).
Threats
The planned construction of dams and continued deforestation are the biggest threats to the aquatic habitats and species in the ecoregion. The aquarium trade and introduced species also threaten native fish populations.
Resources
• NationalGeographic.com
