Gabel Essome Bang, Ajonina Gordon Nwutih, Arnold Roger Bitja Nyom, Felix Besack, Chrétien Marc Manga Essome, Belise La Fortune Fouegap and Minette Tomedi-Tabi Eyango

Since knowledge of clam diets is necessary for their domestication, new information is provided on the composition of the micro-algal flora in the stomach contents of Clams from the Nkam-Wouri River. 1465 Clams with different sizes were sampled in the dry season and their stomach composition in micro algal contents was investigated. The relationships between microalgal flora, size and age of clams on one hand, microalgal flora, substrate physical and chemical parameters on the other hand were assessed. A total of 27 microalgae species were identified belonging to 6 phyla, 10 classes, 16 orders, 18 families, 24 genera and 28 species. The Cyanophyceae class was the most represented (12 species or 44%) while the Chrysophyceae was the least represented (only one species or 3.70%). Uronema elongatum and Oedogonium sp were mainly consumed by Clams of different size classes (juveniles, adults and breeders in the three stations). A high quantity of organic matter (> 32mg/g) was recorded in the sediment of the three stations, which justifies the high number of Cyanophyceae (44%) and the very small number of Chrysophyceae (3.70%) enumerated in stomach contents of Clams.

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