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Grasshoppers have been identified as excellent monitors of landscape use. Despite their importance, their composition and distribution in the highly disturbed Littoral Cameroon is still unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of human activities on diversity, abundance and distribution of grasshopper species in the Littoral region of Cameron. We investigated three types of vegetation differing remarkably on the level of anthropogenic impact (farmlands, fallows and forests), using sweep netting. The eight non-parametric estimators for specific richness, abundance, α and β diversity indices and species abundance distribution models, were used to compare the structure of communities among vegetation. Overall, 38 species belonging to three families and ten subfamilies were recorded. The Acrididae was the most diverse family. The species richness, abundance and diversity were higher in farmlands than in fallows and in forests. Five species occurred exclusively in farmlands, one in fallows and four in forests. Eyprepocnemis plorans, Coryphosima stenoptera, Serpusia opacula were overall the most abundant species respectively in cultivated farms, fallows and forests. Species abundance distribution fitted the Motomura model in all sites. Serpusia opacula is considered as a useful indicator since its presence and abundance significantly depend on the rate of forest naturalness. The farmlands were characterized by short vegetation while the fallows and forests were dominated by tall grasses and tall trees respectively. Anthropogenic disturbances promote the species richness, diversity and abundance of open meadow species, while it is detrimental to forest species which are sensitive, specialized and have limited dispersal abilities. Key words: Grasshopper, diversity, abundance, distribution, bioindicator

Soil-dwelling ants are the most diverse and abundant groups of animals in most terrestrial ecosystems. However, reliable techniques for assessing the abundance and diversity of ant communities with respect to land management remain poorly studied. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of three trapping procedures (Pitfall trapping, quadrat sampling and baiting) in three habitats (urban, upland and littoral). A total of 169,934 ant workers belonging to 7 sub-families, 51 genera and 198 species were recorded in the three habitats. High species richness and abundance were recorded in upland habitats, compared to urban and littoral habitats. Similarly, contribution diversity approach based on species richness and Simpson’s index was high in upland habitats and low in littoral and urban habitats. Quadrat sampling was more efficient and reliable technique (138 species) than pitfall trapping (133 species) and baiting (126 species). Ant pitfall trapping was less efficient in urban and littoral habitats, but significantly effective in upland habitats. All techniques recorded more predominantly epigaeically foraging species than hypogaeically species. Ant community composition significantly varied among habitats, but no between sampling methods. These results highlight the influence of habitat traits on ant trapping success and indicate that sampling techniques used seem to be more suitable to sample a specific stratum, particularly the epigaeic ant fauna. Additional methods are therefore needed to increase the likelihood of recording hidden ant fauna and obtaining an adequate impression of the local ant fauna. Key words: sampling techniques, ants, epigaeic, hypogaeic, land management, Camer

Heteracris lecoqi Yetchom-Fondjo & Kekeunou sp. nov. Material examined: Holotype: 1 male, Cameroon, Littoral region, type locality: Mbongu��, 4��21���25���N, 9��35���22������E; fallows, 05 Feb 2015. Coll. Yetchom-Fondjo & Kekeunou; sweep net; deposited in the Zoology Research Unit, Laboratory of Biology and Physiology of Animal Organisms, University of Douala, Cameroon (ZRULBPAOUDC). Paratype: 1 male, Cameroon, Littoral region, type locality: Sol�� 4��36���00������N, 9��48���00������E; fallows, 05 Mar 2018. Coll. Yetchom-Fondjo & Kekeunou; sweep net; deposited in the Zoology Research Unit, Laboratory of Biology and Physiology of Animal Organisms, University of Douala, Cameroon (ZRULBPAOUDC). Etymology: named in honor of Dr. Michel Lecoq who has contributed to the knowledge of Afrotropical grasshoppers. Diagnosis: basal part in male cercus longer, apex flattened and obtuse, curved downwards; lophus strongly curved anteriorly; interlophal space with V-shape structure; external margins of lateral plates flexuous; apodemes of cingulum thin, arched and convergent, forming an almost V-shaped structure; cingulum valves in lateral view slightly longer than the apical valves of penis; rami of cingulum in ventral view fused anteriorly, endophallic sclerites partly free; posterior tibiae darkish, with a clear basal ring and bluish apical half; hind wings hyalines, with tips infumate. Description: male: 22.01 �� 2.01 mm (n = 2 individuals), integument slightly rugose; head slightly conical and oblique; fastigial foveolea present; medium eyes; fastigium of vertex short, with truncated apex, median carinulae absent; antenna filiform, longer than head and pronotum together; pronotum weakly tectiform, with lateral and median carinae crossed by three sulcus; metazona shorter than prozona with anobtuse posterior margin; longitudinal median strip of the pronotum darkish and wider than the adjacent light strip; tegmina and wings with rounded apex; tympanum present; prosternal process cylindrical, flattened at the base and forming with the prothoracic presternite a collar-like; mesosternal interspace open, longer than wide; male supra-anal plate conical, with a transverse ridge on the middle area; male cercus with longer basal part and flattened, obtuse and downcurved apical part (fig. 2d); subgenital plate short and conical; epiphallus short, compressed, with a wide bridge; ancorae well developed, curved and with acute apex; lophus large, lobiform and strongly curved upwards; interlophal space forming a Vshaped structure, with a proximal protuberance (fig. 3IIb); external margins of lateral plates flexuous. Ectophallus and endophllus robust (fig. 3IIe, 3IIh and 3IIk), zygoma wide; rami of cingulum well developed, in ventral view fused anteriorly and leaving free a part of endophallic sclerites; apodemes of cingulum thin, arched and convergent, almost V-shaped structure; basal and apical valves of penis connected by a sclerotized flexion; apical valves of penis with strongly curved upwards; valves of cingulum slightly longer than the apical valves of penis; apical valves elongated and weakly sclerotized. Coloration (fig. 2c): body generally light brown; posterior margin of eyes yellow highlighted; presence of two black bands in the medio-internal area of posterior femurs; external area with two brown-black median spots, sometimes weakly pronounced; posterior tibiae darkish in basal half, with a clear basal ring, and bluish in apical half; hind wing hyaline, with tips infumate. Female unknown. Ecology: only two adults of Heteracris lecoqi sp. nov. were captured respectively in February and March in fallows in the Littoral ever-green forest zone of Cameroon., Published as part of Wandji, Alain Christel, Yetchom-Fondjo, Jeanne Agrippine, Kekeunou, S��vilor, Kenne, Martin, Missoup, Alain Didier, Tindo, Maurice, Simeu-Noutchom, Alain, Mbadjoun-Nzike, Marcelle, Xu, Sheng-Quan, Djomnang-Nkwala, Alfiery Laurel & Fomena, Abraham, 2021, Description of Heteracris lecoqi Yetchom-Fondjo & Kekeunou sp. nov. and Heteracris hannai Wandji & Kekeunou sp. nov. and redescription of Heteracris guineensis (Krauss, 1890) (Orthoptera: Acrididae) with comments on its ecology in the Southern part of Cameroon, pp. 95-106 in Zootaxa 4915 (1) on pages 98-100, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4915.1.6, http://zenodo.org/record/4452499

Heteracris hannai Wandji & Kekeunou sp. nov. Material examined: Holotype: 1 male, Cameroon, Centre region, type locality: Talba (4°37’704”N, 11°29’815”E); fallows, 26 May 2016; Coll. Wandji & Kekeunou; sweep net; deposited in the Zoology Laboratory, of University of Yaoundé 1, Cameroon (ZLUYC). Paratype: 1 male, Cameroon, Centre region, type locality: Talba (4°37’704”N, 11°29’815”E); fallows, 26 May 2016; Coll. Wandji & Kekeunou; sweep net; deposited in the Zoology Laboratory, of University of Yaoundé 1, Cameroon (ZLUYC). Other material studied: 1 male and 1 female from Bangoulap (5°06’013”N, 10°32’332”E), 2 females from Kumba (4°39’101”N, 9°24’502”E), 8 males and 9 females from Talba (4°37’704”N, 11°29’815”E), and 1 female from Tombel (4°45’359”N, 9°40’215”E); deposited in the Zoology Laboratory, of University of Yaoundé 1, Cameroon (ZLUYC). Etymology: The new species is named in honor of Dr. Rachid Hanna, former Cameroon IITA representative for his research interests. Diagnosis: male cercus curved inwards with rounded apex; lophus with curved posterior margin in profile view; interlophal space forming a U-shaped structure; external margins of lateral plates straight; apodemes of cingulum robust, slightly parallel and forming a U- shaped structure; valves of cingulum shorter than apical valves of penis in lateral view; rami of the cingulum in ventral view strongly opened, leaving free the endophallic sclerites; hind wings blue at base; posterior femur robust; black posterior tibias, with a white basal ring; tibiae spines fully black. Description: male: length of body 25.85 ± 1.55 mm (n = 5 individuals), female: length of body 45.85 ± 2.95 mm (n = 5 individuals). Integument finely rugose; antenna filiform, slightly widened and thickened in middle, longer than head and pronotum together; large and ridged eyes; fastigium of vertex short, with truncated apex; pronotum slightly tectiform, with weak lateral carinae; median carina raised and crossed by three sulci; metazona slightly longer than prozona, its posterior margin excurved; prosternal process cylindrical, with rounded apex; tegmina and wings fully developed, with rounded apex; tympanum present; hind femur moderately widened; male supra-anal plate conical, with a transverse sulcus on the middle field; male cercus curved inward and almost in contact one to another (fig. 2f); male subgenital plate conical. Bridge of epiphallus strongly excurved; ancorae swavying with a hooked apex; lophi lobiform, with curved posterior margin; interlophal space forming a U-shaped structure; external margins of lateral plates straight; anterior projections large, posterior ones narrow (fig. 3IIIc); apodemes of cingulum robust, slightly parallel, forming a U-shaped structure and not reaching the apex of basal valves of penis; valves of cingulum in lateral view, strongly exceeded the apex of apical valves of penis; rami of the cingulum in ventral view strongly opened, leaving free the endophallic sclerites (fig. 3IIIf, 3IIIi and 3IIIl). Coloration (fig. 2e): body generally brown to gray; elytra black laterally and yellowish dorsally; hind wings at base blue; posterior tibiae black, with a white basal ring; tarsi gray. Ecology: Heteracris hannai sp. nov. is present in the natural vegetation of the southern Cameroon in one univoltine population. The nymphs of Heteracris hannai sp. nov. were not observed during this study. In the Centre region of Cameroon, the adults occurred between March and September (almost 6 months). In the West and South-west regions of Cameroon, the adults were observed only during the months of February and September respectively (fig. 6). The species is more abundant in fallows and crop fields and very few in in agro-forests and forests (fig. 5b). Heteracris hannai sp. nov. is an accidentally collected species regardless of the type of vegetation (table 1).

Heteracris guineensis (Krauss, 1890) Synonymy: Eyprepocnemis guineensis Krauss, 1890; Thisoicetrus guineensis Sj ��stedt. 1918; Heteracris aurantiacus (Uvarov, 1921); Heteracris maculosa (Krauss, 1890). Syntypes: West Tropical Africa, Togo, Misah ��he, SMN Stuttgart. Material examined: 1 male from Balamba (4��24���796���N, 11��14���866���E), 16 males and 7 females from Mfou (3���48���364���N, 11��40���496���E), 19 males and 11 females from Talba (4��37���704���N, 11��29���815���E), 1 female from Bab��t�� (5��35���520���N, 10��15���373���E), 12 males and 2 females from Bangoulap (5��06���.013���N, 10��32���.332���E), 8 males and 6 females from Buea (4��09���247���N, 9��18���567���E), 8 males and 12 females from Kumba (4��39���101���N, 9��24���502���E), 16 males and 10 females from Tombel (4��45���359���N, 9��40���215���E), 2 males and 1 female from Djawara (4��02���24������N, 10��05���60������E), and 10 males and 14 females from Ekit�� (3��48���2.84������N, 10��06���11.95������E); deposited in the Zoology Laboratory, of University of Yaound�� 1, Cameroon (ZLUYC) and in the Zoology Research Unit, Laboratory of Biology and Physiology of Animal Organisms, University of Douala, Cameroon (ZRULBPAOUDC). Diagnosis: lophi with almost flattened posterior margin; interlophal space with a complex structure shape; outer margins of lateral plates almost straight; apodemes of cingulum parallel, exceeded the apex of basal valves of penis, with U-shaped structure; valves of cingulum exceeded significantly the apex of apical valves of penis in lateral view; rami slightly opened in ventral view; hind wing hyaline, sometimes with red base and infumate tips; hind tibiae black in basal half, with one yellow basal ring framed by two black rings, reminder bright red in apical part, spines yellowish in basal half and blackish in apical half. Description: male: length of body 22.00 �� 1.40 mm (n = 5 individuals), female: length of body 40.10 �� 3.80 mm (n = 5 individuals). Integument slightly rugose; head subconical; fastigial foveolae present; medium and slightly ridged eyes; fastigium of vertex short, with truncated apex and weak median carinulae; antenna filiform, longer than head and pronotum together; pronotum slightly tectiform, with weak lateral carinae in the prozona, obliterated and divergent in metazona; median carina raised and crossed by three sulcus, with an obtuse and weakly incised posterior margin; prozona longer than metazona; tegmina and wings fully developed, with rounded apex; intercalary vein of medial area of elytra present; tympanum present; prosternal process cylindrical; mesosternal interspace open, wider than its length; male supra-anal plate conical, with a transverse sulcus on the middle field and another on the apical field; male cercus longer in basal part and flattened, curved downwards in apical part (fig. 2b); male subgenital plate conical; posterior margin of subgenital plate in female protruding; valves of ovipositor robust, with curved apical. Bridge of epiphallus broad and arched; ancorae well developed, curved and with acute apex; lophi broads, lobiform and slightly curved upward (fig. 3Ia), posterior margin almost flattened in profile view; interlophal space forming a complex structure; external margins of the lateral plates almost straight; rami of cingulum well developed and broad; apodemes of cingulum slender, parallel with U-shaped structure, and exceeding the apex of basal valves of penis; zygoma large; basal and apical valves of penis connected by sclerotized flexion; lateral expansions of basal valves of penis strongly curved; apex of apical valves significantly curved upwards; valves of cingulum exceeding significantly the apex of apical valves of penis (fig. 3Id, 3Ig and 3Ij). Coloration (fig. 2a): body generally greenish or yellowish; upper side of antennae clear, lower side dark. Posterior margin of eyes yellow highlighted. Pronotum disc with a broad brown longitudinal band bordered by two narrower yellow bands, the latter extending anteriorly to the fastigium and posteriorly on the elytra; hind wings hyalines, sometimes with red base and infumate tips; medio-internal area of hind femurs bearing two large black bands; infero-internal area and pre-genicular ring yellow; hind tibiae with a yellow basal ring framed by two black rings, remainder bright red; spines yellow in basal part and black in apical part (fig. 2 a). Ecology: regardless of the study area, only one annual generation of nymphs and adults was observed. In the South-West area, the nymphs are present in April, June, July and from September to December. Adults are present throughout the year (fig. 4a). In the West zone, the nymphs are present in December while the adults are present from January to June (fig. 4b). In the Littoral zone, adults are present almost throughout the year, except in January and December. They are most abundant in September. Nymphs are present in April, September and November (Fig. 4c). In the Centre area, the nymphs are present in February, March, May, July, October and November. Adults are present in January and from March to December, with high abundances in June (fig. 4d). This species is widely distributed in the southern part of Cameroon. It can easily be observed in high abundance in fallows, crops fields, and agro-forests while it is accidentally found in the forests except those of Buea and Tombel (fig. 5a). Heteracris guineensis is an accidental species regardless of the vegetation type. Table 2 below shows the occurrence frequency obtained in each vegetation type in the different regions., Published as part of Wandji, Alain Christel, Yetchom-Fondjo, Jeanne Agrippine, Kekeunou, S��vilor, Kenne, Martin, Missoup, Alain Didier, Tindo, Maurice, Simeu-Noutchom, Alain, Mbadjoun-Nzike, Marcelle, Xu, Sheng-Quan, Djomnang-Nkwala, Alfiery Laurel & Fomena, Abraham, 2021, Description of Heteracris lecoqi Yetchom-Fondjo & Kekeunou sp. nov. and Heteracris hannai Wandji & Kekeunou sp. nov. and redescription of Heteracris guineensis (Krauss, 1890) (Orthoptera: Acrididae) with comments on its ecology in the Southern part of Cameroon, pp. 95-106 in Zootaxa 4915 (1) on pages 101-102, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4915.1.6, http://zenodo.org/record/4452499

Wandji, Alain Christel, Yetchom-Fondjo, Jeanne Agrippine, Kekeunou, Sévilor, Kenne, Martin, Missoup, Alain Didier, Tindo, Maurice, Simeu-Noutchom, Alain, Mbadjoun-Nzike, Marcelle, Xu, Sheng-Quan, Djomnang-Nkwala, Alfiery Laurel, Fomena, Abraham (2021): Description of Heteracris lecoqi Yetchom-Fondjo & Kekeunou sp. nov. and Heteracris hannai Wandji & Kekeunou sp. nov. and redescription of Heteracris guineensis (Krauss, 1890) (Orthoptera: Acrididae) with comments on its ecology in the Southern part of Cameroon. Zootaxa 4915 (1): 95-106, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4915.1.6

Key to Heteracris species from the southern part of Cameroon 1. Body generally greenish or yellowish; externo-median surface of posterior femur yellow or green proximally, with or without proximal, median and distal black-brown spots or bands; posterior tibiae bright red, basal part with a yellow band framed by two black band...................................................................... Heteracris guineensis 1���. Body generally light brown, externo-median surface of posterior femur brown proximally, with or without proximal, median and distal black-brown spots or bands; posterior tibiae half dark basal, with a clear basal............................ 2 2. Hind wings blue at base........................................................... Heteracris hannai sp. nov. 2���. Hind wings hyaline, sometimes red-orange at base.......................................................... 3 3. Valves of cingulum slightly longer than the apical valves of penis.......................... Heteracris lecoqi sp. nov. 3���. Valves of cingulum much longer than the apical valves of penis.................................... Heteracris leani, Published as part of Wandji, Alain Christel, Yetchom-Fondjo, Jeanne Agrippine, Kekeunou, S��vilor, Kenne, Martin, Missoup, Alain Didier, Tindo, Maurice, Simeu-Noutchom, Alain, Mbadjoun-Nzike, Marcelle, Xu, Sheng-Quan, Djomnang-Nkwala, Alfiery Laurel & Fomena, Abraham, 2021, Description of Heteracris lecoqi Yetchom-Fondjo & Kekeunou sp. nov. and Heteracris hannai Wandji & Kekeunou sp. nov. and redescription of Heteracris guineensis (Krauss, 1890) (Orthoptera: Acrididae) with comments on its ecology in the Southern part of Cameroon, pp. 95-106 in Zootaxa 4915 (1) on page 103, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4915.1.6, http://zenodo.org/record/4452499

The present study was carried out in order to identify the ant fauna of cocoa fields leeched by Loranthaceae, genus Phragmanthera in Nkoemvone seed farms in the South region of Cameroon. The collection of ants was conducted between November 2013 and January 2014. A total of 15 ant species divided into two sub families (Formicinae and Myrmicinae) have been identified, the subfamily of Myrmicinae being the most represented with 8 genera and 13 species. Fourteen of the 15 ant species harvested, were found on infested cocoa trees. Tetramorium aculeatum has emerged as the most abundant ant species on infested cocoa trees with an index of Berger-Parker dominance equal to 0.32 and 0.34 for cocoa parasitized by Phragmanthera capitata and Phragmanthera nigritana, respectively. Key words: Ants, inventory, cocoa plants parasitized, Loranthaceae, Cameroon.

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Effects of 4 different concentrations of NaCl on plant height, on water content and on the distribution of monovalent cations (Na + and K +) in organs of Avicennia germinans seedlings in semi-controlled conditions were investigated. After 4 weeks of cultivation, results showed that 200 mmoles sodium chloride reduced the height of leaves, but roots and stems growth was stimulated at 100 mmoles of NaCl. A high retention rate of sodium was noted in seedling epicotyl axes, contributing to delay the invasion of young leaves, thereby preventing toxic effects of the ion. Adaptation of mature leaves to the salt stress was found to be associated with succulence, which was achieved by the absorption of large quantities of water and K +. In leaves, uptake of K + was not affected by the NaCl concentration in the medium. As a result, absorption of Na + and K+ reduces the water potential, and consequently increases the water content in the studied organs. The high concentrations of Na + and K + in the leaves suggested that these ions might be the principal mineral elements responsible for the osmotic adjustment in the resistance of A. germinans to salinity stress. Keywords: mineral nutrition salinity, ionic transport, Avicennia germinans Cameroon Journal of Experimental Biology Vol. 1(1) 2005: 21-25