Title : Diets of alestidae (teleostei: characiformes) in two rivers (boumba and kadei) in Eastern Cameroon
Abstract:
The dietary ecology of the Alestidae fishes was studied from two rivers, Boumba and Kadei, in eastern Cameroon. A total of 106 (individual) fish specimens including five species in the Boumba (Alestes macrophthalmus, Brycinus macrolepidotus, Brycinus longipinnis, Bryconaethiops sp. and Hydrocynus vittatus) and four species in the Kadei (A. macrophthalmus, B. macrolepidotus, Brycinus imberi and H. vittatus) was collected monthly from December 2018 to May 2019. The stomach contents of these fish were analyzed using Corrected frequency of Occurrence (Fc), Percentage by Weight (P) and Index of preponderance (Ip). Qualitative analysis of all of these stomach contents reveals that the diet of fish hovers around four food categories: prey fish, macroinvertebrates, macrophytes, and other unidentifiable particles. Depending on their food preferences, the Alestidae of the Boumba and the Kadei rivers were placed into two groups: carnivores and omnivores. Although their eating habits may vary significantly and / or not with the size of individuals, diet overlap exists among omnivorous diet species. In addition, some Alestidae (Alestes macrophthalmus, Brycinus macrolepidotus) adapt their diets according to the quality and quantity of resources available in their living environment.
Keywords: Alestidae; diet; Congo Basin; Eastern Cameroon
Impact of the study: As part of a larger research program on the diversity and role of the forest in maintaining the local ichthyofauna of the Congo Basin, a study focused on the diets of Alestidae, a family of many fishes represented in the Boumba and Kadei rivers in eastern Cameroon. The study, will allow audience to be able to choose new domesticated specie, in fact knowledge of the diet makes easy testing of the aquaculture potential of a giving species indeed, know the diet of savage specie fish can help to make the increase of their number by aquaculture processes.
Heavy exploitation is compounded by alarming acceleration of all processes of degradation of the natural environment, which poses a major risk for many species. There is thus a major need to develop conservation measures, especially since resource management requires good knowledge of the biology and ecology of exploited species. Indeed this study would be more benefit for those whose are in danger to disappear.
