Research Paper
Year: 2022 | Month: February | Volume: 9 | Issue: 2 | Pages: 274-280
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijrr.20220237
Ichthyofaunal Diversity of the River Nun Estuary, Niger Delta, Nigeria
Gijo, A. H.1, Alagoa, K. J2
1,2Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Niger Delta University, Amassoma, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
Corresponding Author: Alagoa, K. J
ABSTRACT
A study of the Ichthyofaunal diversity of the River Nun Estuary, Nigeria was conducted for one calendar year. This was done in order to update the inventory of the fish species and to specify distribution patterns in the River Nun ichthyofauna in order to establish some basis for pollution prevention and the conservation of these fish communities and their habitat. Fishes were collected monthly from six sampling sites of the River Nun Estuary with the help of local skilled fishers. Cast nets, scoop nets, gill nets, beach seine nets, pole seine nets, and hooks and lines were used for capturing fish. Different fish species were collected from fishers at the different fish landings. photographs were immediately taken with the help of a digital camera. Fishes brought to laboratory were preserved in 10% formalin solution. All fish species were identified to genus and species level using taxonomic keys and standard literature. 60 species of fish that belong to 48 different genera and 27 families were recorded during the study. The families Cichlidae and Gobiidae had the highest number of species (7 species each) followed by the families Claroteidae, Carangidae, Mugilidae, and Characidae (which had 4 species each), Polynemidae (with 3 species), and Clupeidae Tetraodontidae, Carangidae, Sclaenidae (with 2 species each). The families Hepsedae, Dasyatidae, Soleidae, Elopidae, Monodactylidae, Lobotidae, Periophthalmidae, Ophichthidae, Soleidae, Cynoglossidae, Tetraodontidae, Serranidae, Clupeidae, Carangidae, and Haemulidae had just one species. Ethmalosa fimbriata(Bonga shad) of the of the Order Clupeiformes and family Clupeidae was the most abundant species of the River Nun estuary, followed by Pseudotolithus (Foniticulus) elongates (Croaker) of the family Sclaenidae, Periophthalmus barbarous/ papilio (Atlantic mudskipper) of the family Periophthalmidae, Mugil curema (White mullet), Mugil bananensis (Banana mullet), and Liza grandisquamis (Sickle fin mullet) of the family Mugilidae. It can be concluded that the ichthyofaunal composition of the River-Nun compares favorably with other Rivers of similar relevance.There is no cause for concern by all stakeholders about its ecological health and its fishery.
Keywords: Ichthyofauna, Diversity, Estuary, River-Nun, Niger Dela.
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