Fish communities along environmental gradients within the Comoe River basin, Cote d'Ivoire

• Published in: African journal of aquatic science Vol. 30; no. 2; pp. 185 - 194
• Main Authors: Yao, S.S, Kouamelan, E.P, Kone, T, N'Douba, V, Bi, G, Ollevier, F, Van den Audenaerde, D.F.E.T
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2005
• Subjects: AQUATIC COMMUNITIES; COMMUNAUTE AQUATIQUE; COMOE BASIN; COMOE NATIONAL PARK; COMUNIDADES ACUATICAS; COTE D'IVOIRE; DISTRIBUCION DE LA POBLACION; DISTRIBUTION DES POPULATIONS; ENVIRONMENTAL GRADIENTS; ESPECE; ESPECIES; FISH ASSEMBLAGES; Freshwater; FRESHWATER FISHES; NATIONAL PARKS; PARC NATIONAL; PARQUES NACIONALES; PECES DE AGUA DULCE; POISSON D'EAU DOUCE; POPULATION DISTRIBUTION; SPECIES; Cote d'Ivoire, Comoe R; Cote d'Ivoire, Comoe Natl. Park; Cote d'Ivoire
• ISSN: 1608-5914; 1727-9364
• DOI: 10.2989/16085910509503855

Eighty-four sites in the Comoé basin (Côte d'Ivoire, West Africa) were sampled to identify fish assemblages and their relationships with some environmental variables. Seventy-six freshwater fish species were collected from 22 families and 44 genera: 11 marine and/or brackish water species, one introduced species, and one hybrid form. Nine species were reported for the first time in this basin. Seventeen species collected previously were not detected. Among the fishes sampled, characids were the most abundant. Statistical analysis identified four groups of sites characterised by distinct fish assemblages within the Comoé basin. Assemblages from Comoé National Park were characterised by a higher proportion of Mormyridae. In the upper catchment, Cyprinidae were predominant. Downstream, assemblages were distinguished by the presence of marine and/or brackish-water fish species and the absence of Mochokidae. The middle catchment was characterised by the presence of more Characidae, Clariidae and Cichlidae than in the other sectors. The main environmental factors influencing fish distribution were substrate types - comprising rocks, mud and leaves or wood - pH, total dissolved solids, temperature and river width.