Length-weight relationship and condition factor of Micralestes eburneensis populations from the Cavally River in Côte d’Ivoire

Abstract

This study aims to show the effect of anthropogenic pressures on populations of Micralestes eburneensis caught in the River Cavally in Côte d’Ivoire. Sampling took place from April 2015 to May 2017. The fish caught came from experimental and artisanal fisheries. The length-weight relationship and condition factor were determined using the equations P = aLSb and K = 100*P/LS, respectively. A total of 349 individuals with a standard length of between 48 mm and 82 mm and a mass ranging from 3 g to 10 g were caught. The coefficient of determination (r2) values recorded ranged from 0.66 to 0.88. The estimated allometry coefficients for M. eburneensis were 2.81, 2.55 and 2.42 upstream, in the mining zone and downstream respectively. The condition factors of M. eburneensis individuals sampled in the Cavally river fluctuated between 0.66 and 1.39 with a median value of 1.05. The lowest values (K = 0.66 - 0.88) were recorded during the dry season. The size range in the three best-represented sampling areas is between 66 and 74 mm (standard length). This study contributes to our knowledge of the biology of M. eburneensis and provides a specific database on the length-weight relationship and condition factor of the species M. eburneensis from the Cavally River.