Chromidotilapia Guentheri Research Articles

Water Characteristics Assessment, Bioaccumulation and Health Risk Evaluation of Possible Ingestion of Toxic and Essential Metals in Chromidotilapia guntheri Sourced from Ada River, West Africa

Water Characteristics Assessment, Bioaccumulation and Health Risk Evaluation of Possible Ingestion of Toxic and Essential Metals in Chromidotilapia guntheri Sourced from Ada River, West Africa

Genome assemblies for Chromidotilapia guntheri (Teleostei: Cichlidae) identify a novel candidate gene for vertebrate sex determination, RIN3.

Advances in genome sequencing have greatly accelerated the identification of sex chromosomes in a variety of species. Many of these species have experienced structural rearrangements that reduce recombination between the sex chromosomes, allowing the accumulation of sequence differences over many megabases. Identification of the genes that are responsible for sex determination within these sometimes large regions has proved difficult. Here, we identify an XY sex chromosome system on LG19 in the West African cichlid fish Chromidotilapia guntheri in which the region of differentiation extends over less than 400kb. We develop high-quality male and female genome assemblies for this species, which confirm the absence of structural variants, and which facilitate the annotation of genes in the region. The peak of differentiation lies within rin3, which has experienced several debilitating mutations on the Y chromosome. We suggest two hypotheses about how these mutations might disrupt endocytosis, leading to Mendelian effects on sexual development.

The cichlids of Eniong and Cross Rivers, Niger Delta, Nigeria

Taxonomy and biodiversity is an important aspect of fish studies as it gives fish scientists information about the types of fish present, their name and classification based on discrete sets in a given locality. This study is on the taxonomy and bio-diversity of Cichlids collected from the Eniong River and the Lower Cross River in the Niger Delta, Nigeria between January and June 2020. A total of 358 cich-lids were collected from three sampling stations (the Eniong River, the confluence and the lower Cross River). Sampling was conducted with active and passive sampling techniques with the help of local fishermen using various fishing gears including beach net (10 – 15 m length, 2 –3.5 m height, mesh size of 0.5 – 5cm), fixed gill net (40 – 60 m long, mesh size 15 – 57 mm), cast net (2 – 5 m diameter, mesh size 15 – 20 mm) and local traps (made from raffia palm). The sampling du-ration with the fishing gear and methods were approximately the same. Gill nets and traps were set between 1600 h and 1800 h and fishes caught were removed from the gear between 0600 h and 0900 h the next day. Fish were identified using morphological and meristic traits. The species found and percentage abundance were; Coptodon zilli (5.9%), Coptodon dageti (31.2 %), Coptodon guineensis (16. 4%), Hemichromis elongatus (6.4 %), Hemichromis fasciatus (2.2%), Ore-ochromis niloticus (5.3%), Oreochromis aureus (0.8%), Sarotherodon melanotheron (3.6%), Sarotherodon galileus (0.8%), Sarotherodon macrocephala (1.95%), Chromidotilapia guntheri (10.3%), Pelmatolapia mariae (12.3%), Tylochromis sudanensis (1.7%) and the unidentified species(0.8%). There was higher abundance of cichlids in Eniong River (36%) than in the confluence (34%) and lower Cross River (30%). Simpson’s diversity index was 0.97 - 0.98 in the three stations. Shannon-Wiener’s index of diversity was 2.18 in Station 1, 1.76 and 1.68 in stations 2 and 3 respectively. Margalef index of diversity was 2.05 in station 1 and 1.66 and 1.71 in stations 2 and 3 respectively. Some species ap-peared to be specific in their habitat; O.niloticus, O.aureus, S. macrocephala were found in freshwater. S. galileus in the estuarine habitat while all other spe-cies were found in all the stations. A dichotomous key which will serve as a guide for fish scientist in the field was prepared using morphomeristic characters.

STUDIES ON THE REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY OF SOME TELEOSTS OF THE RIVER JAMIESON, SAPELE, NIGERIA

Study of the structure of the reproductive organ of some teleost fishes in River Jamieson, Sapele, was undertaken between July and September 2009. Length and weight measurements of fishes and gonads were determined. It was observed that testes were of two structural forms, threadlike and smooth in the Cichlidae, but branched lobules in catfishes (Bagridae and Mochokidae). Ovaries were sac-like and contained telolecital eggs. The gonads depicted breeding activities. Female catfishes Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus (57.14%) Synodontis eupterus (75%) and (66.6%) were more abundant than males, while male Chromidotilapia guentheri (62.25%) exceeded females (37.50%).

Length-weight Relationship and Condition Factor of Cichlids in Eniong and Lower Cross Rivers, Niger Delta, Nigeria

Length-weight relationship and condition factor are essential parameters used in determination of growth and well-being of fish. The length-weight relationship and condition factor of eight species of cichlids were examined from a total of 358 cichlids belonging to fourteen species and seven genera. Sampling was between January and June, 2020 in Eniong River and lower Cross River in the Niger Delta from three stations: station one in Eniong river, station two at the confluence of Eniong and lower Cross River, and station three at the lower Cross River. The length and weight of each fish was measured to the nearest millimeter and gram, respectively. The length-weight relationship (LWR) and condition factor (K) of the species Coptodon dageti, Coptodon guineensis, Coptodon zilli, Chromidotilapia guntheri, Hemichromis elongatus, Oreochromis niloticus, Pelmatolapia mariae and Sarotherodon melanotheron were determined using standard methods. Total length of fish ranged from 12.9 ± 5.01 in H. elongatus to 20.7 ± 3.37cm in C. zilli. Total weight ranged from 24.8 ± 13.80 in H. elongatus to 146.4 ± 68.0 g in C. zilli. The exponent b ranged from 1.54 for H. elongatus to 3.34 in Pelmatolapia mariae. The coefficients of determination (r2) varied between H. elongatus (0.74) and O. niloticus (0.96). Fulton’s condition factor (K) ranged from 1.2 6 ± 0.50 (H. elongatus) to 1.89 ± 0.43 (O. niloticus). Length-weight relationship revealed negative allometry for six species and positive allometry for two species (O. niloticus and P. mariae). Cichlids in this study were observed to be in good condition, as the K values were greater than one.

The Icthyofauna Composition, Abundance and Diversity of Fishes in Ogba River, Edo State, Nigeria

The ichthyofauna composition, abundance and diversity of fishes' study in Ogba River, Edo state, Nigeria was carried out between February 2018and October 2018. Fish samples were collected from fishermen using gill nets, hook and lines, bamboo traps, mesh net and basket traps. 637 fish samples were caught belonging to 8 families and 17 species. Cichlidae, Clariidae and Channidae were the most abundant families with 17.8%, 14.4% and 11.1% and the least abundant family was Mochokidae with 0.4%. The fish biomass investigation showed Cichlidae (35.1%), Clariidae (26.9%) and Channidae (22.5%) as the dominant families. The dominant fish species were Chromidotilapia guentheri (17.8%), Clarias gariepinus (14.4%) and Parachanna obscura (11.1%). Twelve species were subdominant while two species Synodontis nigrita (0.5%) and Gnathonemus senegalensis (0.3%) were occasional, they were no rare species. The highest number of fish catch was in station 2 followed by station 3. This study has contributed to the existing knowledge of the different species of fish in Ogba River.

Food Habits and Diet Relationship in the Redbelly Tilapia (Tilapia zillii) and Guenther’s Mouthbrooder (Chromidotilapia guntheri) from an Abandoned Gold Mine Reservoir, Southwestern Nigeria

The food and feeding habits of the redbelly Tilapia (Tilapia zillii) and Guenther’s mouthbrooder (Chromidotilapia guntheri) were investigated in an abandoned gold mine reservoir at Igun from June 2013 to May 2014. Using a cast net and gill-net fishing gears, 370 fish individuals were caught and their stomach contents were analysed by using the frequency of occurrence and numerical methods. Tilapia zillii comprised 53.78% (199 individuals), while Chromidotilapia guntheri covered up the remaining percentage (46.22%) which is made up of 171 individuals. Food items in the stomachs of T. zillii individuals predominantly consisted of detritus, mud and algae (77.97%), while those in C. guntheri individuals mostly consisted fish remains, detritus and algae (81.67%). T. zillii exploited more food items (23 of 27) as compared to C. guntheri (17 of 27). The Schoener’s index value for the species was 0.65. The study showed that T. zillii and C. guntheri exhibited benthopelagic exploitation and are mainly herbivorous and omnivorous respectively based on the food items observed in the stomach contents of these species. The fish species fed on related food items as confirmed by Schoener’s overlap index (0.65), suggesting that there was overlap in the dietary requirements of the two species. This index value, however, was probably not an indication of competition for food between these two species because they exploited abundant food sources.

Length weight relationship, condition factor and stomach contents of Hemichromis bimaculatus, Sarotherodon melanotheron and Chromidotilapia guentheri (Perciformes: Cichlidae) in Eleiyele Lake, Southwestern Nigeria

Length-weight relationship (LWR), condition factor (K) and stomach content of three cichlid fishes (Hemichromis bimaculatus, Sarotherodon melanotheron, and Chromidotilapia guentheri) were calculated at Eleiyele reservoir, Nigeria, Africa. The fish were collected monthly from fishermen during the dry season(January-March 2001) and the rainy season (April, May, June 2001). Gill nets of mesh sizes 50-55 mm were used. The LWR had a significant correlation for the three species and the growth exponent (b) for H. bimaculatus indicates a negative allometric growth (S. melanotheron and C. guentheri had isometric growth). Condition factor values were higher than one in the three species, and varied with size and season. Stomach contents revealed that the three species are omnivorous and that diet composition varies seasonally. Rev. Biol. Trop. 55 (3-4): 969-977. Epub 2007 December, 28.

Feeding habits of the Cichlid Chromidotilapia guntheri (Sauvage, 1882) in some hydrosystems of Ivory Coast

The feeding habit of Chromidotilapia guntheri was investigated in seven hydrosystems of Ivory Coast. The contents of 156 non-empty stomachs were examined from specimens caught in the rivers Soumié, Eholié, Noé, Ehania and Banco, the Bea rill and the Kpoda lake. Diets composition, feeding strategy and trophic niche width were analyzed among hydrosystems. Stomach content analysis indicated that C. guntheri feeds preferentially on plants and insects debris and secondarily, it consumed insects’ larvae, nymphs and adults in all habitats. This species would be an omnivorous with a detritivorous tendency. As feeding strategy, it practices a generalist strategy even if some individuals displayed specialization intentions on insects at different stages of metamorphosis. Investigations on ontogenetic shift revealed that juveniles and adults of C. guntheri consume substantially the same types of prey with varying amounts depending on the size of the fish. However there is a significant decrease in the proportions of gastropods and oligochaetes ingested when growing.

Update of ichthyofauna diversity and ecological status of a coastal River Nero (Côte d’Ivoire – West Africa)

The general aim of this study is to update the inventory of the fish species and to specify distribution patterns in the Nero River ichthyofauna in order to establish some basis for the conservation of these fish communities and their habitat. From February 2009 to January 2010, thirty-three sites were sampled monthly with gill nets and a backpack electrofisher, and environmental variables were recorded. Overall, 46 species included in 33 genuses, 24 families and 9 orders were collected. Eleven families and 30 species were the first records for the Nero River. Including all species previously listed in the literature, the number of species presently known in the Nero River and its tributaries is revised to 59. Four families, Alestidae (21%), Schilbeidae (19%), Cyprinidae (17%) and Cichlidae (16%) that made up 73% of the total number of the catches, were the most dominant. The most dominant numerical species were Schilbe mandibularis and Brycinus longipinnis. Fish species and sampling sites along with eight environmental variables were ordinated with canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) coupled to the Monte Carlo test. Ecological status based on fish assemblage according to environmental variables and anthropogenic pressures showed that miss dead wood leaves and roots, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, mud, nitrite, basin width, dissolved oxygen and pH, were the primary factors influencing fish distribution. The environmental tolerance index (ETI), ecological tolerance (tk) and optima (uk) values of 10 species to 8 different environmental variables were analyzed. Six species (Hemichromis fasciatus, Epiplatys chaperi, Barbus ablabes, B. longipinnis, Hemichromis bimaculatus and Chromidotilapia guntheri) have high ETI and a cosmopolitan distribution in the Nero River. In the tributaries of the middle course, high concentrations of nitrite in the water, added to the presence of a lot of tolerant species in the ichthyofauna are indications of disturbance of these areas. Subsequent recommendations were formulated for efficient restoration and conservation management of this River.

Fish species composition and distribution in an urban perturbed stream, Southern Nigeria

The abundance and distribution of fish species in River Orogodo were studied. Sampling was conducted in three stations of the river, from January 2006 to December 2007. The river was demarcated in accordance with local hydrographic conditions as well as intensity of anthropogenic activities along the stretch. Thirty seven species of fish belonging to 20 families and 28 genera were recorded. Cichlidae, clariidae and bagridae dominated the catch by the species; Chromidotilapia guentheri, Hemichromis fasciatus,, Clarias gariepinus,, Auchenoglanis biscutatus and A. occidentalis. The species richness and general diversity were slightly depleted in the mid-stream station (station II) compared to the up- and downstream stations. This probably resulted from the high anthropogenic activities and the resultant effects on key physico-chemical parameters in stations II. The ichthyofauna of River Orogodo was compared with other rivers in the Niger delta and elsewhere in the West African sub-region. The need to reduce the effects of anthropogenic pressure on aquatic resources was recommended. Keywords : Fish, Communities, distribution, abundance, River Orogodo

Effects of fermentation and salting on the bacterial, chemical and sensory characteristics of Tilapia (Chromidototilapia guentheri) based marinate in Nigeria

Microbiological, chemical and sensory analyses were carried out on Tilapia (Chromidotilapia guentheri) treated with 10 and 15% w/w NaCl with or without spices (1%w/w garlic and 1%w/w red pepper) and allowed to ferment at ambient temperature (28±2 0 C) for two weeks. Results indicate that fermentation and salting remarkably reduced the total bacterial count from 2.55x10 6

Diel variations in the fish species composition of river Orogodo, southern Nigeria

An investigation to assess the diel distribution of fish species in River Orogodo was carried out between January 2006 and December 2007. Fish sampling was conducted monthly for the 24 months based on day and night sampling effort in three different stations of the river. A total of 5,153 (55.83%) and 4,076 (44.17%) individuals were caught during the day and night respectively. Of the 37 species, only 2 species (Gnathonemus petersii and Gymnarchus niloticus) were restricted to day time catch only, while one species (Mastacembellus leonbergii) was restricted to night catch. The remaining 34 species occurred during both day and night. The dominant day time catch were Clarias gariepinus, Chromidotilapia guentheri, Malapterurus electricus and Erpetoichthys calabaricus, while the dominant night catch include Clarias macromystax, Auchenoglanis occidentalis and A. biscutatus. The results of the study showed that diel variations of fish composition and abundance in River Orogodo was related to the activity pattern of the fish during different times, as more fish were caught when active. The diel variations in fish species composition/distribution of River Orogodo were discussed and compared with the findings of earlier studies conducted elsewhere.Keywords: Diel variation, fish species, River Orogodo, Nigeria.

Length weight relationship, condition factor and stomach contents of Hemichromis bimaculatus, Sarotherodon melanotheron and Chromidotilapia guentheri (Perciformes: Cichlidae) in Eleiyele Lake, Southwestern Nigeria

Length-weight relationship (LWR), condition factor (K) and stomach content of three cichlid fishes (Hemichromis bimaculatus, Sarotherodon melanotheron, and Chromidotilapia guentheri) were calculated at Eleiyele reservoir, Nigeria, Africa. The fish were collected monthly from fishermen during the dry season (January-March 2001) and the rainy season (April, May, June 2001). Gill nets of mesh sizes 50-55 mm were used. The LWR had a significant correlation for the three species and the growth exponent (b) for H. bimaculatus indicates a negative allometric growth (S. melanotheron and C. guentheri had isometric growth). Condition factor values were higher than one in the three species, and varied with size and season. Stomach contents revealed that the three species are omnivorous and that diet composition varies seasonally.

Observations on the intestinal helminth parasites of cichlids in the upper reaches of River Orogodo, a freshwater body in Delta State, Southern Nigeria

The prevalence and intensity of intestinal helminth parasites of five predominant cichlids; Hemichromis fasciatus, Chromidotilapia guentheri, Tilapia mariae, Tilapia zilli and Tilapia aurea of the upper reaches of River Orogodo in Delta State, Southern Nigeria were examined. The water body was randomly sampled using a variety of fishing gear which included funnel entrance traps, cast nets of varying mesh sizes and baited hook long lines. Of a total of 183 fishes investigated, 111 (60.66%) were infected. The increasing order of relative prevalence was Chromidotilapia quentheri (21.62%), Tilapia mariae (63.64%), Tilapia aurea (70.97%), Tilapia zilli (71.79%) and Hemichromis faciatus (74.42%). The intestinal helminth parasites recovered were Acanthophalans (Acanthogyrus sp and Octospiniferoides sp), Nematodes (Camallanus sp and Cucullanus sp) and Cestodes (Wenyonia sp). Tilapia mariae had the highest parasite intensity (425) while Chromidotilapia quentheri had the least (65). Although, the sex predilection skewed towards females (64.77%) as against males (56.84%) significant difference was not observed (P>0.05). Viable preventive measures against fish parasitism in Nigerian freshwater bodies are highly recommended.Keywords: helminth, cichlids, freshwater, Nigeria Tropical Freshwater Biology 2003/2004 Vol. 12/13: 131-136

Ichthyofaunal Assemblages of some Nigerian Rainforest Streams

The fish faunal assemblages of two first-order (Udom and Nung Oku), two second-order (Esedeke and Iba Oku) and one third-order (Ikpa) streams in Akwa Ibom State (southeastern Nigeria) were investigated. The fishes comprised a total of 55 species from 43 genera and 24 families. Ikpa stream had the highest taxa richness (40 species, 35 genera, 24 families) while Udom stream had the lowest (17 species, 15 genera, 10 families). Of fish species identified, only 8 were common to the five streams (Chromidotilapia guntheri, Hemichromis fasciatus, Thysochromis ansorgii, Epiplatys sexfasciatus, Malapterurus electricus, Brienomyrus brachyistius, Papyrocranus afer and Erpetoichthys calabaricus). Species richness and diversity increased with stream order. Diversity indices were relatively high whereas equitability (evenness) indices were low in all streams. Similarity indices were low except for the Udom-Nung Oku pair (72.22%) and Iba Oku-Esedeke (60.46%) pairs. Thus streams of the same order harboured similar fish faunal assemblages. The streams were acidic (reflecting the nature of the predominantly laterite soils of adjoining lands) except for Ikpa stream which was minimally alkaline. Journal of Aquatic Sciences Volume 15, April 2000, pp. 1-8 KEY WORDS: Fishes, check-list, stream-orders, southeastern Nigeria.

Ecomorphological correlates of interspecific plasticity in reproductive investment and egg production of some cichlid fishes (Cichlidae) of a Nigerian rainforest stream

Interspecific variability and trends in the reproductive investment and fecundity of four sympatric cichlid species (Thysochromis ansorgii (BOULENGER 1901), Chromidotilapia guntheri (SAUVAGE 1882), Hemichromis fasciatus PETERS 1852, Tilapia mariae BOULENGER 1899) were studied in Ikpa River vis-a-vis certain ecological and morphological attributes. There was a positive allometric functional relationship between mean total length and total weight; mean body condition increased with mean length; mean ovary weight and egg weight increased with mean fish length and weight (minimum in T. ansorgii and maximum in T. mariae in each case). Gonadosomatic index increased only slightly with mean fish length. The hierarchy of mean absolute fecundity was: C. guntheri>T. ansorgii>H. fasciatus>T. mariae. Mean absolute fecundity increased with mean length and weight among the substrate-spawners (T. ansorgii>H. fasciatus>T. mariae) while C. guntheri, a paternal mouth-brooder, was an outlier in these relationships. Interspecific divergence in reproductive investment, fecundity and morphometric attributes of the cichlids (CV = 10.1-149.5 %) may enhance reproductive niche partitioning, a phenomenon which provides the fundamental biomechanism for the evolution of their distinct reproductive strategies. This explains in part, the coexistence of these cichlids in the vegetated marginal water biotope.

Ecology and fish catches in natural lakes of Benin, West Africa

A preliminary study of the ecology and commercial fish catches was carried out in the Toho-Todougba, Ahouangan and Dati lakes (1500 ha) in southern Benin (West Africa) over a period of 18 consecutive months. Water quality, species richness, and the reproductive biology of the dominant species, Sarotherodon galilaeus, were examined. Unlike Lagoon Toho-Todougba, lakes Ahouangan and Dati are less favourable for fish production because of their high total iron content and their relative low pH. The study revealed the existence of 19 species belonging to eleven (11) families: 16 species in Lagoon Toho-Todougba,12 in Lake Ahouangan, and 7 in Lake Dati. Lakes Ahouangan and Dati had a relatively high faunal similarity whereas Lagoon Toho-Todougba exhibited a relatively low faunal similarity with the former systems. In Lagoon Toho-Todougba, six cichlid species were the most important component of the fishery: Sarotherodon galilaeus, Tilapia guineensis, T. zillii, T. mariae, Chromidotilapia guntheri, Hemichromis fasciatus. Three catfish species Chrysichthys auratus, Clarias agboyiensis, and Clarias lazera were harvested in low abundances. Some other fish, such as Polypterus senegalus senegalus, Protopterus annectens and Heterotis niloticus were captured sporadically, with H. niloticus appearing more consistently in catches than the others. Although not abundant, Gymnarchus niloticus and the African pike, Hepsetus odoe, were almost always present in the catches. Ctenopoma kingsleyae appeared only in Ahouangan. Some predatory species, such as Notopterus afer and Xenomystus nigri, are encountered only in lakes Ahouangan and Dati. In Lagoon Toho-Todougba, Sarotherodon galilaeus had a sex ratio (♂: ♀) of 0.49:1, and size at maturation was estimated as 12.3 cm TL. The spawning period extended from May to September with the peak occurring in July. Fecundity was correlated to log-body length (r = 0.74) and log-body weight (r = 0.76). Fish catches were estimated at 389 kg ha−1 year−1; about 73% of which was Sarotherodon galilaeus. The overexploitation of juvenile fish and the use of this lagoon for the irrigation of palm tree plantations have reduced fish recruitment and mean size.

The Relationship Between Marking Patterns and Motivational State in the Pre-Spawning Behaviour of the Cichlid Fish Chromidotilapia Guentheri (Sauvage)

This paper concerns an analysis of the organization structure of the pre-spawning behaviour of Chromidotilapia guentheri. This species is exceptional for the cichlid family in that pair formation is combined with oral incubation by the male. The form of the pre-spawning behaviour, and the structure of the organization underlying it, is compared with corresponding findings in other specied studies and found to be based on a common plan. It serves to shift the initially hostile interaction with a potential partner towards mutual cooperation in spawning and broodcare. The study especially aims at investigating the possibility to use the variable marking patterns of the fish as indicators of the instantaneous motivational state.