Pellonula Leonensis Research Articles

New data on the clupeoids of lakes Mai-Ndombe and Tumba, western Democratic Republic of the Congo, using an integrated approach combining morphology and barcoding

Morphological and molecular comparisons of clupeoid fishes in lakes Tumba and Mai-Ndombe in the Congo Basin revealed that a large-sized form of a common species in Lake Mai-Ndombe had not been distinguished from the small-sized endemic Mai-Ndombe dwarf sprat Nannothrissa stewarti Poll & Roberts, 1976 in ecological studies. The large-sized form differs from the Mai-Ndombe dwarf sprat in several morphological characters and resembles the smalltoothed pellonula Pellonula leonensis Boulenger, 1916, but in barcoding analysis appears more closely related to the bluntnosed sawtooth pellonuline Potamothrissa obtusirostris (Boulenger, 1909). This large-sized form is probably a species new to science but will remain undescribed for now, and is here referred to as Pellonulinae sp. BIG. A slender clupeoid, also from Lake Mai-Ndombe, has recently been referred to as the Lake Tumba dwarf sprat Nannothrissa parva (Regan, 1917), which would be the first record of this species from that lake. Specimens of a slender clupeoid collected from Lake Mai-Ndombe for this study were identified as the losera fangtooth pellonuline Odaxothrissa losera Boulenger, 1899. This is the first confirmed occurrence of this species in Lake Mai-Ndombe, whereas the presence of N. parva could not be confirmed. The phylogenetic analysis strongly supports the genus Nannothrissa as currently delimited, here barcoded for the first time, but also confirms the previously reported mismatch between morphological classification and molecular data in this group. We further note that the Mai-Ndombe dwarf sprat attains a larger size than the maximum size noted in the original description in 1976, and it is suggested that an intense beach-seine fishery that utilises mosquito nets might have led to a population decline followed by decreased intraspecific competition, enhancing individual growth. For the same reason, Pellonulinae sp. BIG might have been less common previously and so remained undetected until now.

Some Growth Characteristics of Pellonula leonensis from Luubara Creek, Niger Delta, Nigeria

The Growth, mortality, population and yield parameters of the Clupeid Pellonula leonensis were studied based on the data collected from artisanal fishers during throughout 2020 along Luubara Creek, Niger Delta. The fish were caught using the Kara cane trap. Total specimen lengths ranged from 4.50-14.50cm and weighing from 0.50-50.00g. The growth pattern of Pellonula leonensis was estimated K (2.300) L∞ (14. 22cm), to (2.140) and Ø (2.72). The value of K and Ø showed that Pellonula leonensis from the creek grows fast and regularly. The evaluation of mortality characteristics of Pellonula leonensis for twelve months showed that total mortality (Z) 7.08yr-1, natural mortality (M) 3.97yr-1 and fishing mortality (F) 3.11yr-1 from the value of M and F, it is crystal clear that M is higher than F. Exploitation (E) of 0.439 obtained in the study showed that the species is under exploited as E was lower than 0.5. The ratio of length at first capture to asymptotic length (Lc/ L∞) estimated showed that Pellonula leonensis with Lc (0.34cm) was caught at a small size. This scenario will lead to growth overfishing if adequate management and regulations are not put in place.

Comparative Morphological Analysis of Pellonula Leonensis Fished from Isaba Creek and New Calabar River, Niger Delta Region, Nigeria

The samall-toothed pellonula, Pellonula leonensis is ecologically and economically important. It is good source of protein to rural coastal and riverine communities because of its taste. Despite the economic significance, information on its biology are scarce. We evaluated the morphometric and meristic traits of the species from two water bodies in the Niger Delta Region. The population obtained from ISABA Creek, Delta State were significantly (P˂0.05) smaller in all the morphometric traits analysed relative to the population from New Calabar River with the exception of Pectoral Fin Length (PFL) and Pelvic Fin Length (PvFL). The range of total length, TL and weight respectively of 3.70-8.52cm (X ̅=5.14±0.034cm) and 0.20-3.40g (X ̅=0.75±0.022g) for ISABA Creek population and 6.5-9.80cm (X ̅=8.35±0.06cm) and 1.7-7.30 g (X ̅=3.84±0.083g) for New Calabar River population was observed. The range of meristic characters significantly differed between the two waters bodies (p<0.05). The observed intraspecies differences could be attributed to environmental variables, fishing pressure and genetic factors. This study reveals the need for developing conservation strategies and domestication programs for species distributed in different water system.

Biodiversity and Abundance of Fish Species in Ekpene Ukpa River, A Tributary of Qua Iboe River Estuary, Niger Delta, Nigeria

The diversity and abundance of fish species in Ekpene Ukpa River were studied from July - October, 2020. Sampling was by direct observation of the fish species at the sampling sites following landing by fishermen. Frequency, counts, and percentages were employed to determine fish species composition and abundance, while a Microsoft Excel 2003 based program was used to determine the ecological indices. A total of 14 species belonging to seven (7) families were recorded. The family, Clarotidae had the highest relative abundance (38.1%) with the least value (2.38%) observed in the family Alestidae. The index of preponderance ranged from 0.0004 in Pellonula leonensis and Trachinotus teraria to 0.100 in Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus. The most abundant grouping of fish species was Chrysichthys igrodigitatus with 25.0% and the least in abundance were Pellonula leonensis and Trachinotus teraia with 1.19% each. The index of preponderance (IP) value of 0.10 was recorded for Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus which marked this species very significant in the study site. The study revealed that species richness and diversity were high in the month of October. Inference from the results clearly indicated that fish species were much diversified in all sampling months, and this is of great significance to the biodiversity of the study area. However, an inclusive management approach is recommended, such as educational awareness, involving of the local contents, and comprehensive rational planning on the management and development of the study site.

Chemical Properties and Proximate Composition of Pellonula leonensis Fish from the Congo River and Nanga Lake

Chemical Properties and Proximate Composition of Pellonula leonensis Fish from the Congo River and Nanga Lake

Spatial and temporal structure of the fish assemblage in Akanda National Park (Gabon), an equatorial mangrove estuary

Marine spatial planning and management processes are important tools for environmental and resource management, providing effective frameworks for considering environmental, social, cultural, institutional and economic variables within a common biogeographic context. The Akanda National Park (ANP) in Gabon, almost exclusively constituted by mangroves, is part of a green belt of protected areas around the capital city of Libreville. The creation of the ANP is considered as an essential tool for the ecosystemic management of fisheries in Mondah Bay, playing nursery function for several exploited fish species. However, this role has never been documented in the mangroves of Gabon. The aim of this study is to describe the spatial and seasonal variability of fish assemblages, to assess ANP mangrove role as a nursery for fish juveniles. Fish sampling was carried out at four different sites in the four hydroclimatic seasons in Gabon using trammel gillnets with different mesh size (10, 27 and 40 mm). Fifty-nine fish species mainly estuarine and marine, first and second level predators were collected whatever the season and the site. The numerically dominant species were Pseudotolithus elongatus, Pellonula leonensis and Parachelon grandisquamis (48% of the total number of individuals), whereas P. elongatus, Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus and Plectorhinchus macrolepis represented the main biomasses (55%). The predominance in the catches of immature individuals of many species of commercial interest and in particular, P. elongatus, P. grandisquamis, C. nigrodigitatus, Eucinostomus melanopterus, Neochelon falcipinnis and Polydactylus quadrifilis, which dominate the community, highlights the importance of Akanda mangrove as a nursery for the juveniles of these species. The results of our study are a first step in understanding the fish communities of a Gabon marine protected area, which can support the decision making management plans, zonation and initiate a monitoring program for the estuarine and marine protected ecosystems.

From the Atlantic Coast to Lake Tanganyika: Gill-Infecting Flatworms of Freshwater Pellonuline Clupeid Fishes in West and Central Africa, with Description of Eleven New Species and Key to Kapentagyrus (Monogenea, Dactylogyridae)

Simple SummarySardines and other herring-like fishes (Clupeidae) are well-known, mostly from open seas, and globally commercially important. Their freshwater representatives receive less attention. Tropical Africa harbours over 20 species of the latter, classified under Pellonulini. These small river and lake fishes sustain locally important fisheries and are sometimes exported (inter)nationally. There is little research on them, let alone their parasites. An abundant parasite group of African freshwater clupeids is monogenean flatworms infecting their gills. Since the discoveries of the first (1969) and second species (1973) systematics of these monogeneans was ignored until 2018, when they were classified under the new genus Kapentagyrus with three species from three pellonuline species. Here, we inspected the gills of 12 West and Central African pellonulines, 10 from which there were no known parasites. We discovered and described 11 new species of Kapentagyrus. They look highly similar; distinguishing them requires measuring parts of their attachment organ. This study more than quadruples the known species richness of Kapentagyrus, and almost quadruples the number of pellonuline species of which monogeneans are known. Monogeneans are suitable tags for the lifestyle and history of their hosts. Therefore, parasitological knowledge on these poorly studied fishes will contribute to understanding data-poor African fisheries.Unlike their marine counterparts, tropical freshwater clupeids receive little scientific attention. However, they sustain important fisheries that may be of (inter)national commercial interest. Africa harbours over 20 freshwater clupeid species within Pellonulini. Recent research suggests their most abundant parasites are gill-infecting monogenean flatworms within Kapentagyrus. After inspecting specimens of 12 freshwater clupeids from West and Central Africa, mainly sourced in biodiversity collections, we propose 11 new species of Kapentagyrus, which we describe using their haptoral and genital morphology. Because of their high morphological similarity, species delineation relies mostly on the morphometrics of anchors and hooks. Specifically, earlier, molecular taxonomic work indicated that the proportion between the length of the anchor roots, and between the hook and anchor length, is diagnostic. On average, about one species of Kapentagyrus exists per pellonuline species, although Pellonula leonensis harbours four species and Microthrissa congica two, while Microthrissa moeruensis and Potamothrissa acutirostris share a gill monogenean species. This study more than quadruples the number of known species of Kapentagyrus, also almost quadrupling the number of pellonuline species of which monogeneans are known. Since members of Kapentagyrus are informative about their hosts’ ecology, evolutionary history, and introduction routes, this enables a parasitological perspective on several data-poor African fisheries.

Comparative studies of fungi associated with sea foods in different wetlands of Akwa Ibom State

The study investigated fungi associated with sea foods, fish (Pellonula leonensis) and crayfish (Parapandalus pritis) from different wetlands (Ibeno, Ikot Abasi, Eket and Itu) in Akwa Ibom State. Samples were collected and cultured on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) and the isolated fungi were identified using molecular technique. Based on PCR amplification, sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer and phylogenetic analysis, the fungi identified were: Aspergillus niger, A. felis, A. foetidus, A. aculeatus, A. japonicus, A. flavus, A. tamari, A. terreus, Penicilium citrinum, Candida tropicalis and Trametes polyzona. The most commonly isolated fungi from fish for the four locations were A. niger (52.8) in Itu, P. citrinum (51.7) in Ibeno, A. foetidus (53.5) in Ikot Abasi and A. aculeatus (51.6) in Eket. For samples of crayfish, the most commonly isolated fungi were A. niger (25.1) in Itu and A. foetidus (20.1) in Ikot Abasi. Generally, Ibeno recorded the highest frequencies of fungal isolates while Ikot Abasi had the least. Percentage occurrence of fungi isolated from fish samples were significantly higher (p<0.05) when compared with those isolated from crayfish samples. The presence of these fungi showed that sea foods were exposed to an increasing number of virulent infectious diseases in natural populations, and fungal-like diseases can cause some of the most severe die-offs and extinctions ever witnessed in wild species thus jeopardizing food security
 Keywords: Fungi, Sea food, Wetland, Aspergillus, Fish.

The Diversity of Fish Species, Composition and Abundance from Bodna River in Kwali Area Council, Abuja.

The Diversity of fish species, composition and abundance from Bodna River in Kwali Area Council, Abuja was studied between May 2018 to April 2019.The aim of the study was to determine the management and sustainable use of the fisheries resources of the Area council. About 1331 fish were collected from the artisanal fishermen during the study period and morphometric indices were determined using standard methods. The fish were identified and counted. Sex ratio 1:2:1 (Males to Females) was obtained indicating a male dominated population. Length –weight measurement indicated that the fish exhibited positive allometric growth pattern. The highest percentage abundant species in the site were Oreochromis niloticus with 34.8% Clarias garienpinus with 28.0% and Pellonula leonensis with 17.6% and the least occurring species were Nannocharax shariensis with 11.0% Mormyrus valenciensis with 7.7%. The seasonal variation of fish distribution was observed to be higher in the wet season with 66.2% than the dry season. Nutrient displayed greater impact on fish abundance in the wet season. The Simpson and Shannon Weiner’s diversity index values were (0.976) and (-1.456) in both richness and evenness respectively. The findings of the study could be helpful to the artisanal fishermen and the community for fisheries sustainability.

The Diversity of Fish Species, Composition and Abundance from Bodna River in Kwali Area Council, Abuja.

The Diversity of fish species, composition and abundance from Bodna River in Kwali Area Council, Abuja was studied between May 2018 to April 2019.The aim of the study was to determine the management and sustainable use of the fisheries resources of the Area council. About 1331 fish were collected from the artisanal fishermen during the study period and morphometric indices were determined using standard methods. The fish were identified and counted. Sex ratio 1:2:1 (Males to Females) was obtained indicating a male dominated population. Length –weight measurement indicated that the fish exhibited positive allometric growth pattern. The highest percentage abundant species in the site were Oreochromis niloticus with 34.8% Clarias garienpinus with 28.0% and Pellonula leonensis with 17.6% and the least occurring species were Nannocharax shariensis with 11.0% Mormyrus valenciensis with 7.7%. The seasonal variation of fish distribution was observed to be higher in the wet season with 66.2% than the dry season. Nutrient displayed greater impact on fish abundance in the wet season. The Simpson and Shannon Weiner’s diversity index values were (0.976) and (-1.456) in both richness and evenness respectively. The findings of the study could be helpful to the artisanal fishermen and the community for fisheries sustainability.

Update of Ichthyofauna and its Conservation Status in the Aghien Lagoon, Côte d’Ivoire

Abstract This study focused on the diversity of fish fauna, its conservation status and its vulnerability in the Aghien freshwater lagoon (southeast of Côte d'Ivoire). For the fish data collection, two sampling approaches were used: experimental fishing and artisanal fishing. As a result, 80 species observed in this lagoon are distributed into 55 genera, 27 families and 10 orders. The best represented orders are the Perciformes, Siluriformes, Osteoglossiformes, Characiformes, Cyprinodontiformes and Pleuronectiformes. The Cichlidae, Mormyridae and Clupeidae represented the best diversified family. With an occurrence of 100%, the most frequent species are: Brycinus longipinnis, Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus, Pellonula leonensis, Schilbe intermedius and S. mandibularis. In the whole fish population, according to IUCN red list, four species where described as Near Threatened (Coptodon walteri, Marcusenius furcidens, Galeoides decadactylus and Cynoglossus senegalensis), four as Vulnerable (B. brevis, Rhexipanchax nimbaensis, Enteromius raimbaulti and Tilapia busumana) and one as Endangered species (Pseudotolithus senegalensis). These categories of species that have a conservation interest according to the IUCN Red List represent respectively 10.26% of the whole population. Fish population of the Aghien Lagoon are divided into seven classes ranging from “low” to “very high” vulnerability, regarding the vulnerability to stress due to fishing pressure.

PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT OF PROXIMATE COMPOSITION, MINERAL AND ENERGY CONTENTS IN LOCALLY SMOKED PELLONULA LEONENSIS AND SARDINELLA MADERENSIS FROM BADAGRY CREEK, LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA

Knowledge of food composition is crucial in the assessment of nutritional quality and potential contribution to recommended nutrient intakes. Fish plays a major role in ensuring food and nutritional security among the poor, vulnerable and rural fishing communities. However, there is paucity of information on the nutritional value of fish species exploited by the artisanal fisheries in Nigeria. The present study was carried out to evaluate (i) the nutritional value in two locally smoked clupeids (Sardinella maderensis and Pellonula leonensis); (ii) each species in relation to recommended nutrient intakes in pre-school children(< 5 years) and elderly (men and women >70 years) and (iii) linkages between nutrient access and intake. Fresh samples were collected from Badagry Creek, smoked using local smoking kiln and analyzed according to AOAC standard method. Data were collected in duplicates and analyzed using t-test. There were significant differences (p < 0.05) in the proximate composition except for crude fibre between the two fish species. The percentage cover of daily recommended intake of phosphorous and calcium from the two species were very low (1. 81-3.7%; 0.023% - 0.0912%) but low to moderate for zinc (2 % - 22.50%) in pre-school children and the elderly. Sequel to the results obtained in this study, the two smoked fish species showed good nutritive qualities for human health despite the low to moderate contents of calcium, zinc and phosphorus contents.

Demographic Structure and Level of Exploitation of the Small Pelagic Pellonula leonensis Boulenger, 1916 (Pisces; Clupeidae) Fishery in the Aghien lagoon, West Africa

Demographic structure and level of exploitation of Pellonula leonensis in the Aghien lagoon were examined by applying length-weight relationship (LWR), Condition factor, Von Bertalanffy model, Mortality parameters, Exploitation rate, Recruitment pattern and Beverton and Holt analysis. Fish population were sampled monthly during one year between June 2014 and May 2015 from artisanal and experimental captures in the Aghien Lagoon. Except LWR and the condition factor, studied parameters were provided by the FiSAT II package. The negative allometric growth (b = 2.61) was reported for Pellonula leonensis. Mean values of the condition factor (CF) vary significantly from one month to another (Anova, p ˂ 0.05). Concerning growth parameters, results indicated that the asymptotic length (L∞) has been estimated at 126.84 mm SL, growth coefficient (K) was 0.67 year -1 and growth performance index (Φ') was 2.03. Growth modelization revealed 4 cohorts for Pellonula leonensis. The estimates of the total (Z), natural (M) and fishing (F) mortalities were 1.87, 0.92 and 0.95 year -1 respectively. The recruitment pattern was continuous throughout the year with two Gauss curve. The exploitation rate obtained (E = 0.51) was close to E0.1 (E0.1 = 0.55), thus indicating that the P. leonensis stock is in an optimum state of exploitation.

Existence of Periodic Properties of Solutions of Certain Autonomous Third Order Nonlinear Differential Equations

Introduction: Knowledge of food composition is crucial in the assessment of nutritional quality and potential contribution to recommended nutrient intakes. Fish plays a major role in ensuring food and nutritional security among the poor, vulnerable and rural fishing communities. However, in Nigeria, information on the nutrition content of some locally important fish species particularly after smoking or sun-drying is either lacking or missing. Aim: The present study was carried out to evaluate (i) the nutritional value of two locally smoked clupeids (Sardinella maderensis and Pellonula leonensis); (ii) in relation to recommended nutrient intakes in pre-school children (< 5 years) and elderly (men and women >70 years) and (iii) linkages between nutrient access and intake. Materials and Methods: Fresh samples were collected from Badagry Creek, smoked using local smoking kiln and analyzed according to AOAC standard method. Data were collected in duplicates and analyzed using t-test. Results: There were significant differences (P =.05) in the proximate composition except for crude fibre between the two fish species. The percentage cover of daily recommended intake of phosphorous and calcium from the two species were very low (1. 81-3.7%; 0.023% - 0.0912%) but low to moderate for zinc (2 % - 22.50%) in pre-school children and the elderly. Conclusion: Sequel to the results obtained in this study, the two smoked fish species showed good nutritive qualities for human health despite the low to moderate contents of calcium, zinc and phosphorus. Keywords: Badagry Creek, clupeids, nutritional quality, smoked fish, Nigeria, recommended nutrient intakes.

Food of <i>Pellonula leonensis</i> (Boulenger,1916) in Ogbobiri River, Amassoma, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

The food of Pellonula leonensis was studied as on-going investigation of clupeids in freshwaters, especially the Nun River and its catchment area in the Niger Delta, Nigeria. The stomach contents of 160 specimens ranging from 30 mm-70 mm in total length, collected with Attalla liftnet from Ogobiri River around Amassoma, Bayelsa State, Nigeria were analysed using the numerical and frequency of occurrence methods. P. leonensis fed on a variety of organisms, with insects as the dominant food item constituting 36% of the number of the food items and occurred in 63% of the stomachs. Cladocerans comprised 32%for numbers and 55% for frequency of occurrence; rotifers contributed 14% for numbers and 38%for frequency of occurrence and copepods constituted 13% for numbers and 38% for frequency of occurrence. Virtually all food items were found in the different size groups analyzed, indicating P. leonensis as a versatile feeder, feeding on available food items. Keywords: Stomach contents, diets, Pellonula leonensis , Ogobiri River, Niger Delta

Length-Weight Relationship and population parameters of Pellonula leonensis Boulenger, 1916 (Clupeidae) in man-made Lake Taabo (Bandama basin; Côte d’Ivoire)

Length-Weight relationship and population parameters of Pellonula leonensis Boulenger, 1916 were studied in man-made Lake Taabo (Cote d’Ivoire). Samples were collected using beach seine with 6 and 8 mm mesh size from November 2008 to October 2009. Length frequency data collected were analyzed with FISAT software using the ELEFAN package to estimate the population parameters of Pellonula leonensis. The coefficient of allometry (b) was 3.24 and the correlation coefficient (r = 0.97) showed that there was a high and significant correlation between the standard length and the weight of P. leonensis. The asymptotic length (L∞) and growth rate constant (K) were estimated to be 6.56 cm and 0.86 year–1. Based on these growth parameters, the estimated value for the fishing mortality coefficient (F) was 0.93 year–1 for P. leonensis in man-made Lake Taabo. Natural mortality coefficient (M) estimated was 2.55 year–1 and exploitation rate (E) was 0.27. The recruitment pattern of P. leonensis showed that there is a year round recruitment with the highest recruitment in April (24.84%) while the lowest recruitment were in November (0.42%) and December (0%).

Multiplex 16S rRNA haplotype‐specific PCR, a rapid and convenient method for fish species identification: an application to West African Clupeiform larvae

A multiplex haplotype-specific polymerase chain reaction (MHS-PCR) method was developed, which identified seven Clupeiform species living in the tropical Eastern Atlantic region: Sardinella aurita, Sardinella maderensis, Ethmalosa fimbriata, Sardina pilchardus, Engraulis encrasicholus, Pellonula leonensis and Ilisha africana. 16S rRNA fragments were amplified using a species-specific set of primers, yielding species-specific size fragments, and then separated using agarose gel electrophoresis, enabling direct visual identification of targeted species. This method provides an accurate, easy and rapid tool for identifying species within large Clupeiform samples. It is suitable for investigations on early Clupeiform stages, species and identification in fishery management in the tropical Eastern Atlantic area.

Species composition and gear characteristics of the Macrobrachium fishery of the Cross River Estuary, Nigeria

The Cross River Estuary, Nigeria, is an important shrimping area for artisanal fishermen of the coastal communities. The multi-species Macrobrachium fishery is exploited with three main gears, namely beach seine, push net and trap. Studies on species composition of this fishery recorded thirteen shrimp species, one swimming crab (Callinectes amnicola) and two fish species (Eleotris sp. and Pellonula leonensis). The shrimp species identified included Macrobrachium macrobrachion (83.39% and 55.69% by number and weight, respectively), M. vollenhovenii (9.66% and 37.18%), M. equidens (3.8% and 2.87%), juveniles-sub-adults of Penaeus notialis (1.11% and 1.3%), M. dux, M. felicinum, Palaemonetes africanus, Palaemon maculatus, Palaemon elegans, Desmocaris sp., Leander sp., Nematopalaemon hastatus and Alpheus pontederiae. While the selectivity index for trap was 0.25, beach seine and push net had a lower index of 0.063. The results present the first comprehensive and representative report for the Estuary shrimp fishery and will assist in the management of the biodiversity of this ecosystem.

Growth, Mortality, Recruitment and Yield of Pellonula leonensis Boulenger, 1917 (Osteichthyes: Clupeidae) in a Tropical Flood River System

Growth, Mortality, Recruitment and Yield of Pellonula leonensis Boulenger, 1917 (Osteichthyes: Clupeidae) in a Tropical Flood River System

Length –weight relationships and condition factor of <i>Pellonula leonensis</i> in the lower non river, Niger delta, Nigeria

Length –weight relationships and condition factor of <i>Pellonula leonensis</i> in the lower non river, Niger delta, Nigeria