TITLE:
Feeding Habits of Bryconalestes tholloni (Pellegrin, 1901) (Characiformes: Alestidae) from Mafoubou River (Sous-Affluent of Niari River) in Congo Brazzaville
AUTHORS:
Isabelle Mady-Goma Dirat, Durelle Brith Caëlle Olabi-Obath, Marcellin Mikia, Lilen Paty Dartevelin Boukama
KEYWORDS:
Mafoubou River, Bryconalestes tholloni, Preponderance Index, Insectivorous, Congo Brazzaville
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Ecology,
Vol.14 No.11,
November
19,
2024
ABSTRACT: The diet of Bryconalestes tholloni from Mafoubou River, Sous-affluent of Niari River was studied by examining the stomach contents of 75 specimens captured using the cast nets. This study is the first realized on the trophic ecology of a fish species of Niari Basin. Three stations were sampled monthly from July to December 2019. The diet was analyzed according to hydrological season and fish size. The vacuity coefficient is 27%, feeding habits of Bryconalestes tholloni were analyzed using the preponderance index which combines the occurrence percentage and the weight percentage. Bryconalestes tholloni is insectivorous (Ip = 95.54%) and becomes omnivorus to predominantly frugivorous, the preponderance index of fruits is equal to 93.6% in large individuals. There is no variation in diet according to the season. These results constitute a first database on the feeding habits Niari Basin fishes.