Diversity and Influence of Environmental Factors on the Spatio-Temporal Distribution of the Ichthyofauna of Malonda Lagoon (Congo Brazzaville)

Tenda Hélène Dembe Louvinguila^1,2, Armel Ibala Zamba^1,2*, Victor Mamonekene^1,2, Lérège Batiabo Mikembi², Freedom Honest Poaty Ngot², Joseph Goma-Tchimbakala^1,2

¹Ecole Nationale Supérieure d’Agronomie et de Foresterie (ENSAF), Université Marien Ngouabi, Brazzaville, République du Congo.
²Institut national de Recherche en Sciences Exactes Naturelles, Laboratoire de l’Environnement et Océanographie, Brazzaville, République du Congo.

DOI: 10.4236/nr.2021.125011                

Abstract

This study was initiated with the aim of studying the diversity and spatio-temporal distribution of fish in the Malonda lagoon, one of the coastal ecosystems of the Base Guinea in the Republic of Congo. The fish were sampled over a period of two years in three zones each including three stations known as: Mangrove, Grass and Full water. One station upstream towards the freshwater zone, one station downstream towards the mouth and one station in the containment zone. The catches were made using monofilament gillnets of 8, 10, 20 and 30 mm mesh size. During the rainy season, 1516 specimens belonging to 29 species, 17 families and 12 orders were collected. In the dry season, 768 specimens belonging to 20 species, 11 families and 8 orders were collected. For both seasons, the family Cichlidae is the most diversified. The marine forms are the most represented compared to the continental forms. Redundancy Analysis with forward selection coupled with Monte Carlo permutation tests showed that in the rainy season four variables influenced the distribution of species (Depth: 48%, Vase: 16%, Nitrogen: 10% and Transparency: 10%); in the dry season three variables influenced the distribution of species (Vase: 38%, Nitrogen: 14% and Oxygen: 11%). Ecological indices showed that the Malonda lagoon is already undergoing either anthropic or natural impacts, its state of ecological integrity is disturbed, the values of Shannon diversity and Equitability indices are not close to maximum values. The results of this study will serve as an ecological database for the proper management of these ecosystems.

Keywords

Fish, Ecology, Distribution, Season, Malonda Lagoon, Lower Guinea

1. Introduction

Aquatic ecosystems are highly diversified in terms of their origin, formation and functioning, as well as in terms of the rich fauna and flora they contain [1]. African ichthyological provinces in general and that of Lower Guinea in particular, which covers the coastal rivers of Cameroon and Gabon, right up to the mouth of the Congo, cover a rich and varied fauna [2] [3]. Lagoons which are part of coastal ecosystems are considered among the most productive aquatic environments thanks to their high rates primary production [4] [5] [6]. They offer very high biological diversity and constitute a real ecological niche [6]. The richness of African estuaries and lagoons is higher compared to others on a global scale. Just like the physical environment, the fauna and flora of these environments are influenced by the adjacent systems in a balance depending on the situation [4]. The faunal assemblages that occupy these poorly defined spaces present more or less random aggregates of opportunistic fish originating either from the neighboring continental shelf or from continental tributaries [4]. The specific composition and structure of fish populations in a given place result from the action of a series of ecological filters [7], including the strength and duration of floods, the physico-chemical characteristics of the water and their spatio-temporal variations [8] [9], trophic richness, and the presence and condition of mangroves [9]. Interactions between migrating species and resident ichthyofauna contribute significantly to the structuring of fish populations [10]. The composition of settlements is also modified, sometimes considerably, by human interventions, such as the construction of works (port facilities, dykes, dams), the development of communications with the ocean, fishing and aquaculture activities, pollution linked to urbanization and industrialization and agricultural activities [11] [12]. These activities can have significant and uncontrolled consequences on the entire lagoon hydrosystem from the catchment area to the sea [13]. The hydrodynamics and hydrochemistry resulting from the confrontation of bodies of water of different origin and chemical composition constitute an essential element of the lagoon ecology, intervening directly on the specific composition, structure and spatio-temporal distribution of the communities but also on the dynamics of the various populations: migration, reproduction rate, growth [14] [15].

In Congo, lagoons are even less studied and require in-depth environmental studies to better understand and manage them. The present study was conducted in the Malonda lagoon, to contribute to the basic enrichment of data on the diversity and ecology of the fish in these waters. In particular, the study provides data on the inventory of ichthyodiversity, the analysis of the spatio-temporal distribution and the distribution of fish species in relation to environmental variables.

2. Material and Methods

2.1. Study Area and Fish Sampling

The fish used in this study were collected in the Malonda lagoon, located in the south of the Republic of Congo, in the Department of Pointe-Noire (Figure 1). Fed by the waters of the Loémé River, the Malonda lagoon covers about 95 ha. It communicates temporarily with the ocean. It thus opens up to the ocean naturally in the rainy season and remains closed in the dry season.

A total of three areas were sampled, each including three stations: Mangrove (Mg), Grass (Hb) and Open Water (Pe) (Figure 1). Zone I (Mg1, Hb1 and Pe1) is located upstream near the Loémé, Zone II (Mg2, Hb2 and Pe2) is in the containment zone and Zone III (Mg3, Hb3 and Pe3) towards the lagoon ambushes. The choice of stations was made as a function of 1) the distance from the mouth in order to assess the spatial variability of the physicochemical parameters subject to the hydroclimatic variations of the Loémé River, 2) accessibility and 3) the presence of the three stations (Figures 2(A)-(C)). Eight data collection campaigns were carried out between January 2018 and August 2019, including

Figure 1. Malonda Lagoon and sampled stations.

four in the rainy season (January and April) and four in the dry season (July and August).

At each of the stations, fishing was carried out between 5 pm and 7 am (Figure 3(A) & (Figure 3(B)), following a standardised catch method using 8, 10, 20 and 30 mm mesh size gillnets see [16] [17]. Harvested fish were identified in the field. Those whose identifications were uncertain in the field were preserved in 10% formalin for identification at the ichtyological laboratory of the National Institute for Research in Exact and Natural Sciences (IRSEN). Families

Figure 2. Sampling stations. (A): Grass station; (B): Mangrove station; (C): Full water station.

Figure 3. Removing the nets. (A): Net laying (Mangrove station); (B): Net removal (Grass station).

were classified according to [18], while genera and species were classified in alphabetical order.

2.2. Measurement of Environmental Variables

A total of thirteen environmental variables were measured at each station studied for this study (Table 1). Physicochemical parameters (pH, temperature, conductivity, salinity and total dissolved solids) were sampled in situ using a multi-parameter probe (Oakton Pcstestr 35). Transparency was measured using a Secchi disk. Nitrogen (by the Kjeldahl method converts to organic nitrogen), phosphorus (by the Riley and Murphy reagent method) and dissolved oxygen (by the cold potassium permanganate method) were measured at the chemistry laboratory of “Institut national de Recherche en Sciences Exactes et Naturelles (IRSEN)” in Pointe-Noire. The values represented for all the variables are the averages obtained over eight campaigns. In each of the prospected stations, the parameters were taken twice in the rainy season and twice in the dry season, for two years (n = 2 days * 2 seasons * 2 years = 8).

The type of substrate was estimated as a percentage of the total substrate. Three types of substrates were determined: sand (Sab), mud (Vase) and rock (Aut).

2.3. Data Analysis

Based on the significant seasonal differences (P < 0.05) found in 60% of the environmental parameters measured (Table 1), the treatments were made considering the effects of the season. The length of the gradient (LG < 3), provided by

Table 1. Means and test of variances of physico-chemical parameters for two days, two seasons and two years (n = 8), in bold are the variables with seasonal differences Significant. Values SD: Standard deviation.

the DCCA, made it possible to opt for the Redundancy Analysis (RDA), to understand the correlations between species and environmental variables. Two matrices were simultaneously used, one of the numerical abundances of species and the other of environmental variables. Before any ordination, species abundances were transformed into log (x+1), while environmental variables were transformed into ln (x + 1), or arcsin $\sqrt{x}$ for percentage data [12] [17] [19] [20] [21]. The Monte Carlo test (999 permutations, p < 0.05) was carried out to select the variables that significantly explain the distribution of species. These analyses were performed using CANOCO 4.5 for Windows [22].

In order to assess the state of ecological health of the lagoon, three diversity indices, commonly used in ecology [23] [24] were calculated using PRIMER version 5 software [25]: species richness (S), Shannon index (H') and Equitability (R). The species richness (S) corresponds to the number of species present in the sample. The Shannon diversity index H' [26] calculated according to the formula:

$H^{\prime }=-{\displaystyle \underset{i=1}{\overset{S}{\sum }}Pi\ln Pi}$ (1)

with Pi = ni/N; N being the total number of individuals obtained for all species, n_i is the number of individuals of species i and Pi the relative abundance of species i in the sample. Shannon index varies between 0 and H' maximum, calculated according to the formula: ${H^{\prime }}_{\max }=\ln S$.

The Equitability (R) [27] indicates whether individuals are equally distributed among the species of the target area, and varies between 0 and 1. It tends towards 0 when the totality of catches is almost entirely of one species, and towards 1 when all species have the same abundance within given sample. It is calculated using the formula:

$R=H^{\prime }/{H^{\prime }}_{\max }$. (2)

3. Results

3.1. Species Composition

The composition of the fish diversity of the Malonda Lagoon is recorded in Table 2. Overall, a total of 2284 specimens belonging to 33 species, 17 families and 12 orders have been reported. Among the fish families sampled, Cichlidae (n = 7 species), Mugilidae and Eleotridae (n = 4 each), Carangidae (n = 3) and Clupeidae (n = 2) are the five most represented. The other twelve families are less represented with one species each.

Depending on the season, 1516 specimens divided into 29 species, 17 families and 12 orders were caught during the rainy season. The family Cichlidae is the most diversified (n = 6 species) followed by Eleotridae (n = 4), Carangidae (n = 3) and Mugilidae (n = 2). The other families are less diversified with one species each. During the dry season, 768 specimens belonging to 20 species, 11 families and 8 orders were reported. The family Cichlidae is the most diversified (n = 5

Table 2. List of species collected, their codes and relative abundance. *: species with marine affinity; RS: rainy season; DS: dry season.

species) followed by Mugilidae (n = 4), Carangidae and Clupeidae (n = 2 each). The other nine families each have one species.

3.2. Fish Community Assemblages in Relationship to Environmental Variables

Results of the Redundancy Analysis (RDA) show the different correlations between species, between environmental variables and stations, between species and different stations (Figure 4 and Figure 5). In the rainy season, the first two axes (respectively 55.8 and 19%) express 74% cumulative variance of the species data (Figure 4), with a very high correlation between species and environmental variables for both axes (respectively 0.92 and 0.81). The Monte Carlo test (999 permutations) shows that both axes are significant (F = 1.89; P = 0.004). Redundancy Analysis with forward selection identified four variables (P < 0.05), which together express 84% of the total variance: Depth (Prof: 48%), Vase (Vase: 16%), Nitrogen (N: 10%) and Transparency (Trans: 10%).

In the dry season, the first two axes (respectively 50.2% and 9.5%) express 59.7% cumulative variance of species data (Figure 5). The correlation between species and environmental variables is very high for the first axes (respectively 0.96 and 0.78.) The Monte Carlo test (999 permutations) shows that both axes are significant (F = 3.03; P = 0.01). Three significant environmental variables (P < 0.05) were selected, expressing alone 63% of the total variance in community structure: Vase (Vase: 38%), Nitrogen (N: 14%) and Oxygen (O₂: 11%).

The variables selected for both seasons influence the distribution of fish communities. The analysis of Figure 4 shows that in the rainy season the stations are classified into four habitat types in relation to the two axes. Habitat 1 includes three stations (Hb2, Hb3 and Mg3), is positively correlated with Axis 1 but negatively correlated with depth, the characteristic species are: Bostrychusafricanus, Chrysichthysnigrodigitatus, Coptodonguineensis, Dormitatorlebretonis, Eleotrisdaganensis, Elopslacerta, Eucinostomusmelanopterus, Hemichromiselongatus, Kribianana, Mugilcurema, Nannopetersiusansorgii, Neochelonfalcipinnis, Parachannaobscura, Pelmatolapiacabrae, Porogobiusschlegelii, Sarotherodonmelanotheron and Sphyraenaguachancho. Habitat 2 with two stations (Pe3 and Pe2) is negatively correlated with axis 1 and with mud there are species such as Caranxfischeri, C. hippos, Odaxothrissaansorgii, Oreochromisschwebischi, Pomadasysjubelini, Trachinotusteraia, and T. ovatus. Habitat 3

Figure 4. RDA Rainy season. Ordering of species, stations and selected environmental variables (A): Biplot of environmental variables and stations; (B): Biplot of species and stations.

Figure 5. RDA of the dry season. Ordering of species, stations and selected environmental variables (A): Biplot of environmental variables and stations; (B): Biplot of species and stations.

with three stations (Mg1, Hb1 and Pe1,) influenced by depth is negatively correlated with axis 1 and positively correlated with axis 2, a single species Clariasgariepinus. Habitat 4 with only one station (Mg2), influenced by mud is positively correlated with axis 2, the main species are Hepsetuslineata, Heterotisniloticus, Mystriophisrostellatus and Sarotherodonnigripinnis.

In the dry season, three types of habitat can be distinguished (Figure 5): Habitat 1, a single station (Pe3), positively correlated with axis 1 and nitrogen, characterized by the species Caranxfischeri, Chrysichthysnigrodigitatus, Ethmalosafimbriata, Eucinostomusmelanopterus, Mugilbananensis, Neochelonfalcipinnis, Odaxothrissaansorgii, Parachelongrandisquamis, Pelmatolapiacabrae, Pomadasysjubelini and Trachinotusovatus. Habitat 2 (Hb1, Mg1 Pe1, Mg2 and Hb3) is positively correlated with mud, but negatively correlated with both axes, we find Elopslacerta, Hepsetuslineata, Mugilcurema, Oreochromisschwebischi and Sarotherodonnigripinnis. Habitat 3 (Hb2, Pe2 and Mg3), is negatively correlated with axis 1, but positively correlated with axis 2 and oxygen, as characteristic species Coptodonguineensis, Hemichromiselongatus, Nannopetersiusansorgii and Porogobiusschlegelii.

3.3. Spatial and Temporal Variation of Ecological Diversity Indices

For each of the nine sampled stations, diversity indices including species richness (S), Shannon index (H'), maximum Shannon index ( ${H^{\prime }}_{\max }$ ) and equitability (R) were calculated (Table 3). The high values of the S, R and H' indices during the rainy season, were observed in the stations Hb3 (S = 16 species), Pe1 (R = 0.95) and Pe3 (H' = 2.01). Low values were observed in the stations Pe1 (S = 3), Mg3 (R = 0.32) and Mg2 (H' = 0.31). During the dry season, high values were observed in stations Pe3 (S = 12), Pe1 (R = 0.95) and Pe1 (H' = 1.70). Low values were reported in the stations Mg1 and Hb1 (S = 4), Pe3 (R = 0.40) and Hb1 (H' = 0.79).

Table 3. Ecological diversity indices. N: number of specimens; S: Species richness; H': Shannon index; ${H^{\prime }}_{\max }$ : Shannon maximum index; R: Equitability; RS: rainy season; DS: dry season.

4. Discussion

4.1. Fish Diversity

The fish species reported in this study are characteristic of the ichthyogeographic province of Lower Guinea [28] [29], with the exception of Oreochromisniloticus and Heterotisniloticus, which were introduced into this part through fish farming [30] [31] [32] [33]. Overall, over 60% of species reported have marine affinity (Bostrychusafricanus, Caranxfischeri, C. hippos, Dormitatorlebretonis, Eleotrisdaganensis, Elopslacerta, Ethmalosafimbriata, Eucinostomusmelanopterus, Kribianana, Mugilbananensis, Mugilcurema, Mystriophisrostellatus, Neochelonfalcipinnis, Parachelongrandisquamis, Pomadasysjubelini, Porogobiusschlegelii, Sphyraenaguachancho, Trachinotusteraia and T. ovatus). It is known that lagoons, with their ecotonal roles, host several marine species [4] [9]. According to [10], a significant proportion of the fish species composing neritic populations of African coasts is likely to enter estuaries and neighboring lagoons for various durations and at various stages. African continental waters are home to species of marine origin that have adapted to fresh waters or that migrate seasonally or sporadically between the sea and inland waters [34].

The species listed in this lagoon (72.41% in the rainy season and 90% in the dry season) are species which constitute the fundamental lagoon population and the very base of lagoon populations by their permanence, their abundance and their essential role that they hold in the ecology and the halieutic economy of these ecosystems [4]. They are euryhaline species that adapt to any range of salinity.

4.2. Season Effects on Fish Diversity and Distribution

The seasonal variations show that in the rainy season the Malonda lagoon was more diversified (29 species against 20 in the dry season) and more abundant (1516 against 768 specimens). This difference in both abundance and specific richness could be explained by the fact that during the rainy season the Malonda lagoon opens (artificially by fishermen for 3 years) to the ocean several times. The opening of the lagoon on the one hand and the desalination of the water by continental inflows on the other hand allow both marine and continental species to enter it. This could also be due to the fact that during the rainy season there is an abundance of food and it is a favorable breeding season for many species. In this regard, [35] have argued that the period and duration of the ocean opening phase play an essential role in the diversity and abundance of fish in a lagoon system. Seasonal variations are very marked both in terms of stand composition and structure [36]. The hydrological variability resulting from the seasonal distribution of rainfall or the interannual variability of rainfall has important consequences on the biology and dynamics of fish populations [37].

Continental forms dominate in the rainy season while marine forms dominate in the dry season. In fact, in the dry season, the lagoon is completely closed and the exchanges at the mouth are made by infiltration. With the low inflows of continental water and also evaporation during this period, the water remains saltier, especially towards the mouth (0.67 ± 0.25 ppt in the rainy season against 3.39 ± 0.23 ppt in the dry season). This explains the presence of marine species in the Pe3 station. According to [10], salinity and temperature are selective variables of the lagoon environment.

The study of the physical parameters of a station and of the species that colonize it makes it possible to determine the relationships between the environment and the species, and to identify the preferences of a species in terms of ecological factors [34]. According to the RDA (Figure 4 and Figure 5), four variables in the rainy season in particular, depth, mud, transparency and nitrogen and three variables in the dry season, namely mud, nitrogen and oxygen influence the distribution of species. [10] reported that the composition, distribution and abundance of communities in estuarine and lagoon waters are strongly influenced by salinity, temperature, turbidity, dissolved oxygen concentration. Seasonal variations are very marked, both in terms of stand composition and structure [34]. In the rainy season, the species are concentrated in the shallow stations, in particular the stations Hb2, Hb3, Mg3 and Mg2. These stations constitute rich habitats favorable to the development of planktonic species adapted to the nutritional needs of juveniles.

The grasses and stilt roots of Rhizophora sp. provide fish with shelter to escape predators, refuge, nursery and breeding grounds. Mangroves are irreplaceable habitats for many fish species [15]. Also, these stations have a high silt rate. The muddy substrate increases the fertility of the water, the abundance of food [33]. According to [34], an essential reason for a fish to frequent certain types of environment is the opportunity to find food suitable for its size and physiological requirements. The Pe2 and Pe3 stations are negatively correlated with the silt; they have a sandy-rocky substrate and are colonized by the typically marine species (Caranxfischeri, C. hippos, Pomadasysjubelini and Trachinotusovatus) for the Pe3 station and the continental species (Oreochromisniloticus andOdaxothrissa ansorgii) for the Pe2 station.

In the dry season, marine species are concentrated in the Pe3 station, which is positively correlated with nitrogen. The Elopslacerta, Hepsetuslineata, Mugilcurema, Oreochromisschwebischi, and Sarotherodonnigripinnis dolloi species more often frequent the muddy sites (Mg1, Hb1, Pe1 and Mg2). The Pe2, Hb2 and Mg3 stations, positively correlated with oxygen, harbor the species Coptodonguineensis, Hemichromiselongatus,Nannopetersius ansorgii et Porogobiusschlegelii.

A species of fish maintains itself in a hydrosystem in the long term to the extent that it finds there a set of conditions that allow it, among other things, to grow and reproduce [38]. These very marked seasonal variations in the population are induced by changes in the environment, the abundance and distribution of freshwater inputs. Lagoons perform an extremely important and sometimes essential function for the completion of the biological cycle of certain fish [7] [10]. For both seasons, we observe an increasing gradient of the specific richness from upstream (the freshwater zone) to downstream (towards the mouth). In this regard, [39] specified that the physical conditions present in a watercourse, from upstream to downstream, induce a response from biological communities, with a gradual change depending on the capacities of the species. to adapt to environmental conditions and available food resources. This longitudinal zoning is accompanied by an increase in species richness by increasing the heterogeneity and volume of the habitat [20] [40]. The low diversity of stations in zone I (Pe1 and Mg1 stations) upstream may be due to the action of human activities carried out in the zone, in particular the sand quarry, fish ponds, excessive fishing by riparian fishermen. This area is near the village of Fouta and is subject to strong human pressure.

4.3. Ecological Health of Malonda Lagoon

The diversity indices provide information on the state of health of the lagoon in space and time. Three indices (S, $H^{\prime }$ and R) were calculated based on the abundances. These indices are of great importance in diagnosing the ecological health of an aquatic ecosystem [24]. The results show that most stations show indices that do not come close to their maximum values ( ${H^{\prime }}_{\max }$ for $H^{\prime }$ and 1 for R) for both seasons. In the rainy season, four out of nine stations (Mg1, Pe1 and Pe2 and Pe3) have indices which approach the maximum values. These values show that these stations are not yet disturbed. The cash is distributed in an equitable manner within these stations. According to [41], $H^{\prime }$ is high when there is no imbalance in the number of individuals within each species. According to [42], the value of R varies between zero (0) when a single species dominates or one (1) when all species have the same abundance. The values which are close to 0 in particular for the Mg2 and Mg3 stations could be explained by the presence of a very abundant species Nannopetersiusansorgii which alone represents 94% for the Mg2 station and 84% for the Mg3 station of the total abundance. The dominance of a species at a site could mean an increase in the influence of human activities [43].

In the dry season, only one Pe1 station presented the values of H' and R close to the maximum values. The other stations have values of R far from 1, especially the station Pe3. This could be the result of the presence of the species Odaxothrissaansorgii which alone accounts for 72% of the total abundance. These results show that this lagoon is already suffering from human imprints. [44] pointed out that the equatorial ecoregion of the southwest coast in which Malonda is located has been identified as being highly vulnerable to human impacts. In addition, it is subject to increased overexploitation of fish stocks. Although far from the city, it is much frequented by fishermen who engage in artisanal fishing with non-selective gear. Malonda lagoon is located in an oil zone. Oil exploitation is one of the main activities identified as polluting the aquatic systems of the southwest coast of the equatorial ecoregion [12].

The high values of the indices (H' and R) would show an even distribution and a good diversification of species within a station [17]. When the calculated H’ and R indices approach their maximum values, this proves that all species in the community constitute an excellent distribution of abundance and that the environment is in good ecological health [12] [24]. In our case for most stations, the values show a poor distribution of fish abundance, consequently a poor ecological state of the lagoon.

5. Conclusion

The present study focused on the analysis of the diversity and spatio-temporal distribution of the ichthyofauna of the Malonda lagoon. The analysis provided a good knowledge of the diversity of fish in these still poorly known environments, and an understanding of the relationship that exists between the species and the environment in which they live. The results showed that the distribution of fish is a function of environmental parameters. In the rainy season, four environmental variables influence the distribution in four habitats and in the dry season, a single variable influences the distribution in four habitats. Analysis of the diversity indices showed that the Malonda Lagoon is not in good ecological condition. Monitoring of environmental parameters and the establishment of biological indicators could make it possible to better monitor the lagoon and ensure its balance. Other analyzes, in particular on the biology of the harvested species (food habit, reproduction) should be considered to understand the preference of certain habitats by the species.

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Martin Bassafoula and Daniel Bavedila, the technician of the environment and oceanography laboratory, for help in the field. The fieldwork of THDL was provided by IRSEN institution (Republic of the Congo).

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper.

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