Feeding ecology of the african suckermouth catfish Euchilichthys Guentheri (Mochokidae, siluriformes) of Malebo Pool, Congo River (Democratic republic of congo)gy of the african suckermouth catfish Euchilichthys Guentheri (Mochokidae, siluriformes) of Malebo Pool, Congo River (Democratic republic of congo)
[en] The feeding ecology of Euchilichlhys guentheri (Schilthuis, 1891) of Malcbo Pool (Congo River, Kinshasa, DRC) was studied between January 2008 and October 2010. The stomach contents of 243 individuals were analysed and a diet was characterized by a feeding index computed by combining the occurrences, the numerical and volume percentages of the items identified in the stomach contents. The study showed that this species has an herbivorous diet mainly composed of periphyton. The study did not find any statistical differences in the diet related to the size of the specimens, the site and the hydrological season. The dietary strategics developed by this species likely contribute to its coexistence with the other Mochokidae species in Malcbo Pool. The study thus provided relevant information regarding the feeding ecology of suckermouth catfishes intrinsically associated with the Congo River, one of the most threatened and biodiverse ecosystems of the Congo basin.
Disciplines :
Aquatic sciences & oceanology
Author, co-author :
Tembeni Makiadi, John; University of Kinshasa, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology, Limnology Hydrobiology and Aquaculture Laboratory, PO Box. 190, Kinshasa XI, Congo
Mbomba Nseu, Bekeli; University Faculties of Notre Dame de la Paix, Namur, URBE, Bruxelles Street, 61 B-5000 Namur, Belgium
Micha, Jean-Claude; University Faculties of Notre Dame de la Paix, Namur, URBE, Bruxelles Street, 61 B-5000 Namur, Belgium
Vandewalle, Pierre ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de Biologie, Ecologie et Evolution > Département de Biologie, Ecologie et Evolution
Language :
English
Title :
Feeding ecology of the african suckermouth catfish Euchilichthys Guentheri (Mochokidae, siluriformes) of Malebo Pool, Congo River (Democratic republic of congo)gy of the african suckermouth catfish Euchilichthys Guentheri (Mochokidae, siluriformes) of Malebo Pool, Congo River (Democratic republic of congo)
Publication date :
2013
Journal title :
Revue d'Ecologie
ISSN :
0249-7395
Publisher :
Société Nationale de Protection de la Nature, France
Volume :
68
Issue :
3-4
Pages :
291-304
Peer reviewed :
Peer reviewed
Funders :
CIUF - Conseil Interuniversitaire de la Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles [BE] CTB - Coopération Technique Belge [BE]
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