The mangrove forest as a feeding ground and nursery habitat for the ichthyofauna: Mida Creek in Kenya
Discipline
Biological sciences
Subject
Vertebrates
Audience
Scientific
Date
2013Publisher
Mees J. and Seys J. (Ed.) (2013)
Metadata
Show full item recordDescription
Mangrove forests are among the most productive ecosystems, sustaining both terrestrial and  aquatic fauna (Kathiresan, 2011). They are important to coastal fisheries by providing foraging and  hiding places for commercially valuable fishes (Tomlinson, 1986; Rönnbäck 1999). This research  investigated the fish assemblage of Mida Creek (Kenya, East Africa) as well as the presumed feeding  and nursery functions of the area for the ichthyofauna present. This explorative study contributes to  a Kenyan-Flemish project in which scientists aim to identify the impacts of human exploitation and  management regimes of mangroves on biodiversity richness and abundance, including demersal  fish. The species composition of the ichthyofauna of Mida and trophic interactions therein was  studied for five representative sampling areas. These sites are located at various distances from  local villages in order to include the effect of different degrees of human disturbance. Samples were  collected during 5-6 consecutive days close to spring tide in mid July 2011. Fishes were caught  using several types of passive fishing gears such as large and small fyke nets, gill nets and  occasionally beach seine. Each individual was identified to species level, measured and weighed. We  performed stomach content analysis to provide information about fish diet. Furthermore, stable  isotope analysis was applied on most fishes in order to detect whether the source of primary  production for the higher trophic levels is mangrove-related or not. A total of 29 fish species was  found with a catch of 939 teleost specimens. Our analyses showed that a majority of fish belonged  to the zoobenthivorous/omnivorous trophic mode, they were mainly feeding on invertebrates. Their  diet was quite similar over different locations and life stages. Two species (Sphyraena barracuda  and Synodus variegatus) exhibited a mixed diet with a piscivorous preference. Results concerning  the population structure suggested that the fish community of Mida consisted of both transient and  resident species. Juveniles were, however, numerically more abundant in the whole area than adult  specimens. Based on our restricted sampling period and methodology, we were not able to  accurately detect human impacts on fish stock and species composition between locations. Finally,  our results confirm that Mida Creek mangrove is an important habitat for the ichthyofauna  especially for juvenile fishes. Its role as feeding and nursery ground appears well established.
Citation
Gajdzik, L.; Vanreusel, A.; Koedam, N.; Reubens, J.; Muthumbi, A. (2013). The mangrove forest as a feeding ground and nursery habitat for the ichthyofauna: Mida Creek in Kenya. , VLIZ Young Marine Scientists' Day. Brugge, Belgium, 15 February 2013, Vol. (VLIZ Special Publication) 63., Vlaams Instituut voor de Zee : Oostende. xii, 168, Mees J. and Seys J. (Ed.) (2013),Identifiers
Type
Conference
Peer-Review
No
Language
eng
