Distribution strategy of<i>Nimbapanchax petersi</i> (Sauvage, 1882) and <i>Epiplatys chaperi sheljuzhkoi</i> (Poll, 1953) fish, in Banco National Park (Côte d’Ivoire, West Africa)

Abstract

Objective: This study highlights the distribution strategy of two fish species of Nothobranchiidae (Nimbapanchax petersi and Epiplatys chaperi sheljuzhkoi) according to environmental variables of Banco River in the National Park of Banco in order to characterize their preferential habitat.

Methodology and results: Sampling was conducted from December 2015 to January 2017 using dip nets. Four defined stations (B1 to B4) along the Banco River were visited. A total of 397 samples of Nimbapanchax petersi were collected. This species is more abundant upstream with 82.87% of the sampling. However, the 186 individuals of Epiplatys chaperi sheljuzhkoi captured were distributed homogeneously over the entire river along an upstream-downstream gradient. Canonical Correlation Analysis (CCA) has shown that the nature of the substrate (clay-mud mixture, rocks and deadwood-foliage mixture) and dissolved oxygen levels are critical factors in the distribution pattern of these species in the Banco River. Epiplatys chaperi sheljuzhkoi select habitats with mud, clay and deadwood-foliage mixture while Nimbapanchax petersi target rocky and more oxygenated environments.

Conclusion and application of results: These results, which are essential data on the ecology of aquatic species in the wild, could contribute to ensure better conservation of small freshwater fish. These baseline data for future studies will enable a sustainable stock conservation policy for these species to be put in place. In addition, faced with the anthropogenic pressures of the surrounding communities on this environment, park managers should pay more attention to the preservation of biodiversity in general and to the two species of Nothobranchiidae in particular.

Keywords: Distribution, Nothobranchiidae, aquarists, environmental factors, Banco River