Composition, Distribution, Relative Abundance and Biodiversity of Fish Species of Ikere-George, Oyo State Nigeria

Abstract

The fish composition of the three landing sites of Ikere-gorge were studied over a period of six months (September 2023- February 2024). The catches were sorted into taxonomic groups (families and species) using standard fish identification keys. A total of twenty-three (23) fish species belonging from thirteen (13) families were obtained. The family Claroteidae was the dominant family with Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus being the most abundant fish species while family Malapteruridae was the least with only 0.01% of the total abundance. The family Cichlidae was the most represented and well distributed family with four different species; Coptodon zilli, Sarotherodon galilaeus, Oreochromis niloticus and Hemichromis fasciatus. Five fish species were abundant, eight were common and fairly common fish species respectively while only two species (Parachanna obscura nad Malapterurus electricus) were uncommon fish species based on relative abundance. Biodiversity indices of this study sites; species richness ranges from 1.65 to 2.65, species diversity ranges from 1.84 to 2.09 and species evenness falls between 0.59 and 0.68. The result from this study shows that there is pressure on aquatic organisms in this community as fewer fish species were in abundant. Measures to regulate the fishing activities of this reservoir especially closed season that will allow younger fish to grow into adult and give room for mature breeders to reproduce should be put in place in order to maintain Maximum Sustainable Yield of this water body.