The Plankton and Fishes of a Tropical Creek in South-Western Nigeria

Year 2007, Volume: 7 Issue: 2, - , 01.04.2007

B.E. Emmanuel I.C. Onyema

Abstract

Investigations on the physico-chemical characteristics, phytoplankton, zooplankton, finfish and shell fish component of an estuarine creek in South-western Nigeria was carried out for one year between March, 2003 and February, 2004. The study showed notable seasonal variation in the components investigated. Salinity regime seemed a major determinant of the composition, abundance and seasonal variation of encountered creek biota. Rain events associated with reducing salinities and tidal lagoonal inflow associated with increasing salinities may be key hydro-meteorological forcing operating in the creek. During the study, 82 species of phytoplankton, 18 species of zooplankton, 17 species for finfish, 4 species of shell fish and 7 categories of juvenile forms were recorded. In all, freshwater, estuarine and marine species of all trophic levels investigated were recorded in the creek at one time or the other during the survey. The array of juvenile forms recorded probably points to the suitability of the creeks characteristics to serve as breeding ground and place of refuge for diverse aquatic species.

Keywords

Estuarine, fin fish, shell fish, phytoplankton, zooplankton, physico-chemical