Diversity and community chacacteristics of Eleotridae (Pisces : Actinopterygii: Perciformes) from the coastal waters of Benin (West Africa)

Abstract

Also called “squeakers”, the fishes of Eleotridae family appear to be an important component of the Benin coastal water fisheries, but also have a potential for aquaculture. The current ichtyological survey documents eleotrid fish composition and community structure in the degrading coastal waters of Benin in order to contribute to habitat protection, species conservation and aquaculture valorization. Eleotrid samplings were made monthly from April 2017 to September 2018 in Lake Nokoué, Porto-Novo Lagoon, Coastal Lagoon and Lake Ahémé using castnets, seines, gillnets and traps. Five (5) species, Dormitator lebretonis, Eleotris vittata, Eleotris daganensis, Eleotris senegalensis and Bostrychus africanus have been inventoried. Dormitator lebretonis was the dominant eleotrid making 57.91% - 87.39% of the squeaker assemblages. The highest Shannon-Weaver index of eleotrid diversity (H’=3.82) was recorded in Porto-Novo Lagoon, a relatively less degraded ecosystem, whereas the lowest H’=1.54 was recorded in Lake Ahémé, a highly degraded coastal water. Eleotrids exhibited a relatively high tolerance to environmental quality due to their euryhaline behaviour and the presence of adaptive air breathing organs. A sustainable exploitation of squeakers requires a holistic approach of coastal waters management.