Mangrove fish of São Tomé Island (Gulf of Guinea): new occurrences and habitat usage
P. M. Félix A , P. Chainho A G , R. F. Lima B C , J. L. Costa A D , A. J. Almeida D E , I. Domingos A D and A. C. Brito A F
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A MARE (Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre), Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, PT-1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal.
B CE3C (Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes), Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, PT-1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal.
C Associação Monte Pico, Monte Café, Mé Zóchi, CP 1119, São Tomé and Príncipe.
D Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, PT-1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal.
E MARE (Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre), Laboratório Marítimo da Guia, Avenida Nossa Senhora do Cabo, 939, 2750-374 Cascais, Portugal.
F Departamento de Biologia Vegetal, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, PT-1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal.
G Corresponding author. Email: pmchainho@fc.ul.pt
Marine and Freshwater Research 68(1) 123-130 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF15392
Submitted: 28 May 2015 Accepted: 3 December 2015 Published: 1 March 2016
Abstract
Mangroves are recognised as important nursery and feeding areas for resident and inshore fish species. However, the importance of West African mangroves to the life cycle of fish communities remains poorly studied. The present study is the first record of fish species in tropical insular mangroves for this region and its aim was to assess habitat usage by fish species. Two mangroves of São Tomé Island (Praia das Conchas and Malanza) were sampled with a multihabitat approach and using different fishing gear to maximise the diversity of fish species collected. Several environmental parameters were also measured. Both mangroves are nursery and opportunistic feeding grounds for fish species, as well as settlement areas for resident species. The highest number of both juveniles and adults (inshore and residents) was observed at the Malanza mangrove, which is also the largest and has the highest habitat heterogeneity. Four new occurrences were reported for the São Tomé and Principe area, namely Pomadasys jubelini, Bostrychus africanus, Dalophis cephalopeltis and the introduced species Oreochromis mossambicus.
Additional keywords: brackish system, coastal management, eastern Central Atlantic, fish checklist, freshwater, non-indigenous species, nursery area, West Africa.
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