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Reproductive biology of African river prawn, Macrobrachium vollenhoveni (Herklots, 1857) in major watersheds in Benin (West Africa): a baseline approach for artisanal fisheries

Guillaume Koussovi , Arsène HOUSSOU , Dogbè C. Adjahouinou, Farokh Niass, Laura López-Greco, Marcelo U. García-Guerrero, Edilmar Cortés-Jacinto, Elie Montchowui

Abstract

Macrobrachium vollenhoveni (Herklots 1857), a freshwater prawn native to Africa, is crucial for aquaculture and fishing. However, limited data exists on its reproductive biology in Benin’s waterbodies. This research aimed to explore some reproductive parameters of M. vollenhoveni. Prawns were monthly sampled from May 2015 to October 2016. 1,567 females of M. vollenhoveni were collected and analysed. Findings revealed that gonadal maturation starts in March, with peaks in July. Then spawning occurs from July to September, and even October. In both environments, ovigerous females were frequently captured from July to October, with a maximum proportion in August and September. The spawning period in both sampled areas matched with an increase in water volume, salinity, and pH. The size at sexual maturity was 8.48 cm TL for the lower Ouémé population, while in lower Mono, it was 9.00 cm TL. Absolute fecundity ranged from 3,925 to 31,408 eggs in lower Mono and from 4,871 to 25,902 eggs in lower Ouémé. The reproductive output was 12.87% for Mono and 11.94% for Ouémé. This research is the first one on the reproductive biology of M. vollenhoveni in Benin and provides vital data for sustainable fishery management of this prawn species in the country.

MF24186  Accepted 20 November 2024

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