Ichthyofauna in the Lomami National Park and Its Hinterlands, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Abstract

This investigation deals with freshwater fish populations in thirteen sampling rivers of Lomami National Park (LNP) and its hinterlands. The study aimed to inventory the ichthyofauna in freshwater bodies of LNP and its hinterlands; determine fish species with high economic value according to preference by riparian communities; and assess the conservation status of fish species. Intensive fish sampling was conducted thirteen rivers of LNP and its hinterlands using gill nets with stretched mesh sizes of 9.5, 10, 12, 15 and 20 mm in 2016. A survey questionnaire was administered to fishermen in order to determine fish species with high economic value.  A total of 2985 fish were caught in thirteen rivers belonging to 129 species, 54 genera, 20 families and 8 orders. The family of Mormyridae dominated in the fish collection with 30 species followed by family of Alestidae with 23 species. Clarias spp., Schilbe spp., Chrysichthys spp., Auchenoglanis occidentalis, Polypterus spp., Hydrocynus spp., Alestes spp., Parachana spp. and species of Mormyridae were recorded as fish species with high economic value. The majority of species was least concerned, but one was reported as endangered species (Nannothrissa sterwarti) and another vulnerable (Labeo rectipinnis). The analysis displayed that all rivers were diverse with a minimum observed in the Onema River. The probability of catching two individuals of different species in the same river was high in all rivers, but it was higher in the Amboko, Lodja, Lomami and Yalo Rivers (96%); and it was slightly low in the Onema River (73%). The Kruskal–Wallis result showed statistical differences among sampling rivers (P = 0.0000). Our findings provided valuable information for the conservation and management of fish species in the freshwater of Lomami National Park and its hinterlands.