Diversity and Abundance of Fish Species in Lower River Benue, Makurdi, Nigeria

Year : 2025 | Volume : 14 | Issue : 01 | Page : 18 25
    By

    Tivfa Samuel Gbaior,

  • Faith Okawu,

  • Ayush Madan,

  • Edward Terhemen Akange,

  1. Researcher, Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, P.M.B. 2373, Makurdi, Benue, Nigeria
  2. Researcher, Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, P.M.B. 2373, Makurdi, Benue, Nigeria
  3. Assistant Professor, Department of Biotechnology, School of Research and Technology (SORT), People’s University, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India
  4. Researcher, Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, P.M.B. 2373, Makurdi, Benue, Nigeria

Abstract

This study evaluated the diversity and abundance of fish species in Lower River Benue, Makurdi, Nigeria, for a duration of 3 months. Fish samples were collected from fishermen at immediately after landing using assorted fish gears. A total of 1, 106 fish specimens, representing 16 families and 35 species, were identified and examined. The dominant families from the sample were Cichlidae (24%) and Schilbeidae (20%) while the families Distochontidae, Latidae, Polypteridae and Protopteridae were the least represented, with less than 1% each. Diversity indices calculated included the Shannon-Weiner Index at 3.195, Simpson Index at 0.945, Margalef’s Richness Index at 4.85, and Menhinick’s Index at 1.052, each reflecting substantial species richness and evenness within the fish community. The fish species which dominated the sample were Schilbe mystus and Eutropius niloticus, each representing about 10% of the total abundance while fish species with low abundance were Marcusenius cyprinoides and Alestes macrolepidotus. It is concluded that the Lower River Benue is of ecological importance comprising diverse fish communities with Cichlid species more represented. There is a need for implement conservation strategies to preserve its biodiversity.

Keywords: Fish species diversity, species abundance, ecological indices, Lower River, Benue, conservation

[This article belongs to Research & Reviews : Journal of Ecology ]

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How to cite this article:
Tivfa Samuel Gbaior, Faith Okawu, Ayush Madan, Edward Terhemen Akange. Diversity and Abundance of Fish Species in Lower River Benue, Makurdi, Nigeria. Research & Reviews : Journal of Ecology. 2024; 14(01):18-25.
How to cite this URL:
Tivfa Samuel Gbaior, Faith Okawu, Ayush Madan, Edward Terhemen Akange. Diversity and Abundance of Fish Species in Lower River Benue, Makurdi, Nigeria. Research & Reviews : Journal of Ecology. 2024; 14(01):18-25. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/rrjoe/article=2024/view=191564


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Regular Issue Subscription Original Research
Volume 14
Issue 01
Received 18/11/2024
Accepted 26/11/2024
Published 30/12/2024
Publication Time 42 Days
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