International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies
2021, Vol. 9, Issue 4, Part A
Natural hybridization between species of the cichlid genus Oreochromis (Cichlidae, Perciformes) in ponds of the low Ruzizi River (DR Congo)
Author(s): Nabintu Bugabanda Noëlla, Safari Rukahusa Ruffin and Muzumani Risasi Donatien
Abstract: Between 1948 and 1975, 3 species
Oreochromis niloticus,
O. leucostictus and
O. macrochir were introduced into the Ruzizi plain, the natural distribution area of the subspecies
Oreochromis niloticus
edouardianus. Hybridization is observed between these species. The Mann-Whitney U test revealed significant differences between
O. niloticus and its hybrids for the number of brachiospines; length of the last dorsal soft ray; and length of the lower jaw;
O. macrochir differs from its hybrids in the number of branchiospines and length of the lower jaw; and
O. leucostictus differs from its hybrids in the number of scales in the longitudinal line, the upper lateral line, the number of gill rakers, the length of the last dorsal soft ray, the length of the snout and the diameter of the eye. These characteristics are not sufficient to distinguish these three species from their hybrids without recourse to quality characteristics.
DOI: 10.22271/fish.2021.v9.i4a.2519Pages: 30-36 | 964 Views 301 DownloadsDownload Full Article: Click Here
How to cite this article:
Nabintu Bugabanda Noëlla, Safari Rukahusa Ruffin, Muzumani Risasi Donatien.
Natural hybridization between species of the cichlid genus Oreochromis (Cichlidae, Perciformes) in ponds of the low Ruzizi River (DR Congo). Int J Fish Aquat Stud 2021;9(4):30-36. DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22271/fish.2021.v9.i4a.2519
