Morphological differentiation among populations of Sarotherodon melanotheron melanotheron Rüppell 1852 across the West African Lagoon systems (Benin, Cameroon, Nigeria, Togo)

Abstract

Morphometric variation among populations of Sarotherodon melanotheron melanotheron across its natural range (Mahin, epe, Lekki, Apese, Kuramo, Lagos, Iyagbe, Ologe, Badagry, Yewa – Nigeria; Be Lagoon – Togo; Idenau – Cameroon, Aheme – Benin; Portonovo – Benin) were studied to assess the level of differentiation of one of the populations that is currently isolated from the rest, the Apese Lagoon population. S. m. melanotheron showed subtle differentiation from some of the other lagoon populations. However, the pattern of variation did not reflect the level of geographical barriers or geographical distance among populations. The characters that form the basis of the differentiation observed were mostly those related to feeding, vision and respiration.

Keywords: Apese Lagoon, blackchin tilapia, morphometric variation