Food of Pellonula leonensis (Boulenger,1916) in Ogbobiri River, Amassoma, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Abstract

The food of Pellonula leonensis was studied as on-going investigation of clupeids in freshwaters, especially the Nun River and its catchment area in the Niger Delta, Nigeria. The stomach contents of 160 specimens ranging from 30 mm-70 mm in total length, collected with Attalla liftnet from Ogobiri River around Amassoma, Bayelsa State, Nigeria were analysed using the numerical and frequency of occurrence methods. P. leonensis fed on a variety of organisms, with insects as the dominant food item constituting 36% of the number of the food items and occurred in 63% of the stomachs. Cladocerans comprised 32%for numbers and 55% for frequency of occurrence; rotifers contributed 14% for numbers and 38%for frequency of occurrence and copepods constituted 13% for numbers and 38% for frequency of occurrence. Virtually all food items were found in the different size groups analyzed, indicating P. leonensis as a versatile feeder, feeding on available food items.

Keywords: Stomach contents, diets, Pellonula leonensis, Ogobiri River, Niger Delta