Preliminary studies on the biodiversity of fish species in Gwaram and Shelan rivers in Misau, Bauchi – Nigeria

Abstract

Preliminary studies were carried out in Rivers Gwaram (RG) and Shelan (RS) in Misau Local Government of Bauchi State, Nigeria in order to determine the biodiversity of fish species in the Rivers. Samples of fish species were randomly obtained from catches of artisanal fishers twice a week from October to December, 2016. Relative abundance was calculated using percentages and biodiversity indices were determined. The results showed that 12 fish species representing 7 families which comprised 8706 individuals were identified in RG and 9 fish species belonging to 6 families and 8395 individuals were recorded in RS. The family Alestidae had the
highest number of 3 species while the lowest families were Cichlidae, Cyprinidae and Malapteruridae with 1 species each with the species having varying relative abundance. The diversity of fish species in RG (H’_G = 1.981) was significantly (P<0.05) higher than that of RS (H’_S = 1.911).RG species richness (1.21) was better than that of RS (0.88). The two Rivers were similar in terms of fish species diversity: Sorenson’s and Jaccard’s indices were 0.86 and 0.75 respectively. Similar research should be carried out in more water bodies in Bauchi
state and Nigeria at large.