The biology, ecology, distribution and conservation of surviving haplochromine cichlids in Lakes Victoria, Kyoga and Nabugabo
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Date
1994
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Haplochrmine cichlids were the most abundant taxa in Lakes Victoria, Kyoga and Nabugabo prior to introduction of the Nile perch. As stocks of the introduced predator increased, these taxa were depleted to such an extent that they are now virtually absent from the lake.The haplochromine cichlids played an important role in the ecology of Lakes Victoria, Kyoga and Nabugabo. They occupied virtually all trophic levels in the lake and facilitated an efficient flow of energy through the ecosystem. Their depletion seem to have left much organic matter whose decomposition has contributed to accumulation of dead organic matter which may be contributing to prolonged anoxia in Lake Victoria. The haplochromines formed an important small-scale fishery. Fishermen formerly subsisting on this fishery have been driven out of business because they cannot afford the expensive nets required for Nile perch fishery. In addition to providing a cheap source of fish protein to humans, the species were an important source of Scientific material for students of genetics antd adaptive radiation.Page Range
46-50Pages
79Title of Parent Book or Report
The biology, ecology, management and conservation of the fisheries of Lakes Victoria, Kyoga and NabugaboPublisher or University
Fisheries Research Institute