Diversity, abundance and distribution of fish community in the Mangroves of the MPA of Niamone-Kalounayes (Casamance, Senegal)

The composition and distribution of the fish community in the Marine Protected Area (MPA) of the Niamone-Kalounayes was studied using monthly experimental fisheries from July 2020 to June 2021.A total of 45 fish species from 22 families were captured in the MPA.September dominates the population in abundance (27.51%) and biomass (23.55%) while the specific richness is more important in December (27 species), September (26 species), July, October and February (25 species each) and in the confluence of the Tobor bolong (34 species).Cichlidae and Mugilidae dominate the community with 86.92% of the total abundance for a biomass of 65.64%.The ecological categories are largely dominated by species with a strong estuarine affinity.They represent about 98% of the total abundance and 97.79% of the total biomass.Herbivores (mainly predating phytoplankton or microphytophage) are the most represented in this study.Juveniles represented 70% of the captured individuals.Canonical Analysis of Correspondence of abiotic parameters showed that temperature and salinity might influence the distribution of fish assemblages in the MPA of Niamone-Kalounayes.