Various life history strategies of three fish species in the Kuja - Migori river system Essay

ecosystem components including abiotic and biotic factors which is costly. Information on life history strategies is lacking for riverine fish species of the Lake Victoria basin for example there is little information for species assemblages in the Kuja - Migori river basin. To breach this existing information gap, it is necessary to characterize groupings of commercially exploited fish species based on life history traits and apply them on characterising the nature of species abundance and trends over time. Currently, there is little exploitation of the riverine species in the Kuja Migori river system. Information to be obtained on life history traits of Kuja-Migori river system can be used to formulate fisheries regulations for managing the riverine fishery. This study will utilize a quantitative approach to describe life history strategies of three fish species in the Kuja- Migori system. These life history strategies will be compared to changes in population and responses to environmental parameters.
1.2 Objectives
1.2.1 General objective
To describe various life history strategies of three fish species in the Kuja - Migori river system
1.2.2 Specific objectives
To compare abundance patterns among the three fish species in Kuja- Migori river basin
To determine the life history traits of the three fish species in Kuja- Migori river system
To assess the effect of environmental parameters on fish life history traits in Kuja- Migori river system
To compare life history strategies among the fishes in Kuja- Migori river system
1.3 Hypotheses
Ho1 There are no differences in the life history strategies among fish species in the Kuja Migori river system
HA1 There are differences in the life history strategies among fish species in the Kuja Migori river system
Ho2 There is no correlation between life history strategies and environmental parameters
HA2 There is a correlation between life history strategies and environmental parameters
Ho3 There is no difference in abundance patterns in fish species in Kuja-Migori rivers
HA3 There is a difference in abundance patterns in fish species in Kuja-Migori rivers
1.4 Statement of the problem
There exists little detailed information on life history of riverine species that can be used to develop conservation measures. Most fish species in the riverine environment have not been studied in terms of their life history strategies. For example, the riverine environment is completely different from lacustrine environment and habitat conditions, therefore, will have different effects on the growth, reproduction, feeding and mortality of fish. There is little published information in particular for the Kuja-Migori river fish species. This study therefore, aims at breaching this gap by collecting data on different life history strategies of three fish species in the KujaMigori river system. Information obtained from this study will be useful in formulating management advice for the studied fish species.
1.5 Justification
Studies on fish life history strategies determine how fish populations respond to environmental changes. Information on life history strategies is lacking for riverine fish species of the Lake Victoria basin for example there is little information for species