Reproductive biology of Garra regressus and Garra tana (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) from Lake Tana, Ethiopia

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Published: May 26, 2015
DOI: https://doi.org/10.11609/JoTT.o3958.7223-33
Keywords:
Conservation, cyprinid, endemism, spawning, threatened.

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Akewake Geremew
Department of Biology, Dilla University, P.O. Box 419, Dilla, Ethiopia
Abebe Getahun
Department of Zoological Sciences, Addis Ababa University, P. O. Box 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Eshete Dejen
Agriculture and Environment Division (AED), Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Djibouti

Abstract

The reproductive biology of Garra regressus and Garra tana was investigated by collecting monthly samples (January to December 2006) from the southern Gulf of Lake Tana, where these species are endemic.  Garra regressus has an extended breeding time from April to October while G. tana breeds throughout the year with a peak from March to July.  The mean size at maturity in both the species was not significantly different between the sexes, but G. tana had a significantly lower mean size at maturity than G. regressus in female specimens.  Absolute fecundity estimates for G. regressus ranged from 580.8–1800, while those for G. tana ranged from 538.9–2968.  Egg size frequency distribution revealed that G. regressus is a multiple spawner, while G. tana is a single spawner.  The sex ratio in the total catch of G. regressus was found to be skewed in favour of females (Chi-square, P< 0.05), while those for G. tana was not significantly different from 1:1. The mean size at maturity was not significantly different between the sexes for G. tana.

 

Article Details

Issue
Vol. 7 No. 6 (2015)
Section
Communications

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Author Biographies

Akewake Geremew, Department of Biology, Dilla University, P.O. Box 419, Dilla, Ethiopia

Akewake Geremew is a lecturer in the department of Biology, Dilla University, Ethiopia. He served as an executive secretary of the Ethiopian Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Association. His areas of specialization include fish biology and aquaculture. He has studied the taxonomy and biology of Lake Tana Garra. He is also currently working on tilapia nutrition. 

 

Abebe Getahun, Department of Zoological Sciences, Addis Ababa University, P. O. Box 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abebe Getahun is an Associate Professor and Chairman of the Department of Zoological Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia. He is teaching undergraduate and post graduate courses; advising PhD, MSc. and undergraduate students and also involved in research projects. His research focus is on diversity, conservation and aquaculture of fishes. He has authored or co-authored over 30 articles in scientific journals and books. 

 

Eshete Dejen, Agriculture and Environment Division (AED), Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Djibouti

Eshete Dejen has been working for the past 15 years in fish biology, ecology and management of Lake Tana and its sub-basin. He served as Center Manager and Director for Livestock and Fisheries Department of ARARI, as Fisheries Officer at the FAO-Subregional Office for eastern Africa. He received National Green Award Programme-2009 from Individual Category for his contribution on Lake Tana’s Environmental Protection. Currently, he is working as Fisheries Technical Officer in IGAD.

 

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