Genetic viability of Nabugabo lakes (LVR satellite lakes) fish species
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Date
2001
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Wetlands Inspection Division
Abstract
Natural populations of fish species in Lake Victoria Region (LVR) have under gone dramatic
changes including severe reduction in sizes, division of original stocks into disjunct subunits,
and segregation into several isolated population units either within a single water body or even
worse into separate waters. In addition, these changes have been either preceded or precipitated
by introductions of non-indigenous species that outcompeted the native forms and in case of
closely related species genetically swamped them through hybridisation. The latter is especially
the case in Nabugabo Jakes. Such events lead to fragmentation of populations, which results in
reduction in genetic diversity due to genetic drift, inbreeding and reduced or lack of gene flow
among independent units. Such phenomena make the continued existence of fisheries stocks
in the wild precarious, more so in the face of the competition from exotic species. Species
introductions coupled with growing exploitation pressure of the fisheries ofthese lakes have put
the native stocks at risk. Nabugabo lakes harbour cichlid species that are unique to these lakes
more so species of the cichlid complex. In this paper the ecological status and genetic viability
of key Nabugabo lakes fish species is examined and management options are discussed.
Description
Keywords
Nabugabo lakes, Fishes, Species introductions, Genetic viability Abstract GENETIC
Citation
Mwanja, W. W. (2005). Genetic viability of Nabugabo lakes (LVR satellite lakes) fish species.