Authors : O.A. Akinrotim, O.M.G. Abu, D.O. Bekibele and B. Uedeme-Naa
Abstract: Occurrence and distribution of two species of grey mullets Liza falipinis and Liza grandisquamis were monitored in Buguma creek. Sampling was done bimonthly from January to December 2007 which cover a total period of 12 months. The results from the study revealed that these mullets species occurred more in the dry season months (November to March) than in the wet season. The highest occurrence of (750.0±40.12) recorded in Liza falcipinnis was in the month of January and the lowest value (110.0±19.16) was observed in August. Liza grandisquamis has the highest value (480.0±40.12) in the month of February which the lowest occurrence (56.0±8.61) was recorded in the month of September. The result of the monthly size distribution of these species indicated that the Juveniles (average length 15.12 cm2 weight 80.14 g) were constitently higher than the adult size (average length 43.64 cm and 800.12 g). The physico-chemical parameters monitored during the study period were within the same range except salinity which vary significantly (p<0.05) across the months with the highest values (16.18-21.11%) recorded during the dry season month. This indicated that the occurrence of the mullets in Buguma creek is highly influence by salinity levels.
O.A. Akinrotim, O.M.G. Abu, D.O. Bekibele and B. Uedeme-Naa, 2010. Occurrence and Distribution of Grey Mullets Liza falcippinis and Liza grandisquamis from Buguma Creek, Niger Delta, Nigeria. Research Journal of Biological Sciences, 5: 1-5.