Distribution patterns and diversity of riverine fishes of the Lake Victoria Basin, Kenya

Abstract

The Lake Victoria Basin (LVB) is a global hotspot of aquatic biodiversity, but aquatic ecosystems are under threat from multiple stressors. Most studies on fish have focused on Lake Victoria, while patterns of fish diversity, distribution, and assemblage structure in influent rivers remain poorly understood. To assess threats and conservation status of riverine fishes, we used sampling surveys and searches of published and gray literature to compile data on diversity, distribution, and abundance. In total, 72 fish species were found to inhabit Kenyan rivers and associated wetlands and lakes (excluding Lake Victoria). Low‐order streams (first to third order) in headwaters of rivers are species‐poor and dominated by small‐bodied cyprinids (Enteromius spp.) and clariids (Clarias spp.). A small number of fishes are endemic to rivers, and species turnover across river basins is low. Species dominance is high, with 10 species accounting for >90% of all individuals and weights. Two cyprinid species (Labeobarbus altianalis and Labeo victorianus) account for >65% of all individuals and weights (biomass) per unit effort. Most species occur in small numbers and low biomass is insufficient to sustain a commercial riverine fishery. A review of the literature continues to indicate a reduction in migratory runs of potamodromous fishes from Lake Victoria into influent rivers, although some species, such as L. victorianus and L. altianalis, also maintain stenotopic populations in rivers. Most of the exotic fishes introduced in Lake Victoria, such as Oreochromis nilotics, Oreochromis, Coptodon zillii, Coptodon rendalli, and Gambusia affinis, have invaded and established themselves in rivers, thereby posing a threat to riverine populations. Although this study focuses on Kenyan rivers, the distribution patterns of fishes reflect other rivers of the LVB and have broad implications on threats to riverine biodiversity in other regions undergoing development around the world.