SAIAB Seminar Series 2024: Dr. Phumza Ndaleni

Feeding Morphology Traits as Predictors of Food Competition Among Cichlid Species in the Komati River System
Presented by: Dr. Phumza Ndaleni
Post Doctoral Researcher, NRF-SAIAB
This presentation explores the diet and feeding morphology of three closely related fish species in the Komati River: Mozambique tilapia (vulnerable), redbreast tilapia (least concern), and orange-fringed largemouth (endangered). Results from this study will offer insights that could explain the decline of Mozambique tilapia and orange-fringed largemouth observed over the past decade.
The presenter demonstrates that feeding morphology can be used to predict food competition. Given that Mozambique tilapia and Redbreast tilapia have overlapping feeding morphology and diets, suited for eating plants and detritus which were confirmed in their diet. Orange-fringed largemouth has a feeding morphology adapted for consuming small animals like zooplankton and larvae, confirmed by gut contents.
Seminar Series of 25 July, 2024 10:30 AM