Abstract:
The trophic relationships between six haplochromine cichlids of Lake Kanyaboli, a satellite lake of Lake
Victoria that has not been infested by the Nile perch (Lates niloticus), were studied as a first step
towards understanding the cichlid community structure in this threatened wetland ecosystem. Co-
efficient of similarity analysis of diet revealed subtle trophic resource partitioning within this
haplochromine community. Trophic specializations are further revealed by differences in dentition
structures. Of the six haplochromine species examined, Astatotilapia nubila and Astatoreochromis
alluadi had the highest coefficient of similarity (0.5256±0.300), indicating highest diet overlap, while
Astatotilapia ‘big eye’ and Xistichromis phytophagus were the most ecologically separated
(0.0210±0.019). Resource partitioning is further enhanced by a diurnal spatial distribution of the six
species within the lake. Overall, the haplochromine cichlid community of Lake Kanyaboli is
characterized by a relatively high trophic diversity compared to Lake Victoria. Small water bodies
(SWBs) thus present opportunities for conservation of trophic diversity threatened by introduction of
exotics in the Lake Victoria basin.
