The main objective of the proposed project aims at providing knowledges on the genetic potential of natural populations of West-African fish species already exploited in aquaculture. two major groups will be concerned. Siluriformes (namely Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus, Heterobranchus longifilis, and Clarias gariepinus), and Tilapiine fishes (Oreochromis niloticus and Sarotherodon melanotheron). The potential benefits of such information are twofold ; first, it will allow an increase in yield though a more rational use of the genetic resources, and second, it will provide important tools for sound conservation policies. An array of different, yet complementary techniques will be employed. Classical genetic analyses (enzymatic electrophoresis) are routinely used in our laboratories in France (INRA) and Ivory Coast (CRO). State of the art molecular techniques, namely DNA sequencing and hypervariable VNTR loci analyses, are currently being developed in France (USTL), Ivory Coast (CRO), and in Greece (IMBC). Morphometric and parasitological studies will be performed in belgium (MRAC) and Ivory Coast (CRO and IDESSA) respectively.
Samples from natural populations will be obtained throughout West Africa (Senegal, Guinee, Cote d'Ivoire, Mali, Ghana, Cameroun, Congo). Differentiated stocks identified a priori through genetics, morphometrics, and parasitology will then be compared for their performance (growth, mortality, fecundity parameters).
Globally, the synthesis of all results will provide decision makers throughout West Africa with essential tools for sound and rational management of new resources.
