The Diversity of Fish Larvae in the Bons Sinais Estuary (Mozambique) and Its Role as a Nursery to Marine Fish Resources

The study of assemblages fish in their early phases estuaries is an essential approach to understanding the functioning these types ecosystems and role as nursery grounds for some marine species. main aim this was analyze ichthyoplankton assemblage Bons Sinais Estuary, specifically clarify use area by species socio-economic interest. This identified 22 larval taxa among families, genera, Gobiidae (54%), a group resident species, dominated community. importance (Thryssa sp., Clupeidae, Sillago sihama, Johnius dussumieri, Pellona ditchela, Pomadasys kaakan, Cichlidae, Mugilidae) accounted 23% total abundance. Larval density (N°/100 m3) varied spatially temporally, with higher diversity values both middle zone wet season. Multivariate analyses revealed that salinity, temperature, water transparency had strong influence on abundance density. While most larvae were post-flexion stage, there predominance pre-flexion lower estuary stage upper zones, especially resources, showing estuarine habitat area.