Diversity and Distribution of Ichthyofauna in the Inland Waters of Sudan: A Review

Abstract

Previous studies of the freshwater fish diversity and composition in Sudan were reviewed; A total number of 132 fish species belonging to 68 genera and 27 families were identified from the rivers, lakes and wetlands in Sudan, showing a significant increase in species richness compared to previous reports. The majority of these species belonged to families such as Cyprinidae, Mormyridae, Mochokidae and Cichlidae; The White Nile exhibited the highest biodiversity and richness of species, with 120 fish species (91%), followed by Lake Nubia (41%) and the Blue Nile (36%). Seasonal rivers (Atbara and Dinder Rivers) showed relatively low diversity, representing 20% and 14.4% of the total recorded number of species respectively; while Um Dafoug rainwater reservoir showed the lowest species diversity, representing only 9.8% of the total number of species recorded in Sudan inland waters.