Worldwide biodiversity is on the brink of extinction following the complete disappearance of many forest and freshwater vertebrates. This disappearance is closely linked to the reduction and disturbance of habitats, which should instead benefit from special conservation. In the case of lake ecosystems, fish spawning grounds remain the most vulnerable. This study aims to identify, characterise and locate fish spawning and nursery sites in Lake Kivu for better conservation. Sixteen sampling sites were selected along the shoreline of the Bukavu sub-basin. Physico-chemical parameters were measured in situ, and fish were captured using multi-mesh nets, identified and dissected, gonads observed and sexual maturity stages determined. Twenty-five fish species were identified, but 17 of these use the selected sampling sites as spawning and/or nursery. Eleven spawning and nine nursery sites were identified and located. Physico-chemical analyses showed that temperature (F = 2.124, p = 0.011), dissolved oxygen (F = 2.792, p < 0.001), depth (F = 5.915, p < 0.001) and transparency (F = 3.421, p = 0.004) were significantly different, which characterise each site and may be key factors in species distribution between spawning sites. Fish size–weight relationships indicate allometric growths. The results of this research contribute to empirical knowledge of fish spawning grounds.

中文翻译：

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基伍湖沿岸地区（刚果民主共和国东部）产卵场和苗圃的识别、位置和特征

随着许多森林和淡水脊椎动物完全消失，全球生物多样性正处于灭绝的边缘。这种消失与栖息地的减少和干扰密切相关，而栖息地应该受益于特殊的保护。就湖泊生态系统而言，鱼类产卵场仍然是最脆弱的。本研究旨在识别、描述和定位基伍湖的鱼类产卵和育苗地点，以便更好地保护。沿布卡武次盆地海岸线选择了 16 个采样点。现场测量理化参数，使用多层网捕获鱼，进行鉴定和解剖，观察性腺并确定性成熟阶段。已鉴定出 25 种鱼类，但其中 17 种使用选定的采样点作为产卵和/或育苗地。已确定并定位了 11 个产卵地点和 9 个育苗地点。物理化学分析显示温度（F  = 2.124，p  = 0.011）、溶解氧（F  = 2.792，p  < 0.001）、深度（F  = 5.915，p  < 0.001）和透明度（F  = 3.421，p  = 0.004）显着不同，这是每个地点的特征，并且可能是产卵地点之间物种分布的关键因素。鱼的大小与重量关系表明异速生长。这项研究的结果有助于对鱼类产卵场的经验认识。