Food and feeding behavior of <i>Pellonula leonensis</i> (Boulenger, 1916) in Taabo Lake catchment areas (Bandama; Cote d’Ivoire)

Food and feeding behavior of P. leonensis was studied by analyzing the stomach contents of 864 individuals caught in the two main catchment areas in Taabo Lake, notably, at Taabo city and Antonio. Food items data were analyzed by using the three following methods: Relative Importance Index (IRI), Food Index of Geistdoerfer (Q) and Principal Component Analysis of Occurrence Index. The results of our study showed, that P . leonensis is zooplanktonophagus. Its diet also includes Diptera (Ceratopogonidae, Chaoboridae), Ephemeroptera (Baetidae, Libellulidae), Trichoptera and Hymenoptera (Formicidae). The Food Index of Geistdoerfer indicates, that the diet of this Fish species is composed of two main preferential preys: Copepods and Cladocerans. Furthermore, Chironomidae are frequent secondary preys and the others items are secondary order complementary preys. At least, the results of the principal component analysis of items occurrences show, that the prey frequency is function of P. leonensis catchment area or sub-area in Taabo Lake, and evolve inversely, according to climatic seasons. © 2019 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved Keywords: P. leonensis, feeding behavior, catch area, Taabo Lake, Cote d’Ivoire