Abstract
The encroachment of freshwater territories by invasive species is a
global issue with its associated co-existence, displacement and
facilitation of native species. The blackchin tilapia,
Sarotherodon melanotheron is one of the most successful
biological invasive species. Data on its apparent ecological
consequences on native species are rare in Nigerian inland waters. Based
on stomach contents analyses, diets, feeding strategies, and dietary
niche breadths of two sympatric invasive S. melanotheron and
native Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus populations in a
tropical domestic water supply were assessed for possible convergence.
Both species exhibited generalist feeding strategies subsisting mostly
on algae but fish eggs and larvae were conspicuous preys of S.
melanotheron. Dietary niche of S. melanotheron was wider than that of
O. niloticus. Dietary niche overlap was high and significant between
these sympatric species. These findings imply that competitive feeding
interactions-including predations on vulnerable early life stages may
potentially promote invasion success of S. melanotheron in
Eleiyele Reservoir.