Biometric Characteristics and Condition Index of the Mangrove Oyster Crassostrea tulipa Lamarck, 1819 in the Interface Ecosystems of the Saloum Delta in Senegal: Case of the Commune of Dionewar

The mangrove oyster Crassostrea tulipa in Senegal's Saloum Delta exhibits signs of overexploitation, with size distributions peaking at 30–40 mm and a condition index averaging 11.47% across five monitoring stations. Monthly sampling from January 2021 to January 2022 revealed minimal variations in size-weight relationships (allometry coefficient: 2.57) but significant fluctuations in oyster health, peaking in March (12.97%) and declining to a low in November (9.85%). These findings suggest that C. tulipa is under severe anthropic pressure, warranting urgent sustainable management strategies. The study highlights March as the optimal month for oyster collection due to peak condition indices.

Thiao, I., Fall, J., Tamigneaux, E., Diouf, J. E., Houménou, A. K., & Diouf, M. (2023). Biometric Characteristics and Condition Index of the Mangrove Oyster Crassostrea tulipa Lamarck, 1819 in the Interface Ecosystems of the Saloum Delta in Senegal: Case of the Commune of Dionewar. Journal of Biology and Life Science, 14(2), 75. https://doi.org/10.5296/jbls.v14i2.20932