PLANNING AND CONDUCT OF FIELD WORK BY DRC TEAM IN COLLABORATION WITH CONGO PROJECT By José Justin MBIMBI MAYI MUNENE

COMPOSITION OF TEAM IN CONGO PROJET  American team, DRC team and Congo team  In DRC team Tshibwabwa, Tshibwabwa, Musibono, Musibono, Monsebula and Mbimbi. Monsebula and Mbimbi. One of us have a particular work in Congo Project ( WWW//research. amnh. org/ichthyology/congo/ ). One of us have a particular work in Congo Project ( WWW//research. amnh. org/ichthyology/congo/ ).  For myself, I’m a collaborator for field work and actually I make researches in Lulua River in collaboration with other members of Congo Project.

NEED OF INFORMATION BY AMERICAN TEAM FOR SOME CONGO TRIBUTRIES /SUB- TRIBUTRIES they send funds and equipments they send funds and equipments -cast -net, -cast -net, -deep- net -deep- net -rotenone, -rotenone, -small tube containing pure alcohol for -small tube containing pure alcohol for DNA sampling DNA sampling

PLANNING AND CONDUCT OF FIELD WORK Before each field trip Before each field trip - the permission to the University authorities - establish a calendar for field work

TRAVEL TO THE SITE CHOSEN FOR SAMPLING PROTOCOL PROTOCOL -the order of mission is presented to the locality chief - explain the importance of my research -the different fishing methods are presented and explained too.

FISHERMEN choose two or three fishermen who would help us to find the suitable sampling sites and assist us in catching fishes. choose two or three fishermen who would help us to find the suitable sampling sites and assist us in catching fishes. Before sampling, I use to begin to present and explain unto them the different methods that they will use for sampling and how to do it. Before sampling, I use to begin to present and explain unto them the different methods that they will use for sampling and how to do it. I ask them to explain me : I ask them to explain me : - which kind of technical they practically use to catch fish, - which kind of technical they practically use to catch fish, -in which habitat (place) of the river they catch fish -in which habitat (place) of the river they catch fish - the best period for capturing fish in they site. - the best period for capturing fish in they site.

SAMPLING TECHNICAL For sampling, we usually use For sampling, we usually use cast -net (in rain season or dry season) cast -net (in rain season or dry season) Deep- net ((in rain season or dry season) Deep- net ((in rain season or dry season) rotenone ( dry season) rotenone ( dry season)

FISHES COLLECTED For each sampling, the specimens are divided (separated) in two groups For each sampling, the specimens are divided (separated) in two groups -DNA sampling -DNA sampling - for taxonomic studies) - for taxonomic studies) DNA SAMPLING DNA SAMPLING Two or four specimens are selected for DNA sampling for Two or four specimens are selected for DNA sampling for each species. each species. Each selected specimen is tagged with a unique Each selected specimen is tagged with a unique plastic label (where we have a number code. plastic label (where we have a number code. The pelvic fin is taken and preserved in a small tube The pelvic fin is taken and preserved in a small tube containing pure alcohol.Each tube is labelled with the containing pure alcohol.Each tube is labelled with the same number as the label which is tagged to the specimen. same number as the label which is tagged to the specimen.

PRESEVATION SPECIMEN The specimens selected and labelled for DNA samples plus the specimens for the taxonomic studies are then fixed and preserved in formalin (10%) The specimens selected and labelled for DNA samples plus the specimens for the taxonomic studies are then fixed and preserved in formalin (10%)

SITE INFORMATION All informations about geographic coordinates (latitude & longitude) are taken with a GPS, date, name of site are consigned in copy book for work field (See modal) All informations about geographic coordinates (latitude & longitude) are taken with a GPS, date, name of site are consigned in copy book for work field (See modal) Pictures are taken for each site of sampling to give an idea on the aquatic biotope and surrounding habitat (See a modal) Pictures are taken for each site of sampling to give an idea on the aquatic biotope and surrounding habitat (See a modal)

DESTINATION OF FISFES COLLECTED All fish collected and DNA sample are expedited to the AMNH for identification. All fish collected and DNA sample are expedited to the AMNH for identification.