Infectious skin diseases in nonhuman primates are of importance due to their zoonotic transmission potential, especially in biodiversity rich areas where human-wildlife interactions are frequent. Here, we report the presence of a skin disease in unhabituated wild Guinea baboons (Papio papio) inhabiting an agroforest landscape in Cantanhez National Park, Guinea-Bissau, exclusively using non-invasive surveillance methods. We combined 107 georeferenced baboon presence points, camera trap footage obtained during 2224 camera trap days, with molecular analysis of 272 biological samples collected opportunistically. Given the presence of leprosy in western chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) in Cantanhez and yaws in nonhuman primates in Sub-Saharan Africa, we tested the samples using specific PCR protocols for Mycobacterium leprae and Treponema pallidum as possible causative agents. We estimated the minimum ranging area of the baboons, which overlapped with 27.25% of the home range of a chimpanzee community affected by leprosy. We identified at least seven baboons with lesions on the muzzle, eyebrow, ears, tail, hindquarters, joints, hands and/or feet. Clinical signs partially aligned with descriptions of nonhuman primates affected by leprosy and yaws. Molecular analysis failed at conclusively showing the presence of either suspected pathogen. Longitudinal monitoring and additional sampling are needed to identify the causative agent, which may be relevant to conservation and public health, as baboon meat is consumed by humans in Guinea-Bissau.

Insular populations are typically more vulnerable to the loss of genetic diversity than their mainland counterparts and are often of conservation concern. The Bijagós Archipelago in Guinea-Bissau is a West African biodiversity hotspot and a recently designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. It hosts the westernmost populations of the spot-nosed monkey ( Cercopithecus petaurista ), a species thought to have been extirpated from mainland and threatened by anthropogenic activities. Here, we conducted a non-invasive DNA survey across five of the largest islands with known occurrences. We used eleven microsatellite loci and a fragment of the mitochondrial d-loop to estimate genetic diversity and population structure. Using 64 individual profiles we found that populations may have lost genetic diversity but were not depauperated. Genetic diversity was heterogeneous and populations were structured by island. Higher levels of historical gene flow between distant islands than between nearby ones suggest a pattern that is inconsistent with stepwise colonisation typical of island systems. Our study suggests a complex colonisation history which may have been influenced by human movements in the area. Canhabaque Island holds the most diverse populations and may support reintroductions in the mainland. We suggest conservation management should be carried out by island to safeguard long-term persistence.

This study provides the first detailed assessment of the hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) nesting population from Poilão island, in the Bijagós archipelago of Guinea-Bissau, the only documented regular nesting site for this species in West Africa. Over 17 years, from 2007 to 2024, 29 females were tagged, with one to six individuals nesting annually, some for more than 10 years. Nesting occurs from July to November, coinciding with the green turtle (Chelonia mydas) nesting season. Female hawksbills at Poilão are among the largest within the East Atlantic Regional Management Unit (EARMU), with average carapace length of 89.3 ± 4.3 cm. Satellite tracking revealed females remained year-round within the Bijagós archipelago, with small home ranges both during the inter-nesting (∼ 26.13 km2) and foraging periods (∼ 38.41 km²). Genetic sequencing identified two haplotypes - EiBr5 and EiBr7 - linking this population to others from within the EARMU and across the Atlantic, highlighting this rookery’s broader regional significance. Poilão is the single known rookery of origin of the orphan haplotype EiBR5 (also known as EiA49). Despite its importance, the minute size of this population and the lack of evidence for recent recruitment pose challenges to its potential for recovery and effective conservation. This study underscores the need for archipelago-wide sustained conservation measures to ensure the future of the hawksbills from Poilão, and West Africa.

Sea turtle nesting brings marine-derived nutrients into sandy beach ecosystems, potentially influencing their dynamics. We investigated nutrient input from green turtle Chelonia mydas eggs and hatchlings into coastal habitats in Guinea-Bissau, West Africa. We assessed two islands within the João Vieira-Poilão Marine National Park (‘JVPMNP’), with contrasting sea turtle nesting density: very low (João Vieira) and very high (Poilão). On each island, we analyzed stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen in one pair of plant species (coinvine Dalbergia ecastaphyllum bush/baobab Adansonia digitata tree) and two pairs of predator species (tufted ghost crab Ocypode cursor/African rainbow crab Cardisoma armatum and sea catfish Carlarius spp./crevalle jack Caranx hippos). The first species in each pair is distributed closer to nesting sites, while the second is found further inland or offshore. Stomach content analysis was also conducted for fishes. Results supported nutrient input from turtle clutches benefiting the species living near nesting sites. Shoreline coinvines at Poilão had higher δ15N (5.1 ± 3.2‰) compared to João Vieira (≈0‰), suggesting assimilation of turtle-derived 15N. Shoreline tufted ghost crabs at Poilão had enriched δ15N (15.2 ± 0.7‰ vs. João Vieira’s 12.2 ± 1.1‰) and δ13C (− 13.4 ± 0.7‰ vs. João Vieira’s − 18.7 ± 1.4‰), likely reflecting predation upon eggs and hatchlings. Sea catfishes at Poilão frequently consumed unhatched turtle eggs washed into the sea (17

Small-scale fisheries often lack historical shark and ray catch information, hampering their management. We reconstructed historical catch trends and current fishing pressure by combining local ecological knowledge, satellite-based vessel counts, and a short-term landing-site survey. To test the effectiveness of this method, we focused on the Bijagós Archipelago (Guinea-Bissau, West Africa), where historical fisheries data are lacking. Benthic rays (stingrays [Dasyatidae] and butterfly rays [Gymnura spp.]), benthopelagic rays (duckbill eagle rays [Aetomylaeus bovinus] and cownose rays [Rhinoptera marginata]), guitarfish (Glaucostegus and Rhinobatos spp.), requiem sharks (Carcharhinidae), and hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna spp.) declined in abundance by 81.5-96.7% (species dependent) from 1960 to 2020. Fishing effort increased annually: fishing trip duration by 42.0% (SE 3.4), numbers of fishing vessels at sea as perceived by fishers by 36.3% (1.0) (1960-2020), and number of vessels by 12.0% (1.1) (2007-2022). We estimated that in 2020, fishing vessels collectively captured 61-264 sharks and 522-2194 rays per day in the archipelago, depending on the proportion of the fishing fleet that was active (i.e., low fleet activity of 18% and high fleet activity of 80%). We advocate for reducing shark and ray catches by regulating fleet size, reinforcing boundaries of protected areas, and collecting fisher-dependent information on shark and ray landings to safeguard these vulnerable species and coastal livelihoods. We demonstrated the effectiveness of using this 3-pronged approach to provide baseline data on shark fisheries, a common challenge in areas with small-scale fisheries and limited research capacity.

ABSTRACT The western chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes verus) is classified as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), with an 80% decrease decline between 1990 and 2014. A major threat to its survival is the illegal trade in live chimpanzees (ITLC), a highly organized criminal activity with national and international scope. Here, we compile the existing information on ITLC in Guinea‐Bissau, highlight relevant knowledge gaps, and suggest immediate conservation management actions. ITLC in Guinea‐Bissau is likely extensive and is a major factor contributing to the declining of the chimpanzee population. The most urgent measures needed to prevent the ITLC in Guinea‐Bissau are to (i) build a centralized database containing information on wildlife kept as pets, (ii) train officials on national and international laws and regulations related to the wildlife trade and to identify protected and threatened species, (iii) define/update penalties for perpetrators holding live chimpanzees, (iv) raising awareness in society on the risks of maintaining wildlife, (v) investigate the ITLC supply trade‐chain and the actors’ profile, and (vi) build a sanctuary or rehabilitation center within Guinea‐Bissau. Considering the high risk of extinction of the subspecies, addressing the ITLC in Guinea‐Bissau and elsewhere in West Africa is urgent.

Marine turtles undertake long migrations across different geographies and habitats, exposing them to a wide range of threats throughout their lifespan. Analysing population structure and connectivity is key to informing effective conservation management. We expand knowledge of Atlantic-wide connectivity of green turtles (Chelonia mydas) by characterising the genetic structure of the Ascension Island nesting population, one of the largest in the Atlantic Ocean, and carrying out Atlantic population structure and mixed stock analyses using high-resolution genetic markers. We amplified a 738 bp fragment (extended D-loop) and a highly polymorphic mitochondrial short tandem repeat (mtSTR) fragment of the mitochondrial DNA control region, designating haplotypes based on (1) extended D-loop and (2) the extended D-loop and mtSTR combined. Overall, 11 extended D-loop and 33 combined haplotypes were found, the dominant haplotypes being CM-A8.1 and CM-A8.1/7-12-4-4. Population structure analysis found three main genetic groups: Northwest Atlantic, Northern South America, and South and East Atlantic. Mixed stock analyses indicate Ascension Island as a major source for juvenile foraging aggregations in the Southwest Atlantic (34–55

Challenges in freshwater organism conservation in West Africa are worsened by significant knowledge gaps, even for charismatic species like crocodiles. This study addresses these gaps by assessing crocodile diversity, distribution, and conservation threats in Guinea-Bissau, where existing data is outdated. We used visual surveys, inquiries, molecular barcoding, camera trapping, and bibliographic reviews to investigate crocodile populations. Notably, we found evidence suggesting the Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus), previously thought extinct in West Africa since about 200 years, may persist in Guinea-Bissau's Cacheu region. We also confirmed the presence of the West African crocodile (Crocodylus suchus) in major river basins and coastal lagoons, including the Bijagós Archipelago, and the West African dwarf crocodile (Osteolaemus cf. tetraspis) in the southern mainland and the Bijagós Archipelago. Habitat loss and deliberate killings were identified as major threats. Standardized surveys and genetic sampling are essential to assess population size, connectivity, and genetic diversity, informing evolutionary studies and conservation planning. Conservation efforts should prioritize habitat protection through community-managed reserves and restoration initiatives. Additionally, engaging local communities to raise awareness and develop conflict mitigation strategies is crucial, particularly in areas with human-crocodile interactions.

We present the first assessment of the diet of the blackchin guitarfish Glaucostegus cemiculus (Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1817) for West Africa using DNA metabarcoding on stomach contents of individuals captured in the Bijagos Archipelago, Guinea-Bissau. The diet was dominated by crustaceans, particularly caramote prawn Penaeus kerathurus (frequency of occurrence [FO] = 74%, numerical frequency [NF] = 54%) and fiddler crab Afruca tangeri (FO = 74%, NF = 12%). Bony fishes were present in 30% of the stomachs. We highlight the importance of conservation action for intertidal habitats and their associated benthic invertebrates for the survival of the critically endangered blackchin guitarfish.

Fishing-down-marine-food-webs has resulted in alarming declines of various species worldwide. Benthic rays are one examples of such overexploited species. On tidal flats, these rays are highly abundant and play an ecologically important role. They use tidal flats as refuge, feeding and resting grounds, during which they bury into the sediment, which results in sediment bioturbation. Changes in bioturbation intensity, following ray removal, may affect the biogeomorphology of tidal flats with possible cascading effects on the macrozoobenthic community. However, it is poorly understood how these indirect effects could influence ecosystem function. We therefore studied the geomorphic impact of benthic rays (specifically the pearl whipray/stingray Fontitrygon margaritella ) on the tropical tidal flats of the Bijagós Archipelago, Guinea-Bissau, on a landscape scale. We investigated 1) bioturbation rates by rays using drone and ground surveys, 2) the spatial distribution of ray pits on multiple tidal flats, 3) the impact of rays on sediment properties and macrozoobenthos by experimental exclusion (15 months). Benthic rays bioturbated 3.7 ± 0.35% of the tidal flat’s sediment surface per day over one single 24-h period, which equals a complete top-sediment-surface turnover every 27 days. The spatial distribution of ray pits was affected by tidal flat geomorphology since pits decayed faster at areas exposed to strong hydrodynamic forces. Predator exclusion altered sediment properties, leading to changes in sedimentation (− 17%) and erosion (− 43%) rates. In addition, macrozoobenthic species composition changed, marked by an increase in Capitellidae worms and a greater biomass of Malacostraca over time. These changes indicated substantial effects of ray bioturbation on the biotic and geomorphic landscape of tidal flats. Overall, we conclude that changing abundances of benthic rays can have clear landscape-wide geomorphological effects on intertidal ecosystems. These indirect consequences of fisheries should be incorporated in integrative management plans to preserve tidal flats and connected ecosystems.

Understanding population connectivity is paramount for effective conservation. While genetic tools have elucidated sea turtle migration patterns, notable data gaps limit our understanding of ocean-wide connectivity, especially regarding east Atlantic green turtles. We characterized the genetic composition of a globally important green turtle foraging aggregation at the Banc d’Arguin, Mauritania, incorporating data from 323 individuals captured between 2018 and 2021. Using extended mitochondrial DNA D-loop (738 base pairs [bp]) and mitochondrial short tandem repeat (mtSTR; ~200 bp) markers, we assessed the genetic structure of Atlantic green turtle foraging aggregations and estimated the most likely origin of immature green turtles from the Banc d’Arguin using mixed stock analyses (MSAs). We identified 6 D-loop haplotypes, with a clear dominance of CM-A8.1 (91.8%) followed by CM-A5.1 (6.3%) and 4 rare haplotypes: CM-A1.4, CMA6.1, CM24.1 and CM36.1. We found 13 mtSTR haplotypes, with ‘7-12-4-4’ being dominant (89.0%). The genetic composition at the Banc d’Arguin differed significantly from the only foraging aggregation studied in West Africa to date—in the archipelago of Cabo Verde (located ca. 750 km from the Banc d’Arguin)—dominated by haplotype CM-A5. The MSA combining both genetic markers indicated that 87.6% of immature green turtles at the Banc d’Arguin originate from the major East Atlantic rookery at Poilão (Guinea-Bissau), but 11.6% come from more distant rookeries in South America (8.1%) and potentially Ascension Island (3.4%). We suggest that green turtle transatlantic movements may be more common than previously thought and highlight the importance of the Banc d’Arguin as a regional foraging hub for this species.

Understanding spatial heterogeneity in reproductive success among at-risk populations facing localised threats is key for conservation. Sea turtle populations often concentrate at one nesting site, diverting conservation efforts from adjacent smaller rookeries. Poilão Island, Bijagós Archipelago, Guinea-Bissau, is a notable rookery for green turtles Chelonia mydas within the João Vieira-Poilão Marine National Park, surrounded by three islands (Cavalos, Meio and João Vieira), with lower nesting activity. Poilão’s nesting suitability may decrease due to turtle population growth and sea level rise, exacerbating already high nest density. As the potential usage of secondary sites may arise, we assessed green turtle clutch survival and related threats in Poilão and its neighbouring islands. High nest density on Poilão leads to high clutch destruction by later turtles, resulting in surplus eggs on the beach surface and consequently low clutch predation (4.0

Interactions with fisheries is a major threat to sea turtles. However, space-use at foraging locations remains overlooked in many populations, preventing effective protection. We assess the space-use of 14 juvenile and 24 adult green turtles (Chelonia mydas) satellite-tracked in 2018–2022 within a foraging site of global importance for this species, the Banc d’Arguin in Mauritania, West Africa. Turtles exhibited a patchy distribution and used overlapping habitats irrespective of sexes and life stages. Mean individual home range was larger (151.5 ± 160.5 km²) than values reported in most green turtle populations. Individuals concentrated in two main areas used year-round. Inshore/offshore movements seem to occur within the central part of the Banc d’Arguin, with turtles moving to deeper areas during colder months. More than half of the turtles performed within-season range shifts and switched between up to four distinct areas, with some individuals returning to previously visited sites. Turtles mostly exploited shallow areas (4.30 ± 3.42 m) and seemed to use disproportionally more of the areas inside the Parc National du Banc d’Arguin, than areas of similar bathymetry outside this marine protected area. This suggests that foraging green turtles have been benefiting from the management of the Park since it was established in 1976. However, turtles’ home range overlapped greatly with artisanal fisheries, which operate in the central shallow waters of the Park. The present study provides valuable ecological information that can be used to inform the planning of fisheries management zones, aiming to reduce the interactions between turtles and artisanal fisheries.

The Corubal (Guinea-Bissau) is a wild but underexplored river in West Africa. This study underscores the potential of environmental DNA (eDNA) surveys to fill biodiversity knowledge gaps in the region. We filtered large water volumes at 11 sites along the watershed, amplified multiple molecular markers, and performed high PCR (polymerase chain reaction) replication and in-depth sequencing. We recorded 2589 amplicon sequence variants, with accumulation curves indicating the need for additional sampling to achieve a thorough survey. The taxonomic assignments were constrained by the scarcity of genomic resources. We recorded 125 species of aquatic and terrestrial vertebrates, including 21 new to the country, predominantly fish (61.9%). Surprisingly, crocodiles were not detected, despite their known presence. There were 11 imperiled species, two of which are Critically Endangered (Western chimpanzee and the mussel Pleiodon ovatus). Our findings support the conservation importance of the Corubal, provide a baseline for future monitoring, and highlight the challenges and opportunities of eDNA surveys in remote tropical rivers.

Effective population size (Ne) is a key concept in evolutionary and conservation biology. The western chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes verus) is a Critically Endangered taxon. In Guinea-Bissau, chimpanzees are mainly threatened by habitat loss, hunting and diseases. Guinea-Bissau is considered a key area for its conservation. Genetic tools have not yet been applied to inform management and no estimates of Ne have been obtained. In this study, we use country s range-wide microsatellite data and five whole-genome sequences to estimate several Ne and infer the recent and ancient demographic history of populations using different methods. We also aim to integrate the different Ne estimates to improve our understanding of the evolutionary history and current demography of this great ape and to discuss strengths and limitations of each estimator and their complementarity in informing conservation decisions. Results from the PSMC method suggest a large ancestral Ne, likely due to ancient structure over the whole subspecies distribution until approximately 10-15,000 years ago. After that, a change in connectivity, a real decrease in size or a combination of both occurred, which reduced the then still large ancestral population to a smaller size (MSVAR: ~10,000 decreasing to 1,000-6,000 individuals), possibly indicating a fragmentation into coastal and inner subpopulations. In the most recent past, contemporary Ne is below or close to 500 (GONE: 116-580, NeEstimator: 107-549), suggesting a high risk of extinction. The populations at coastal Parks may have been small or isolated for several generations whereas the Boe Park one exhibit higher long-term Ne estimates and can be considered a stronghold of chimpanzee conservation. Through combining different types of molecular markers and analytical methodologies, we try to overcome the limitations of obtaining high quality DNA sampling from wild threatened populations and estimate Ne at different temporal and spatial scales, which is crucial information to make informed conservation decisions at local and regional scales. ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest.

Sea turtles are vulnerable to climate change since their reproductive output is influenced by incubating temperatures, with warmer temperatures causing lower hatching success and increased feminization of embryos. Their ability to cope with projected increases in ambient temperatures will depend on their capacity to adapt to shifts in climatic regimes. Here, we assessed the extent to which phenological shifts could mitigate impacts from increases in ambient temperatures (from 1.5 to 3°C in air temperatures and from 1.4 to 2.3°C in sea surface temperatures by 2100 at our sites) on four species of sea turtles, under a "middle of the road" scenario (SSP2-4.5). Sand temperatures at sea turtle nesting sites are projected to increase from 0.58 to 4.17°C by 2100 and expected shifts in nesting of 26-43 days earlier will not be sufficient to maintain current incubation temperatures at 7 (29%) of our sites, hatching success rates at 10 (42%) of our sites, with current trends in hatchling sex ratio being able to be maintained at half of the sites. We also calculated the phenological shifts that would be required (both backward for an earlier shift in nesting and forward for a later shift) to keep up with present-day incubation temperatures, hatching success rates, and sex ratios. The required shifts backward in nesting for incubation temperatures ranged from -20 to -191 days, whereas the required shifts forward ranged from +54 to +180 days. However, for half of the sites, no matter the shift the median incubation temperature will always be warmer than the 75th percentile of current ranges. Given that phenological shifts will not be able to ameliorate predicted changes in temperature, hatching success and sex ratio at most sites, turtles may need to use other adaptive responses and/or there is the need to enhance sea turtle resilience to climate warming.

Understanding the spatial distribution of wildlife is fundamental to establish effective conservation measures. Tracking has been key to assess movement patterns and connectivity of sea turtles, yet some regions of great significance are largely understudied. We tracked 44 green turtles from the largest rookery in the Eastern Atlantic, on Poilão Island, Guinea-Bissau, during 2018 through 2020, to assess their inter-nesting movements, connectivity with nearby islands and fidelity to inter-nesting sites. Additionally, we investigated individual and environmental factors that may guide inter-nesting distribution and assessed the adequacy of a marine protected area to support this population during the breeding period. Green turtles had an overall home range of 124.45 km2, mostly occupying a restricted area around Poilão Island, with 52% of this home range falling within the no-take zone of the João Vieira-Poilão Marine National Park. Turtles exhibited strong fidelity to inter-nesting sites, likely as a strategy to save energy. Only 2 turtles performed significant excursions out of the park, and connectivity between Poilão and nearby islands within the park was limited. Larger turtles and turtles tagged later in the nesting season tended to have smaller core areas and home ranges; thus, experienced breeders may be moving less and potentially benefit from energy saving. This study highlights the importance of a marine protected area for the conservation of one of the largest green turtle breeding populations globally, and provides suggestions for further increasing its effectiveness.

There is a remarkable paucity of estimates of the numeric importance of sea turtles at foraging grounds. The Banc d'Arguin (BA) is a vast shallow marine area off the coast of Mauritania, known as a site of world importance for coastal migratory birds and other biodiversity, including extensive seagrass beds. We sampled foraging green turtles on the BA, and extensively tracked adult female green turtles from the Bijag ' os archipelago, the only significant nesting aggregation within 3000 km of the BA, to estimate the abundance of this foraging aggrega-tion. Additionally, we used a demographic simulation to support our findings. Based on satellite tracking of adult females (n = 46), we estimate that 50 % of the nesting population from the Bijag ' os migrate to the BA post -nesting. We combine data on numbers nesting in the Bijag ' os with information on proportion migrating to the BA in the same years to conservatively estimate that 8285 adult female green turtles forage at this site. We also estimate that adult females represent only 5.6 % of the green turtles in the BA, implying that the number of turtles there is of the order of 150,000 individuals. Most of the BA enjoys effective protection as part of the Parc National du Banc d'Arguin where significant fisheries regulations are well enforced by a marine surveillance program. We show that the BA is one of the major foraging sites for green turtles nesting in the Bijag ' os and a site of critical importance for immature and adult green turtles in a global context.

The transport of passively dispersed organisms across tropical margins remains poorly understood. Hypotheses of oceanographic transportation potential lack testing with large scale empirical data. To address this gap, we used the seagrass species, Halodule wrightii, which is unique in spanning the entire tropical Atlantic. We tested the hypothesis that genetic differentiation estimated across its large-scale biogeographic range can be predicted by simulated oceanographic transport. The alternative hypothesis posits that dispersal is independent of ocean currents, such as transport by grazers. We compared empirical genetic estimates and modelled predictions of dispersal along the distribution of H. wrightii. We genotyped eight microsatellite loci on 19 populations distributed across Atlantic Africa, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, Brazil and developed a biophysical model with high-resolution ocean currents. Genetic data revealed low gene flow and highest differentiation between (1) the Gulf of Mexico and two other regions: (2) Caribbean-Brazil and (3) Atlantic Africa. These two were more genetically similar despite separation by an ocean. The biophysical model indicated low or no probability of passive dispersal among populations and did not match the empirical genetic data. The results support the alternative hypothesis of a role for active dispersal vectors like grazers.

Studies providing a detailed diet description of whole-bird communities are surprisingly scarce. Yet, these studies are pivotal to comprehend the mechanisms structuring communities and the persistence of each species in the ecosystem. We characterized the diet of a shorebird community in a key non-breeding area of the East Atlantic Flyway, the Bijagós Archipelago (West Africa), combining molecular and morphological prey identification based on 239 droppings from 15 species. Our results show that while relying upon a super-abundant prey (fiddler crab), shorebirds consumed a very high number of taxa. We stress the relevance of highly mobile prey (especially crustaceans but also fish), which typically appear to be of little importance in most shorebird studies. Our results suggest that by consuming a high diversity of prey, shorebirds may reduce competition. This may be critical in a site ranked as the second most important area in West Africa for migratory shorebirds but marked by low benthic invertebrate availability. We further compared the performance of DNA metabarcoding and morphological identification of prey. Overall, molecular and morphological methods combined delivered the most comprehensive results, although molecular methods largely surpassed morphological methods regarding taxonomic detail achieved and number of prey taxa found (4 times more). Taxonomic resolution in the identification of polychaetes and bivalves using the 16S primer was low (mostly to class), whereas this primer clearly performed better than mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase in identifying more insects and fish. We emphasize the need to increase invertebrate representatives from West Africa in barcode databases, in order to enhance metabarcoding results.