Zooplankton partitioning in a tropical alkalineasaline endorheic Lake Nakuru, Kenya: Spatial and temporal trends in relation to the environment

Spatial and temporal zooplankton variations were studied for 1year in tropical alkaline-saline Lake Nakuru to determine how they partition in the habitat, relative to environmental variables. Monthly samples were collected at 10 sampling sites, with subsurface tows, using 33.5- mu m mesh plankton nets. Physicochemical parameters displayed clear seasonal variations associated with precipitation patterns. Nine species, belonging to two main zooplankton taxonomic groups (ciliates; rotifers), were identified in the samples. Brachionus dimidiatus dominated the samples, accounting for 80% of the total zooplankton abundance. Kruskall-Wallis tests indicated significant (P