THE EFFECT OF RAINFALL AND TIDAL RHYTHM ON THE COMMUNITY STRUCTURE AND ABUNDANCE OF THE ZOOPLANKTON OF GAZI BAY, KENYA

Over a two year study period, zooplankton was sampled in Gazi Bay, Ken ya, using a 335 mu m mesh size Bongo net. Two Way Indicator Species An alysis (TWINSPAN) classification demonstrated that rainfall and tidal regime had substantial influence on the zooplankton community structur e. Samples collected during the rainy season clustered together when t reated with TWINSPAN. Furthermore, the clustering was more pronounced for neap tide samples than for spring tide ones. Samples obtained duri ng spring tide did not give a clear cut pattern. Canonical Corresponde nce Analysis (C.C.A.) confirmed these findings, a clustering together of rainy/neap tide samples; and little separation (based on environmen tal variables) between sampling stations.