Smaller foraminifers from type sections of the Bolorian stage,the Lower Permian of Darvaz

Smaller foraminifers from Upper Yakhtashian and Bolorian deposits of the stratotype area (Pamir, Darvaz, Tajikistan) are investigated. Four assemblages are defined. The first assemblage is from Chalaroschwagerina vulgaris-Pamirina darvasica Zone. The second assemblage found in the transitional Yakhtashian-Bolorian beds includes Globivalvulina, Palaeotextulariidae, Hemigordiidae, and Glomospira, associated with the first Pachyphloia and Langella forms. Characteristic taxa of third assemblage from the Misellina (Brevaxina) dyhrenfurthi Zone are Geinitzinidae, Globivalvulina, Palaeotextulariidae, Glomospira, and rare Pachyphloia. The forth assemblage of Hemigordiidae, Pachyphloia, Palaeotextulariidae, Geinitzinidae, Pseudoagathammina is identified in the M. (Misellina) parvicostata Zone. The assemblages were compared with concurrent analogs from China, Japan, and Russia. New species and subspecies Glomospira paleograndis sp. nov., G. darvasica sp. nov., Agathammina darvasica sp. nov., Pachyphloia darvasica sp. nov., Nodosinelloides cubanicus elongatus subsp. nov., and Hemigordius saranensis darvasicus subsp. nov. are described.     

Biostratigraphy and depositional environment of the Miocene limestone bed of Baripada,Mayurbhanj district,Odisha: Foraminiferal,sedimentological and bulk organic geochemical evidences

Baripada Marine Beds (BMB) have been studied extensively in terms of its mega fossil content. However, not much has been discussed about the foraminiferal content and the organic matter assemblage in these beds. The fossiliferous sequence of BMB consists of sandstone, shale and limestone units. The present study is persued on the limestone unit of BMB. Foraminiferal, thin section and rock-eval pyrolysis studies were performed on the 33 surface samples collected from five sections of Jamdapal and Mukurmatia region along the Budhabalang river bank. Foraminifera are less abundant in the samples of Jamdapal, whereas Mukurmatia is comparatively rich. First appearance datum of Globorotalia menardii[ranges since middle Miocene (12.6 Ma); FAD at planktic foraminiferal zone N12] and last appearance datum of Neogloboquadrina continuosa [ranges between early Miocene (23.2 Ma) to late Miocene (8.3 Ma); FAD at planktic foraminiferal zone N4B and LAD at N16] together suggest that the limestone unit was deposited in between 12.6 to 8.3 Ma within the upper Miocene. Also, the association of shallow water benthic foraminifera (Species of Ammonia, Asterorotalia, Bolivina, Buliminella, Cibicides, Challengerella, Criboelphidium, Cribononion, Elphidium, Hanzawaia, Nonionella) and planktic foraminifera (Globigerina falcoensis, Globigerina woodi, Globorotalia menardii, Neogloboquadrina continuosa) together with oyster bank and shark teeth suggest deposition of limestone within well oxygenated, tropical, shallow water, open marine condition (within 40m water depth). Lithological and thin section studies together with global sea level fluctuation history advocate that upper Miocene marine transgression promoted the formation of this unit. Bulk organic geochemical data obtained by the rock-eval pyrolysis studies on selected samples indicate a low total organic carbon (TOC), with low hydrogen index (HI), high oxygen index (OI). The organic facies is characterised by type-IV kerogen with major contribution from near shore terrestrial plants. This also suggests deposition in shallow, oxygenated environments that did not promote significant accumulation and preservation of organic content in sediments.     

Ammonite assemblages from basal layers of the Ryazanian Stage (Lower Cretaceous) of Central Russia

Five successive ammonite assemblages are distinguished in the basal part (Riasanites rjasanensis Zone s. l.) of the Ryazanian Stage of the East European platform. These are (from the base upward) (1) Hectoroceras tolijense; (2) Hectoroceras kochi; (3) Riasanites swistowianus; (4) Riasanites rjasanensis; and (5) Transcaspiites transfigurabilis assemblages. Two lower assemblages consist entirely of boreal taxa, which occur in association with diverse ammonites of the Tethyan origin higher in the section. The data obtained show that three upper assemblages are correlative with the Berriasian Dalmasiceras tauricum, Riasanites rjasanensis-Spiticeras cautleyi, and Euthymiceras euthymi subzones of the northern Caucasus. The succession of five–six ammonite assemblages established in the East European platform above the top of the Craspedites nodiger Zone may correspond to the same number of ammonite assemblages characterizing lower subzones of the standard Berriasian. Berriasella rulevae Mitta, sp. nov. from the upper part of the Riasanites rjasanensis Zone (transfigurabilis biohorizon) is described.     

Radiolarians,foraminifers, and biostratigraphy of the Coniacian–Campanian deposits of the Alan-Kyr Section,Crimean Mountains

Data on the distribution of radiolarians and planktonic and benthic foraminifers are obtained for the first time from the Alan-Kyr Section (Coniacian–Campanian), in the central regions of the Crimean Mountains. Radiolarian biostrata, previously established from Ak-Kaya Mountain (central regions of the Crimean Mountains) were traced: Alievium praegallowayi–Crucella plana (upper Coniacian–lower Santonian), Alievium gallowayi–Crucella espartoensis (upper Santonian without the topmost part), and Dictyocephalus (Dictyocryphalus) (?) legumen–Spongosaturninus parvulus (upper part of the upper Santonian). Radiolarians from the Santonian–Campanian boundary beds of the Crimean Mountains are studied for the first time, and Prunobrachium sp. ex gr. crassum–Diacanthocapsa acanthica Beds (uppermost Santonian–lower Campanian) are recognized. Bolivinoides strigillatus Beds (upper Santonian) and Stensioeina pommerana–Anomalinoides (?) insignis Beds (upper part of the upper Santonian–lower part of the lower Campanian) are recognized. Eouvigerina aspera denticulocarinata Beds (middle and upper parts of the lower Campanian) and Angulogavelinella gracilis Beds (upper part of the upper Campanian are recognized on the basis of benthic foraminifers. These beds correspond to the synchronous biostrata of the East European Platform and Mangyshlak. Marginotruncana coronata-Concavatotruncana concavata Beds (Coniacian–upper Santonian), Globotruncanita elevata Beds (terminal Santonian), and Globotruncana arca Beds (lower Campanian) are recognized on the basis of planktonic foraminifers. Radiolarian and planktonic and benthic foraminiferal data agree with one another. The position of the Santonian–Campanian boundary in the Alan-Kyr Section, which is located stratigraphically above the levels of the latest occurrence of Concavatotruncana concavata and representatives of the genus Marginotruncana, is refined, i.e., at the level of the first appearance of Globotruncana arca. A gap in the Middle Campanian–lower part of the upper Campanian is established on the basis of planktonic and benthic foraminifers. The Santonian–Campanian beds of the Alan-Kyr Section, on the basis of planktonic foraminifers and radiolarians, positively correlate with synchronous beds of the Crimean-Caucasian region, and beyond. Benthic foraminifers suggest a connection with the basins of the East European Platform.     

Early Eocene planktonic and benthic foraminifera from the Khangiran formation (northeast of Iran)

The Kopet-Dagh sedimentary basin is located in northeast of Iran and southeast of Turkmenistan in the Middle East. The Khangiran formation represents the last marine deposition in the Kopet-Dagh sedimentary basin. The early Eocene planktonic and benthic foraminifera from the Khangiran formation which belongs to the lower 376 m thickness of this formation are identified and biostratigraphically evaluated. Due to rarity of Morozovella species, planktonic foraminiferal zonation was difficult to determine in this formation. The determination of upper part of the late Paleocene for the lower 124 m of this formation is according to the lowest occurrence of Acarinina sibaiyaensis species. From E₅ to near middle of E₇ biozone, increasing trend of Acarinina frequency and a peak in Morozovella species and decreasing trend of frequency of Subbotina and Pseudohastigerina species indicate the warm and oligotrophic condition of the seawater during sedimentation of the studied interval. Toward the Ypresian-Lutetian boundary, the increasing trend of Pseudohastigerina and Subbotina species and decreasing in frequency of Acarinina species suggest the low-oxygen level, eutrophic and intermediate condition of the seawater. In this formation, the high abundance of the epifaunal taxa such as Anomalinoides spp., Cibicidoides spp., Gyroidinoides spp., and Lenticulina spp. from the base (late Paleocene sediments) up to E₆ biozone reflects oligotrophic and oxic shallow water conditions. The occurrence of several peaks in abundance of Bulimina and Uvigerina species at the Ypresian/Lutetian boundary suggests eutrophic condition. These paleoecological conditions could be correlated with fluctuations in the numbers of the planktonic foraminifera.     

Santonian Radiolarians and Foraminifers from Brežđe Section,Western Serbia

New data on the radiolarians and foraminifers (planktonic and benthic) from the lower part of Struganik limestones (Bre??e Section, Western Serbia) are presented. The Afens perapediensis Zone of a new detailed scale based on radiolarians for the Tethyan supra-region was traced for the first time. This allowed classification of the studied deposits to a narrow stratigraphic interval, that is, the upper Santonian. The age of the studied sediments is determined in the Santonian for planktonic foraminifera because of the joint presence of abundant Marginotruncana (extinct in the latest Santonian) and Globotruncana linneiana (d’Orbigny) (which appeared in the early Santonian). The radiolarian and planktonic and benthic foraminifera data agree with one another.     

Refinement of stratigraphy according to the first finds of planktonic species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Orbulina</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Praeorbulina</Emphasis> from the Guri Limestone of the Mishan Formation in northwest of Bandar Abbas,South Iran

The Zagros Basin is one of the most universal oil and gas basins that is located in the west to south of Iran and in north of the Arabian Plate. The Guri Member at the bottom of the Mishan Formation, in some areas such as Bandar Abbas hinterland, contains a significant amount of gas. The Bandar Abbas hinterland is located in the southeast of Zagros. The Guri Limestone is the youngest hydrocarbon reservoirs of the Zagros Sedimentary Basin. In this study, a total of 178 samples from the Guri Limestone in the Handun section are investigated for foraminiferal biostratigraphy. The study of foraminifers led to a recognition of 43 genera and 57 species of benthic and planktonic foraminifera. For the first time, planktonic foraminiferal species including Praeorbulina glomerosa, Praeorbulina transitoria, Orbulina suturalis, and Orbulina universa are reported, and based on the identified benthic and planktonic foraminifera taxa, the age of the Guri Member at Handun section is estimated as late Burdigalian to Langhian.     

Foraminifers and stratigraphy of the Karatash Group (lower Triassic-Middle Anisian), the southeastern Pamir

First data on Middle Triassic foraminifers of the southeastern Pamir are considered. The lower-middle Anisian sediments are reliably recognized within uniform limestone succession of the Karatash Group in the Southeastern Pamir based on found foraminiferal species Meandrospira deformata Salaj, Meandrospira cheni (Ho), Pilamminella ex gr. semiplana (Kochansky-Devide et Pantic), and Endotheba badouxi (Zaninetti et Bronnimann). The lower-middle Anisian Meandrospira deformata Zone is defined and the Karatash Group is subdivided into the Khan (lower) and Yulla (upper) formations. The foraminifers found imply their migration between the western (Alps, Carpathians, Balkans) and eastern (South China platform, Malaysia, Japan) Tethys across the southeastern Pamir region. Characteristic species of the genus Meandrospira recorded in the southeastern Pamirs are described with specifying their taxonomic scope.     

Tidal Stage Changes in Structure and Diversity of Intertidal Benthic Diatom Assemblages: a Case Study from Two Contrasting Charleston Harbor Flats

Benthic microalgae are key contributors to near-shore food webs and sediment stabilization. Temporal variability in microalgal biomass and production throughout the tidal cycle has been well documented; however, due to limitations of traditional methods of analysis patterns of community composition and diversity over such time scales have not been revealed. To explore the latter and better understand how short-term changes throughout the tidal cycle may affect community functioning, we compared benthic diatom composition and diversity over tidal stage shifts. We employed two disparate molecular techniques (denaturing gel gradient electrophoresis with Sanger DNA sequencing of excised bands and high-throughput community metagenome sequencing) to characterize diatom assemblages in representative muddy and sandy intertidal sites in Charleston Harbor, SC, USA. In support of prior studies, we found higher diatom diversity in sandbar as compared to mudflat sediments. Spatial differences were stronger relative to tidal temporal differences, although diversity metrics generally were highest after prolonged tidal immersion as compared to low-tide emersion or just after immersion at flood tide. Composition of the diatom assemblage differed markedly between sites, with species in genera Halamphora, Amphora, and Navicula dominating the sandbar, whereas Cyclotella, Skeletonema, and Thalassiosira were the most prevalent genera on the mudflat. Diatom composition differed by tidal stage, with assemblages during low-tide exposure distinct from samples taken after immersion. Both sandbar and mudflat sediments exhibited increases in relative proportion of epipelic diatoms and decreases in planktonic taxa during low-tide exposure. Our findings of short-term changes in species composition and dominance could inform primary productivity models to better estimate understudied diatom contributions in heterogeneous and highly variable tidal systems.     

Agglutinated foraminifera from the Campanian-Maastrichtian Kiseiba Formation in the Kurkur area,Egypt

The upper Campanian to upper Maastrichtian sedimentary sequence of the Kiseiba Formation in south Western Desert is sampled and described in two surface sections (Sinn El Kaddab and Wadi Abu Siyal). Forty-four agglutinated foraminiferal species are identified from 42 samples in the studied succession. The benthic foraminiferal assemblages are dominated by agglutinated foraminifera which comprise more than 90% of the assemblage. The agglutinated foraminifera are subdivided into five morphogroups (A, B, C, D, E) according to shell architecture, integrated with the supposed microhabitat and feeding strategy. The foraminiferal assemblage is assigned to mixohaline shallow water environments. These assemblages with Ammoastuta megacribrostomoides and Ammotium bartheli suggest lagoonal environments with considerably reduced salinity in warm climates and high runoff for the late Campanian-Maastrichtian interval.     

Systematic paleontology,biostratigraphy, paleobiogeography of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Loftusia</Emphasis> (foraminifera) and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rudist</Emphasis> assemblages in a regressive sequence in the Hekimhan-Malatya area (Eastern Anatolia) Turkey

The Maastrichtian regressive sequence of the Hekimhan-Malatya area in Eastern Turkey consists of dolomitic limestones, limestones and calcareous mudstones which are dominated by rudists and Loftusia (foraminifera) assemblages. Several Loftusia species indicating middle to late Maastrichtian age such as Loftusia anatolica Meriç, L. baykali Meriç, L. coxi Henson, L. harrisoni Cox, L. minor Cox and L. morgani Douvillé have been recorded. Other benthic foraminifers present include Orbitoides medius d’ Archiac, Omphalocyclus macroporus (Lamarck), Laffitteina conica Drooger, Laffitteina mengaudi (Astre) and Laffitteina oeztuerki Inan. The rudists are abundant in the dolomitic limestones in the study area. The genus Miseia Patrulius is dominant and represented by Miseia bilacunosa Özer and Miseia hekimhanensis Karacabey-Öztemür. The Loftusia species and the Rudists assemblage indicates middle to late Maastrichtian age for the formation. The paleobiogeographic distribution of the assemblage has been discussed taking this find into account.     

Infrazonal biostratigraphy of the Upper Cretaceous in the East European province based on benthic foraminifers,Part 2: Santonian-Maastrichtian

A chart of infrazonal biostratigraphic subdivisions in the Cenomanian-Coniacian succession of the East European paleobiogeographic province is substantiated based on distribution of benthic foraminifers. The suggested chart characterizes successive trend of changes in ecologic assemblages of benthic foraminifers and morphologic evolution of certain agglutinated (Gaudryina, Ataxophragmium, Ataxoorbignyina, Arenobulimina, Novatrix, Voloshinovella, Orbignyina, Bolivinopsis) and secretory (Neoflabellina, Globorotalites, Stensioeina, Osangularia, Eponides, Gavelinella, Pseudovalvulineria, Pseudogavelinella, Brotzenella, Cibicides, Cibicidoides, Angulogavelinella, Falsoplanulina, Anomalinoides, Coryphostoma, Bolivinoides, Praebulimina) foraminiferal genera. The chart includes 23 biostratigraphic units (zones and subzones), most of which are recognizable over the vast territory from the Mangyshlak to southern Baltic areas. It is correlated with the acknowledged belemnite, inoceramid, ammonoid and echinoid zonations. Eight stadia of taxonomic changes in foraminiferal assemblages, which are distinguished in this work, show that principal biotic events took place across the middle-late Santonian and Santonian-Campanian boundaries, in the earliest Campanian, at the early-late Campanian boundary time, during the late and terminal Campanian, and in the mid-early Maastrichtian.     

Stratigraphy of the Bathonian-Callovian boundary deposits in the Prosek section (Middle Volga Region). Article 1. Ammonites and infrazonal biostratigraphy

In European Russia, the most complete succession of Boreal sediments of the terminal Bathonian and lower Callovian is exposed near the Prosek Settlement. After its revision, the infrazonal division of the upper Bathonian and lower Callovian and position of the Bathonian-Callovian boundary are difined more carefully. The Calyx Zone and bodylevskyi Biohorizon are established in the upper Bathonian. The base of the lower Callovian is defined at the first occurrence level of Macrocephalites jacquoti. Based on four successive ammonite assemblages occurring in lower part of the Elatmae Zone, the breve, frearsi, quenstedti, and elatmae biohorizons are identified. The joint occurrence of Boreal, Subboreal, and Tethyan ammonites in the section facilitate its correlation with the other sections of the Panboreal paleobiogeographic superrealm.     

Benthic foraminiferal turnover across the Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) event in Eastern Desert,Egypt

Benthic foraminiferal fauna are analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively at three stratigraphic sections in Eastern Desert of Egypt (Serai, Duwi, and Um El Huetat). These sections embrace the Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) interval which is represented by the occurrence of five distinctive beds. These beds constitute the Dababiya Quarry Member at the lower part of Esna Formation. The occurrence of them indicates an expanded and relatively continuous record across the P/E boundary. The organic-rich clay layer (bed no. 1 of the Dababiya Quarry Member) marks the start of the PETM event. This bed is characterized by the extinction of all benthic foraminiferal fauna except for the occurrence of rare agglutinated foraminiferal species. The presence of these species indicates an oceanic anoxic event at the sea floor. High concentration of phosphatic contents including fish remains occurred in the middle part of the PETM (bed nos. 2 and 3 of the Dababiya Quarry Member) with the continuous absence of benthic foraminiferal fauna except for few specimens at the top of bed 3. Bed nos. 4 and 5 of the Dababiya Quarry Member represent the upper part of the PETM and the initial stage of sea floor recovery. Low diversity and abundance of benthic foraminiferal taxa occurred within these beds, represented by Valvulineria scrobiculata, Lenticulina midwayensis, Loxostomoides appliane, and Siphogenerinoides eleganta. This phenomenon continues upward during the post-PETM event. The Paleocene velasco-type benthic foraminifera Angulogavelinella avnimelechi and Coryphostoma midwayensis species are extinct within the advent of the PETM event. The benthic foraminiferal assemblages at the studied sections are dominated by midway-type fauna with little representative of velasco-type fauna. The velasco-type species are represented with high abundance at Serai section and with low densities at Um El Huetat section, while at Duwi section, they rarely occurred. This suggests outer neritic-upper bathyal (150–400 m) setting at Serai section and mostly middle-outer neritic (50–150 m) setting at Um El Huetat and Duwi sections.     

Water level and atmospheric humidity history of Lake Ichkeul (northern Tunisia) during the last 3000 years

Changes in paleoecology and climate of northern Tunisia during the last 3000 years were reconstructed based on the flood history interpreted from a 172-cm sediment core of Lake Ichkeul (NW Tunisia). Seven wet/dry episodes were identified based on biological (ostracods, foraminifera and mollusks) and biotic indices (H and E index, species richness and abundance). These proxy-based environmental changes were supported by correspondence analyses (CAs) and ecophenotypic responses of the brackish taxon Cyprideis torosa in addition to a grain-size study. Two dry episodes were identified in the lower (EP1) and upper (EP7) parts of the core. These were marked by the dominance of the brackish ostracod C. torosa. High water salinity was indicated by the presence of the brackish ostracod Loxoconcha elliptica, the foraminifer Ammonia sp. and lagoonal mollusks. The occurrence of the freshwater ostracods Ilyocypris sp., Herpetocypris sp., Dawinula stevensoni and Limnocythere inopinata was associated with high species richness and ecophenotypic changes of C. torosa valves indicating lower salinity during three major wet episodes (EP2, EP4, and EP6). The ecological and environmental changes, occurring between 3050 and 50 cal. year BP, are most likely linked to an increase of fluvial inputs which are also recognized in several other Mediterranean lakes. The humid episodes were interrupted by two saline periods (EP3 and EP5) during which freshwater ostracod assemblages declined, diversity indices dropped to the lowest values, and fine-grained sediments became dominant. The top of the core is characterized by the remarkable dominance of L. elliptica coupled with C. torosa, the absence of freshwater ostracods, and the changes in grain-size sediment parameters which are most likely the result of anthropogenic activities. The changes in hydrochemistry and sedimentology were attributed to the deepening of the Bizerte navigation canal, main wadis damming, and Tinja sluice construction which mostly occurred in the XX^th century.     

Terminal paleocene of the Volga middle reaches: Biostratigraphy and paleosettings

Diatoms and marine palynomorphs from several sections of the Kamyshin Formation (Sengilei-1, Sengilei-2, Balasheika, Kuz’kino, boreholes 38 and 50) are jointly studied for the first time in the Volga middle reaches. According to results, the formation lower part corresponds here to Viborg Zone 4-Viborg Zone 5 (Heilmann-Clausen, 1985)/Alisocysta margarita (part)-Apectodinium hyperacanthum (Powell, 1992) diatom zones of Northern Europe. Higher levels of the formation are correlative with Trinacria ventriculosa and Hemiaulus proteus dinocyst zones (Strelnikova, 1992). Thus, the Kamyshin sedimentary cycle in the Volga middle reaches corresponds to the interval of NP8 (part) and NP9 zones of the general scale. As is established, different terrigenous to siliceous facies of that cycle (sands, diatomites, opokas and clay) are mostly confined to eastern and southeastern areas of the study region. Judging from taxonomic composition, assemblages of diatoms and marine palynomorphs originated in coastal paleosettings with active hydrodynamics and high productivity of water mass. Diatom assemblages from different facies are dissimilar. Three phases of Thanetian transgression are distinguished based on quantitative proportions of different ecologic groups (Paralia/Pyxidicula ratio variations). Within transition from the Trinacria ventriculosa to Hemiaulus proteus Zone, there are recorded considerable changes in composition of diatom assemblages: the appearance of new genera with considerable morphologic innovations (Podosira, Craspedodiscus, Fenestrella, Moisseevia, Solium, Gyrocylindrus) and compositional renewals of genera Pyxidicula, Trinacria, and Hemiaulus. These changes are indicative of a global biotic crisis in the Paleocene-Eocene transition related with thermal maximum and negative C-isotope excursion and extinction of benthic fauna groups.     

Detailed stratigraphy of the Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary beds of the Lena River lower reached based on ammonites and Buchiids

The Jurassic-Cretaceous (Volgian-Lower Valanginian) boundary deposits in the lower reaches of the Lena River (near the village of Chekurovka and on the Cape Chucha, North Yakutia) are described bed-by-bed. The taxonomic composition of ammonites and bivalves (mainly Buchia) is determined. The species assemblages are biostratigraphically analyzed and biostratigraphic units of the bed and zone ranks are recognized based on by Buchia and ammonites. Analogues of the Buchia Zones (buchiazones) Unschensis, Okensis, Tolmatschewi, Inflata and ammonite zones Exoticus, Okensis, Sibiricus, Analogus, Mesezhnikowi and ? Klimovskiensis are established in this region for the first time. A correlation of the distinguished buchiazones with the buchiazones of the Nordvik Peninsula, New Siberian Islands (Stolbovoy Island), the basin of the Anyuy River, and Northern California is proposed. The ammonite assemblages constantly contain phylloceratids; some stratigraphic intervals also contain lytoceratids; this is probably connected with a Paleo-Pacific influence. Unlike the ammonite assemblages of the same age of the Khatanga depression, the subzones cannot be distinguished in the Sibiricus and Kochi Zones of the Lower Lena due to differences in the stratigraphic ranges of some ammonite species. Hectoroceras in the Kochi zone is very rare and Praetollia predominates here.     

Facies analysis of Pleistocene limestones from Neil West Coast Formation,Neil Island,Ritchie’s archipelago of South Andaman,India

Petrographic thin section analysis of the samples collected from the type section of Neil West Coast Formation, situated in the west coast of Neil Island yielded moderately preserved coralline red algae, benthic and planktic foraminifers, coral fragments, echinoid spines and gastropod shells. The coralline red algae are represented by both non-geniculate and geniculate forms. The non-geniculate forms belong to melobesids, lithophylloids and mastophoroides. The geniculate forms are represented by species of Amphiroa, Corallina, and Jania. However, the diversity and abundance of coralline algal forms are less in comparison to the benthic foraminifers those are represented by Amphistegina, Neorotalia, Ammonia, Elphidium, Operculina, Assilina, Amphisorus and texularids. Planktic foraminifers like Globigerinoides and other biogenic components viz., gastropod shells, echinoid spines and coral fragments are also common. A foraminiferal-algal grainstone facies has been recognized as observed in the field as well as in thin section analysis. The overall assemblage of the biogenic components and facies analysis indicate intertidal to near shore environment of deposition with high energy condition and increased hydrodynamic activity.     

Benthic foraminifera in a deep-sea high-energy environment: the Moira Mounds (Porcupine Seabight,SW of Ireland)

Cold-water coral ecosystems represent unique and exceptionally diverse environments in the deep-sea. They are well developed along the Irish margin, varying broadly in shape and size. The Moira Mounds, numerous small-sized mounds, are nestled in the Belgica Mound Province (Porcupine Seabight, North-East Atlantic). The investigation of living (Rose Bengal stained) and dead benthic foraminiferal assemblages from these mounds allowed to describe their distribution patterns and to evaluate their response to environmental variability. Quantitative data was statistically treated to define groups of species/genera associated to specific habitats. The Moira Mounds differ from their larger neighbours by the reduced spatial variability of benthic foraminiferal assemblages, living assemblages only distinguishing coral-rich and coral-barren areas. The ecological needs of corals are highlighted by the abundance of Alabaminella weddellensis and Nonionella iridea, phytodetritus-feeding species in coral supporting sediments. Living foraminifera in sediments from the Moira Mounds concentrate in the upper first centimetre. Infaunal species may be affected by bioturbation and/or reworking by the strong currents in the area. Dead foraminiferal assemblages from the Moira Mounds resemble those described for the sandwave facies in adjacent giant mounds, suggesting similar processes in facies deposition.