Foraminiferes benthiques et bathymetrie: Le cenozoique du golfe de gascogne

Benthonic foraminifera are studied in the limited area of the Bay of Biscay and the present Aquitanian coasts.Recent populations have been dredged between 0 and 4450 m; their associations show a bathymetric zonation: faunas from an estuary (Gironde); in-shore and off-shore shelf; upper, middle and lower continental slope; abyssal fauna. The distribution of agglutinated Foraminifera and size/architectural variations of shells are also useful for bathymetrical zonation.Cenozoic Foraminifera are studied in two continental and four off-shore drillings in the Bay of Biscay and Aquitaine Basin. Results of recent faunal studies are used to select some species among the whole Tertiary population; main bathymetric associations are found that can illustrate the history of the Aquitanian area from Eocene to Recent. Two different areas can be described: a southern one with the Gouf' de Cap Breton and its anyon facies; a northern one with a continental margin which progrades to the west and is disturbed by the Pyrenean tectonic movements.It is only possible to make such a study in a restricted area, where water masses have almost constant bathymetric limits.     

Early Ordovician bathyurid province lithofacies, biofacies, and correlations -their relationship to a proto-Atlantic Ocean

The Early Ordovician bathyurid faunal province includes North America, Greenland, Spitsbergen, Scotland, and western Ireland and Norway. Dominant provincial lithofacies and biofacies include a Dolomite Suite with molluscan-stromatolite fossil content rimmed by Limestone Belts with dominantly trilobite-brachiopod faunas on a platform. Shale Belt rocks bearing graptolites, deposited on the platform slopes, rim the Limestone Belts. Volcanic rock-rich terrain partly borders the Shale Belts. Correlation between the lithofacies indicates that change from an expansion to contraction phase of a proto-Atlantic coincided with uplift of the carbonate platform and with tectonic activity in the Atlantic volcanic rock rich terrain. Brachiopods replaced trilobites as dominant faunal elements in more shallow platform waters at the same time. High trilobite diversity remained in deeper waters near platform margins. The changes took place in Earliest Mohawk-ian (Latest Arenig-Earliest Llanvirn).     

New organic-walled Foraminifera (Protista) from the ocean's deepest point, the Challenger Deep (western Pacific Ocean)

We describe four new species and a new genus of very small (< 500 µm) Foraminifera from the Challenger Deep, the deepest point in the world's oceans (10 896 m water depth). All have transparent, mainly organic test walls that incorporate some minute agglutinated mineral particles of various shapes and compositions. Nodellum aculeata sp. nov. has an elongate proloculus with a pointed proximal end followed by a long, tubular section. The genus Resigella is represented by two species: in R. laevis sp. nov. , the test comprises 3–4 elongate, oval to cylindrical chambers while R. bilocularis sp. nov. has an oval proloculus followed by a second, larger globular chamber. The fourth species, Conicotheca nigrans gen. et sp. nov. , is characterized by a tiny, elongate, conical test filled with dark stercomata. Except in C. nigrans, the test wall has a brownish tinge; energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) suggests the presence of organically bound Fe in all species including C. nigrans. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) combined with EDS reveals distinctive wall structures. In N. aculeata, the proloculus is strewn with tiny (< 0.7 µm), elongate grains. In this species and in R. laevis, the test surface (except for the proloculus) is covered with a carpet of minute (∼0.1 µm) finger-like projections, rather similar to the organic cement of agglutinated Foraminifera. In R. bilocularis, the larger second chamber often has a partial veneer of fine mineral grains of varying composition, as well as organic areas consisting of meshed strands. SEM images of these three species reveal flat, plate-like features that we interpret as clay particles. In C. nigrans, the wall is relatively featureless except where the surface is raised into hummocky mounds and scale-like features, again probably clay particles. We suggest that these species represent a distinctive group of ‘agglutinated’ Foraminifera in which the test is predominately organic. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 153 , 399–423.     

Preferential selection of titanium-bearing minerals in agglutinated Foraminifera: Ilmenite (FeTiO3) in Textularia hauerii d’Orbigny from the Bazaruto Archipelago, Mozambique

The biserial agglutinated foraminifer Textularia hauerii d’Orbigny frequently occurs at shallow depths in reefal habitats off Bazaruto Island, Mozambique. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron- and light microscopy analyses show the enhanced concentration of the titanium-bearing mineral ilmenite (FeTiO₃) in the agglutinated tests of this species. The mineral constitutes an insignificant component in the surrounding sediment (< 1%), but accounts for more than 26% of the foraminiferal test content. The accumulation of ilmenite in T. hauerii and its absence in co-occurring agglutinated Foraminifera suggest the preferential selection for ilmenite. The tendency for ilmenite particles to be arranged along sutures and on the apertural face (1) provides further evidence that certain Foraminifera can specifically select grains, and (2) implies that there exists a selective mechanism to control the timing and placement during test and chamber construction. The preferential uptake represents the first record of ilmenite selection in Foraminifera. Potential driving forces controlling the selective agglutination of Ti minerals, the preferential adsorption to Ti surfaces, and interactions between cellular compounds of the foraminiferal reticulopods and the mineral surfaces are explored.     

Neogene biofacies in eastern Venezuela and their calibration with seismic data

A detailed micropaleontologic study of Miocene foraminifers was made in order to integrate the seismic and biostratigraphic information in the Maturín sub-basin, eastern Venezuela. The sequence studied involves the Freites, Oficina, and Carapita Formations: The Freites and Oficina Formations are characterized by interbedded shale, siltstone, and sandstone. However, the Carapita Formation is formed mainly by shale and occasional thin sandstone beds, which sometimes represent turbiditic deposits.Analysis of existing biostratigraphic information from several wells and the recent exploration in the area, serve as a basis for distinguishing the faunal assemblages and their distribution and faunal variations, as well as, for determining chronological and paleobathymetric changes in the sequence studied.Towards the northeast, biofacies are useful for correlation throughout the area. These assemblages contain a higher diversity and abundance of calcareous forms, plus deep-water agglutinated foraminifers, typical of normal marine outer-neritic to bathyal conditions. To the southwest, however, we found shallow biofacies which are represented mainly by agglutinated genera and lower values for the abundance and diversity of calcareous specimens, especially planktic species. These parameters suggest the existence of water masses with low-oxygen content and large amounts of terrigenous and organic material in suspension.Biofacies and paleobathymetric data from each of the wells were compared with regional seismic lines to interpret changes from platform to slope water depths within the area.Analysis of species associations in the Miocene strata of the Maturín sub-basin, Venezuela, established a faunal variation that demonstrates a deepening trend from southwest to northeast.     

Coral assemblages, biofacies, and ecological zones in the mid-Holocene reef deDosits of the Enriquillo Valley, Dominican Republic

Stemann, T. A. & Johnson, K. G. 1992 07 15: Coral assemblages, biofacies. and ecological zones in the mid-Holocene reef deposits of the Enriquillo Valley, Dominican Republic. A large, subaerially exposed mid-Holocene reef in the Enriquillo Valley (southwest Dominican Republic) provides an excellent opportunity to examine the relationship between reefal ecology and reefal deposits. Coral species richness and diversity in the Enriquillo reef are comparable to that found in the recent of the Caribbean, and ecological zonation comprised of a shallow-water branching coral zone and a deeper water mixed-coral zone is apparent. Similar zonation and diversity patterns have been recognized on living Caribbcan reefs with moderate wave exposure. Three statistically discrete biopdcies can be discriminated in the Enriquillo deposits using quadrat point-counting techniques commonly used to census modern reefs. They include a facies dominated by Acropora cervicornis, a low diversity assemblage with abundant, large colonies of Siderastrea siderea and Stephanocoenia intersepta, and a higher diversity assembbdge composed of various taxa including Montastraea spp., Colpophyllia spp., and Agaricia spp. Each facies can be recognized at scales of 1–3 m², though in some cases they extend for more than 20 m². In general, the A. cervicornis facies is spatially segregated from the other two biofacies. although neither the shallow nor the deep-water ecological zone is comprised of a single reef biofacies. Rather, the biofacies described here appear to represent distinct micro-environments resulting from ecological variation at a subzonal scale. Micro-environments of similar scale are most likely preserved in other reef deposits. Recognition of these subzonal biofacies may have important consequences for the stratigraphical and paleoccological interpretation of fossil reefs. Corals, biofacies, reef zonation, coral communities, fossil reefs.     

Foraminiferal assemblages from bottom sediments at Marian Cove, South Shetland Islands, West Antarctica

Foraminiferal samples were taken from bottom sediments at Marian Cove, West Antarctica, in order to determine the depth zonation and foraminiferal species composition. Benthic foraminiferal communities are mainly composed of calcareous, agglutinated, and mixed associations. The Fisher-α diversity of the total assemblage groups is close to 6.0. The dominance/diversity patterns are characterized by low dominance and high diversity.Three zones are recognized at Marian Cove with depth boundaries at 22 and 65.5 m. Areas shallower than 22 m are nearly devoid of any toraminifera. Calcareous forms and/or calcareous forms mixed with agglutinated forms are relatively abundant between 22 and 65.5 m, while agglutinated forms dominate below 65.5 m.     

Facies of a Lower Ordovician carbonate shelf (Mungok Formation: Taebaeksan Basin,Korea)

Summary The lithologic associations within the Lower Ordovician Mungok Formation in Korea define four depositional facies that formed across a continental margin fringing the Sino-Korean block: these facies represent lagoonal/restricted marine, shoal, inner shelf, and outer shelf environments. The stacking pattern of these facies reveals two systems tracts composed of five depositional sequences. The lower highstand systems tract consists of the lagoonal/restricted marine and shoal facies, whereas the upper lowstand systems tract comprises, in ascending order, inner shelf, outer shelf, and inner shelf facies. Three trilobite biofacies are recognized in the Mungok Formation: i.e.,Yosimuraspis, Kainella, andShumardia biofacies in ascending order. TheYosimuraspis Biofacies is dominated byYosimuraspis but also containsJujuyaspis andElkanaspis. The predominance of the endemic eponymous taxon suggests a lagoonal/restricted marine environment. The nearly monotaxicKainella Biofacies, which comprises pandemic genera such asKainella and occasionallyLeiostegium, may represent a less restricted environment than theYosimuraspis Biofacies. TheShumardia Biofacies occurs in the marlstone/shale lithofacies through relatively thick stratigraphic interval and is dominated by cosmopolitan trilobite taxa with some endemic species. The lithofacies and cosmopolitan trilobite assemblage of theShumardia Biofacies indicate that it occupied an outer shelf environment. The vertical succession of lithofacies and trilobite biofacies in the Mungok Formation records in general a shift from a restricted, shallow water environment to deeper-water environment.     

The upper Moscovian and basal Kasimovian (Pennsylvanian) of Central European Russia: Facies,subaerial exposures and depositional model

Summary The type upper Moscovian-basal Kasimovian argillaceous-carbonate succession of central European Russia contains regionally traced cyclothem-bounded subaerial exposure horizons (geosols) represented mainly by rendzina-type palaeosols. Palaeokarst profiles occurrarely and grade laterally to palaeosols. Composite subaerial profiles divided by one or two thin marine beds are called ‘multiple geosols’. The biofaces structure of the studied succession is defined by brachiopod and fusulinoid biofaces. The heterogeneous Choristites biofacies characterizes openmarine intervals, which constitute the bulk of the succession, and is defined by presence of Choristites. The Meekella biofacies with monospecific concentrations of Meekella shells and extreme rarity of other brachiopods characterises restricted peritidal intervals which commonly constitute the terminal regressive parts of major cyclothems. Three fusulinoid biofacies defined by Baranova and Kabanov (2003) include restricted peritidal Biofacies 1 with only small fusulinoids Fusiella and Schubertella present, open shoal-to-subtidal Biofacies 2 with the richest fusulinoid assemblages, and the most offshore Biofacies 3 with less diverse, sometimes Hemifusulina-dominated, fusulinoid assemblages. Bioturbation patterns and ichnofossils allow recognition of deeper subtidal Zoophycos and shallower non-Zoophycos ichnofacies. Among the latter, shallowest subtidal facies are characterized by presence of thalassinoid burrows. Intertidal laminated lithofacies with suppressed bioturbation contain Skolithos burrows. Seventeen lithofacies are recognized. Terrestrial lithofacies include topclays (upper clayey palaeosol horizons) and aeolian grainstones. Restricted peritidal lithofacies include cross-stratified skeletal-peloidal grainstones, fine-grained laminated grainstones-mudstones, and lagoonal mudstones. Open shoal lithofacies include ooidal grainstones (rare, only in Podolskian) and coarse skeletal-peloidal grainstones. The open subtidal lithofacies include skeletal packstones-rudstones, shallow subtidal packstones-wackestones, deeper subtidal packstones-wackestones, Ivanovia boundstones (only in Podolskian), proximal tempestites, distal tempestites, and skeletal wackestones-mudstones. The fossiliferous shale lithofacies is a miscellaneous group of marine shales lacking distinct features of the above-listed lithofacies. Conglomerates of cyclothem bases that are regarded as early transgressive lithofacies are variable in their palaeoenvironmental position and are characterized by concentrated pebbles derived from palaeosol reworking. The shallowest subtidal lithofacies of fine packstones-grainstones is considered as transitional between open subtidal and restricted peritidal lithofacies. The origin of stratiform dolostones is shown to be early diagenetic in the subsurface. The depositional model involves a shallow and broad epicontinental ramp, where through water circulation prevented stratification of the water column and allowed large skeletal benthos to colonize the entire spectrum of depositional environments. Storms are thought to be the principal water-mixing agent. The anti-estuarine circulation carrying oxygenated waters down-ward may explain the lack of anoxic features in the deepest facies that may have formed below storm wave base.     

Ecology of the Ogun River estuary,Nigeria

The distribution of benthonic communities (particularly Foraminifera) were studied from fourteen samples obtained from the Ogun River estuary and environs. Ten species of benthonic Foraminifera were identified; two of these constitute over 90% of the total foraminiferal population.Two broad biofacies are recognisable, namely the upper estuarine facies of Ammobaculites and the lower estuarine facies comprising arenaceous and calcereous forms with a preponderance of Ammonia beccarii (Linnaeus).Large populations of few species occur in the lower estuary, an area of weakly saline water with marked salinity fluctuations. The upper estuary on the other hand is sparsely populated and contains tests mainly of arenaeous Foraminifera. A few species are distinctive of particular facies but some are distributed throughout the estuary. Substrate is not a causal ecological factor, because sediments are similar in physical attributes throughout the estuary. Salinity and rate of sedimentation are among the more important factors affecting the distribution of all species. The low-energy nature of the environment is established by the abundance of faecal pellets and the fragility of the tests of the arenaceous Foraminifera.     

The Furongian (upper Cambrian) Alum Shale of Scandinavia: revision of zonation

The zonation of the Furongian Alum Shale in Scandinavia, based on olenid trilobites, is reviewed and revised. The current scheme is rooted in a detailed zonation introduced in the late 1950s with subzones that subsequently have been elevated to zonal rank. Ten of these zones are difficult to recognize in all Alum Shale districts, and a revised zonation is proposed, focused on unambiguous identification throughout Scandinavia. The difficulties in recognizing zones in some districts mostly relate to biofacies differentiation. Representatives of Ctenopyge are, for instance, common in palaeo-offshore areas, whereas pelturines are rare in these settings and vice versa in palaeo-inboard settings. The following modifications of the olenid zonation are proposed: the Olenus scanicus Zone is renamed the O. scanicus–O. rotundatus Zone; the Ctenopyge similis and Ctenopyge spectabilis zones are replaced by the Sphaerophthalmus modestus–Sphaerophthalmus angustus Zone; the Ctenopyge tumida Zone is renamed the Peltura acutidens–Ctenopyge tumida Zone; the Peltura scarabaeoides Subzone is restored (as a zone) and replaces the Ctenopyge bisulcata and Ctenopyge linnarssoni zones. The Parabolina heres megalops (Sub)Zone is reinstated and replaces the Peltura paradoxa Zone; the Acerocarina granulata and P. costata zones are combined as the Acerocarina granulata–Peltura costata Zone. In addition, the name Proceratopyge nathorsti–Simulolenus alpha Zone is suggested for the polymerid zone corresponding to the upper Miaolingian Agnostus pisiformis Zone. The proposed changes reduce the number of Furongian Zones to 23, allocated to six superzones. No subzones are recognized, but some zones can potentially be subdivided for improved local correlation. The stratigraphical ranges of all Furongian olenid trilobites and agnostoids described from Scandinavia are summarized.     

Palaeoenvironmental changes in the Pliocene Intra-Apenninic Basin,near Bologna (Northern Italy)

Combined palaeoecologic and sedimentologic studies reveal remarkable palaeoenvironmental changes in the Pliocene Intra-Apenninic Basin (PIB) of the Bologna Apennines (Northern Italy). At the northern margin of PIB, the stratigraphic succession is approximately 1000 m thick, and displays an overall coarsening-upward trend, including a lower mudstone-dominated succession (Argille Azzurre Formation) of Zanclean age, overlain by a sandstone-rich unit (M. Adone Formation), assigned to the Zanclean-Piacenzian. The vertical succession of biofacies within the Argille Azzurre Fm. indicates an obvious shallowing-upward tendency, from slope/outer-shelf (150–300 m water depths) to inner-shelf (30–50 m) environments. A vertical cyclic pattern of facies, with alternating sandy siltstones and sandstone bodies, characterizes M. Adone Formation. Each elementary cycle, about 30–50 m thick, includes a couple of siltstone-dominated inner-shelf and prodelta deposits, passing upwards into progradational delta front, tabular sand bodies. These high-rank cycles, spanning an interval of time in the order of magnitude of 40 ky, are separated by flooding surfaces, clearly recognizable on the basis of palaeoecologic analysis, and reflect an aggradational stacking pattern of parasequences superposed to the general shallowing-upward trend.     

The enigmatic,deep‐sea,organic‐walled genera Chitinosiphon,Nodellum and Resigella (Protista,Foraminifera): A taxonomic re‐evaluation

Abstract

Using a morphology‐based approach, we explore the relationships between three poorly understood species of organic‐walled Foraminifera. Thalmann and Bermudez (1954) described Chitinosiphon rufescens as the type species of a new monotypic genus which they compared to the tubular agglutinated foraminiferan Bathysiphon. Loeblich and Tappan (1964), however, considered C. rufescens to be identical to Reophax membranacea Brady 1879, type species of another organic‐walled genus, Nodellum. Based on a re‐examination of the type specimens of both species, new material of C. rufescens from the Lost City hydrothermal field, and new material of N. membranacea from the NE Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, we show that these two deep‐sea species are distinguished by the following features. (1) Chitinosiphon rufescens lacks the distinct, regular constrictions that divide the tubular test of N. membranacea into a series of segments. (2) The proloculus is spindle‐shaped in C. rufescens but sub‐cylindrical in N. membranacea. (3) A distinctive, pocket‐like invagination is developed at the base (proximal end) of the proloculus in N. membranacea but not in C. rufescens. However, a series of undescribed species which occur in deep‐sea sediments blur the distinction between the two genera. We therefore adopt a conservative position and regard Chitinosiphon as a junior synonym of Nodellum. We also examined the holotype and new material of Nodellum moniliforme Resig, 1982, the type species of Resigella Loeblich and Tappan, 1984, in which the organic‐walled test comprises a series of bulbous chambers. This species exhibits a basal invagination, identical to the feature present in Nodellum membranacea. These three remarkable species are united by the basically tubular test and the nature of the test wall which is largely organic, brownish in colour, and exhibits no internal structure when broken sections are examined by SEM. The surface of the organic test of Nodellum rufescens from Lost City is strewn with tiny (≤1μm), needle‐shaped mineral particles, visible only by SEM. More equidimensional, micron‐sized particles are present in the other two species. We agree with Thalmann and Bermudez (1954) that N. rufescens is related to tubular agglutinated taxa such as Bathysiphon. Resigella may have similar affinities, although this needs to be tested using molecular approaches.     

Benthic foraminiferal distributions in Chilean fjords: 47°S to 54°S

Surface sediment samples collected from the fjord region of southern Chile (47° to 54° South) were analyzed for benthic foraminifera. A total of 175 species were identified including agglutinated and calcareous benthic taxa. Hierarchical cluster analysis of the foraminiferal data resulted in the recognition of three distinct biofacies: inner-fjord, intermediate fjord and channel, and oceanic biofacies, geographically controlled by relative position between the Pacific Ocean and fjord heads. Similarity percentage (SIMPER) analysis identified key taxa in the definition of the biofacies that include Globocassidulina rossensis, Cassidulina laevigata and Bulimina notovata. Principal components analysis resulted in two principal components representing sediment size, and bottom water temperature and salinity.Regional distributions are strongly controlled by the oceanographic conditions influenced from the Pacific in the west and the glacial/freshwater input from the east. Localized distributions of foraminifera are controlled by conditions influenced by the physiography of the individual fjords and channels. The distribution of Chilean fjord foraminifera and their environmental associations are consistent with results from other temperate to high latitude fjord foraminiferal studies.     

Late Jurassic (Kimmeridgian) larger benthic Foraminifera from Santiago Coatepec, SE Puebla, Mexico

A micropaleontologic study was carried out from samples collected along a section that crops out in the Santiago Coatepec Stream, located in the southeast of the state of Puebla, Mexico. The sedimentary sequence begins with a reddish conglomerate. Above, thick and thin layers of grey-greenish sandstones that continue in fine-grained, calcareous sandstones, and, finally, in limestones. The reddish conglomerate may represent a continental environment, and the marine transgression began with the sandstone deposit that contains a marine association of Invertebrates such as Trigonids (Myophorella sp.), and other Mollusks such as Trichites sp., Ostreids and Gastropods, Echinoderms, and Sponges as Cladocoropsis mirabilis. This sequence also provides a rich assemblage of larger Foraminifera as well as Algae, which is reported for the first time in this site. The larger agglutinated Foraminiferal assemblage is composed of Alveosepta jaccardi, Pseudocyclammina lituus, Everticyclammina virguliana, Rectocyclammina chouberti, Choffatella cf. Ch. tingitana, Mesoendothyra croatica, Nautiloculina oolithica, Freixialina planispiralis, Audienusina fourcadei, Placopsilina sp., Pseudocyclammina sp., Meandrospira sp. and Lenticulina sp. All those taxa were adapted to special paleoecological conditions, such as a continuous terrigenous input. The Algae are Marinella lugeoni, Pseudoepimastopora jurassica, Permocalculus sp., and Halimeda sp. The stratigraphic distribution of the larger benthic Foraminifera allow us to propose a Kimmeridgian age for the studied sequence. The opening of the Atlantic Ocean permitted the colonization of its margins by the larger Foraminifera during this time. The data provided by the larger Foraminifera, the Algae, and the lithology may suggest an internal platform environment of warm shallow water. This foraminiferal association is constituted by cosmopolitan species which are frequent in the Tethyan Realm.     

Ecostratigraphy and sequence biostratigraphy,with a neritic foraminiferal example from the Miocene in Southern Australia

The Miocene oscillation is a second order interruption of Cainozoic cooling and falling sea level with a time of warming and relatively high sea level at its zenith, the Miocene climatic optimum. The second order trajectories in putative global sea level, in oceanic δ ¹⁸O (a proxy for climate change) and δ ¹³C (a proxy for major change in nutrient regime), are punctuated by third order changes, including the Mi glacials. Southern‐temperate foraminiferal assemblages provide a profile of neritic biofacies through the oscillation. Plankton and benthos fit the second order and third order scenarios well: there are numerous resonances from the global ocean in this regional neritic realm. The cycle TB2 is a biofacies entity as well as a physical entity, and so too are most of its third order components. The influence of the Monterey carbon excursion and the climatic optimum are visible in this biotic succession. We corroborate the prediction that a trophic resource continuum expands in a warming and transgressive trend and, at the same time, responding more strongly to environmental fluctuations. We cannot corroborate the notion of coherent biofacies recurring through the succession as the environment shifts from warming to upwelling and back. There is a strong sense of a community “evolving”; through time whilst spreading and adapting ad hoc to the shifts in physical environment, rather than of discrete communities tracking those shifts.     

Distribution of live benthic Foraminifera at three oceanographically dissimilar sites in the northeast Atlantic: preliminary results

Live (i.e. rose Bengal stained) benthic foraminiferal assemblages in the 0–1 cm layer of multiple core samples were examined at three contrasting sites in the northeast Atlantic as part of the Natural Environment Research Council Deep Ocean Benthic Boundary Layer (BENBO) Thematic Programme. Sites A (3600 m water depth) and C (1900 m) were located in the Rockall Trough while Site B (1100 m) was in the Hatton–Rockall Basin. Wet-sorting sediment residues (>125 m fraction) revealed more abundant (98–190 individuals/10 cm²) and diverse (71–99 species /27 cm²) assemblages than found previously in studies employing dry-sorting techniques. At all three sites, the assemblages were numerically dominated by delicate soft-bodied and agglutinated species, most of which are undescribed. Calcareous taxa formed a relatively small proportion of the assemblages (23% of individuals at Site B, 13% at Site C and 7% at Site A). Conversely, the agglutinated hormosinaceans (mainly Reophax species) became more prominent with increasing depth and accounted for 8% of the assemblage at Site B, 33% at Site C and 51% at Site A. Foraminifera represented 67–81% of the fauna in the samples and greatly outnumbered the metazoans. The assemblage at Site A has similarities with abyssal assemblages, while those at Sites B and C contain characteristic bathyal species. At Site B, Uvigerina peregrina and Melonis barleeanum are abundant, suggesting that there are high organic carbon inputs at this site. Reduced species diversity was observed at Site A following the spring phytodetritus bloom due to the presence of large numbers of juvenile Hoeglundina elegans, although it is not clear whether this species is responding to phytodetritus inputs.     

Distribution of recent benthic foraminifera on the Sunda Shelf (South China Sea)

In this study we investigate the species composition and spatial distribution patterns of Rose Bengal stained and unstained benthic foraminifera from the central part of the Sunda Shelf in the south-western South China Sea in relation to environmental factors. The uppermost centimetre of the surface sediments (> 150 μm) from 45 sites from inner (60 m) to outer shelf (226 m) water depths revealed 584 species including 443 stained species.The univariate analyses of individual species abundances and community parameters and next canonical correspondence analysis were used to relate the faunal data to a set of measured environmental parameters. Four biofacies recognised on the Sunda Shelf are most strongly correlated to water depth, primary production and sediment type of the habitat. The inner shelf biofacies (CCA cluster A), defined by Ammomassilina alveoliniformis and Asterorotalia pulchella, occurs in fine grained sediments classified as modern terrigenous mud in the region with the highest primary production values. The high-energy inner shelf biofacies (CCA cluster B), defined by Heterolepa dutemplei and Textularia lythostrota, occurs in modern terrigenous sand and silt dominated sediments, northeast from the Natuna Island. The high-energy outer shelf biofacies (CCA cluster C), defined by Cibicidoides pachyderma and Textularia bocki, is sandwiched between assemblages of biofacies D. It occurs in the region characterised by neritic relict sand. In the shallow-waters on the Sunda Shelf the relationship of benthic foraminiferal faunal composition to grain size of sediments indirectly signals the prevailing bottom hydrodynamic conditions. The dominance of the epibenthic foraminifera attached to bigger particles (e.g. Cibicides lobatulus, Planulina arimiensis) and much higher abundances of empty tests suggest greater current velocities northeast of Natuna Island. The outer shelf biofacies (CCA cluster D) is defined by Facetocochlea pulchra and Bulimina marginata. It occurs in an area covered with modern terrigenous silt and mud and is characterised by lower annual primary production, but seasonally influenced by weak upwelling.     

New Middle Devonian conodont data from the Dong Van area,NE Vietnam (South China Terrane)

Middle Devonian conodonts from the Si Phai section in NE Vietnam are described. The section ranges from the Middle Devonian ensensis to timorensis conodont zones to the Late Devonian rhomboidea conodont Zone. A rich overall assemblage is described, including 27 taxa of species or subspecies rank and 11 taxa described in an open nomenclature. Among the dominant Polygnathus forms, four new taxa are described: Polygnathus linguiformis saharicus subsp. nov., Polygnathus linguiformis vietnamicus subsp. nov., Polygnathus rhenanus siphai subsp. nov., and Polygnathus xylus bacbo subsp. nov. Conodont assemblages are attributed to polygnathid, polygnathid-klapperinid, and klapperinid conodont biofacies representing hemipelagic to pelagic environments. The klapperinid biofacies, unreported in the previous literature, are here attributed to offshore areas of the external shelf. The taxonomic compositions of the studied conodont assemblages, as well as their CAI characteristics (CAI 4–5), suggest a palaeogeographic affinity of the studied strata to the Chinese Devonian Guangxi Basin, and the South China Terrane in general. Furthermore, the conodont biofacies and the palaeogeographic distribution of the fauna are discussed.     

Phylogeny and ultrastructure of Miliammina fusca: evidence for secondary loss of calcification in a Miliolid Foraminifer

The classification of the Foraminifera, a widely distributed group of largely marine protists, has traditionally been based on morphological characters. The most important of these are the composition and structure of the shell or "test." Here, we use both phylogenetic analysis of the genes for small subunit rRNA and beta-tubulin and ultrastructural analysis to document a reversion in wall type from more derived calcareous tests to an agglutinated test. These data indicate that the genus Miliammina, and possibly other members of the Rzehakinidae, should be placed in the Order Miliolida as opposed to their current assignment in Order Textulariida. We also address the effects this reversion may have had on the ability of rzehakinacids to effectively colonize marginal marine environments. Finally, the hypothesis that some multilocular agglutinated foraminiferans descended from calcareous lineages has implications for interpretation of the foraminiferal fossil record.