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Type: Article
Published: 2020-07-30
Page range: 135–147
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Ecological study based on the distribution of recent foraminifers from southeast of Buenos Aires province, Argentinean Continental Shelf

INIBIOMA-CONICET, Instituto De Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Universidad Nacional del Comahue, Quintral 1250, 8400 San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina, Te. +54 0294-8 4442676
Benthic foraminifers Southern South America type of sediment Mollusca

Abstract

The study about the distribution of benthic foraminifers in relationship with the type of substrate is presented. Samples of surface sediments from 15 to 60 m of depth from the southeast coast of the province of Buenos Aires (40º 30´ - 42ºS), Argentina were analysed. The foraminiferal assemblage was constituted by forty-eight species that belong to 22 genera. It was characterized mostly by the free-living style, epifaunal microhabitats, oxic levels and a detritivore trophic strategy. Based on statistical analysis, three zones were determinated: at 15 m depth , characterized mainly by Buccella peruviana (d´Orbigny), and species of Bolivina reflected a littoral environment with sandy sediments and the most important clay contribution, whereas it also presented the lowest oxygen levels were determinated; between 24-48 m depth, associted by Ammonia parkinsoniana (d´Orbigny), Buccella peruviana and Quinqueloculina seminula (Linné), this zone displayed an oxygenated environment with coarse grainsize from inner shelf where local water circulation may explain the high energy observed; and the last one located between 36 to 58 m of depth was characterized by Buccella peruviana, Ammonia parkinsoniana, Elphidium macellum (Fichtel & Moll), Cibicides dispars (d´Orbigny) and Cibicides aknerianus (d´Orbigny) regflecting an inner shelf environment with sandy sediments, the lowest water temperature and the highest oxygen levels.

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