Living Planktonic Foraminifera of the Wadge Bank, Northern Indian Ocean

Abstract

Twenty three species of living planktonic Foraminifera belonging to 11 genera have been studied from the Wadge Bank area off southern tip of the Indian peninsula. The fauna is characterized by species such as Globigerinoides conglobatus, G. sacculifer, Pulleniatina obliquiloculata, Globorotalia flexuosa, G. menardii, G. theyeri, G. tumida, G. ungulata and Globoquadrina conglomerata, due to tropical influence on the coastal waters. Presence of Globigerina bulloides and Neogloboquadrina dutertrei suggests coastal upwelling and these species are more abundant in relatively cool waters of the nearshore sites. All the species typical of tropical upwelling assemblage are encountered in the region. The role of some ecological parameters like temperature and salinity as possible controlling factors in distribution patterns of the fauna, has also been elucidated