Spatial Distribution of Holocene Benthic Foraminifera, Northeastern Aegean Sea

• Published in: International geology review 2001-08, Vol.43 (8), p.754-770
• Main Authors: Avsar, Niyazi, Ergin, Mustafa
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0020-6814; 1938-2839
• DOI: 10.1080/00206810109465046

The distribution of Holocene benthic foraminifera in the Gokceada-Bozcaada-Canakkale triangle was investigated in 31 surface-sediment samples. The sediments can be classified as muddy to gravelly-muddy sand with rare occurrences of muddy gravel and gravelly sand. The fauna exhibits high diversity and richness, and the populations increase in diversity and richness depending on the number of specimens. One hundred sixty (160) species were found. Eight benthic fossil assemblages, comprising only calcareous species, were identified in the region: Porosononion subgranosum (Egger), Ammonia compacta Hofker, Asterigerinata mamilla (Williamson), Rosalina bradyi Cushman, Elphidium crispum. (Linne), Cassidulina carinata Silvestri, Brizalina spathulata (Williamson) and Valvulineria bradyana (Fornasini). In order to analyze the samples statistically, the main foraminiferal parameters were calculated, namely, species richness (d'), Shannon-Wiener diversity (H) and evenness (J'). Finally, Q-mode cluster analysis was applied to the Bray-Curtis measure of similarity using the weighted pair-group method, and the ordination of the samples was plotted using an MDS plot. Eight benthic fossil assemblages, dominated by calcareous, hyaline-wall-bearing species, characterize the northeastern Aegean Sea.