Recent Benthic Foraminifera from the Central North Atlantic

Abstract

One hundred seventeen species of benthic foraminifera are described from 11 surface sediment samples collected from the North Atlantic Ridge southwest of the Azores. Two major assemblages were recognized. The first was confined to a water depth ranging approximately from 500 to 1500 m. This assemblage was dominated by Epistominella exigua, Uvigerina auberiana, Planulina ariminensis and Trifarina bradyi. The deeper assemblage (2400-2800 m) was dominated by Eponides bradyi, Epistominella exigua and Bolivina pseudoplicata. Only one sample is present in the area between these depth zones. The two assemblages are confined to different bottom water masses, the North Atlantic Deep Water and the Antarctic Bottom Water, respectively. Seventy-two species are presented in a systematic catalogue.