TAXONOMY AND BATHYMETRIC DISTRIBUTION OF HOLOCENE DEEP-SEA BENTHIC FORAMINIFERA IN THE INDIAN-OCEAN AND THE RED-SEA

This study examines and illustrates deep-sea benthic foraminifera from 21 Holocene samples from the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea Deep Sea Drilling Project sites. The samples represent a wide range of water depths (ca 800-5600m). A total of 226 taxa were recorded and their bathymetric distribution was examined. Seventy six important taxa are illustrated using scanning electron micrography. About 76% of the total species recorded belong to the suborder Rotaliina, 13% to Textulariina, and 11% to Miliolina. Identification of 18 species was equivocal and, consequently, they are described with 'cf.' Thirty three taxa are identified up to generic level. Calcareous forms are dominant above 5000m whereas agglutinated forms are dominant below 5000m water depths. This supports the theory that the Calcite Compensation Depth (CCD) in the Indian Ocean lies at about 5000m as reported earlier. Characteristic assemblages are found to be associated with distinct deep-water masses.