Recent benthic foraminifera and their distribution between Tuticorin and Tiruchendur, Gulf of Mannar, south-east coast of India

Foraminifera have been successful inhabitants of every aquatic environment from deep oceans to brackish water lagoons, estuaries and even rarely in freshwater streams, lakes, etc. In order to know their distribution in different offshore habitats, the present study has been undertaken between Tuticorin and Tiruchendur, wherein 31 bottom sediment and water samples were collected. Benthic foraminiferal taxa belonging to four suborders (Textulariina, Miliolina, Lagenina and Rotaliina), 14 superfamilies, 25 families, 45 genera and 66 species have been identified; three planktonic species (suborder Globigerinina) have also been identified. An increase in total foraminiferal distribution with depth has been observed, except off Tiruchendur. Living/dead ratios range from 1.57% to 10.02%, indicating a low to moderate rate of sedimentation in this region. Off Punnaikayal and Tiruchendur, the rate of sedimentation is more at greater depths; at other stations, however, it is higher at relatively shallower depths. Based on this study, it is concluded that fluctuations in the distribution of foraminifera are mainly controlled by coastal morphology, wave dynamics, bathymetry and environmental parameters.