SURFACE TEXTURES OF BENTHIC FORAMINIFERA FROM SAN-SALVADOR, BAHAMAS

Experiments were conducted to define abrasion and dissolution textures on the test surfaces of ten common shallow-water species of benthic foraminifera from San Salvador, Bahamas. Abrasion textures in the Miliolina and Rotaliina are characterized by polished surfaces with scattered scratches, pits and broken edges. Abrasion of agglutinated species commonly plucks grains from the test, leaving cavities surrounded by rims of calcite cement. Abrasion textures differ noticeably in the degree of damage to the test over time, thus the relative degree of movement can be estimated by the amount of damage to specimens in an assemblage. Dissolution textures in the Miliolina and Rotaliina are characterized by ragged, uneven surfaces distributed over the entire test. Prolonged dissolution has little effect on the overall texture. Cement is dissolved preferentially in the Textulariina, exposing more of the agglutinated particles as more cement is removed. Examination of surface textures of benthic foraminifera recovered from seafloor sediment samples shows that, even in a coral reef environment, dissolution can play a major role in test destruction.