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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL
OF CURRENT RESEARCH
International Journal of Current Research
Vol. 5, Issue, 03, pp.562-566, March, 2013

ISSN: 0975-833X
RESEARCH ARTICLE

DISTRIBUTION OF BENTHIC FORAMINIFERA IN SOUTH ANDAMAN, INDIA

*1Mothilal Yuvaraj, P., 1Ramanujam, N. and 2Siva Sankar, R.
1Department of Disaster Management, Pondicherry University, Port Blair –744103, Andaman, India
2Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Pondicherry University, Puducherry – 605014, India
ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT

Article History: The distribution and diversity of foraminifera a single celled protozoan was studied in the sediments closely
Received 11th December, 2012 adjacent to reef of South Andaman Island. A total of 18 species belong to 8 genera were recorded in our
Received in revised form investigation. Calcarinidae made larger contribution to the total abundance followed by Hauerinidae, Elphididae,
28th January, 2013 Peneroplidae, Spiroloculinidae and Amphisteginidae. Calcarina spengleri were found to be the most dominant
Accepted 24th February, 2013 species at all stations. The species such as Calcarina spengleri, Calcarina calcar, Spiroloculina henbesti,
Published online 19th March, 2013 Quinqueloculina insignis, Peneroplis pertusus, Quinqueloculina intricate, Quinqueloculina pseudoreticulata,
Elphidium craticulatam were the most prevalent foraminifera encountered in the samples. The study indicated that
Key words: the densities of foraminifera found in the sediments were richer.
Benthic foraminifera,
Calcarina spengleri,
South Andaman.
Copyright, IJCR, 2013, Academic Journals. All rights reserved.

INTRODUCTION FEI Quanta 200 Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope

(ESEM) with Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDAX EDS)
Benthic foraminifera are common in marine sediments; they are system was used to study the variety of anomalous ultra features and
cosmopolitan, have a good fossil preservation and represent a useful chemical characteristic of foraminiferal species. In this system The
tool for oceanographic and palaeoceanographic studies (Murgese and EDAX is attached with SEM that enables to analysis the elemental
Deckker, 2005). A wide range of physical, chemical and biological composition and also the ultra structure of the foraminiferal samples.
parameters, such as temperature, salinity, depth, sediment, oxygen, For that specimens were rinsed in deionised water and air dried on
food, toxic substances, as well as biological interactions, influence the paleontological slides. Then the species were mounted on aluminium
distribution of benthic foraminifera (Murray, 1991; Jorissen, 1999). SEM stubs using double-sided adhesive tabs. In this study the
The abundance and distribution of deep-sea benthic foraminifera are characteristic of an element with atomic structure is identified
dominantly controlled by two, usually inversely related, parameters: uniquely from one another in the form in the form of EDX spectrum
the flux of organic matter (food) to the sea floor and the oxygen along with ultra structures of the same species. After scrutinize the
concentrations of bottom and pore waters (Gooday et al., 2000; foraminiferal species through light microscope, species comes under
Fontanier et al., 2002; Gooday, 2003; Fontanier et al., 2005). Benthic the order Miliolida, Bulimida and Rotaliida.
foraminifera may provide a useful proxy for estimating the flux of
organic matter to the ocean floor resulting from surface productivity The identified foraminifera were belonging to diverse groups such as
(Herguera and Berger, 1991) and also can be used as indirect Hauerinidae (7) (Figure 3a), Peneroplidae (3) (Figure 3b), Elphididae
indicators for modification of environmental parameters. Literatures (3) (Figure 3c), Spiroloculinidae (2) (Figure 3d), Calcarinidae (2)
available on benthic foraminifera in the South Andaman Island are (Figure 3e) and Amphisteginidae (1) (Figure 3f). Calcarina spengleri
meagre. In view of the importance and scarcity of reports from this Calcarina spengleri, Calcarina calcar, Spiroloculina henbesti,
area, the present work was undertaken to investigate the distribution of Quinqueloculina insignis, Peneroplis pertusus, Quinqueloculina
benthic foraminifera. intricate, Quinqueloculina pseudoreticulata, Elphidium craticulatam.

MATERIALS AND METHOD RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Samples were collected closely adjacent to reefs in the North Bay (5m The patterns of distribution of benthic foraminiferal faunas document
depth) Aberdeen Bay (15 m depth), Sisostris Bay (7m depth), major changes in paleoenvironmental conditions. A total of 18 species
Chidyatapu (5m depth) and Wandoor (7m depth) in South Andaman belong to 8 genera were recorded from five different stations. The
Island, India (Figure 1). The Samples were collected through Van veen identified foraminifera were belonging to diverse groups such as
grab sampler subsequently treated with Rose Bengal dye to distinguish Hauerinidae (7) (Figure 3a), Peneroplidae (3) (Figure 3b), Elphididae
living and deceased species. Specimens were collected by hand after (3) (Figure 3c), Spiroloculinidae (2) (Figure 3d), Calcarinidae (2)
sieving and drying of the sediment samples, and preserved in (Figure 3e) and Amphisteginidae (1) (Figure 3f). Calcarina spengleri
paleontological slides. Using Stereoscopic Binocular Microscope were found to be the most dominant species whereas Spirolina
(Nikon – SMZ1500) microscope, species were identified and taken arietinus were recorded very low in the sediments closely adjacent to
photographs. reefs at all stations. The high abundance of Calcarina spengleri
inhibits the reef might have the influence of seasonality and overall
*Corresponding author: [email protected] productivity leading to a complex reaction of benthic foraminifera in
563 International Journal of Current Research, Vol. 5, Issue, 03, pp.562-566, March, 2013

Study Area

Figure 1. St.1-North Bay (5m depth), St.2-Aberdeen Bay (15 m depth), St.3- Sisostris Bay (7 m depth), St.4- Chidyatapu beach (5 m depth)and St.5-
Wandoor (7 m depth). MGMNP- Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park

Figure 2. 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 Calcarina spengleri (Gmelin1791) umbical view 2 and 4 Calcarina spengleri (Gmelin1791) dorsal view 11 and 12
Calcarina calcar (Gmelin1791) umbical view
564 International Journal of Current Research, Vol. 5, Issue, 03, pp.562-566, March, 2013

Figure 3a. Occurrences of species in the family Hauerinidae from different stations

Figure 3b. Occurrences of species in the family Amphistenginidae from different stations

Figure 3c. Occurrences of species in the family Peneroplidae from different stations

Figure 3d. Occurrences of species in the family Spiroloculinidae from different stations
565 International Journal of Current Research, Vol. 5, Issue, 03, pp.562-566, March, 2013

Figure 3e. Occurrences of species in the family Calcarinidae from different stations

Figure 3f. Occurrences of species in the family Elphididae from different stations

Figure 4. Hierarchical clustering of species richness based on different families

566 International Journal of Current Research, Vol. 5, Issue, 03, pp.562-566, March, 2013

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