Taxonomy and palaeoecology of benthic foraminiferal genus Favocassidulina from the neogene of Indian ocean

Abstract

In the present study lour distinctive species of (he genus Favamsuhdiim arc recorded from the Neogene deep sea sequences of seven DS DP Sites (Legs 22,2.1 and 24) in the Indian Ocean. Detailed systematic descriptions and slratigraphic ranges of these species in the Indian Ocean have been provided. In addition, on the basis of quantitative fauna! analysis, an attempt has been made to assess the ecological significance of the genus FavocaswM'ma, Species of this genus are largely confined to lower bathyal and abyssal depths and exhibit restricted occurrences in Indian and Pacific Oceans only. The intervals of higher relative abundances of genus Favocassidulina during Neogene possibly reflect low organic carbon input in the bottom waters.