Neogene Benthonic Foraminifera from Site 369, Leg 41, Deep Sea Drilling Project

Abstract

A statistical study of late Neogene benthonic Foraminifera reveals relatively low faunal fluctuation, as compared with the glacial Pleistocene. A Uvigerina maximum is correlated with a cooling trend indicated by the planktonic fauna and is believed to reflect changes in bottom water conditions. In addition, the ranges of main benthonic species were established down to the Oligocene boundary. Displaced shelf faunas in the upper early Miocene indicate downslope sediment transport. Selective dissolution, the occurrence of Uvigerina, and upslope migration of Melonis pompilioides characterize the cooling period of the lower early Miocene.