Internal pore measurements on macroperforate planktonic Foraminifera as an alternative morphometric approach

Abstract

Because of the lack of genetic control on extinct species, the morphologic approach remains the only way of identifying fossil Foraminifera. In addition to comparative description of gross shell morphology, morphometry became more important in recent years and was extended to encompass the ultrastructure of the shells. In particular, some studies focused on porosity, as determined by the pore diameters plotted against the number of pores per given surface. However, taking into account the poor preservation and recrystallization, which often affects and characterizes fossil specimens, and/or the deficiencies connected to the interpretation of scanning electron microscope images, pore measurements are often distorted, limited in number and lacking precision, and thus unreliable. We demonstrate that, by measuring the pores from inside the shell and individually, it is possible to obtain numerous and precise data either on an individual basis or for statistical purposes. This study also suggests that in the Early Miocene Globigerinoides, which is generally strongly susceptible for dissolution, the dissolution proceeds from the external towards the internal side of the shell. © 2013 Swiss Geological Society.