Recent Advances in Research on Living Planktonic Foraminifera

Résumé du livre

Biological studies of planktonic foraminifera are necessary for any reliable interpretation of their oceanic paleoenvironments. These studies include both field and vital observations to explain vertical and horizontal distributions and to evaluate the role of symbionts, commensals and parasites in determining life habitat and in influencing the calcification process. Food source is apparently most important for explaining the distribution of planktonic foraminifera. Their growth (both calcification and resorption) is strongly influenced by their general life habitat. Reproduction may be linked to the lunar cycle and in some cases influences their distribution or causes additional calcification. The depth habitat of planktonic foraminifera is determined by, and thus can be used to decipher, measurable environmental factors.