The distribution of living planktonic Foraminifera from equatorial to Antarctic waters of the South Atlantic has been determined from plankton tows. Of 24 species recognized, the faunal diversity is greatest in subtropical and temperate waters and is least in the Antarctic region.

Four faunal zones were established. The tropical-subtropical fauna consists mainly of Globigerinoides sacculifer, G. ruber, Globigerinella aequilateralis, Hastigerina pelagica, Globorotalia menardii, and Globigerinoides conglobatus. Indicator species of the temperate fauna are Globorotalia inflata, G. truncatulinoides, and G. hirsuta. The sub-Antarctic fauna is characterized by Globigerina bulloides, and the Antarctic assemblages are dominated by left-coiling Globigerina pachyderma.

The relations between living populations and dead assemblages in bottom sediments were examined, and their implications for paleo-oceanographic interpretation are considered.

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