Studies of the species composition of Paleocene and early Eocene planktonic foraminiferal faunas from selected sections in the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plains, Trinidad, and South India show that recognizable faunal differences occur in a longitudinal direction as well as in a latitudinal direction. These data indicate that it is possible to identify and delineate paleo-faunal provinces.

These studies also show that the stratigraphic ranges of planktonic foraminiferal species may differ along lines of latitude and longitude. This raises questions concerning the use of these fossils for detailed intercontinental and regional correlations. There is no one standard section that shows world-wide faunal sequences. The local stratigraphic range (teilzone of Arkell) of a species is most important and useful for stratigraphic work. The planktonic foraminiferal sequences of each stratigraphic section simply reflect the pattern of faunal changes that occurred on a local or regional basis.

Analysis of the species composition of fossil planktonic foraminiferal faunas and the stratigraphic ranges of species from many local sections can lead to important data on faunal migration and species dispersal. A more detailed understanding of the evolutionary history and of the intercontinental correlative value of fossil planktonic Foraminifera will result from such studies.

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