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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

AAPG Bulletin

Abstract


Volume: 63 (1979)

Issue: 3. (March)

First Page: 548

Last Page: 548

Title: Paleoecologic Implications of Foraminiferal Distributional Patterns Off Big Pine Key, Florida: ABSTRACT

Author(s): Ronald F. Waszczak, Don C. Steinker

Article Type: Meeting abstract

Abstract:

Foraminifera are important both as biotic elements and as skeletal constituents of sediments in carbonate depositional provinces such as south Florida. A better understanding of distribution, habitats, and ecology of shallow-water Foraminifera can lead to more accurate paleoenvironmental interpretations based on the fossil record. In shallow-water carbonate environments plants are an important foraminiferal habitat, and the plant-dwelling biocoenosis in an area may not be reflected accurately by the thanatocoenosis among the associated bottom sediments.

Bottom sediments and vegetation were collected from lagoonal, tidal channel, patch reef, and outer reef environments in the vicinity of Big Pine Key. Living and dead individuals were distinguished for the 106 foram species identified. Sanders' similarity index indicated that the biocoenoses on different kinds of plants within any one environment were similar, whereas the biocoenosis from each major environment was unique. The Shannon-Wiener information function showed a correlation between species diversity and evenness as related to degree of environmental variability. Additionally, biocoenoses from vegetation were dissimilar to thanatocoenoses among sediments. Larger, more robust tests were predominant among sediments, particularly in less sheltered environments. Postmortem processe , such as sorting and differential destruction of tests, affect the character of species diversity and evenness indigenous to living populations. In making paleoecologic and paleoenvironmental analyses of fossil foraminiferal assemblages, it is necessary to discriminate between ecologic factors that influence the distribution of living populations and environmental factors that determine the final character of the dead assemblage.

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