A synthesis of published and unpublished records of benthic foraminifera from the continental slope, rise, and the abyssal plains of the Gulf of Mexico reveals environmentally influenced facies of generic predominance. Circum-Gulf facies of predominant Brizalina, Uvigerina, and Bulimina are present on the continental slope and appear to be associated with water mass patterns or hydrostatic pressure changes. The Glomospira facies, which is patchily distributed on the continental slope and rise appears to be a result of geochemical conditions on bottom prominences. In abyssal depths, the Eponides-Nuttallides and Cibicides facies are associated with contrasting substrates on the Sigsbee Plain and Mississippi fan, respectively. Trends in the diversity of generic predominance acies mimic species diversity trends in other silled basins, and decrease from seven facies on the slope, to two facies on the Sigsbee Plain.

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