Distribución de los foraminíferos bentónicos en la plataforma marina de Vizcaya y Este de Cantabria

Abstract

In this work we describe the spatial distribution of benthic foraminifer assemblages of the Vizcaya and East Cantabria marine continental shelf, in relation to the environmental parameters. A total of 108 species have been taxonomically identified. Most abundant benthic foraminifer species in these samples are Cassidulina laevigata, Cibicides refulgens, Gaudryina rudis, Lobatula lobatula, Quinqueloculina seminula, Rosalina globularis and Textularia sagittula. Multivariate statistical analyses (Cluster-Q) of samples including all the studied species show three main bathymetric groups for the benthic foraminifers: littoral, inner shelf and outer shelf. Several sub-groups characterised by the sediment type and their environmental limitations are also distinguished inside the main clusters. The occurrence of euryhaline species coming from the estuarine areas and others from the outer shelf and the talus, evidence the effect of marine currents in this region of the Bay of Biscay