Distribution of Larger Benthic Foraminifera (LBF) in Selected Islands of Marine National Park, Port Blair, South Andaman, India

Abstract

The present study enhances the knowledge on the diversity, abundance and depth distribution of larger benthic foraminifera (LBF) from six different islands in Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park (MGMNP), where meagre anthropogenic impact existed. Very few works have been reported on the Larger Benthic Foraminifera (LBF) on this Island environment, as this region also falls under Marine Protected Area (MPA). Development of database on this study has a validity for pristine nature of LBF environment. Modern LBF hotspot diversity is often overlooked and no data are available to date on tropical regions. Out of 105 MPA’s existed in this Island, MGMNP encompasses about 15 islands, out of which six islands were considered for the study. These six islands are Snob Island, Grub Island, Boat Island, Hobday Island, Belle Island and Jolly Buoy Island. The study revealed presence of 22 taxa of modern LBF and the most common families are the Amphisteginidae, Calcarinidae, Nummulitidae, Peneroplidae and Soritidae. The purpose of this study was to document the distribution of LBF species prevailing in this area, as well as develop the baseline environmental information of its existences to facilitate further continuous monitoring the changes occurring in this island environment. The environment suggested that the presence of major LBF species studied are Calcarina calcarinoides, Calcarina defrancei, Calcarina hispida, Calcarina spengleri, Neorotalia calcar and Neorotalia gaimardi exhibited the availability of good coral cover with commendable macro algal coverage or sparsely sea grasses, as they prefer such substratum for their epiphytic association.