Preliminary foraminiferal survey in Chichiriviche de La Costa, Vargas, Venezuela

Humberto Carvajal-Chitty,Sandra Navarro

doi:10.4072/rbp.2021.2.02

Abstract

A preliminary study of the composition and community structure of the foraminifera of Chichiriviche de La Costa (Vargas, Venezuela) is presented. A total of 105 species were found in samples from 10 to 40 meter-depth, and their abundance quantified in a carbonate prone area almost pristine in environmental conditions. The general composition varies in all the samples: at 10 m, Miliolida dominates the assemblages but, as it gets deeper, Rotaliida takes control of the general composition. The Shannon Wiener diversity index follows species richness along the depth profile, meanwhile the FORAM index has a higher value at 20 m and its lowest at 40 m. Variations in the P/(P+B) ratio and high number of rare species are documented and a correspondence multivariate analysis was performed in order to visualize the general community structure. These results could set some basic information that will be useful for management programs associated with the coral reef in Chichiriviche de La Costa, which is the principal focus for diver’s schools and tourism and could help the local communities to a better understanding of their ecosystem values at this location at Vargas State, Venezuela. Keywords: Miliolida, Rotaliida, foraminiferal assemblages, FORAM index, Caribbean continental shelf.

Highlights

Tropical foraminiferal communities remain much of a mystery to any ecological researchers and environmental management programs
Gischler et al (2003) examined benthic foraminiferal assemblages along traverses across the modern isolated carbonate platforms off Belize, Central America, at water depths from 0 m to 40 m
The main objective of this paper is to explore the foraminiferal community, composition, and potential structure at four different depths, setting the basis for future studies at both upwelling-impacted and upwelling-free sites along the carbonate-prone southern Caribbean continental shelf

Summary

Introduction

Tropical foraminiferal communities remain much of a mystery to any ecological researchers and environmental management programs. Gischler et al (2003) examined benthic foraminiferal assemblages along traverses across the modern isolated carbonate platforms off Belize, Central America, at water depths from 0 m (beach) to 40 m (fore reef). Gischler & Möller (2008) examined the benthic foraminiferal assemblages as environmental indicators on Banco Chinchorro, a carbonate platform off the Yucatan Peninsula eastern coast (77 species in 44 genera, 14 surface sediment samples). They found that many taxa range throughout several platform zones, such that assemblages are better environmental indicators than are individual species. Sediment transport does not play a major role in Banco Chinchorro platform, few taxa being found outside their typical habitats

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