Foraminifera Research Articles

Integrated stratigraphy of the lower Eocene successions on the southern Tethys margin (Egypt): Emphases on the hyperthermal events

The early Eocene is marked by prominent short warming episodes that are globally documented. The present study provides a well-established micropaleontological record of the calcareous nannofossils, planktonic, and benthonic foraminifera in order to evaluate the impact of the environmental perturbations across the early Eocene generally and particularly throughout these short warming events. This study has been conducted on two expanded lower Eocene successions at the Dababiya and the El-Ballas sections, southern Egypt. The recorded benthonic foraminifera indicate a deposition in a middle-outer neritic setting for El-Ballas, while at the Dababiya section, the lower part is deposited in an inner-middle neritic setting that changed upward to middle-outer neritic due to sea-level oscillation. The detailed analyses of the identified calcareous nannofossils and foraminifera allow definition of four early Eocene hyperthermal events. These events are the Post-Paleocene Eocene Thermal Maximum (Post-PETM), Eocene Thermal Maximum-2 (ETM-2), H2, and Eocene Thermal Maximum-3 (ETM-3). These events are indicated by a remarkable shift of the calcareous planktonic warm water indicators. The benthonic foraminifera assemblages that were recorded throughout these events reflect partially dysoxic/suboxic marine conditions associated with increased eutrophication probably of mesotrophic marine conditions. The calcareous planktonic and benthonic foraminifera record indicates evidence of minor dissolution across these events. Unlike the PETM, these events had a lesser impact on the environmental marine condition. The integrated data of the present study show that the magnitude of these events was greater and more pronounced at the shallower site at the Dababiya than at the deeper El-Ballas section.

Emerging dominance of Paratrochammina simplissima (Cushman and McCulloch) in the northern Gulf of Mexico following hydrologic and geomorphic changes

Grand Bay estuary in coastal Mississippi and Alabama (USA) has undergone significant geomorphic changes over the last few centuries as a result of anthropogenic (bridge, road, and hardened shoreline construction) and climatic (extreme storm events) processes, which reduce freshwater input, sediment supply, and degrade barrier islands. To investigate how geomorphic changes may have altered the Grand Bay estuary, sediment push cores were collected for foraminiferal, sedimentological (organic matter content, grain-size distribution), and radiochemical (210Pb,137Cs, and 7Be) analyses. Clay normalized geochronologies were determined with a constant rate of supply model. Based on downcore age-depth relationships, select intervals were analyzed for foraminifera in order to assess alterations in the microfossil assemblage in Grand Bay estuary over the 20th Century. All estuarine samples were low diversity (species richness: 1–10; Fisher's alpha diversity: 0.14–1.75); two species, Ammotium salsum and Paratrochammina simplissima, dominated all downcore assemblages. Paratrochammina simplissima increased in abundance up-core from a minor subsidiary species (median = 4.7% at 19–20 cm) to dominant or co-dominant with A. salsum over the 20th and early 21st Centuries in six cores, comprising up to 60.7% of a single sample. The emerging dominance of P. simplissima since ~1950 along with the reduction of brackish-estuarine taxa and introduction of calcareous species signifies increased salinity and less marsh organic matter preserved in the sediments. While seasonal dissolution limits our ability to chronologically constrain the introduction of calcareous species, P. simplissima, a species not referenced in taxonomic data from the northern Gulf of Mexico until 2012, is well constrained, following its first occurrence in the 1930s.

Quaternary stratigraphy and paleoenvironmental evolution of the Ningbo Coastal Plain revealed by core Z02.

The Quaternary sediment in the Ningbo Coastal Plain was the deposit due to sea-land interaction, which recorded information of past climate changes. The region is therefore an ideal area to study paleoclimate changes and sedimentary characteristics. We determined the stratigraphic division and paleoenvironmental evolution based on 14C and paleomagnetic dating, along with detailed analyses of lithology, pollen assemblage, foraminifera and ostracodes assemblage, and grain size of sediment in core Z02 located in the southeastern Ningbo Coastal Plain. The results showed that the boundary between the Holocene and Upper Pleistocene in the core Z02 record was at 30.5 m, the boundary between the Upper and Middle Pleistocene was at 82.65 m, and the boundary between the Quaternary and Lower Cretaceous was at 90 m. The Middle Pleistocene section of the core contained few sediments, while the Lower Pleistocene section was completely missed. During the late Pleistocene, the hydrodynamic conditions experienced energy levels of medium to medium low to medium, and sedimentary facies changed from alluvial lake to overbank to river to lake to alluvial lake to lake to overbank. During the Holocene, the hydrodynamic changes experienced energy levels of medium low to low to medium, and the sedimentary facies changed from shoreland to shallow sea to shoreland lake. The Ningbo Coastal Plain had experienced tectonic uplift, weathering and erosion stage in the Early and Middle Pleistocene, from warm and humid to dry in the Late Pleistocene, and from warm and humid to dry and cool in the Holocene, as revealed by the core Z02 record. This study provided useful information in investigating past environmental changes in the subtropical coastal region of eastern China.

Considerações para a história do ensino da gramática, em Portugal: da última década do séc. XIX à primeira do séc. XXI

Resumo
 
 Este texto tem por objetivo nuclear identificar o lugar que a gramática tem ocupado nos textos programáticos do último século, nomeadamente pela referência ao seu relevo, à metodologia do seu ensino-aprendizagem e aos materiais indicados para apoiar esse processo. Faremos, assim, uma digressão pelos textos que historicamente foram constituindo a disciplina no último século, delimitando nos conteúdos que lhe foram sendo associados os aspetos mais importantes referentes à gramática, quer a metodologia do seu ensino-aprendizagem, quer os materiais indicados para os alunos. Na conclusão, para além de uma sistematização do que foi tratado, far-se-á uma breve referência à tentativa recente de reabilitação da gramática, através da menção a investigadores das áreas da linguística, da Literatura e da Didática.
 Palavras-chave: Gramática; programas de português; ensino
 Abstract
 
 The main objective of this text is to identify the place that grammar has occupied in the programmatic texts of the last century, namely by reference to its relevance, the methodology of its teaching / learning and the materials indicated to support this process. Thus, we will digress through the texts that have historically constituted the discipline in the last century, delimiting in the contents that have been associated with its most important aspects relating to grammar, both the methodology of its teaching/learning and the materials indicated for the students. In conclusion, in addition to systematising what was discussed, a brief reference will be made to the recent attempt to rehabilitate grammar, by referring to researchers in the areas of linguistics, literature and didactics.
 
 Keywords: Grammar; programs of Portuguese; teaching

Interdisciplinaridade e desenvolvimento de competências profissionais: levantamento empírico com egressos de Relações Públicas da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais/Interdisciplinarity and professional skills’ development: empirical survey with Public R

Resumo O presente artigo desenvolve uma discussão teórico-conceitual acerca do campo de atuação de Relações Públicas, entendida como uma das áreas de composição da Comunicação Social. Nossa proposta se sustenta na pontuação de desafios e demandas profissionais enfrentadas pela área enquanto um campo marcado por disparidades e tensionamentos. Para traçar este panorama complexo relativo à área, foram realizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas com egressos do curso de Relações Públicas da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, graduados entre 2004 e 2014. Foram 13 profissionais consultados e, a partir das respostas dadas durante os encontros, analisamos para o presente trabalho as dimensões da interdisciplinaridade como aspecto relevante à formação na área, bem como o desenvolvimento de competências profissionais específicas para um bom desempenho no mercado de trabalho. Em termos de discussões teóricas, além da base assentada na interdisciplinaridade como conceito-chave para a pesquisa, tecemos também considerações sobre a noção de habitus, baseados em Pierre Bourdieu (1974). Para compreender a formação histórica do campo de Relações Públicas, retomamos a inserção do campo no Brasil, principalmente a partir do regime militar. Em termos curriculares, ainda retomamos o histórico do currículo do curso, tomando por base o caso da UFMG. Dentre os principais aportes alcançados, pode-se considerar a interdisciplinaridade como fator primordial e a ser estimulado no percurso acadêmico, segundo a opinião dos egressos. Por fim, as constatações permitem refletir quanto a possíveis encaminhamentos para a melhor integração entre egressos e atuais alunos do curso, de modo a correlacionar mercado e Academia numa dialogia profícua. Palavras-chave: Relações Públicas, Mercado de trabalho, Integração universitária, Egresso.Abstract This article develops a theoretical-conceptual discussion about the field of Public Relations, understood as one of the areas of composition of Social Communication. Our proposal is based on the scoring of challenges and professional demands faced by the area as a field marked by disparities and tensions. To trace this complex panorama regarding the area, semi-structured interviews were conducted with graduates of the Public Relations course of the Federal University of Minas Gerais, graduated between 2004 and 2014. There were 13 professionals consulted and, from their answers during the meetings, in the present work we analyzed the interdisciplinarity dimensions as a relevant aspect to the training in the area, as well as the development of specific professional skills for a great performance in the labor market. In terms of theoretical discussions, beyond the interdisciplinarity basis as a key concept for research, we also make considerations about the notion of habitus, found on Pierre Bourdieu (1974). To understand the historical formation of the field of Public Relations, we resumed the insertion of the field in Brazil, mainly from the military regime. In terms of curriculum, we still resume the course history program, based on the case of UFMG, which in 2000 was implemented with a flexible curriculum proposal and can be considered a set of pedagogical experiences organized to facilitate the exchange of knowledge between the various academic areas. Among the main contributions achieved, interdisciplinarity can be considered as a primordial factor and to be stimulated in the academic path, according to the opinion of the graduates. Another important finding concerns the demands and expected competences of these subjects, that pointed out weaknesses in the curriculum, but not as a negative factor of the course, given that most approve the contributions given to their education. Moreover, there is a disparity between the formation of PR and what they find in the reality of market demands. Thus, the professional habitus suffers interference from these multiple practices experienced in different ways by the graduates, and the complete humanistic and social formation is fundamental for the consecration of a complete professional. Throughout the interviews, the professionals´ opinions divergence in Public Relations was noticeable. On the one hand, graduates sometimes extolled the training offered by the course, highlighting skills learned, subjects taken, internship opportunities and extension projects; On the other hand, a series of opinions differed on the same issues, pointing to flaws or deficiencies in the formation, such as the lack of discipline to organize events. The difficulty of legitimizing the field is noted by professionals as something that forces them to go through other sectors in search of strengthening the image and professional identity of the area. It was also noticeable that the course of professional performance of students maintained a constant trajectory within the field of Public Relations, always acting in the area, even if it was necessary to act in other areas that were not specific to the field. In conclusion, the findings allow us to reflect on possible directions for the better integration between graduates and current students of the course, in order to correlate market and Academy in a fruitful dialogue.Keywords: Public Relations, Job market, University integration, Graduate

Holothuroidea: new records from the Lower Cretaceous of the Agrio Formation, Neuquén Basin, Argentina. An integrated study with foraminifers and calcareous nannofossils

CaramÉs, A., Martinez, M., Concheyro, A., RemÍrez, M. & Adamonis, S., 6 August 2019 2019. Holothuroidea: new records from the Lower Cretaceous of the Agrio Formation, Neuquén Basin, Argentina. An integrated study with foraminifers and calcareous nannofossils. Alcheringa XX, xx–xx. ISSN 0311-5518New records of holothurian ossicles (Echinodermata) from the Lower Cretaceous Agrio Formation, Mendoza Group, in the northern Neuquén Basin, west-central Argentina, represent, excepting some general mention of ossicles, the first collection from the Lower Cretaceous of South America. The discovery is one of the few worldwide records of holothurian remains from this age. The analysed skeletal elements are associated with other microfauna and nannoflora retrieved from washed residues of claystones and marlstones of the lower strata of the Pilmatué Member, in Área 3000 and Puerta Curaco sections. The calcareous microfossil assemblage is composed almost exclusively of the foraminifera Epistomina loncochensis, suggesting quiet marine environments and low levels of dissolved oxygen in the bottom/water interface. A late Valanginian age is confirmed by the nannofossil assemblage found together with the holothurian ossicles. Analysis of ossicle shapes allows their attribution to molpadiids (Molpadida: Molpadiidae): one two-armed racquet-like single ossicle that remains as an indeterminate molpadiid and a new genus and species proposed for the abundant cross-shaped and star-shaped ossicles. The latter, owing to the presence of four holes and the lack of a spire or some elevation projecting well out from surface in the centre of the plates, resemble two known species of the genus Cruxopadia Reich, but they differ in their arm morphology.Andrea Caramés [carames@gl.fcen.uba.ar], IDEAN—Instituto de Estudios Geológicos Andinos ‘Don Pablo Groeber’, CONICET, Ciudad Universitaria Pabellón II, Intendente Güiraldes 2160-C1428EHA Buenos Aires, Argentina; Mariano Martinez [mmartinez@macn.gov.ar], Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales ‘Bernardino Rivadavia’, CONICET, A. Gallardo 470-C1405DJR Buenos Aires, Argentina; Andrea Concheyro [andrea@gl.fcen.uba.ar], IDEAN—Instituto de Estudios Geológicos Andinos ‘Don Pablo Groeber’, CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria Pabellón II, Intendente Güiraldes 2160-C1428EHA Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Instituto Antártico Argentino, Argentina; Mariano Remírez [mremirez@cig.museo.unlp.edu.ar], CIG—Centro de Investigaciones Geológicas, CONICET, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Diagonal 113 N° 275-B1904DPK, La Plata, Argentina; Susana Adamonis [suad@gl.fcen.uba.ar], Departamento de Ciencias Geológicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, IDEAN. Ciudad Universitaria Pabellón II, Intendente Güiraldes 2160-C1428EHA Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Shallow-water Benthic Foraminifera of the Galápagos Archipelago: Ecologically Sensitive Carbonate Producers in an Atypical Tropical Oceanographic Setting

Shallow-water Benthic Foraminifera of the Galápagos Archipelago: Ecologically Sensitive Carbonate Producers in an Atypical Tropical Oceanographic Setting

EARLY TITHONIAN DEEP-WATER COLONIZATION BY BENTHIC FORAMINIFERA IN THE MAGURA BASIN (PIENINY KLIPPEN BELT, WESTERN CARPATHIANS): A CLUE TO THE ORIGINS OF DEEP-WATER FORAMINIFERA.

Deep-water benthic foraminifera were reported from lower Tithonian abyssal deposits lying above a barren interval of radiolarites in the Magura Basin (Western Carpathians). The analysis of morphogroups shows that the assemblage is represented by increased globular chambered morphogroups of both agglutinated and calcareous benthic foraminifera and planoconvex calcareous benthic foraminifera. The composition of the benthic foraminiferal assemblage points to a stressed setting particularly occurring in environments with increased organic flux and depleted oxygen in bottom and pore waters, as indicated by the scarcity of strictly epifaunal agglutinated foraminifera and the absence of strictly epifaunal calcareous benthic foraminifera. The assemblage is compared with Oxfordian – Tithonian assemblages reported from deep-water facies and shelf assemblages from the Boreal, Tethys and Atlantic realms.

LOWER TRIASSIC (INDUAN TO OLENEKIAN) CONODONTS, FORAMINIFERA AND BIVALVES FROM THE AL MAMALIH AREA, DEAD SEA, JORDAN: CONSTRAINTS ON THE P-T BOUNDARY

Upper Permian to Lower Triassic successions exposed in the Al Mamalih area, east of the Dead Sea, Jordan record the transition between the alluvial Umm Irna Formation (Upper Permian) and the overlying shallow marine Ma’in Formation (Lower Triassic). The Permian-Triassic boundary is constrained either within a hiatus represented by a sequence boundary between these formations or within ca 15 m of shallow marine beds overlying the boundary. Above the sequence boundary reddened, shallow-marine beds (Himara Member) mark the initial Triassic (presumed early Induan) marine transgression (Himara Member). Absence of both body fossils and vertical infaunal burrows indicates low-diversity, ecosystems following the Permian-Triassic extinction event. A gradational upward increase in grey, green and yellow siltstones beds (Nimra Member), accompanied by a concomitant increase in bioturbation (surface traces and infaunal vertical burrows), bivalves and brachiopods, stromatolites, conchostracans and lingulids in the lower part of the Nimra Member indicates colonisation of the substrate under shallow marine conditions during the recovery phase. Shallow-water carbonates in the Nimra Member yielded an abundant, low diversity assemblage of conodonts (e.g. Hd. aequabilis and H. agordina) and a foraminifera assemblage (Postcladella gr. kalhori-Earlandia spp.-Ammodiscus jordanensis n. sp.) that are interpreted as euryhaline recovery taxa that characterise the the mid-late Induan. Abundant new material has allowed revision of the conodont apparatus and the foraminifera include a new species Ammodiscus jordanensis n. sp. of Induan age. The discovery of the bivalves Claraia bittneri (C. aurita group) and Eumorphotis multiformis is worthy to note. Upper Permian alluvial lithofacies (Jordan) pass basinwards, about 50 km to the northwest, to coeval shallow marine siliciclastic and carbonates in the Negev and Mediterranean coast of Israel.

Benthic foraminifera in a coastal marine area of the eastern Ligurian Sea (Italy): Response to environmental stress

Benthic foraminiferal assemblages from 19 superficial marine sediment samples of a coastal area in the Ligurian Sea were analysed for benthic foraminifera in order to recognize changes in assemblage composition and structure, decrease of faunal density, increased morphological abnormalities and inclusion of heavy metals in carbonate tests as possible evidences of environmental stress. Also grain size was determined as a main factor conditioning foraminifer’s distribution.The generalized low faunal density was considered as indicative of environmental stress, attributable to the well-known natural Cr and Ni enrichment, which characterizes marine sediments of the region. The cluster analysis highlighted distinct foraminiferal assemblages with decreasing species diversity approaching to the coast. This distribution was interpreted as the result of local source of environmental stress, probably due to the stream contribution. Deformed foraminifera more abundant than background levels of unstressed environments were also recorded in 39% of samples.Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) analyses were carried out on carbonate tests of 55 specimens to investigate the role of the incorporation of heavy metals in the development of morphological abnormalities. Foraminifera showed the inclusion of heavy metals, not present in control specimens, indicating that environmental stress, due to metal sediment enrichment, plays a role in this phenomenon. Although anomalous elements were detected both in normal and deformed specimens and chambers, it was supposed that deformities develop as a result of the toxic effect of heavy metals on cytological activities because, contrarily to the normal specimens, all the deformed ones included anomalous elements. Higher occurrence of deformities in porcelaneous tests, typically enriched in Mg, is associated to the higher number of incorporated elements (Mn, Fe, Cu and Zn).

STRATIGRAPHY OF THE LOWER OLIGOCENE NUMMULITIC LIMESTONES, NORTH OF SONQOR (NW IRAN)

The lower Oligocene hyaline and porcellaneous larger foraminifera of a carbonate platform setting, north of Sonqor, were studied for high-resolution biostratigraphy in the context of European standard zonation (Shallow Benthic Zones). According to the geological map of Kermanshah, these beds were previously ascribed to the Miocene. The identified larger foraminifera include Nummulites fichteli Michelotti, Nummulites vascus Joly & Leymerie, Operculina complanata (Defrance), Asterigerina rotula (Kaufmann), Planorbulina bronnimanni Bignot & Decrouez, Discogypsina discus (Goes), Gypsina mastelensis Bursch, Halkyardia maxima Cimerman, Stomatorbina concentrica (Parker & Jones), Praerhapydionina delicata Henson, Penarchaias glynnjonesi (Henson), Austrotrillina aff. paucialveolata Grimsdale, and Haddonia heissigi Hagn, associated with the coralline alga Subterraniphyllum thomasii Elliott. The foraminiferal association characterises the SBZ 21 Zone (early Rupelian).

PALEOCENE TO LOWER EOCENE LARGER FORAMINIFERAL ASSEMBLAGES FROM CENTRAL ITALY: NEW REMARKS ON BIOSTRATIGRAPHY

We present the micropaleontological record on ongoing research on Paleogene larger foraminifers from Central Italy collected in the field work for the realization of the geological sheet 348 “Antrodoco” of the Geological Map of Italy 1:50.000 scale. The work provides an examination of the biostratigraphic potential of selected taxa with emphasis on rotaliids. Ornatorotalia is documented for the first time from the Paleocene. Possible new species of Miscellanea , Ornatorotalia , and Rotalia are figured and described in open nomenclature.

Calcareous Nannofossils from the La Barca Formation (Paleocene/Eocene Boundary), Tierra Del Fuego, Argentina

Fil: Bedoya Agudelo, Erika Lorena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Cientificas; Argentina

Fungicides in second harvest corn: cercosporiose control and blotch, productivity, economic return and grain quality

Os objetivos desse trabalho foram avaliar a eficiencia de The aim of this study was evaluate efficacy fungicides to control cercospora leaf spot ( Cercospora zeae-maydis ) and helminthosporium leaf blight ( Exserohilumturcicum ), productivity, economic returns and quality of grain of corn culture of second crop in Farm Bandeirantes at Feliz Natal/MT. The treatments evaluated were: pyraclostrobina+epoxiconazol (0,7 L ha -1 ), trifloxistrobina+protioconazol (0,3L ha -1 ), azoxistrobina+cyproconazol (0,3 L ha -1 ), azoxystrobina (0,25 L ha -1 ), trifloxistrobina+ciproconazol (0,2 L ha -1 ) and control. Theapplicationof products occurred when corn was with 55 days, with a high propelled sprayer. The experimental design was a randomized block, with 6 treatments and 3 replications. The severity of each disease was visually determined through periodic analyses and ten plants were marked in each repetition, which were evaluated during the entire crop cycle. The data of severity obtained were used to calculate the area under disease progress curve (AUDPC). It was also obtained the production per ha, the economic return (R$ ha-1) and physiological quality of grain was evaluated by germination tests and accelerated aging of the grains. All treatments had significant difference compared to the control sample in controlling cercospora leaf spot about the control of helminthosporiumleat blight, the fungicides trifloxystrobin+prothioconazol and trifloxystrobin+cyproconazol were not efficient, and the fungicides pyraclostrobina+epoxiconazol , azoxystrobina , azoxistrobina+cyproconazol were efficient. The treatments that had major production are from the group of triazoles+strobilurine and the fungicide pyraclostrobin+epoxyconazol showed greater economic viability. Not were differences among fungicides, and neither of the treatments compared to control, in germination and accelerated aging tests, showing that the grains have good quality characteristics

Applying Benthic Foraminiferal Assemblage to Evaluate the Coral Reef Condition in Dongsha Atoll lagoon.

Chienhsun Chen and Hui-Ling Lin (2017) Coral reefs in the South China Sea are threatened by environmental changes and anthropogenic disruptions. Foraminifera, a group of unicellular shelled protists, has been considered a reliable indicator of water quality and reef health. However, this indicator has not yet been used to study coral reefs in the South China Sea. In this study of foraminifera in the lagoon of Dongsha Atoll, both the assemblage diversity and the functional group composition were investigated. The FORAM index (FI), a numerical indicator based on functional group composition, was used to evaluate the condition of the coral reef of the Atoll lagoon. A typical assumption is that FI = 4 is the minimum index value corresponding to a suitable environment for the growth of calcifying organisms. Environments with FI values between 2 and 4 are unsuitable to marginal for recovery of coral communities after a mortality event. Data were recorded regarding a total of 287 foraminiferal species. Approximately 68% of the tests belonged to the porcelaneous taxa; the Quinqueloculina, Triloculina, and Pseudomassilina species were well represented. Hyaline foraminifera were less abundant than porcelaneous foraminifera; the agglutinated foraminifera were the least abundant. Multivariate analyses revealed four clustering groups. The functional groups were classified according to FI's definition; the heterotrophic group was the most abundant, accounting for 82% of foraminiferal abundance. The symbiont-bearing group was the second most abundant, with a relative abundance of 12%; and the stress-tolerant group was the least abundant. Two samples had FI values slightly higher than 4; Amphisorus and Calcarina were dominant, but the other symbiont-bearing foraminifera had lower values. These high FI values can be associated with seagrass meadows or relict shells in an altered environment. Eighty percent of the sediment samples had FI values lower than 4, indicating that most of the benthic habitats in the Dongsha lagoon are not suitable for coral growth and reef recovery. The present findings provide an alternative evaluation method based on foraminiferal assemblages for future studies on the environmental changes of coral reefs.

Trends in element incorporation in hyaline and porcelaneous foraminifera as a function of <i>p</i>CO<sub>2</sub>

Abstract. In this study we analyzed the impact of seawater carbonate chemistry on the incorporation of elements in both hyaline and porcelaneous larger benthic foraminifera. We observed a higher incorporation of Zn and Ba when pCO2 increases from 350 to 1200 ppm. Modeling the activity of free ions as a function of pCO2 shows that speciation of some elements (like Zn and Ba) is mainly influenced by the formation of carbonate complexes in seawater. Hence, differences in foraminiferal uptake of these might be related primarily by the speciation of these elements in seawater. We investigated differences in trends in element incorporation between hyaline (perforate) and porcelaneous (imperforate) foraminifera in order to unravel processes involved in element uptake and subsequent foraminiferal calcification. In hyaline foraminifera we observed a correlation of element incorporation of different elements between species, reflected by a general higher incorporation of elements in species with higher Mg content. Between porcelaneous species, inter-element differences are much smaller. Besides these contrasting trends in element incorporation, however, similar trends are observed in element incorporation as a function of seawater carbonate chemistry in both hyaline and porcelaneous species. This suggests similar mechanisms responsible for the transportation of ions to the site of calcification for these groups of foraminifera, although the contribution of these processes might differ across species.

DEEP WATER AGGLUTINATED FORAMINIFERA FROM THE JURASSIC/CRETACEOUS BOUNDARY AND PALEOENVIRONMENTAL SETTINGS OF THE MAIOLICA TYPE FACIES FROM THE CZORSTYN RIDGE (PIENINY KLIPPEN BELT, WESTERN CARPATHIANS)

Deep-water carbonates deposited on the Czorstyn elevated ridge of the Pieniny Klippen Belt paleogeographic domain record changes in agglutinated foraminifera morphogroups through the J/K boundary interval at the Erdutsky kostol section. Microfacies, abundance, taxonomic and morphogroup analyses of the agglutinated foraminifera show the response of the assemblages to the flux of organic matter. In the uppermost Tithonian C. brevis Zone a distinct high abundance assemblage is represented mostly by sessile epifaunal tubular agglutinated foraminifera such as Rhizammina and Tolypammina , pointing to an eutrophic setting. In the lowermost Berriasian C. alpina Zone the mobile epifaunal tubulothalamous taxa Ammodiscus and Glomospira and multilocular taxa Cribrostomoides and Trochammina increase while the epifaunal tubular agglutinated foraminifera decrease. The assemblage composition and the slender tubular foraminifera suggest oligotrophic settings. The infaunal foraminifera decrease and point to increasing oxygenation of the bottom and pore waters.

STRONTIUM ISOTOPE STRATIGRAPHY AS A CONTRIBUTION FOR DATING MIOCENE SHELF CARBONATES (S. MARINO FM., NORTHERN APENNINES)

This paper provides new data on strontium isotope stratigraphy applied to the Miocene heterozoan shelfal carbonates of the S. Marino Fm. (Marecchia Valley, northern Apennines). Sr isotopic analyses were carried out on oyster shells, bryozoans and bulk-rocks from the lower-middle carbonate portion of the section. In the upper part of the succession that shows evidence of detrital influx, 87 Sr/ 86 Sr analyses were performed on foraminifera tests, separating planktonic and benthic forms. Results were compared with calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphic data from the same levels, in order to test the reliability of Sr dating in mixed carbonate-siliciclastic sediments. Mean ages obtained from oysters range between 16.9 Ma and 16.3 Ma. Very similar results are obtained using bryozoans (16.5 Ma to 16.1 Ma) and bulk-rocks (16.8 Ma to 16.2 Ma). These results allow to better constrain the age of the massive carbonate shelf, referable to the upper Burdigalian. In the upper carbonate-siliciclastic portion of the shelf, numerical ages obtained from planktonic and benthic foraminifera are in good agreement with nannofossil biozones (mean ages respectively around 15.3 Ma and 14.5 Ma) although they display wide confidence intervals. These wide age uncertainties depend on the slow rate of change of marine 87 Sr/ 86 Sr through time that characterizes the interval between ~15 and ~13.5 Ma.

A NEW LATE YPRESIAN SPECIES OF ASTERIGERINA AND THE FIRST RECORDS OF ORNATOROTALIA AND GRANOROTALIA FROM THE THANETIAN AND UPPER YPRESIAN OF TURKEY

A new larger benthic foraminifer, Asterigerina cayrazensis n. sp., is described from the upper Ypresian (middle-upper Cuisian) of the Cayraz section, N of Haymana, S Ankara, central Turkey, from which also the rotaliine species Ornatorotalia spinosa , O. granum and Granorotalia sublobata are first recorded. In addition, Ornatorotalia sp. is recorded from the Thanetian limestone of the Harabekayis section, W Elazig, eastern Turkey.

Methodology for Single-Cell Genetic Analysis of Planktonic Foraminifera for Studies of Protist Diversity and Evolution

Single-cell genetic analysis is an essential method to investigate the biodiversity and evolutionary ecology of marine protists. In protist groups that do not reproduce under laboratory conditions, this approach provides the only means to directly associate molecular sequences with cell morphology. The resulting unambiguous taxonomic identification of the DNA sequences is a prerequisite for barcoding and analyses of environmental metagenomic data. Extensive single-cell genetic studies have been carried out on planktonic foraminifera over the past 20 years to elucidate their phylogeny, cryptic diversity, biogeography, and the relationship between genetic and morphological variability. In the course of these investigations, it has become evident that genetic analysis at the individual specimen level is confronted by innumerable challenges ranging from the negligible amount of DNA present in the single cell to the substantial amount of DNA contamination introduced by endosymbionts or food particles. Consequently, a range of methods has been developed and applied throughout the years for the genetic analysis of planktonic foraminifera in order to enhance DNA amplification success rates. Yet, the description of these methods in the literature rarely occurred with equivalent levels of detail and the different approaches have never been compared in terms of their efficiency and reproducibility. Here, aiming at a standardization of methods, we provide a comprehensive review of all methods that have been employed for the single-cell genetic analysis of planktonic foraminifera. We compile data on success rates of DNA amplification and use these to evaluate the effects of key parameters associated with the methods of sample collection, storage and extraction of single-cell DNA. We show that the chosen methods influence the success rates of single-cell genetic studies, but the differences between them are not sufficient to hinder comparisons between studies carried out by different methods. The review thus not only provides a comprehensive reference with guidelines for future genetic studies on foraminifera, but it also establishes an important benchmark for investigations using existing single-cell datasets. The methods are widely applicable and the review may help to establish similar standard principles for their utilization in other protist groups.