Abstract. New radiolarian-based transfer functions to estimate sea surface temperature (SST) and seasonal range are presented. The transfer functions are based on the approach originated by Imbrie and Kipp [ 1971 ]. The transfer functions differ from previous studies in the following three important ways: (1) extensions to Q-mode factor analysis provide an objective method to cull species in the very diverse radiolarian population; (2) a log transform of the relative abundance data is used to normalize the species percent data; and, (3) rather than writing equations for specific seasons, which are not independent data sets, statistically independent equations are developed to predict mean annual sea surface temperatures as well as seasonal temperature range. One hundred and seventy surface sediment samples from the Pacific Ocean are used to generate the SST and season temperature range transfer functions. All samples were counted using a standardized radiolarian taxonomy. Forty one radiolarian species were used in the final regression equation. Q-mode factor analysis of this data set identified seven assemblages. These assemblages,

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