Seasonal Distribution Trends of Benthic Foraminiferal Assemblages from the Saurashtra Coast, Western India

Abstract

The coastland of Saurashtra is represented by several estuaries, islands and cliffs. Taxonomy and seasonal distribution of the recent benthic foraminifera along the coastal tracts of the Saurashtra region have been documented. Surface sediments were collected from the fifteen stations of this coast in both pre and post-monsoon. A total of 35 calcareous wall structure bearing species are identified. Characteristically, two shallow larger benthic foraminifera Nummulites venosus and Amphistegina radiata are observed. The assemblages are more diverse during the pre-monsoon than the post-monsoon season. The cluster analysis shows two different clusters based on sediment preference and diversity of the assemblages.