Benthic foraminiferal fauna of Gökçeada Island (Northern Aegean Sea) and its local variations

Abstract

    This study has been carried out around Gökçeada with the samples taken from 34 different points, depths of 0.50 - 68 m. 58 genera and 104 species have been determined. The faunal associations show differences between the east and west coast of the island. Especially to the east of the island, on the Aydincık Cape, there is an abundance of Peneroplis planatus (FICHTEL and MOLL) and Peneroplis pertusus (FORSKAL). Also, to the south-east of Gökçeada, the typical foraminifera of the eastern Mediterranean Amphistegina lobifera LARSEN and Sorites orbiculus EHRENBERG have been observed. Besides, a foraminiferal assemblage rich in number and high in diversity has been identified in 4 stations to the east and 3 stations to the west of the island.

    During another study area between Gökçeada-Bozcaada-Çanakkale, the genus Peneroplis, Laevipeneroplis, Amphistegina and Sorites have not been found.

    For this reason, the east and southeast of Gökçeada and on the west fields in different sites there was life as a result of geothermal effect.