Recent Benthic Foraminifera from the Local Water of Qatar, Arabian Gulf

Abstract

ABSTRACT In the present study, fifty species of Foraminifera are identified from the bottom sediments of the local Qatari waters on the eastern and northern sides of Qatar Peninsula in the Arabian Gulf. These comprise 7 species ofTextulariina, one species of Carterinina, 32 species of Miliolina and 10 species ofRotaliina. Miliolina constitutes the most frequent group as it represents 45.9% of the fauna, while Textulariina represents 24.3% and Rotaliina 29.8%. The distribution of the identified species in 24 studied bottom grap samples distributed in an area ranging in depth from few meters near shore to more than 20 fathoms (36m) depth are studied. The ecological factors controlling the distribution of the identified fauna are discussed. A comparison between that fauna and those in some parts of the Arabian Gulf, Red Sea and Gulf of Aqaba is attempted.