Biostratigraphy of large benthic foraminifera from Hole U1468A (Maldives): a CT-scan taxonomic approach

Abstract

Large benthic foraminifera are important components of tropical shallow water carbonates. Their structure, developed to host algal symbionts, can be extremely elaborate and presents stratigraphically-significant evolutionary patterns. Therefore their distribution is important in biostratigraphy, especially in the Indo-Pacific area. To provide a reliable age model for two intervals of IODP Hole U1468A from the Maldives Inner-Sea, large benthic foraminifera have been studied with computed tomography. This technique provided 3D models ideal for biometric-based identifications, allowing the upper interval to be placed in the late middle-Miocene and the lower interval in the late Oligocene.