THE ECOLOGY OF LIVING (ROSE-BENGAL-STAINED) BENTHIC FORAMINIFERA ASSOCIATED WITH WHALE FALLS OFF THE COAST OF CALIFORNIA

Benthic Foraminifera are known to respond to spatial and temporal variations in phytodetrital flux to the deep seafloor. However, relatively little is known about foraminiferal responses to other transient sources of organic materials. Previous work has shown that whale carcasses create seafloor conditions conducive to colonization by chemosynthesis-based communities. Using samples collected during Alvin Submersible dives in the Santa Cruz Basin (1664 m) and from the San Diego Trough (1213 m), the distribution of living (rose-Bengal-stained) benthic foraminifera will be examined. Initial results suggest that foraminiferal assemblages associated with whale falls do not contain endemic taxa. Comparisons of whale fall assemblages with those observed in previous studies of cold methane seeps and high surface productivity environments will yield better understanding of the impact of food type and spatial variability on deep sea foraminiferal ecosystems.