PUGET SOUND FORAMINIFERA: MUTATIONS AND WINTER BASELINE POPULATIONS

Ammonia beccarii is a calcareous benthic foraminifera commonly observed in shallow water environments around the world. The species is commonly associated with low oxygen and hypersaline environments. Several severe mutations of this species have been noted within Budd Inlet, of the Puget Sound. This study will compare the total population abundances and frequency of abnormal tests between winter populations collected in January of 2022 and those collected in the summer of July 2020. The July samples possess a significant presence of mutated individuals. While the January samples, collected in winter, are expected to show very low diversity and represent baseline populations. Herein we compare the frequency and nature of mutation of Ammonia beccarii of the Puget Sound between winter and summer populations to better constrain mutation rates of this species in these heavily impacted shallow inlet environments over space and time.