AMMOBACULITES BACULUSALSUS N-SP - TAXONOMY, ECOLOGY AND DISTRIBUTION IN THE GULF-OF-GUINEA (WEST-AFRICA)

A new arenaceous benthic foraminiferal species was found among more th an 100 abundant and well known benthic foraminiferal species in surfac e sediments of the upper continental slope from the Gulf of Guinea (We st Africa). Ammobaculites baculusalsus n. sp. is taxonomically describ ed and its ecology is discussed. This new species shows a well-defined geographic distribution, with highest abundances between 400 and 1000 m water depth off the Ivory Coast. Surface sediments in this area are characterized by high organic carbon content (up to 3.1 weight percen t) because of their position under highly productive surface water ass ociated with strong seasonal upwelling. Ammobaculites baculusalsus n. sp, is associated with Bolivina albatrossi Cushman, 1922, Rectuvigerna cylindrica (d'Orbigny, 1826), and Eggerelloides arctica (Hoglund, 194 7). The latter three species dominate the benthic foraminiferal fauna in sediments where A. baculusalsus n. sp. is common.