Quantitative biogeography of late Maastrichtian planktic foraminifera

Upper Maastrichtian planktic foraminiferal faunas from 22 mainly Atlantic s ections were analysed quantitatively, to document biogeographic patterns. C ontour maps illustrate distribution patterns of 29 species. Quantitative re sults confirm the presence of an Austral Realm around Antarctica, a Transit ional Realm in the northern North Atlantic and a Tethyan Realm. Variation i n faunal composition between sections allows for subdivision of a wide Teth yan Realm into provinces that are at the scale of paleowatermasses. Central North Atlantic sections are found to have distinct faunas, as are equatori al sections. Two DSDP sites along the west African coast may represent high paleoproductivity. Remaining Tethyan sections cannot be related to specifi c regions or oceanographic conditions.