Pararotalia cananeiaensis n. sp.: Indicator of marine influence and water circulation in Brazilian coastal and paralic environments

Pararotalia cananeiaensis, a new rotaliid species from modern shelf sedimen ts of southern Brazil is described, This small species is well-represented along the southern coast of Brazil. It was recorded for the first time in t he laguno-estuarine complex of Cananeia-Iguape in 1995, It had never been r eported before, probably because it was confused with juveniles of Ammonia, Its distribution has been studied in Brazilian coastal and paralic environ ments from Cabo Frio (Rio de Janeiro state) near latitude 22 degrees 50'S, to Florianopolis (Santa Catarina state) near latitude 27 degrees 35'S, Very small tests of Pararotalia cananeiaensis are easily suspended in Brazilian high energy coastal environments and are transported inward by tidal curre nts. Their presence in the sedimentary record can be used to gauge the exte nt of the effects of this transport mechanism in the estuaries of southern Brazil.