[B-PT04] Biomineralization and the Geochemistry of Proxies

[BPT04-P01] Discussion in terms of relations between test Bauplan and ecology of foraminifer

*Hiroshi Kitazato¹ (1.Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology (TUMSAT))

Keywords:Foraminifers, test morphology, ecology, growth strategy, test composition

Foraminifers secret either calcareous or agglutinated shells. Basically, foraminiferal shape is defined species specific test morphology, composition and structure. Attached foraminifers show flexible test shapes according to ambient environments. Groups of highly flexible test morphologies calls "highly morphological plasticity group". Foraminifers are one of groups of high test plasticities. Among foraminifers, groups of high morphological plasticity are tend to take specific ecological characters. For instance, foraminifers taht are atttached on hard substrates show flexible test shapes. Some attached foraminifers that should get attached hard substrates with other organisms are commonly show high growth rates. The group show specific growth strategy. These relations between foraminiferal test plasticity and growth patterns give essencial questions to think about what is test morphology in foraminifers.