Difference in optimum temperature for growth and reproduction in benthic foraminifer Rosalina globularis: Implications for paleoclimatic studies

摘要

The seawater temperature is an important physical parameter that affects marine benthic community. The effect of seawater temperature however is not consistent throughout various groups of marine benthos. Here, juvenile specimens of marginal marine species Rosalina globularis were subjected to different temperatures (20 ℃, 25 ℃, 27 ℃, 30 ℃ and 35 ℃), tq understand the effect of temperature on growth and reproduction in benthic foraminifera. The growth of the specimens was recorded till the specimens matured and reproduced. It was observed that out of five different temperatures, optimum growth took place at 30 ℃ The growth in rest of the specimens subjected to either higher or lower temperatures was comparatively less. However, the highest percentage of reproduction was reported in the specimens subjected to 27 ℃ temperature. None of the specimens kept at 20 ℃ reproduced whereas only one specimen reproduced at 35 ℃ temperature. Based on this experiment, it is concluded that R. globularis can tolerate temperature variations from 20 ℃ to 35 ℃ and further that the optimum temperatures for growth and reproduction are different The study shows that the ambient seawater temperature affects the growth, survival and reproduction in benthic foraminifera. The study further indicates that variation in morphology and abundance of benthic foraminifera, might reflect different climatic conditions.