Abstract

ALPERIN, Marta; BERNASCONI, Emiliana  and  CUSMINSKY, Gabriela Catalina. Recent benthic foraminifera of the Argentinian Continental Shelf (39°- 43° S and 58°- 65° W) analysed with statistical methods for compositional data. Ameghiniana [online]. 2008, vol.45, n.2, pp.443-461. ISSN 1851-8044.

The analysis of recent benthic foraminifera from the continental shelf and San Matías Gulf is presented. Quantitative analysis was performed using methods from compositional data analysis theory. Principal Components Analysis, Cluster analysis and Geographic Information System (GIS) were used to infer a) six groups of species that respond to oceanographic conditions, four of which were related to coastal waters and the others could be influenced by the Malvinas current system; b) the relationship between 13 species and the water temperature, bottom sediments, and energetic conditions of the area c) a correlation between Cibicides dispars/Bulimina patagonica and Cibicides mckannai/Bulimina patagonica and water temperature.

Keywords : Compositional Data Analysis; Benthic foraminifers; Argentinean continental shelf.