Distribución y ecología de las asociaciones de foraminíferos bentónicos recientes del estuario de Oriñón (E de Cantabria, N de la península Ibérica)

Abstract

In this paper recent benthic foraminifer assemblages from the superficial sediment of the Oriñón estuary (E Cantabria) are described for the first time. 44 species have been identified, 21 of them with living individuals at sampling time. According to their distribution, four subenvironments were defined in this area: A high marsh subenvironment, characterized by the predominance of Entzia macrescens andTrochammina inflata; low marsh subenvironment with wide salinity variations related to the periodical input of marine water where Miliammina fusca abounds; a tidal channel zone defined by the abundance of Ammonia tepida and Haynesina germanica; and an outer estuary with sea influence, characterized by the predominance of Lobatula lobatula, with a sandflat area where Rosalina globularis appears and an intertidal beach where Quinqueloculina seminula can be easily found. This ecological delimitation, as well as the main benthic foraminifer assemblages, resembles other estuaries described in the Autonomous Community of Cantabria.