The benthic foraminifers of the Gulf of Policastro (Southern Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy)

The benthic foraminiferal assemblages of the Gulf of Policastro have been studied and particular attention has been paid to continental shelf sediments sampled by a Shipek grab-sampler in the vicinity of major river outfalls and two stations that were not subjected to fresh-water discarge. The samples were preserved in 4% formol and Rose Bengal in order to compare the biocoenoses and thanatocoenoses. The assemblages showed areal and bathymetric differences that may be determined by different environmental factors such as grain size, fresh-water discharge and the presence of algal populations. By taking into considerations the previous parameteres, we have been able to define dominant assemblages for different habitats. Moreover, it was possible to determine that the influence that fresh-water disharge had on species assemblages was confined to the circalittoral area.