Foraminifers (planktonic)

Abstract

Benthic foraminifera are unicellular, aquatic (marine and brackish) eukaryotic organisms. They are benthic bottom dwellers characterized by high diversity and abundance. In benthic foraminifera, the cytoplasmic body is encased in organic or mineralized test (shell), which provides a fossil record (Cambrian to recent). Due to the presence of the test, benthic foraminifera are useful indicators of past and present-day environmental changes. Foraminiferal shells consist of single or multiple chambers interconnected with each other by a channel, called foramen, which gives the name to the entire Foraminifera group.