Title: Species Diversity: Patterns in Modern and Miocene Foraminifera of the Eastern Margin of North America
Abstract: Research Article| January 01, 1973 Species Diversity: Patterns in Modern and Miocene Foraminifera of the Eastern Margin of North America THOMAS G. GIBSON; THOMAS G. GIBSON 1U.S. Geological Survey, Room E-504, U.S. National Museum, Washington, D.C. 20560 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar MARTIN A. BUZAS MARTIN A. BUZAS 2Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. 20560 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information THOMAS G. GIBSON 1U.S. Geological Survey, Room E-504, U.S. National Museum, Washington, D.C. 20560 MARTIN A. BUZAS 2Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. 20560 Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 01 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2674 Print ISSN: 0016-7606 Geological Society of America GSA Bulletin (1973) 84 (1): 217–238. https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1973)84<217:SDPIMA>2.0.CO;2 Article history First Online: 01 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation THOMAS G. GIBSON, MARTIN A. BUZAS; Species Diversity: Patterns in Modern and Miocene Foraminifera of the Eastern Margin of North America. GSA Bulletin 1973;; 84 (1): 217–238. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1973)84<217:SDPIMA>2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract Patterns of foraminiferal species diversity were examined along the eastern margin of North America by utilizing the number of species, S, the information function, H(S), and species equitability, E. The 350 modern samples we studied extended from the Arctic to the Gulf of Mexico at depths ranging from a few meters to more than 5,000 m. In addition, 29 samples from Miocene strata of the Atlantic Coastal Plain and continental shelf were studied.Modern species diversity as measured by S and H(S) generally increases as depth increases and latitude decreases. Some notable exceptions occur, however, which are difficult to explain. For example, species diversity in the Arctic depth interval of 0 to 100 m is as high or higher than that found immediately south of Nova Scotia, in the Gulf of Maine, on Browns and Georges Banks, and even off the Gulf of Mexico deltas. At the moderate depth interval of 100 to 1,000 m, however, the entire margin north of Browns and Georges Banks has lower diversities than that to the south. The highest diversity by far in this depth interval occurs in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico. At the depth interval greater than 1,000 m, the more southern areas studied generally have a higher species diversity than the more northern Cape Cod to Maryland area. An exception to this is the northwestern Gulf of Mexico; this area is also an exception in that species diversity is significantly lower in the deeper waters than in the shallower waters in the same area.The measure of species equitability, E, showed no clear pattern with depth or latitude. This may be so because no simple pattern of species proportions exists or because the sampling was inadequate to measure it.Samples from the Miocene strata show a striking resemblance in species diversity to modern samples at similar depths and latitudes. Our observations indicate that species diversity and equitability have not increased during the last 15 × 106 yrs. The fossil and modern data indicate that each environment has its own carrying capacity and that this capacity is reached rather quickly. Although time and environmental stability are undoubtedly important in determining species diversity, as presently defined they are inadequate to explain all observed patterns. Long-term observations in various environments will be required to determine the relative importance of variables that affect species diversity. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.
Publication Year: 1973
Publication Date: 1973-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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Cited By Count: 141
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