Abstract:
The planktonic foraminiferal assemblages show effects of climatic control on water masses. The southward migration of Red Sea Water and Persian Gulf Water is indicated by the dominant presence of @iGloborotalia cultrata@@ and @iGlobigerinoides@@ starting respectively in the assemblages. However, Globigerinoides. @iSucculifer@@ and @iGlobigerinella siphonifera@@ are dominant in waters of the Central and Southern Arabian Sea that is not influenced by high salinity from the north. @iGloboquadrina dutertrei@@ and @iGloborotalia menardii@@ though relate to tropical warm waters indicate cool upwelled waters. @iGlobigerina bulloides@@ and dextrally coiled @iNeogloboquadrina pachyderma typica@@ are known cold water species but their very occurrence off Kerala, Mangalore and Goa coasts indicate upwelling in the region. @iGloborotalia menardii@@ and @iG. menardii neoflexuosa@@ are tropical but live in deep or intermediate water masses hence irregular in upwelling areas