Structure, composition, and distribution of subtidal benthic foraminifera thanatocoenosis, San Luis Gonzaga Bay, northwestern Gulf of California, Mexico

Benthic foraminifera are extremely sensitive to changes in their environment. They are essential bioindicators for coastal and oceanic environment variations. It is imperative to study the thanatocoenosis of benthic foraminifera since they reflect environmental conditions. This study presents the structure, distribution, abundance, and taphonomy features of benthic foraminifera located along the San Luis Gonzaga Bay subtidal zone in the northwestern part of the Gulf of California, México. We conducted four survey campaigns from 2018 to 2019 to obtain superficial sediment samples. At least 300 individuals were collected from each sample to be identified according to their taxonomy. Our results show that the genera Cribroelphidium, Nonionella, Bulimina, and Bucella were the most abundant specimens, representing 66% of the total sampling. Agglutinated forms were represented by three genera (less than 1% of the whole data). We expect that the variation in taphonomy community structures of benthic foraminifera in the study area may provide a baseline reference for future studies assessing potential impacts on tourist developments.