Benthic foraminiferal assemblages in the current-dominated Strait of Bonifacio (Mediterranean Sea

This study explores relationships between benthic forami-niferal assemblages and environmental factors in the Strait of Bonifacio, which separates the islands of Corsica and Sardinia, west of Italy Peninsula. Benthic foraminifera were identified in 31 samples collected during an oceanographic cruise (‘‘Bocche 2003’ ’ – P.I.C Interreg III Project) that provided new geomorphologic and sedimentologic data on the western continental shelf of the strait. Biotic parameters (species diversity, density, Fisher a index, Shannon-Weaver index, and Dominance) were calculated and multivariate analyses (Cluster Analysis, Principal Component Analysis, and Canonical Correspon-dence Analysis) were performed to quantify foraminiferal assemblages in the context of environmental parameter