Multivariate analysis of Pliocene-Pleistocene benthic foraminifera from DSDP site 214, Eastern Indian Ocean: paleoceanic and paleoclimatic implications

This study attempts to quantitatively analyse Pliocene- Pleistocene benfhic foraminifera from 61 samples from Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP) site 214, eastern Indian Ocean. R-mode factor analysis of percentage abundance data of 38 highly ranked species has enabled to recognize S environmentally significant species assemblages. Assemblage I is characterized by Cibicides wuelkrstorfi I'uliema bulloides, Uvigerina hispido-costata, Gavelinopsis lobatulus. Cibicides bradyi, Globocassidulina pacifica, and Stihs lamella kpidula. This assemblage is indicative of well-oxygenated, food-iim ited, and high energy deep water conditions.(Assemblage 2) -a high productivity assemblage includes I ivigerina proboscidea, Chrysalogonium equisetiformb, and Oridorsalis umbonalus. Assemblage 3 is defined by Astrononion umbilicaiidum. Ehrenhergina carinata, Globocassidulina subglobosa