Pleistocene epilithic foraminifera from the Arctic Ocean

Attached epilithic foraminifera constitute an important but overlooked component of the benthic foraminiferal assemblage in the Pleistocene sediment of the central Arctic Ocean. We report 12 types of epilithic foraminifera that have colonised lithic and biogenic grains found in glacial sediments, including representatives of the genera Rhizammina, Hemisphaerammina, Ammopemphix, Diffusilina, Subreophax, Placopsilina, Placopsilinella, Hormosinelloides and Tholosina, accompanied by mat-like and ribbon-like forms of uncertain taxonomic affinity. The attached agglutinated forms appear to be colonisers, adapted to extremely oligotrophic conditions.