The relationship between water masses and benthic ostracod assemblages in the western Coral Sea, Southwest Pacific
Abstract The bathymetric distribution of 67 ostracod genera identified in 42 sediment samples (water depth range: 370–3776 m) from the western Coral Sea is documented. Statistical analyses of this dataset support preliminary observations that the vertical distribution of the ostracod fauna is largely controlled by the three water masses present in the studied area. Four ostracod assemblages are recognised: assemblage I, consisting mainly of ostracods present in the Deep Water; assemblage II, consisting of ubiquitous ostracods and ostracods mostly confined to the Antarctic Intermediate Water; and assemblages III and IV, with ostracods characteristic of the Western South Pacific Central Water. Temperature, food supply and dissolved oxygen level are believed to be the most important factors influencing the ostracods bathymetric zonation. The present work establishes the potential of ostracods for use in palaeoceanographic reconstruction in the western Pacific Ocean.