Foraminifera

Abstract

Eighty-four species of benthic and one species of planktonic Foraminifera, classified under 40 genera and 34 families reported for Costa Rica are listed in this paper. These lists are based on literature data and ongoing studies. All (except for four species from the Caribbean) are reports from the Pacific Ocean, and most are from offshore or have no specific indication of where in Costa Rica the Foraminifera were collected. Of the other Central American countries there is little information except from Panama. More research is needed on Foraminifera, since they may be a predominant group in some areas and ecosystems, for example the meiofauna of Caño Island, and much more research is need on planktonic Foraminifera.