Late Neogene deep sea benthic foraminiferal biostratigraphy of ODP sites 762B and 763A, (Exmouth Plateau), eastern Indian Ocean

The Pliocene-Pleistocene sections at ODP sites 762B and 763A from the Exmouth Plateau (eastern Indian Ocean) were examined to assess the biostratigraphic significance of the benthic foraminifera. The benthic foraminiferal assemblages at both the sites are characteristic of bathyal depths. Based on the stratigraphic ranges of significant taxa, four benthic foraminiferal biozones have been proposed. The proposed biozones in ascending order are Hofkeruva nitidula Zone (>6.6 to similar to4.72 Ma); Biloculina murrhina Zone (similar to4.72 to similar to 1.8 Ma); Ceratobulimina pacifica-Stilostoinella insecta overlap Zone (similar to1.8 to similar to0.82 Ma) and Ceratobulimina pacifica Zone (similar to0.82 Ma to Recent). The lower and upper boundaries of the Biloculina murrhina Zone are defined by the last appearance of Hofkeruva nitidula (Schwager) and first appearance of Ceratobulimina pacifica Cushman and Harris respectively. The base of Ceratobulimina pacifica Zone is defined by the last appearance of Stilostomella insecta (Schwager).