Rotalianids

Rotalianids are a superfamilies of foraminifera, which are single-celled organisms belonging to the Rhizaria supergroup. Foraminifera are characterized by their shells, called tests, which are often secreted and can be composed of various materials, including calcium carbonate. Rotalianids specifically are characterized by their coiled, planispiral, or trochospiral test morphology. This means their chambers are arranged in a spiral, either on a single plane or with one side more convex than the other. They are a diverse group with a long fossil record, appearing in the Jurassic period. Many species of Rotalianids are benthic, meaning they live on the seafloor, but some are planktonic, drifting in the water column. They are common in marine sediments and are important microfossils used in biostratigraphy and paleoceanography to reconstruct past environmental conditions. The classification of Rotalianids has undergone revisions with advancements in molecular phylogenetics, but the super family remains a significant group within the study of foraminifera and paleontology.