Eocene benthic foraminiferal assemblages from Central Anatolia (Turkey): Biostratigraphy, stable isotope data, paleoenvironmental and paleontological interpretations

• Paleo-productivity is more important than temperature for benthic foraminifera.
• Assilina exponens became the dominant species in the warm conditions.
• Depletion of δ18O values in foraminiferal tests reflects warm conditions.
• Increasing in Nummulites perforatus abundance may indicate shallow marine conditions.

Stable isotope (δ13C and δ18O) values from Eocene aged shallow marine deposits in two different basins (Haymana and Kırşehir-Kaman) of Central Anatolia and benthic foraminiferal biostratigraphy's corresponding sequences were analyzed to determine paleontological and paleoenvironmental changes. The shallow marine units (Çayraz and Altıpınar formations), deposited as a result of different geological processes in the same period, show differences in paleontological and geochemical properties of the tests. The geological process controlled by environmental factors affect the formation of the chemical structure of foraminiferal calcite. These Lutetian and Bartonian aged formations are represented by five Shallow Benthic Zones. While, the Çayraz section is represented by SBZ 14–18, Boztepe section is represented by SBZ 13–17. With an increase in temperature, the variety of benthic foraminifera decreased, and Assilina exponens became the dominant species in the warm conditions. The most important proxy is δ13C, which reflects the paleoproductivity (food supply) where benthic foraminifera lived. In addition, food supply can be considered to be a more important factor than temperature, as it controls the diversity and abundance of benthic foraminifera.