A comprehensive global review has identified 57 new living species of tiny marine organisms known as foraminifera. This significant discovery includes three species native to New Zealand waters. The research, led by Geomarine Research from New Zealand, utilized advanced DNA sequencing alongside morphological analysis to catalog various foraminifera types residing in the seafloor sediments of coastal and shallow offshore regions.
Published in the journal Micropaleontology on November 14, 2025, the study marks a notable advancement in the understanding of these ancient marine organisms. Foraminifera, which have existed for millions of years, serve as vital indicators of environmental changes, including climate change and sea level rise.
The review encompassed over 200 foraminifera species, revealing that 33 of these species are also found in diverse global locations where fossils indicate their historical presence. This suggests a recent accidental transport of these species across oceans, likely facilitated by shipping activities.
Significant Findings and Global Distribution
The research represents the second global review of foraminifera using a combination of DNA and morphological data. The first was conducted by the same team in 2021. The latest findings highlighted that the largest diversity of these organisms is concentrated in the northwest Pacific, with 74 species identified along the coasts of China and Japan. Australia follows closely with 58 species, while Antarctica is notably devoid of these families. The Arctic Ocean, however, is home to 24 species.
Most of the newly identified foraminifera species stem from the Southern Hemisphere, which has seen limited research attention over the past 250 years. The highest number of new species originated from southern Africa with 13, followed by Australia with 9, and the northwest Pacific with 8. Other regions contributing to this new classification include the Mediterranean (5), northern Indian Ocean (5), South America (4), New Zealand (3), Pacific Islands (3), Indonesia (3), Caribbean (2), Arctic Ocean (1), and the Black Sea (1).
Dr. Bruce Hayward, a key researcher in the study, noted, “This new study brings the number of recognized species in these families around New Zealand up to 18.” The three new species from New Zealand were collected from Stewart Island, Tolaga Bay, and the Waitemata Harbor. These specimens are now preserved in the collections of the Museum of Auckland and Earth Science New Zealand.
The Importance of Foraminifera in Environmental Studies
Foraminifera are diminutive marine organisms, averaging about 0.4 mm in size, and are characterized by their chambered shells. They thrive in vast numbers within sea-floor sand and mud across estuaries, harbors, bays, and offshore regions, extending to depths of approximately 100 meters. Currently, there are around 9,000 recognized living foraminifera species globally, in addition to 40,000 described extinct fossil species.
Dr. Hayward emphasized the importance of these organisms in environmental research, stating, “Foraminifera are widely used to study the impacts on coastal ecosystems of pollution and sediment runoff; to document sea level changes that occurred before tide gauges existed; to study the frequency and size of coastal earthquake displacements and tsunamis; and in the study of past and present climate change.” He further explained, “We need to be able to identify the foraminifera to be able to use them in these applied studies.”
The research also revealed the significant extent of accidental human-induced transport of marine species. At least 33 non-indigenous species have been identified living in locations far removed from their historical habitats, underscoring the impact of global trade and shipping on marine biodiversity.
In summary, this groundbreaking study contributes to the understanding of foraminifera’s role in marine ecosystems and highlights the ongoing need for rigorous classification efforts to support environmental research.
