Quantitative Surface Morphology of Ammonia CF. Beccarii and Ammonia Parkinsoniana by Atomic Force Microscopy: Taxonomic Potential

Abstract Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) is used to quantify the surface morphology of two benthic foraminiferal species. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) is traditionally used for surface ultrastructural studies but cannot estimate three-dimensional measurements. Therefore, AFM is used to measure pore depth and surface roughness, as well as two-dimensional features such as pore density, pore diameter, and porosity. Specimens of Ammonia cf. beccarii and Ammonia parkinsoniana have been analyzed in this study. The species have been compared in this pilot study by mapping the test structure in three dimensions. The two species have a distinct topographical contrast and significant differences in pore density, diameter, porosity, depth, and surface roughness. It is demonstrated here that AFM can be used to understand the morphological differences with finer details between the species of foraminifera. The effect of the environment on the estimated surface parameters should be investigated.