3. Morphology of Selected Families

The chapter delves into the morphological characteristics of 37 selected families within the larger benthic Foraminifera (LBF) taxa, emphasizing features such as wall texture, chamber characteristics, and internal structures. It discusses the importance of these features in distinguishing higher taxonomic ranks and the significance of accurate identification in historical research. The chapter also explores the application of X-ray computed tomography in revealing internal structures, which is yet to be widely applied in fossil specimens. Additionally, it provides keys for the identification of some common Cenozoic genera, assisting non-specialists in placing strata within a broad stratigraphic framework. The detailed descriptions and illustrations of the selected families, along with the discussion on identification methods, make this chapter a valuable resource for specialists in the field.