At site 220 the most dominant taxon is Nuttallides umbonifera showing peak abundances in the Early Pliocene, Early and latest Pleistocene possibly representing intervals of highly carbonate-undersaturated bottom waters. At relatively shallower site 223, the benthic assemblage is dominated by Cibicides wuellerstorfi, Oridorsalis umbonatus and Uvigerina hispido-costata through Plio-Pleistocene. N. umbonifera shows peak abundances only in the beginning of the Pliocene. C. wuellerstorfi and O. umbonatus show increased percentages in the earliest Pliocene, late Early Pliocene, and a short lived peak in the Early Pleistocene (samples 2-5), indicating presence of relatively warm, oxygenated, and less corrosive bottom water at this site. The peaks of U. hispido-costata at site 223 are inferred to reflect intervals of high surface productivity due to intense upwelling off the Arabian coast.