Studies with the foraminiferida have often been hindered by widely scattered, inaccessible sources. This two-volume reference (text in one volume, plates in the other) examines 3,568 of the world's generic taxa, representing all geologic ages. Covering twice the number of genera as any other available reference, it is by far the most complete source on the foraminiferida.

In 1981, Woods Hole researcher C. Wylie Poag published the book Ecological Atlas of the Benthic Foraminifera of the Gulf of Mexico. In this new volume, Poag has revised and updated the atlas, incorporating three decades of extensive data collections from the open Gulf and from an additional seventeen estuarine systems to cover species of benthic foraminifera from more than eight thousand sample stations. Benthic Foraminifera of the Gulf of Mexico features 68 plates of scanning electron photomicrographs, 64 color figures, and a large color foldout map, indicating species distribution of forams. This book is designed to aid students and teachers of geology, biology, oceanography, and ecology, as well as micropaleontologists in government and industry laboratories, and other researchers and consultants who have an interest in benthic ecology or paleoecology.

This atlas gives a comprehensive account on the benthic foraminiferal fauna in the China Seas, especially on the Bohai and the Yellow Seas. Details of about 183 species, subjected to 5 orders, 52 families and 92 genera are included. For each species there is a brief description of the morphological characteristics, synonymised names, measurements and geographical distribution worldwide, as well as a top-level elegant plate illustrated the fossil and live specimens. It could be used as a reference book for researchers working at marine biology, marine geology, micropaleontology, paleoceanography, paleobiology and related fields.