Globigerina bulloides is a species of heterotrophic planktonic foraminifer with a wide distribution in the photic zone of the world's oceans. It is able to tolerate a range of sea surface temperatures, salinities and water densities, and is most abundant at high southern latitudes (up to 40° S), certain high northern latitudes (up to 80° N), and in low-latitude upwelling regions. The density or presence of G. bulloides may change as a function of phytoplankton bloom successions, and they are known to be most abundant during winter and spring months.