This dataset documents benthic foraminiferal assemblage data of International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) Expedition 369 Site U1516 during the Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 (OAE 2) in the southern high latitudes (absolute abundance in the 125-300μm fraction). Benthic foraminiferal assemblages indicate a distal, outer neritic to upper bathyal depositional environment. The record of the OAE 2 is characterized by an interval of low carbonate content which involves a prominent positive Carbon Isotope Excursion (CIE). Benthic foraminiferal data documented in this dataset present assemblage changes during the pre OAE 2 (478.5 m - 475.12 m), pre max-CIE (474.38 m – 471.12 m), low CaCO3 (470.36 m – 467.96 m), and post low CaCO3 intervals (467.27 m – 459.72 m). During the pre OAE2 and pre max-CIE intervals, calcareous deep-water gavelinellids, lingulogavelinellids and gyroidinids are dominant. The low CaCO3 interval records a decline in benthic foraminiferal abundance and the post low CaCO3 interval is characterized by a distinct repopulation event
