We carried out comparative analyses of multiple microfossil groups like foraminifera, dinoflagellates, pollen and spores from Early and Middle Eocene lignite mine sections from paleotropical sites of the Cambay, Kutch and Barmer basins of western India in order to record the changes in paleovegetation and paleodepositional conditions during the hot and humid climate.

This research studies nannofossils (microscopic fossil remains of unicellular marine planktonic algae) recovered from the Late Cretaceous, pelagic shale Fiqa Formation of Oman. The study emphasises taxonomy and assemblage change application to understand changes in the past climate and environment during the time of deposition. This has been achieved by analysing rock samples under the microscope. The analysis of these fossils could be applied in future work for age determination.

Morphology of dinoflagellate cysts (which are valuable tools in deciphering past environmental and climate changes) depends not only on genetics, but also on a range of environmental factors. We review frequently occurring (Black Sea) morphotypes and propose use of matrices to record gradual variation between endmember forms as a pragmatic approach until cyst–theca studies and genetic sequencing can demonstrate relationships between genetically and environmentally controlled morphotypes.

Species of two important diatoms (algae with silica skeletons and important primary producers) are described formally and incorporated into existing biozonation schemes allowing correlation of Paleocene to Miocene strata in the North Sea, important for hydrocarbon exploration as well as for environmental interpretation. Their abundances are linked to environmentally stressed conditions, including increased global warming and periods of nutrient influx from rapidly eroding land masses nearby.

Many major food crops, including rice, wheat, maize, rye, barley, oats and millet, are domesticated species of grass. However, because grass pollen all looks highly similar, it has been challenging to track grass domestication using pollen in archaeological samples. Here, we show that we can use the chemical signature of pollen grains to classify different grass species. This approach has the potential to help unravel the spread of domestication and agriculture over the last 10 000 years.

We report extant ostracods from the Co To Islands in northeastern Vietnam and identified 77 ostracod species. On the basis of the comparison of ostracod species reported from adjacent areas, the assemblages from the Co To Islands have a relationship with those of the Kymerian Province, especially with that of South China, and have little relationship with the East Indian Province. Our result is useful for the reconstruction of the dispersal of the Kymerian ostracods during the Quaternary.