Planktonic foraminifera are microscopic single-celled organisms populating world oceans. They have one of the most complete fossil records; thanks to their great abundance, they are widely used to study past marine environments. We analysed and measured series of foraminifera shells from Indo-Pacific sites, which led to the description of a new species of fossil planktonic foraminifera. Part of its population exhibits pink pigmentation, which is only the third such case among known species.

The early fossils of animals with an exoskeleton witness a key episode in the evolution of life. These fossils, such as the cloudinids, have tubular shapes and an uncertain affinity. The reaction between H₂O₂ and pyrite can lead to the generation of objects very similar to these fossils. For this reason, the method of rock preparation is a cause for concern. Besides discussing methodology, this work provides criteria to distinguish artifacts from fossils based on their composition and structure.

A sediment core was analysed, focusing over the 2000 years, in Edisto Inlet. Benthic and planktic foraminifera were picked and used to determine changes in the faunal composition. Using other nearby cores, by comparing different proxies, we were able to identify a succession of three different environmental phases over the studied period: a seasonal-cycle phase (from 2000 to around 1500 years BP), a transitional phase (from 1500 to 700 years BP) and a cold phase (from 700 years to present).

Turonian–Coniacian agglutinated foraminiferal assemblages from calcareous deposits from the temperate European shelf realm were studied. Acmes of agglutinated foraminifera correlate between different sections and can be used for paleoenvironmental analysis expressing inter-regional changes. Agglutinated foraminiferal morphogroups display a gradual shift from Turonian oligotrophic environments towards more mesotrophic conditions in the latest Turonian and Coniacian.

In this biostratigraphic study of the Middle Miocene–Early Pliocene sequence in the El-Wastani gas field, Egypt, microscopic inspection of the samples enabled the designation of six foraminiferal zones and subzones. Seven stratigraphic sequences have been identified based on the foraminiferal and calcareous nannofossil diversity. Depositional sequences and sequence boundaries are recognized by the integration between the seismic data, biostratigraphic zones, and wireline logs (gamma rays).

Benthic organisms show aggregated distributions due to the spatial heterogeneity of niches or food. We analysed the distribution of Globobulimina turgida in the Gullmar Fjord, Sweden, with a data–model approach. The population densities did not show any underlying spatial structure but a random log-normal distribution. A temporal data series from the same site depicted two cohorts of samples with high or low densities, which represent hypoxic or well-ventilated conditions in the fjord.

Pseudopolygnathus marburgensis marburgensis and Pseudopolygnathus marburgensis trigonicus were believed to be different conodont subspecies. However, paleontological data indicate those two are stages of evolution of a single lineage. Research is also focused on evolutionary changing of appearance and evolution of growth and development calibrated precisely with incremental layers. This study could have potential influence on dating Late Devonian rocks based on evolutionary transformations.

Planktonic foraminifera are marine plankton that have a long and continuous fossil record. They are used for correlating and dating ocean sediments and studying evolution and past climates. This paper presents new information about Pulleniatina, one of the most widespread and abundant groups, from an important site in the Pacific Ocean. It also brings together a very large amount of information on the fossil record from other sites globally.

The pollen and dinoflagellate cyst content of 21 surface sediments from the northern Gulf of Mexico is used to test the applicability of three palynological ratios (heterotroph/autotroph, pollen/dinocyst, and pollen/bisaccate ratio) as proxies for marine productivity and distance to the coast/river. Redundancy analysis confirms the suitability of these three ratios, where the H/A ratio can be used as an indicator of primary production, and the P/B ratio best tracks the distance to the coast.

<p>In the 1960s-1970s some species of Triassic foraminifera were described as having a planktic mode of life. This was questioned and Malcolm Hart studied the material in Vienna, taking some to London for SEM imaging. Samples collected from Poland are compared to these images and the suggested planktic mode of life discussed. Foraminifera collected in Ogrodzieniec are glauconitic steinkerns with no test material present and none of the diagnostic features needed to determine "new" species.</p>

The ANDRILL SMS site provides the first Middle Miocene Antarctic fungal record. The CREST plant-based paleoclimate reconstructions confirm an intensification of the hydrological cycle during the MCO, with the Ross Sea region reconstructed 279 % wetter than modern conditions and a maximum mean annual temperature of 10.3 °C for the warmest intervals of the MCO. The plant-based reconstructions indicate a temperate, no dry season with a warm summer (Cfb) Köppen–Geiger climate classification.

We developed an online, open-access database for taxonomic descriptions, stratigraphic information and images of organic-walled dinoflagellate cyst species. With this new resource for applied and academic research, teaching and training, we open up organic-walled dinoflagellate cysts for the academic era of open science. We expect that palsys.org represents a starting point to improve taxonomic concepts, and we invite the community to contribute.