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).