Archive

The Panching limestone, from Pahang, West Malaysia, has yielded a rich conodont fauna which represents the Idiognathoides noduliferus-Streptognathodus lateralis conodont Zone. Two subzones are recognized for the Panching limestone, a lower Idiognathoides noduliferus inaequalis-Gnathodus commutatus Subzone and an upper Idiognathoides noduIiferus japonicus-Rhachistognathus Subzone. The age of the faunas in terms of European Stages is Chokierian (H,) and possibly Alportian (H). It is considered that the Mississippian-Pennsylvanian boundary may be correlated with a level in the Panching limestone.

• Read more about Upper Carboniferous conodont faunas of the Panching Limestone, Pahang, West Malaysia

This paper describes the detailed skeletal anatomy of chasmopinid trilobites from the Ordovician of the Oslo region, and Phacops from the Polish Devonian. Lamination of the cuticle is similar to that previously reported, and the outermost prismatic layer has been conclusively proved. Several types of tubercles or pustules on the surface of the exoskeleton have been identified, for which a classification is proposed. Canals through the exoskeleton range from about 1-40 micro-m in diameter. In Chasmops spp.

• Read more about Sculpture and microstructure of the exoskeleton in chasmopinid and phacopid trilobites

The vertebrae and ribs of the Carboniferous amphibian Pteroplax cornutus Hancock and Atthey, 1868 are described. The vertebrae are embolomerous and in most respects similar to those of the much-larger embolomere Eogyrinus attheyi Watson, 1926. Pteroplax vertebrae differ from those of Eogyrinus in possessing intercentra which are as thick dorsally as ventrally and in the presence of a supraneural canal in at least the anterior trunk vertebrae. The supraneural canal may have housed a longitudinal ligament serving to strengthen an elongate presacral vertebral column.

• Read more about The axial skeleton of the Carboniferous amphibian Pteroplax cornutus

Fossil seagrasses are rarely found in the geological record. Since their ancient distribution cannot be determined directly, it has to be inferred by examining the components which characterize seagrass communities.

• Read more about Pre-Miocene seagrass communities in the Caribbean

Isolated ascocarps (thyriothecia) from Upper Eocene deposits of the Hampshire Basin are described as a new species of the genus Trichothyrites Rosendahl within the Trichothyriaceae, a family of epiphyllous fungi not previously recorded from English Tertiary deposits. Comparisons are made between the fossil material and the extant genus Trichothyrina Petrak to establish their affinity. Earlier records of epiphyllous fossil fungi from British deposits are reconsidered in view of recent taxonomic changes in living taxa.

• Read more about Trichothyriaceous fungi from the early Tertiary of southern England

Megaspores and microspore massulae of Azolla colwellensis sp. nov. are described from the Upper Eocene, Upper Headon Beds of Colwell Bay, Isle of Wight. The megaspores possess a multifloated 'swim apparatus' with three tiers of floats. The floats are arranged in three groups of six. There is a distinct collar at the junction with the megaspore zone and hairs arising from this collar enmesh the floats. The microspore massulae possess occasionally septate, grapnel-tipped glochidia.

• Read more about A new multiple-floated Azolla from the Eocene of Britain with a brief review of the genus

The external surface and morphology of the exoskeleton of Olenoides serratus is described; the exoskeletal layer has been replaced by illite and chlorite. The pleura curves down distally, there is no fulcral process or socket, but a flange assists in articulation. An early moult stage has the exoskeleton unmineralized and wrinkled, and was described as Nathorstia transitans. The type is redescribed; a second specimen is of the exoskeleton only. A new reconstruction of the biramous appendage is given.

• Read more about Exoskeleton, moult stage, appendage morphology, and habits of the Middle Cambrian trilobite Olenoides serratus

A new species of the edopoid genus Cochleosaurus, C.florensis, has been found in the Westphalian D deposits of Nova Scotia. It differs from the Czechoslovakian species C. bohemicus in the sculpture pattern of dermal bones and in skull proportions. Morphologically, the skull of Cochleosaurus is intermediate between those of the edopoid genera Dendrerpeton (Westphalian B of Nova Scotia) and Chenoprosopus (Lower Permian of New Mexico).

• Read more about The edopoid amphibian Cochleosaurus from the Middle Pennsylvanian of Nova Scotia

Ten samples for palynological analysis were collected from three localities, Hook Norton, Bruton, and Burton Bradstock, in central and southern England. All samples contained abundant Middle Jurassic microplankton and the following taxa are described as new: Dichadogonyaulax adelos sp. nov.; Gongylodinium erymnoteichos gen. et sp. nov.; G. hocneratum gen. et sp. nov.; Kylindrocysta spinosa gen. et sp. nov.; Tenua asymmetra sp. nov. Caddasphaera halosa gen. nov. comb. nov. and Leptodinium pectinigerum are proposed as new combinations.

• Read more about Dinoflagellate cysts and acritarchs from Upper Bajocian to Middle Bathonian strata of central and southern England

The temnospondyl amphibians Erpetocephalus rugosus Huxley and Ichthyerpeton hibernicum Lydekker from the Jarrow Coal (Westphalian A) of the Leinster coalfield in Eire represent a single species referable to the genus Dendrerpeton, namely D. rugosum (Huxley) comb. nov. D. rugosum is very similar to the slightly later D. acadianum from Nova Scotia, the palate and pectoral girdle of which are reinterpreted. The genotype species of Ichthyerpeton, I.

• Read more about The temnospondyl amphibian Dendrerpeton from the Upper Carboniferous of Ireland