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Espanocrinus lemonei n. gen., n. sp. is the first calceocrinid crinoid reported from the Early Devonian of Spain. This genus has primitive main axil and arm structure and advanced dorsal cup features. This suggests that mosaic evolution occurred in the calceocrinids and that cup changes were most significant in Ordovician to Devonian time. Modifications of the main axil and arm were thereafter most important in some lineages.

• Read more about A new genus of calceocrinid from Spain with comments on mosaic evolution

A series of six rich floras, containing about 180 plant species, is known from the upper part of the Lower Jurassic (Upper Liassic), the Middle Jurassic, and the Upper Jurassic of Kazakhstan. An analysis of the composition of these floras reveals gradual changes which may be correlated with changes in the climate and palaeogeography of the region. The data on Upper Jurassic megafossil floras is compared with that on their spores and pollen.

• Read more about Jurassic floras of the Karatau Range, southern Kazakhstan

Silicified plant fragments, including the conifer Frenelopsis from the Lower Cretaceous of Sudan, are preserved as internal and external moulds. Low viscosity silicone rubber has been used to obtain casts showing fine details which may be studied by scanning electron microscopy.

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Two endemic brachiopods are described from the Wenlock of the Dingle Peninsula, south-western Ireland: Rhipidium hibernicum sp. nov. and Spirifer bigugosus M'Coy, 1846, the latter designated as the type species of a new genus Holcospirifer erected here and referred to the Kozlowskiellinae.

• Read more about The affinities of two endemic Silurian brachiopods from the Dingle Peninsula, Ireland

Ilia of the small theropod dinosaur Iliosuchus incognitas von Huene from the Stonesfield Slate (Middle Jurassic-Bathonian) of Oxfordshire are characterized by a prominent vertical ridge on the lateral surface. A similar ridge is present also on ilia of Stokesosaurus clevelandi Madsen from the Morrison Formation (Upper Jurassic-Tithonian) of Utah. This suggests that Stokesosaurus should be regarded as a junior synonym of Iliosuchus, and is further evidence of a land connection between Europe and North America during the Jurassic.

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The stratigraphical distribution of Wetzeliella in England, Belgium, and north Germany is reviewed. A very similar succession of species in these areas permits the establishment of eight Wetzeliella zones ranging from the late Upper Palaeocene to the Oligocene. Correlation based on Wetzeliella in north-west Europe is in agreement with that founded on calcareous nannoplankton.

• Read more about The distribution of the dinoflagellate Wetzeliella in the Palaeogene of north-western Europe

A television-based system has been devised to overcome two classes of problem, crushing and distortion, and subjectivity in choice of features to be compared. The system is an automation of D'Arcy Thompson's method of transformation. Removal of the effects of shear is demonstrated from Angelina. Other illustrations comprise intraspecific variation in Chlamys varia (Linnaeus) and Gonlorhynchia boueti (Davidson), variation in Micraster, ontogenetic variation in the reptile Stenopterygius quadricissus (E. Fraas), and phylogenetic variation in a group of closely related hominids.

• Read more about The analogue video reshaper—a new tool for palaeontologists

Foraminiferal faunas from the Late Mesozoic-Early Cainozoic succession in three widely separated surface sections in Jordan are studied in detail. The benthic and planktic foraminifera have been used to interpret the stratigraphy. The Mesozoic-Cainozoic boundary is marked by distinct lithological and microfaunal changes; there is also a hiatus between the Middle and Late Paleocene. Thirteen new species and one subspecies are described and illustrated.

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Streamlining is important in the adaptive strategy of swimmers because it minimizes waste of propulsive energy (i.e. maximizes hydrodynamic efficiency). Streamlining of cephalopod shell form was evaluated by analysing the pattern of fluid flow past shells and by calculating shell drag coefficients. Flow visualization experiments show that shell flow patterns are characterized by boundary layer separation along the flank of the outer whorl, and by turbulence in the umbilicus and behind the shell.

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Descriptions are presented of forty-one cuticle species, all of probable gymnosperm origin, from the English Wealden. The distribution of these species and other plant remains within seventy-one plant debris beds from the Dorset, Isle of Wight, and Sussex Wealden is analysed. Significant groupings and associations, which to some extent reflect the differing ages of the material examined and perhaps also association in nature, are detailed together with stratigraphic conclusions.

• Read more about Flora of the Wealden plant debris beds of England