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The population growth patterns of living Mytilus edulis and Cardium edule from the Firth of Forth, Scotland, are analysed. Fossil communities and death assemblages derived from the living populations are also investigated and the size-frequency patterns of living and dead shells compared. The use of growth-ring analysis as a tool in palaeoecology is considered.Size-frequency criteria used in the discrimination of fossil communities and death assemblages are critically re-examined.

• Read more about Size-frequency and growth-ring analyses of Mytilus edulis and Cardium edule, and their palaeoecological significance

Two new neolampadids, Pisolampas concinna gen. et sp. nov. and Notolampas flosculus gen. et sp. nov., are described from the Tertiary of south-eastern Australia. The classification of cassiduloid echinoids is discussed, and it is suggested that the order Cassiduloida Claus should include three suborders, viz. Cassidulina s.s., Conoclypina Zittel, Neolampadina subord. nov.

• Read more about Two Australian Tertiary neolampadids, and the classification of cassiduloid echinoids

A study is made of allometric growth in four dimensions of the ammonite Barremites subdifficilis (Karakasch) from the Neocomian of the Crimea. The four dimensions are further analysed simultaneously by the multivariate statistical method of principal component analysis. The results are compared with those found for two species of Triassic ammonites.

• Read more about Biometric study of Barremites subdifficilis (Karakasch)

Oppel's original specimens of Belemnites gerardi from Kalabagh (Punjab) are described and refigured. The name is restricted to the specimens figured as Oppel's pl. 88, figs. 1,2, and the original of fig. 3 is assigned to a new species, Belemnopsis uhligi, based on one of Uhlig's specimens from the Spiti Shales (northern India). Synonymy and diagnoses are provided for B. gerardi and B. uhligi and their stratigraphic ranges discussed. It is shown that Belemnopsis kuntkotensis (Waagen) is a synonym of B. gerardi and that the majority of belemnites hitherto assigned to B.

• Read more about The systematic status of Oppel's specimens of Belemnites gerardi

Eight species of Atomodesma are described from New Zealand, ranging from basal to topmost Permian. The following new species are described: A. obliquatum, A. woodi, and A. trabeculum.

• Read more about New Zealand species of the Permian bivalve Atomodesma Beyrich

The original specimens of Brongniart's Fucoides dent at us can no longer be traced and must be assumed lost. It is therefore proposed that one of the originals of Hall's Diplograptus pristiniformis be taken as the neo-type, and the species is defined with reference to this and redescribed. A new species believed related to G. dentatus is described from the Arenig rocks of Britain; G. austrodentatus Harris and Keble is redescribed; and four new varieties are recognized from Britain, Scandinavia, and North America. The relations of the G. dentatus and G.

• Read more about On Glyptograptus dentatus (Brongniart) and some allied species

Perfectly preserved specimens of the Rotaliid species Brotzenia mosquensis Uhlig 1883 and B. para-stelligera Hofker 1954 from the Oxford Clay of England, show dental plates of the Voorthuysenia type. These species were assigned by Hofker, on the basis of the dental plates, to Brotzenia. Hofker's (1954) classification is therefore invalid. The genus Voorthuysenia is considered synonymous with Brotzenia and the latter is emended. The genera Hoglandina Brotzen 1948 and Hiltermannia Hofker 1954 are briefly discussed in relation to Hofker's classification.

• Read more about The genera Brotzenia and Voorthuysenia (Foraminifera) and Hofker's classification of the Epistomariidae

Two new species of the foraminiferal subgenus Discocyclina, Discocyclina (D.) assamica and D. (D.) eamesi are described and illustrated from Upper Eocene rocks of the Garo Hills, south-western Assam, India.

• Read more about Two new species of Discocyclina (Foraminifera) from the Upper Eocene of Assam, India

In the examination of twenty-five assemblages obtained from samples from the Wenlock Shales of Wenlock, several thousands of 'hystrichospheres' (acritarchs) and about 100 spores were found. These are allocated to sixteen genera and over sixty-five species and varieties are recognized. The restricted ranges of some of the species and the marked variation in the proportion of others present allow these assemblages to be grouped into three main types.

• Read more about 'Hystrichospheres' (acritarchs) and spores of the Wenlock Shales (Silurian) of Wenlock, England

Sixteen species of ammonites are described from the Lower Albian, Cenomanian and Turonian. They include new species of Sciponoceras, Scaphites, Chimbuites and Acanthoceras. Others are well-known wide-ranging species. Chimbuites is now securely dated to the Cenomanian.

• Read more about Cretaceous ammonites from Bathurst Island, Northern Australia