Annual Report 2006 of the Paleogene Planktonic Foraminifera Working Group

This year will see the publication of the Atlas of Eocene Planktonic Foraminifera edited by Paul Pearson (UK), Richard Olsson (USA), Brian Huber (USA), Christoph Hemleben (Germany) and William Berggren (USA), with contributions from Helen Coxall (UK), Vlasta Premec-Fucek (Croatia), Isabella Premoli Silva (Italy) and Bridget Wade (USA). This volume details the taxonomy, stratigraphic distributions, evolutionary phylogeny and paleoecology of 168 species of Eocene planktonic foraminifera. Three new genera and 10 new species are described and many holotypes are illustrated by Scanning Electron Microscopy for the first time. The comprehensive taxonomic discussions and 135 plates will provide a fantastic resource for researchers of Eocene climate, evolution and biostratigraphy. The publication is available from the Cushman Foundation of Foraminiferal Research for $50.

Following the successes of the Paleocene and Eocene, the Paleogene Planktonic Foraminifer Working is now concentrating on the revision and synthesis of Oligocene planktonic foraminifera taxonomy, biostratigraphy, phylogeny and paleobiology. We met for the first time in November 2005 at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, hosted by Brian Huber. A compiled list of all previously described senior synonyms of Oligocene Planktonic Foraminifera was presented and discussed. Bridget Wade (Rutgers University) was elected Chair and Helen Coxall (Cardiff University) as Secretary. The group met again at the highly successful Forams 2006 – International Symposium of Foraminifera at Natal, Brazil. Scanning electron micrographs of holotypes and well preserved foraminifera were presented and species concepts were discussed. The next meeting is proposed for Croatia, May 2007 hosted by Vlasta Premec-Fucek and Morana Hernitz Kucenjak.

Report by Bridget Wade, Chairwoman.