Annual Report 2005 of the Paleogene Planktonic Foraminifera Working Group

The Paleogene Planktonic Foraminifer Working Group has continued its researches this year, holding a meeting at Rutgers University in May 2005, hosted by Prof R.K. Olsson. The Atlas of Eocene Planktonic Foraminifera, edited by Paul N. Pearson, Richard K. Olsson, Brian T. Huber, C. Hemleben and William A. Berggren, was finally submitted for publication to the Cushman Foundation after that meeting. It contains a fundamental re-assessment of the taxonomy, paleoecology, evolutionary relationships and stratigraphic distributions of planktonic foraminifera from the Eocene Epoch based on new scanning electron micrographs of most of the type specimens and extensive illustration of exceptionally well-preserved material from around the world. In total 166 species from 36 genera are described in the atlas, of which ten species and three genera are new. Analysis of wall structures provides the basis for the higher taxonomy, dividing the species into microperforate, spinose and non-spinose groups. Several new subtypes of wall microstructure are described for the first time. Detailed range charts and phylogenetic charts of all the species are presented relative to revised biostratigraphic zonation schemes for the tropics and high southern latitudes. The available stable isotope data for each species is synthesized, and some new data are presented.

Following this work on the Eocene, our attention has moved on to a revision of Oligocene planktonic foraminifera. A meeting is scheduled for November 2005 to coordinate this research. It will be organized by Brian T. Huber and interested parties are encouraged to contact him for information if they wish to participate in this or later meetings

Scanning electron micrographs of selected holotypes from the Cushman collection at the US National Museum will be made. Other important Oligocene material from deep sea cores and land sections will be studied, eventually leading (it is hoped) to a new atlas of Oligocene planktonic foraminifera, consistent in scope and taxonomy with the preceding Paleocene and Eocene works.

Report by Paul Pearson, Chairman and Brian Huber, Secretary.