Annual Report 2010 of the Paleogene Planktonic Foraminifera Working Group

The Paleogene Planktonic Foraminifera Working Group held their 8th meeting on the taxonomy and evolution of Oligocene planktonic foraminifera at the Goldfuß-Museum, Steinmann Institut, Bonn, Germany (hosted by Martin Langer and convened Bridget Wade and Michal Kucera) in early September before the Forams 2010 meeting at the University of Bonn. Updates on research progress were presented by lead authors responsible for writing chapters on individual Oligocene lineages. For some groups a draft phylogeny and list of species with revised diagnoses and range information is at an advanced stage, whereas other groups still require further work to stabilize the taxonomy at the species (e.g. Paragloborotalia) but also genus level (e.g. Dentiglobigerina, Globigerina, Globoturborotalita). Dick Olsson has identified new wall texture groups that may help resolve some of the problems of apparent polyphyly that are responsible for some of these problems. Draft versions of chapter text, plates, phylogenies and range charts are the goal for the next meeting to be held at UMass August 2011. Additionally a subgroup working on Dentoglobigerina and Subbotina met in January 2010 at UMass, Amherst, hosted by Mark Leckie. The whole suite of taxa were discussed with SEM images of well preserved specimens to resolve issues related to wall structures.

Report by Helen Coxall (Secretary) and Bridget Wade (Chairwoman).