Existing biozonation schemes for the Niger Delta are mainly qualitative with zonal intervals too large to record subtle events. This has made it necessary to look for additional palynological events to enable recognition of shorter, more refined interval zones to improve stratigraphical definition. Hitherto unrecognised occurrence trends of palynomorphs were discovered and used to construct a new zonation scheme that can be applied in the offshore delta area. Late Miocene to Early Pleistocene sediments have been divided into five principal assemblage zones: FF1, Anthoceros abundance zone; FF2, Elaeis guineensis—Echiperiporites icacinoides zone; FF3, Lycopodium—Retibrevitricolporites obodoensis/protrudens zone; FF4, Cyperaceae abundance zone; and FF5, Echitriletes pliocenicus—Podocarpus milanjianus zone. The zones are further subdivided into 16 sub-zones based on quantitative events with some having finer subdivisions into (a) and (b). Examples of the zonations applied to three exploration wells from the western delta region are provided.

Pollen records from a 1.8-m deep sediment profile from Lakadandh Swamp, Baikunthpur Forest Range of Koriya District, Chhattisgarh (C'garh, central India), show the late Quaternary vegetation and climate history. Lakadandh Swamp occurs in the core monsoon zone of India. The study revealed that between ∼12,785 and ∼9035 cal. yrs BP, tree savannah vegetation, — composed of Poaceae, Amaranthaceae, Tubuliflorae along with the tree taxa Holoptelea sp. and Sapotaceae; sparsely distributed Acacia sp., Emblica officinalis, Lagerstroemia sp., Madhuca indica and Syzygium sp., thickets of Ricinus and Zizyphus sp. — occurred in the region under a cool and dry climate probably indicative of reduced monsoon precipitation. The early part of this phase is comparable with the Younger Dryas (YD) cold event which occurred between ∼12,800 and ∼11,500 yrs BP. Between ∼9035 and ∼4535 cal. yrs BP, the expansion of existing taxa Holoptelea sp., Sapotaceae, Madhuca indica, Ailanthus excelsa and Lagerstroemia sp. as well as the appearance of Acacia, and Shorea robusta, Acanthaceae, Rungia sp., and Ricinus sp., shows the tree savannah vegetation was replaced by open mixed tropical deciduous forest under a regime of warm and moderately humid climate with increased monsoon precipitation. Since ∼4535 cal. yrs BP to Present, owing to the improvement of most of the forest constituents, particularly Madhuca indica, Holoptelea sp., Sapotaceae and Lannea coromandelica, and also with immigration of Terminalia sp., Diospyros sp., Butea sp. and Maytenus sp., mixed tropical deciduous forest has taken over the space covered by open mixed tropical deciduous forest under a warm and relatively more humid climate, with further increase in monsoon precipitation. The existing cereal-based agricultural practice increased during the latter two phases, which could be attributed to increased monsoon precipitation.

Eighty-nine samples from three boreholes penetrating the Horseshoe Canyon Formation (Late Campanian) in south-central Alberta (Canada) were investigated for megaspore content. The samples were found to contain 49 species belonging to the genera Azolla, Bacutriletes, Costatheca, Dictyothylakos, Echitriletes, Erlansonisporites, Ghoshispora, Glomerisporites, Minerisporites, Molaspora, Monophyllosporites, Paxillitriletes, Spermatites, Striatriletes and Trileites, including one new species of Spermatites (S. reticulatus). Deposits representing low-lying coastal plains with widespread peat swamps, meandering channels and back swamp environments yielded the highest numbers of megaspores. An analysis of characteristics of the 22 species of Costatheca and 18 species and one subspecies of Spermatites leads to the proposal of a system of shape classes. Dichotomous keys to species were prepared. The geographical and stratigraphical distributions of the genera were also reviewed to elucidate their potential use in biostratigraphic and palaeoecological studies.

Algal palynomorphs can provide key ecological information about aquatic environments, yet the preservation potential for most varieties of algae is poorly understood. Cores from Pine Forest and Bray Area lakes, two manmade lakes in the Rolla area of south—central Missouri, USA, provided an opportunity to relate the algal palynomorphs in the top 9 cm of sediments to the processes that lead to preservation. By comparing algal palynomorphs in the sediments to the algal crop in the water, this study seeks to assess the effects of taphonomy on the assemblage in a palynological sample. The lakes were ecologically monitored four times in one year (late fall, spring, summer, winter) to determine the algal crop, and surficial sediment was sampled in Pine Forest Lake once in early winter. The annual average abundance of algae in the lake water was compared with sediment data, and statistical techniques (Kruskal—Wallis test, Mann—Whitney U-test and Pielou's Equitability index) were used to determine ecological stability in the sediments. While Sphaerocystis and Ceratium hirundinella did not apparently preserve well, moderate to high preservation potential was determined for Staurastrum and Botryococcus. In addition, Pediastrum simplex var. pseudoglabrum, P. integrum and P. boryanum var. pseudoglabrum were well preserved in the sediments. This preliminary study shows that a highly abundant algal species in the water may not be well preserved in the sediment. Therefore, higher resolution studies are needed to further explore the preservation potential of algae in lake sediments.

Scanning electron microscope (SEM) data can help in the interpretation of transmission electron microscope (TEM) ultrathin sections and reconstruction of the three-dimensional inner structure of large palynological objects like megaspores. For a SEM study of the inner structure of fossil megaspores, we tried three variants of embedding media: a water solution of glycerine and gum arabic, a water solution of sucrose and polyvinylpyrrolidone, and a mixture of epoxy resins. Semithin sections of fossil megaspores were made, the embedding medium was removed from the sections and they were observed under SEM. Epoxy mixture as an embedding medium and Maxwell's solution as a solvent turned out to be the most appropriate for our purposes. The most suitable way of processing is to embed the object, cut it by turns in semithin and ultrathin sections, and study them with SEM and TEM correspondingly. A combination of SEM and TEM data results in a more profound reconstruction of the inner structure of sporoderms. We used as test objects dispersed megaspores of a supposed lycopsid affinity identified as Maexisporites rugulaeferus Karasev et Turnau 2015 and Otynisporites tuberculatus Fuglewicz 1977. The materials studied are from the Lower Triassic and Upper Permian of the Russian Platform.

An emended diagnosis of the angiosperm pollen genus Cretacaeiporites is proposed to encompass all attributed species. A comprehensive review of all Cretacaeiporites species is also given with the description of C. aegyptiaca sp. nov. from the subsurface mid-Cretaceous (Bahariya Formation) of northwest Egypt. A new combination, C. krutzschi (Boltenhagen) comb. nov., is also proposed. The review includes the original diagnosis of each taxon, holotype line illustrations and remarks on how to differentiate them from each other, in addition to a compilation of their known stratigraphical range and occurrences based on an exhaustive survey of their previous records.

Acetolysis has been widely used for the preparation of modern pollen samples since its introduction by Erdtman. It has several disadvantages in both safety and resultant changes to the size and, in some cases, structure of pollen grains. The enzymatic technique introduced by Schols and colleagues is tested on a fresh pollen sample, a honey sample and a bee pollen capsule. The technique increases processing time, but is completely non-toxic, easy to complete and comparable in cost to acetolysis. Even very fragile grains are not damaged by this technique.

A continuous study of atmospheric pollen in Oran Province, northwest Algeria, using the Cour method was undertaken between April 2004 and April 2006. A pollen-collecting device was placed in the meteorological station at Es-Sénia airport, near Oran city. It was found that the pollen harvest during the first year was 4230 grains, which is significantly higher than that in the second year which produced 2258 grains. These data gave a mean annual index of 3246 pollen grains, 99.7% of which were positively identified. Pollen from herbaceous plants (69.5%) proved significantly more abundant than arboreal and shrub pollen (27.9 and 2.3% respectively). The pollen types identified, in decreasing order of abundance, were Chenopodiaceae/Amaranthaceae, Plantago, Olea, wild Poaceae, Lygeum, Cupressaceae, Urticaceae, Quercus, Pinus, total Asteraceae, Eucalyptus, Brassicaceae, Casuarina, Pistacia, Arecaceae, Apiaceae, Thymeleaceae and Rumex. The abundance range was Chenopodiaceae/Amaranthaceae (41.4%) to Rumex (0.6%). The winter pollen spectrum largely comprised Arecaceae and Cupressaceae. Pollination during spring included most taxa, i.e. total Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, Chenopodiaceae/Amaranthaceae, Lygeum, Olea, Pinus, Pistacia, Plantago, wild Poaceae, Quercus, Rumex and Urticaceae. During the summer Apiaceae and Eucalyptus both pollinated, and Casuarina pollen was largely produced in autumn. A significant correspondence between the airborne pollen spectrum and the vegetation of the region was established.

This paper presents a palynological examination of surface soil samples procured from butterfly mud puddling locations in northeast India and its comparison with forest surface samples from the immediate vicinity. The modern palynodata from different sites reflect a close similarity in the types and frequency of the pollen grains. However, the diversity of pollen taxa in butterfly mud puddle samples was comparatively higher than the forest surface samples. The pollen recovered in both the butterfly mud puddle location and forest surface samples reflects an evergreen forest composed of Dillenia, Elaeocarpus, Litsea, and Syzygium which exactly displays the current vegetation. The presence of cerealia, along with Brassicaceae, and Hibiscus in the butterfly mud puddle samples is suggestive of the human activity in the vicinity. However, the abundance of Lantana and Melastoma pollen in the mud puddle sediments is a strong indication of the conversion of forest vegetation in to open habitat, because these plants are correlated with human occupation. The extra-regional taxa, especially Rhododendron, in the mud puddle sediments are significant and strongly suggestive of butterfly migration from higher altitudes. Evergreen elements, along with ferns and fungal remains, in the palynoassemblage are strongly indicative of high rainfall under warm and humid climatic conditions. Thus, the main aim of this observation was to identify the potential of butterfly mud puddle samples and its comparison with other surface pollen traps in order to strengthen the relationship between modern pollen and vegetation in floristically rich areas of Assam, northeast India. The palynodata from the butterfly mud puddle locations is a useful source of palynological observation which should be considered in future palynological research.

Uruçu (Melipona scutellaris L.) is an example of a native stingless bee typical of northeastern Brazil. It stands out due to its high-quality honey and for being responsible for 40 to 90% of the pollination of native plant species. A total of 37 honey samples were analysed, collected between July 2012 and June 2014 in a meliponary located in the municipality of Entre Rios, in the state of Bahia, Brazil. Honey samples were diluted in distilled water, then in alcohol, and then were acetolysed. Climate information (precipitation and temperature) for the area was obtained during the same period of time. We found 102 pollen types, of which 71 were identified as belonging to 36 plant families. Fabaceae was the most representative family with 15 types, followed by Myrtaceae with seven types. Myrtaceae was highly significant due to the high distribution frequency and dominance of the Eucalyptus type. The Miconia type (Melastomataceae), highly polliniferous, also stood out in our analysis with a high distribution frequency and dominance in some of the sampled months. The precipitation index of the second year of study (August 2013 to June 2014) was much greater than the first year (July 2012 to June 2013), being proportional to the increase of pollen diversity in the same period.

This paper presents characteristic modern pollen assemblages in relation to various vegetation types from one of the wettest regions of the world. Four characteristic modern pollen assemblages were recorded based on the major pollen taxa recovered from the surface samples. The Pinus—Tsuga—Betula—Quercus—Rhododendron—Chenopodiaceae assemblage was observed in pine forests under cold and wet climate in the region. The broad leaved forests were characterised by the Quercus—Betulaálnus—Rhododendron—Pinusímpatiens assemblage. The evergreen forest assemblage Castanopsis—Mesua—Betula—Magnoliaceae—Dipterocarpaceae—Nepenthes was suggestive of a cold and wet climate due to seasonally high rainfall activity. Grassland was identified by the recovery of a Poaceae—Cyperaceaeásteraceae—Chenopodiaceae—cerealia assemblage in the surface samples under relatively dry climate with seasonal rainfall. The study revealed that the grasslands of East Khasi Hills are not the primary vegetation, but that it is converted from the primary dense forest as evidenced by the recovery of pollen from evergreen and broadleaved taxa in the surface samples. The presence of cerealia in almost all samples strongly indicates human activity in and around the study areas. Ferns, especially Cyathea, Gleichenia and Pyrrosia, in the palynoassemblage were suggestive of wet conditions in the region. Fungal remains such as Meliola, Microthyriaceae and Xylaria along with high organic matter in the palynoassemblage also suggest the same. The thrust of this study was to investigate the characteristic pollen assemblage in the surface samples in relation to the present vegetation of northeast India.

Acetolysis, an oxidising technique common in palynological preparation, is beneficial for pollen analysts who employ it to remove ‘unwanted’ organic matter from peat and lake samples. Since this technique was introduced by G. Erdtman in 1934, however, several researches have noted concerns, such as the destruction of thin-walled pollen grains in addition to non-sporopollenin pollen components, and selective destruction of protoperidinioid dinoflagellate cysts. Desmids are conjugate green algae with a wide range of environmental preferences whose half-cells are known from sediments dating back to at least the Neogene (possibly as far back as the Devonian), and they have proven useful in modern and palaeolimnological studies (e.g. as indicators of nutrient loading, anthropogenic impact and drought). Desmids are rarely mentioned in palynological studies, however, except to illustrate fluvial transport to nearshore marine settings. A diverse desmid flora was found in samples processed without acetolysis from Smith's Bay in Lake Simcoe, and desmid and thecamoebian (testate amoeba) assemblage changes record eutrophication up-core. Very low concentrations of both desmids and Pediastrum, another group of algal non-pollen palynomorphs (NPP), record siltation and inhibition of photosynthesis attributed to two phases of land-clearing and agriculture (Wendat/Huron and Euro-Canadian). After acetolysis, the desmid abundance in the same residues drops significantly (between 36 and 100%, mean = 87%) and the assemblage is skewed towards the most robust Cosmarium spp. However, other low-relief NPP, like Pediastrum, may be easier to observe after acetolysis as they are not obscured by amorphous organic matter. Because of the observed detrimental impact acetolysis has on the desmid assemblage, recommendations include: (i) not acetolysing, as pollen and Pediastrum can be observed either way, or (ii) using a two-pronged approach where susceptible microfossils are observed pre-acetolysis and resistant ones observed post-acetolysis.

A beneficial technique, using glycol ethers, to help reduce the amount of amorphous organic matter (AOM) in palynological preparations is described. A brief history of glycol ethers, and their historical applications, is also discussed. The technique, which is relatively simple, inexpensive and rapid, can easily be applied as a terminal step to most maceration schedules. The technique does not appear to have any deleterious effect on palynomorphs, but testing treated and non-treated residues is recommended. Two examples, one Late Devonian and one Middle Pennsylvanian in age, are provided to illustrate the effectiveness of glycol ethers in removing AOM.

We establish the cyst-theca relationship of the dinoflagellate cyst species Trinovantedinium pallidifulvum Matsuoka 1987 based on germination experiments of specimens isolated from the Gulf of Mexico. We show that the motile stage is a new species, designated as Protoperidinium louisianensis. We also determine its phylogenetic position based on single-cell polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of a single cell germinated from the Gulf of Mexico cysts. To further refine the phylogeny, we determined the large subunit (LSU) sequence through single-cell PCR of the cyst Selenopemphix undulata isolated from Brentwood Bay (Saanich Inlet, BC, Canada). The phylogeny shows that P. louisianensis is closest to P. shanghaiense, the motile stage of T. applanatum, and is consistent with the monophyly of the genus Trinovantedinium. Selenopemphix undulata belongs to a different clade than Selenopemphix quanta (alleged cyst of P. conicum), suggesting that the genus Selenopemphix is polyphyletic. Trinovantedinium pallidifulvum is widely distributed with occurrences in the Gulf of Mexico, the North Atlantic, the northeast Pacific and southeast Asia. In addition, we illustrate the two other extant species, Trinovantedinium applanatum and Trinovantedinium variabile, and two morphotypes of Trinovantedinium. Geochemical analyses of the cyst wall of T. pallidifulvum indicate the presence of amide groups in agreement with other heterotrophic dinoflagellate species, although the cyst wall of T. pallidifulvum also includes some unique features.

Forensic palynology (the use in civil and criminal investigations of spores, pollen and other microscopic entities found on pollen slides) can be used in many different contexts. Over the past 10 years, forensic palynology has been used to identify the origin of falsified (i.e. counterfeit) life-saving pharmaceuticals, particularly antimalarials. Counterfeit antimalarial pharmaceuticals in both tablet and liquid form have been picked up throughout Southeast Asia and increasingly through Africa, resulting in massive loss of life. A wide range of spores, pollen, fibres, charcoal, black specks, insect remains, fungal spores and hyphae, etc. have been found in the tablets. The amount recovered has decreased over time, with increased sophistication of the counterfeiting as the perpetrators increase income and can afford more specialised equipment. Research, with forensic palynology forming just one aspect, suggests that many of the pharmaceuticals that could be sourced came from the border areas of China with Vietnam, Lao People's Democratic Republic (LPDR), Thailand and Myanmar (Burma).

Propolis produced by honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) over a period of 24 months, in an Atlantic Forest area in the municipality of Entre Rios (Bahia, Brazil), was analysed palynologically. Climate data (precipitation and temperature) for the area were obtained during the same time period. A total of 115 pollen types were found, of which 92 were identified as belonging to 40 plant families and 71 genera. The study recorded the occurrence of pollen types related to resiniferous plant species (i.e. Cecropia, Maytenus, Phyllanthus, Protium heptaphyllum, Schinus terebinthifolius, Spondias tuberosa, Symphonia globulifera and Tapirira guianensis). However, the greatest percentage found was for the Eucalyptus type (60%), which was present in a sample from January 2014. Pollen from resiniferous plants, such as Schinus terebinthifolius and Cecropia spp., were present in most samples. Pollen of Eucalyptus spp. were an important marker of propolis produced in the northern Atlantic Rainforest of Bahia.

Charcoal records of past fires are important for reconstruction of palaeoenvironments and palaeoclimate, particularly when compared with pollen records of past vegetation, but such records are scarce in the southeastern US. To address the question of how fire activity changed from the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) into the Holocene as vegetation changed, we chose a site in central Tennessee for which a pollen record exists back to 23,000 cal yr BP. We developed a new microscopic charcoal record based on point counting of microscopic charcoal fragments on pollen slides from Anderson Pond studied by Hazel Delcourt (1979). The record we produced spans the interval from the LGM to recent and is directly tied to the original pollen record. Charcoal:pollen ratios and charcoal area concentrations are high during the late glacial and track the coniferous pollen record from the LGM to the late glacial, at which point spruce and jack pine pollen markedly diminished along with fire activity. From around 15,000 cal yr BP to the beginning of the middle Holocene, charcoal indices are low. High fire activity began around 8200 cal yr BP, and remained high from ca. 8200–5000 cal yr BP, an interval broadly corresponding to the Mid-Holocene Warm Period (MHWP). The evidence of higher fire activity during the MHWP is coincident with increased percentages of indeterminate pollen grains that are interpreted to signal drier conditions. Charcoal area concentrations declined following the MHWP. Viewed against the original pollen record, the patterns in microscopic charcoal abundance from the LGM to recent at Anderson Pond argue for the strong influence of vegetation as well as climate in driving fire occurrence in eastern temperate North America.

Palynostratigraphical and palynofacies data are presented from a shallow stratigraphical core (7830/5-U-1) drilled in the northern Barents Sea, offshore Kong Karls Land, Arctic Norway. The core spans approximately 127 m of the Snadd Formation (De Geerdalen Formation equivalent). Samples from core 7830/5-U-1 yielded a well-preserved and taxonomically diverse palynomorph association indicative of an earliest Late Triassic (Carnian) age, consistent with previously published Rhenium-Osmium (Re-Os) dates from other cores drilled in the area. The rare occurrence of angiosperm-like pollen confirms previous observations in the Triassic of the Barents Sea area. Palynofacies evidence and the occurrence of marine microplankton and macrofossils indicate that deposition occurred in an offshore marine environment which became increasingly proximal during latter stages of deposition. Variations in the relative abundance of terrestrial organic matter, rhythmic pulses in amorphous organic matter (AOM) content, and the occurrence of acritarchs and prasinophycean algae suggest episodic fluctuations along a nearshore-offshore trend. Palynomorph ecogroup (PEG) analysis reveals a dominance of spore and pollen types characteristic of coastal plain habitats. Sporadic peaks in hinterland pollen types, recorded in association with AOM, are interpreted to reflect the ‘Neves Effect’. The relatively high abundance of fern, sphenopsid and lycopsid spores is considered indicative of a humid climatic regime. A new informal palynozone termed the Podosporites cf. amicus assemblage is described, contributing to a more detailed regional palynological zonation for the Carnian of the Barents Sea region.

The tribe Camelineae (Brassicaceae) contains eight genera: Arabidopsis, Camelina, Capsella, Catolobus, Chrysochamela, Neslia, Noccidium and Pseudoarabidopsis. Little is known about pollen morphology in these taxa, and this limits research on gene flow, aerobiology, reproductive biology, systematics and palaeobotany. In this study, pollen from 13 taxa representing all of the genera in the tribe Camelineae were examined using light and scanning electron microscopy. Measurements of pollen size in Camelina (mean 26.4 µm) and Arabidopsis (mean 30.4 µm) showed that these genera contain taxa with relatively large pollen that could be classified as medium-sized pollen. The largest pollen were from Camelina microcarpa (mean 37.6 µm) and C. sativa (mean 35.6 µm). Conversely, Pseudoarabidopsis had the smallest pollen (mean 18.4 µm) in the Camelineae. Capsella bursa-pastoris was distinct in the tribe in having tectum discontinuities. Catolobus and Neslia shared a similar pollen shape that tended to be subspheroidal and less prolate than others in the tribe. Noccidium had distinct microverrucate elements on its colpus membrane. Within Camelina, variations in pollen size and stratification were observed among the five species studied. The pollen morphology of Chrysochamela deviated from that of other members of the tribe, and it was distinct in having a homobrochate reticulum and the thickest exine, sexine and infratectum. These results support research on diverse topics including pollen dispersal and gene flow in Camelina, pollen development in Arabidopsis thaliana and phylogenetic studies in the Brassicaceae.

We present the first record of Potamomyces Hyde (Ascomycota, Dothideomycetidae) from soil sediments of the El Palmar National Park, Entre Ríos, Argentina. Nineteen samples were taken (each 2–4 cm from the surface) of a 80 cm thick core composed of a homogeneous lithology of argillaceous fine-grained sands. This taxon was only identified in the basal sample of the core (371 ± 30 years BP), located in a palm area (Butia yatay) with a semi-dense herbaceous-shrub layer. We propose an amendment of the generic diagnosis based on the revision of the species described up to now, and of a new one here defined (P. palmarensis). Additionally, we confirm that the morphotaxon Mediaverrunites Jarzen & Elsik ex Nandi & A. Sinha is its junior synonym, so we propose new combinations for seven species. We recommend the use of this natural taxon instead of the morphotaxon in future contributions. In terms of the geographical and stratigraphical distribution of Potamomyces, our record is the first mentioned for Argentina and the southernmost for South America. Based on its ecological requirements, a humid sub-tropical environment and abundant organic matter in the soil are suggested for the Latest Holocene of the study region. This hypothesis is supported by current knowledge of regional climatic and environmental conditions for the study area during the short humid interval of the Little Ice Age.

The Apocynaceae family consists of approximately 4555 species worldwide, distributed among 415 genera. In Brazil, this family is represented by 90 genera and 850 species. The Adolpho Ducke Forest Reserve, part of the Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (INPA) since 1963, comprises 100 km² of non-isolated continuous primary forest, and 40 species and 16 genera of Apocynaceae have been recorded in this area. Pollen grains, collected from flower buds and/or flowers of voucher specimens deposited at the INPA Herbarium collection, were processed using the acetolysis method, and measured, described and photographed by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The study included 25 Apocynaceae species distributed among 14 genera. The pollen grains were porate to colporate, with exine ornamentation varying from psilate or scabrate to microreticulate. Other morphological characteristics were pores with granules at the base of the annulus in Odontadenia, a distinct margo forming arches around the colpus in Geissospermum, and the presence of a thick endocingulum in the equatorial region in species of Tabernaemontana.