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BACKGROUND: The redlegged earth mite, Halotydeus destructor Tucker, is a destructive and economically important pest of winter grain crops and pastures in Australia. It is largely controlled by pesticides, but this mite has evolved resistance to pyrethroid and organophosphate chemicals. A national Resistance Management Strategy has been developed for pro-active management to delay further resistance evolution, though its success is reliant on a detailed understanding of the incidence, patterns of spread, current distribution and the nature of resistance in the field. Here, we report on a long-term resistance surveillance program undertaken between 2006 and 2019 informed by resistance risk forecasting. RESULTS: By mapping the Australian distribution of resistance through time, we show that resistance is present across three Australian states and covers more than 3000 km. This current range includes a recently identified population exhibiting organophosphate resistance representing the most easterly location of resistance in H. destructor. Using field history information, we identify associations for the first time between crop management practices employed by farmers and the presence of pyrethroid resistance. Management strategies that could minimise the risk of further resistance include limiting local spread of resistance through farm hygiene practices, crop rotations and reducing pesticide usage. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the challenges of resistance in H. destructor but also indicates how quantitative resistance risk analysis can be developed to target field surveillance and delay further resistance. The management strategies highlighted in this study can help maintain the effectiveness of control options but will depend on farmer engagement and adoption. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

The value of taxonomy as a tool in palaeoenvironmental analysis depends on accuracy of determination of relevant taxa; in cases where taxa present unresolved problems of distinction (identification uncertainty and overlap), difficulties may exist in their application in facies studies. A prime example is found in ostracods of the Permian–Triassic boundary interval, considered here in sequences from south China. Low-latitude shallow-marine carbonate facies in the immediate aftermath of the end-Permian extinction (EPE) have common widespread microbialite biostromes containing abundant shelly fossils including ostracod assemblages not found elsewhere, stimulating the earlier idea that the microbialite was a refuge from stressors of extinction. These assemblages are dominated by the Family Bairdiidae that are mostly smooth-shelled ostracods notoriously difficult to resolve into sub-familial taxonomic units. Studies of ostracod taxonomy require a careful approach of integrating cornerstone aspects of their biology such as ontogenetic development and sexual dimorphism to disentangle taxonomically discrete groups. These significant difficulties of taxonomic resolution have a knock-on impact on application of the faunas in facies analysis; several studies remain open to interpretation because of these issues. Resolution of ostracod taxonomy is critical to the refuge hypothesis, because ostracods (mostly as complete closed carapaces, including juveniles and adults) accumulated in the microbialite; thus shell morphology is critical to analysis of ostracods in the microbialites so understanding the taxonomy is vital. The microbialites comprise two main facies where ostracods are abundant: (1) layers consisting of microbial components and intervening micrite; (2) uncommon shell-rich lenses of packstone-grainstone fabric between microbial layers. The refuge hypothesis is considered unlikely by some authors, who instead interpret the microbialites as a taphonomic window for imported ostracod shell preservation. However, post-extinction microbialite sheets are extensive on shallow marine carbonate platforms in Tethys and show little evidence of physical damage. We deduce that, instead of a taphonomic window, the well-preserved ostracod assemblages lived on the microbialite, and that the ‘refuge hypothesis’ remains viable. The concepts discussed in this study may be applicable to other fossil groups where taxonomic problems are acute.

BACKGROUND: Halotydeus destructor is a major pest of crops and pastures across southern parts of Australia. This invasive mite has been chemically controlled for over 50 years, but resistance to synthetic pyrethroids and organophosphates is developing. Understanding processes behind the emerging resistance is important for effective management efforts. We undertook a ddRAD pool-sequencing approach to analyse genome-wide SNP variation in H. destructor population samples at two scales: local resistance across a set of fields, and regional resistance across their Australian range, along with toxicology bioassays to screen for pyrethroid resistance. RESULTS: Spatial patterns of genomic variation and resistance at a local scale indicated genetic similarity among samples were more closely correlated with distance along roads and fence-lines than with straight-line geographic distance. This pattern was particularly strong in resistant samples, which were also more related than the susceptible samples, suggesting local spread of resistance within an area after it emerged. In contrast, regional data suggests resistance has repeatedly emerged within parts of Australia. Our de novo annotation of the H. destructor draft genome sequence and Bayesian analysis identified several candidate loci strongly associated with population-level resistance to pyrethroids, located in genomic regions that code for transmembrane transport and signalling proteins which have been previously linked to insecticide resistance in other arthropods. CONCLUSION: Our findings highlight multiple independent evolutionary events leading to resistance in H. destructor, and demonstrate the utility and cost-effectiveness of a cross-population, genome-wide association study to reveal processes underlying adaptive evolution in a non-model invasive species. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

BACKGROUND The redlegged earth mite (Halotydeus destructor) is an agricultural pest in Australia that attacks a wide variety of crops and pasture species. Chemicals remain an important part of control strategies for H. destructor, despite the existence of resistance to pyrethroid insecticides in this species. Recent chemical control failures involving a second insecticide class, organophosphates, were investigated using pesticide bioassays. RESULTS We confirmed, for the first time, resistance to organophosphates in H. destructor, and show that resistance is not confined to a single property, or region. There was no evidence that resistance to organophosphorus chemicals has evolved in Australian States outside of Western Australia. CONCLUSION These findings demonstrate the strong evolutionary capability of H. destructor and highlight the need for ongoing resistance surveillance within Australia.

Examination of normal pore canals, especially sieve-type pore canals, in living and fossil representatives of ten genera of the family Limnocytheridae, subfamily Timiriaseviinae, has revealed important diversity of structure. These complex pore canals have been studied via high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (the Cartographic Method) and analysed via the application of newly devised indices to assess patterns of consistency and variation in both detailed structure of individual pores and of their distribution on the calcified valve. The timiriaseviine taxa are compared with species of the genera Limnocythere, sub-family Limnocytherinae and Cyprideis (family Cytherideidae). The relationship between the living animal and its aquatic environment is discussed in the light of previous studies and of new evidence herein. The importance of normal pore canals for systematics is highlighted by the recognition and definition of the new tribe Gomphodellini Danielopol, Cabral & Lord nov. tribe, subfamily Timiriaseviinae, family Limnocytheridae.

This paper reports the deposition of a collection of type and figured material in the Senckenberg Museum, Frankfurt-am-Main. It has proved necessary to make certain taxonomic revisions that have come to light in recent years concerning the paper by Damotte, Cabral & Berthou (1990) on the Aptian of Portugal. Original names are cited below.

The new genus Tanycythere (Crustacea, Ostracoda) is described from the Jurassic (Hettangian–Bathonian) of western and central Europe based on T. caudata new species, T. praecaudata praecaudata new subspecies, T. praecaudata parallela new subspecies, T. duartei new species, T. posteroelongata new species, and T. wattonensis new species. Another new species, T. procera, is described from the Lower Cretaceous (?Barremian). Recognition of a new genus comprising six new species and subspecies indicates that overall Jurassic and Early Cretaceous ostracod biodiversity is underestimated.

The redlegged earth mite (Halotydeus destructor) is an agricultural pest in Australia that attacks a wide variety of crops and pasture species. Chemicals remain an important part of control strategies for H. destructor, despite the existence of resistance to pyrethroid insecticides in this species. Recent chemical control failures involving a second insecticide class, organophosphates, were investigated using pesticide bioassays.We confirmed, for the first time, resistance to organophosphates in H. destructor, and show that resistance is not confined to a single property, or region. There was no evidence that resistance to organophosphorus chemicals has evolved in Australian states outside of Western Australia.These findings demonstrate the strong evolutionary capability of H. destructor and highlight the need for ongoing resistance surveillance within Australia. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

BACKGROUND: The redlegged earth mite, Halotydeus destructor Tucker, is an important pest of broad-acre farming systems in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. In 2006, high levels of resistance to synthetic pyrethroids were discovered in this species in Western Australia. RESULTS: Between 2007 and 2010, the authors monitored resistance in field populations and found it had spread considerably within the state of Western Australia. Twenty-six paddocks from 15 individual properties were identified with resistance, and these paddocks ranged over 480 km. To date, resistance has not been detected in any other Australian state. Resistance in H. destructor appears to be found across the entire pyrethroid group, but not to other chemical classes such as organophosphates and carbamates, or other chemistries with novel modes of action. CONCLUSION: The high levels of resistance occurring in Western Australia have caused considerable economic losses due to ineffective chemical applications and mortality of crop plants at seedling establishment. These findings highlight the need for a comprehensive resistance surveillance programme to be developed for H. destructor within Australia. Growers need to consider non-chemical approaches for pest control and should be encouraged to implement pesticide resistance management programmes for H. destructor. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry

Boreholes made to investigate the Neolithic occupation of the Rio Sizandro, western Portugal, were analysed for ostracods and associated micro-biota. Two boreholes in the middle reaches of the valley, near the village of Benfica, provide evidence of brackish estuarine conditions during the interval 6,500–6,200 cal BP of the late Neolithic followed by a decline in palaeosalinity towards freshwater conditions. Following the high-stand of eustatic sea level at about 6,500 cal BP, and possible formation of a coastal sand barrier, the influence of the rivers in the hinterland became predominant with dramatically increased erosion and sediment supply to the river valley, with consequent westward movement of marine conditions to the modern coastline.

Background The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) began with the Veterans Affairs system to reduce morbidity and mortality by evaluating preoperative risk factors, postoperative occurrences, mortality reports, surgical site infections, and patient variable statistics. Our institution enrolled in NSQIP July 2006. The Surgical Care Improvement Project (SCIP) was developed to reduce surgical complications, including surgical infections. We began instituting SCIP protocols in July 2007. Study Design This is a retrospective review of the NSQIP data collected by our NSQIP nurse. The colorectal surgical site infection (SSI) data pre- and post-institution of SCIP guidelines are analyzed. Data from the July 2006 to June 2007 and July 2007 to June 2008 reports are compared. Rates of SCIP compliance are analyzed. Results There were 113 colorectal cases in the July 2006 to June 2007 NSQIP report. The rate of superficial SSI was 13.3%, with an expected rate of 9.7% (p = 0.041). The observed-to-expected ratio was 1.39. Compliance with SCIP was 38%. There were 84 colorectal cases in the July 2007 to June 2008 NSQIP report. The rate of superficial SSI was 8.3%, with an expected rate of 10.25% (p = 0.351). The observed-to-expected ratio was 0.81. Compliance with SCIP measures was 92%. Conclusions Participation in NSQIP can identify areas of increased morbidity and mortality. Our institution was a high outlier in superficial SSI in colorectal patients during the first NSQIP evaluations. SCIP guidelines were instituted and a statistically significant reduction in our rates of SSI was realized. As our compliance with SCIP improved, our rates of superficial SSI decreased. Reduction in superficial SSI decreases cost to the patient and decreases length of stay.

Temporary road sections for the A303 bypass at Ilminster, Somerset, revealed Upper Pliensbachian and Toarcian sediments from an alternating limestone–marl facies, in marked contrast to the limestone-dominated Dorset coast succession. The lithostratigraphy is described, with the standard ammonite zonation providing chronostratigraphical correlation. The uppermost Pliensbachian (Spinatum Chronozone) and much of the Toarcian (Serpentinum, Bifrons, Variabilis, Thouarsense and Pseudoradiosa chronozones) of the classic Dorset coast Lower Jurassic sequence are represented by the Beacon Limestone Formation, formerly the ‘Junction Bed’ (a highly condensed carbonate deposit). The Tenuicostatum Chronozone is largely missing from the sequence. Elsewhere in southern and eastern England this interval is poorly or rarely exposed. The argillaceous units have yielded rich microfaunas and -floras (foraminifera, ostracods, calcareous nannofossils and palynomorphs), the biostratigraphical distributions of which are analysed and discussed in relation to contemporary evolutionary patterns and other UK records. This study provides an insight into the micro-biostratigraphy of the Late Pliensbachian to Toarcian interval for onshore southern England.

Sediment mass-transport layers of submarine origin on the northern and southern flanks of the Troodos ophiolitic massif are dated biostratigraphically as early Miocene and late Miocene, respectively and therefore represent different seismogenic events in the uplift and erosional history of the Troodos terrane. Analysis of such events has potential for documenting Miocene seismic and uplift events regionally in the context of changing stress field directions and plate vectors through time.

New information about modern high-latitude marine ostracod faunas and about their occurrence in late Pliocene and Quaternary sequences promotes the application of these microfossils to palaeoenvironmental, palaeo-biogeographical and palaeoclimatological problems. Five poorly known species (Cluthia cluthae, Finmarchinella logani, Roundstonia globulifera, Roundstonia macchesneyi and Semicytherura complanata) from North Atlantic, North Pacific and Arctic areas are confirmed as extant and are used to demonstrate the potential of marine ostracods as tools for palaeoclimate studies. The genus Bonnyannella Athersuch, 1982 is shown to be a junior synonym of Roundstonia Neale, 1973.

Late Callovian (athleta Chronozone) age sediments of Pedrógão, west coast Portugal, yielded a low diversity ostracod assemblage with relatively little in common with coeval NW European assemblages except at the weak level of comparative (cf.) species identification. Five new marine species are described (Neurocythere multiforma sp. nov., Palaeocytheridea (Malzevia)? dorsocostata sp. nov., Praebythoceratina parascrobiculata sp. nov., Praeschuleridea lisensis sp. nov., Virgulacytheridea posteroacuminata sp. nov.) and three previously described non-marine species recorded that so far are indigenous to Portugal (Septacandona azeredae, Sinuocythere pedrogaensis, Theriosynoecum helmdachi). Ostracod taxonomic links to western Tethys are evident but weak. Calcareous nannofossil assemblages were analysed for biostratigraphical control.Supplementary material: Sample data and raw ostracod counts are available at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.3271394.v1

The ostracod assemblages from the Newmarracarra Limestone Formation (Early Bajocian, Western Australia) are highly unusual in being formed exclusively by members of the superfamily Cytheroidea. They are also apparently composed dominantly of endemic taxa, with three new genera defined here (Bringocythere, Fistulosacythere, Gondwanacythere) and only three other genera known from elsewhere in the southern Tethyan area (AmicytherideaBate 1975,MandawacythereBate 1975,ParadoxorhynchaChapman 1904). Eight species represented by very limited material are tentatively compared with Northern Hemisphere genera but their real affinities are uncertain. The assemblages have little in common with the few records of Southern Hemisphere Middle Jurassic material described from Argentina and elsewhere.

A review of the species “Protocythere auriculata (Cornuel 1846)”sensuTriebel (1938) and “Cythere harrisianaJones 1870” has led to a re-evaluation of the genusHomocythereKaye 1963. It is demonstrated that the type ofHomocythere (H. reticulataKaye 1963) is a reticulate juvenile of “Cythere harrisianaJones 1870” andreticulata a synonym. From this emended identification ofKaye’sreticulata, Homocythere harrisiana (Jones 1870) assumes the taxonomical status of type species. Furthermore, the genusHomocythereKaye 1963 takes precedence overMandocythereGrundel 1964, yet the diagnosis ofMandocythere covers the revised generic concept ofHomocythere. — Homocythere is described and illustrated by the species:H. harrisiana (Jones 1870),H. cucullata n. sp.,H. howeiMalz 1974,H. muelleri (Grundel 1964) andH. similis n. sp., and is known at present from the Albian and Cenomanian of western and central Europe and eastwards to Kazakstan (from where congeneric species were assigned toNeocytherettinaLjubimova 1965).

At the southern exit of the Bosphorus Strait in the northeastern Marmara Sea, high-resolution seismic profiles reveal two lobate, progradational delta lobes in modem water depths of similar to40-65 m. The younger delta was active from similar to10 to 9 ka based on radiocarbon dates of equivalent prodelta deposits and the elevation of its topset-to-foreset transition. The topset-to-foreset transition climbs in the seaward direction because the delta prograded into a rising sea. Low abundances of marine fauna and flora in the 10-9-ka interval support a deltaic interpretation. There are no rivers in the area that could have fed the delta; instead, all evidence points to the strait itself as the source of sediment and water. When this outflow was strongest (similar to 10.6-6.0 ka), sapropels accumulated in basinal areas of both the Aegean and Marmara seas. Benthic foraminiferal and dinoflagellate cyst data from contemporary deposits elsewhere in the Marmara Sea point to the continual presence through the Holocene of a surface layer of brackish water that we ascribe to this same outflow from the Black Sea through the Bosphorus Strait. By similar to 9.1-8.5 ka, two-layer flow developed in the Bosphorus Strait as global sea level continued to rise, and the sediment supply to the younger delta was cut off because the outflowing Black Sea water ceased to be in contact with the, floor of the strait. The older delta lobe lies below a prominent lowstand unconformity and is tentatively interpreted to have formed from similar to 29.5 to 23.5 ka (oxygen-isotopic stage 3) when the Marmara Sea stood at similar to -55 m and a second sapropel accumulated in deep basinal areas. Crown Copyright (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Benthic foraminifera are described for the first time from the Gibraltar Limestone Formation of the Rock of Gibraltar. The new species Siphovalvulina colomiS. gibraltarensisRiyadhella praeregularis occur with Duotaxis metula Kristan, Everticyclammina praevirguliana Fugagnoli, Siphovalvulina sp.,an atypically early example of Textulariopsis sp., and Nodosaria sp. Microflora are present as the probable cyanobacterium Cayeuxia ?piae Frollo, the alga Palaeodasycladus ?mediterraneus (Pia), and the disputed alga Thaumatoporella ?parvovesiculifera (Raineri). The foraminifera compare most closely with poorly-known taxa from Italy, Spain and Morocco, and are consistent with an Early Jurassic (Sinemurian) age for the upper part of the &62;460-m-thick Gibraltar Limestone. Most are textulariids and more primitive than species well known from the later Early Jurassic (Pliensbachian) of the Mediterranean region, especially Morocco and Italy. The biota as a whole is characteristic of inner carbonate platform environments widespread along the rifted western margins of the Early Jurassic Tethys, notably those recorded from Morocco, Italy and Greece as well as southern Spain.

HIV-positive patients are at increased risk of developing adenovirus infection, particularly of the gastrointestinal tract and with unusual subgenus D strains. To investigate humoral immunity to these strains of adenoviruses, the humoral immune response was examined in longitudinal samples of serum against isolates collected from a prospective study of HIV-positive patients with subgenus D adenovirus infection. Of 10 HIV-positive patients developing adenovirus infection, 3 had chronic infection (8–>27 months) with one serotype, 3 had chronic infection (≥10 months) with changing serotypes and 4 had acute and self-limiting adenovirus infection (

SUMMARY During a professional career of 42 years, John Neale published 106 scientific papers and book chapters, and edited 5 books, mainly concerning the bivalved crustacean group Ostracoda. Although dominantly taxonomic in nature, this body of work encompasses an extraordinary range of material, both living and fossil, from late Jurassic to modern in age, from a range of marine and non-marine environments, and demonstrates a pioneering combination of palaeontological and zoological methods.

Mass extinctions are recognized through the study of fossil groups across event horizons, and from analyses of long-term trends in taxonomic richness and diversity. Both approaches have inherent flaws, and data that once seemed reliable can be readily superseded by the discovery of new fossils and/or the application of new analytical techniques. Herein the current state of the Cretaceous-Tertiary (K-T) biostratigraphical record is reviewed for most major fossil clades, including: calcareous nannoplankton, dinoflagellates, diatoms, radiolaria, foraminifera, ostracodes, scleractinian corals, bryozoans, brachio-pods, molluscs, echinoderms, fish, amphibians, reptiles and terrestrial plants (macrofossils and palynomorphs). These reviews take account of possible biasing factors in the fossil record in order to extract the most comprehensive picture of the K-T biotic crisis available. Results suggest that many faunal and floral groups (ostracodes, bryozoa, ammonite cephalopods, bivalves, archosaurs) were in decline throughout the latest Maastrichtian while others (diatoms, radiolaria, benthic foraminifera, brachiopods, gastropods, fish, amphibians, lepidosaurs, terrestrial plants) passed through the K-T event horizon with only minor taxonomic richness and/or diversity changes. A few microfossil groups (calcareous nannoplankton, dinoflagellates, planktonic foraminifera) did experience a turnover of varying magnitudes in the latest Maastrichtian-earliest Danian. However, many of these turnovers, along with changes in ecological dominance patterns among benthic foraminifera, began in the latest Maastrichtian. Improved taxonomic estimates of the overall pattern and magnitude of the K-T extinction event must await the development of more reliable systematic and phylogenetic data for all Upper Cretaceous clades.

Laparoscopic resection for carcinoma of the colon and rectum is currently under intense scrutiny. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to review our three-year experience of laparoscopic surgery for colon and rectal carcinoma. METHODS: From October 1991 to September 1994, 76 laparoscopic procedures were performed for colorectal neoplasia (32 males and 44 females; mean age, 69 years). Fifty-five procedures were done for carcinoma, 16 for large polyps, and five for diversion in patients with unresectable cancer. For resectable tumors, the average size was 4 cm; staging was as follows: Dukes A, 10 patients; Dukes B1, 11; Dukes B2, 18; Dukes C1, 1; Dukes C2, 9; and Dukes D, 8. Fourteen cases (25 percent) that were converted to open procedures were compared with the 41 cases that were completed laparoscopically for differences in tumor size, surgical margins, number of lymph nodes harvested, length of hospital stay, and evidence of recurrence. Procedures completed laparoscopically were then compared with a group of open controls completed during the same time period. RESULTS: During the first six months, the conversion rate was 32 percent but dropped to 8 percent in the last six months. There were a total of 19 complications (25 percent), of which 8 (14 percent) were directly related to the laparoscopic technique. The mean number of lymph nodes harvested in laparoscopic resection for carcinoma was 8.5, and the average closest tumor margin was 4.5 cm. When laparoscopic resections were compared with converted and standard open colectomies, there was no significant difference in tumor margins or numbers of nodes resected. Length of stay was significantly shorter for anterior resections completed laparoscopically than for converted or conventional colectomies. Although this was also the trend for right hemicolectomies, it did not reach statistical significance. Mean follow-up of the group completed laparoscopically was 16.7 months, during which there was one recurrence. There were no trocar site recurrences. CONCLUSIONS: This early experience seems to indicate that laparoscopic surgery for colorectal carcinoma does not per se compromise surgical oncologic principles and encourages us to continue our critical appraisal of this technique.

We review the utility of ostracods for palaeoclimatic reconstruction at different taxonomic levels. Ostracods can provide palaeoenvironmental information based on several approaches. The chemical and isotopic composition of their mineral shells as well as the relatively minor organic component trapped within the carbonate lattice may give direct quantitative evidence of conditions in their natural habitat. Morphological observations and detailed morphometric records of valve size, shape and outline within a species may provide subtle clues to environmental changes between different habitats or adjacent stratigraphic intervals. Uniformitarian approaches can be applied to species, genera and supra-generic classifications but with decreasing resolution and increasing uncertainty in palaeoenvironmental significance (1) the higher the taxonomic unit and (2) the older the material geologically. The classical methodology of combining the habitat and environmental preferences of individual species to infer palaeoclimatic conditions remains as valid today as when such observations were first made in the nineteenth century.

The redlegged earth mite, Halotydeus destructor Tucker, is an important pest of broad-acre farming systems in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. In 2006, high levels of resistance to synthetic pyrethroids were discovered in this species in Western Australia.Between 2007 and 2010, the authors monitored resistance in field populations and found it had spread considerably within the state of Western Australia. Twenty-six paddocks from 15 individual properties were identified with resistance, and these paddocks ranged over 480 km. To date, resistance has not been detected in any other Australian state. Resistance in H. destructor appears to be found across the entire pyrethroid group, but not to other chemical classes such as organophosphates and carbamates, or other chemistries with novel modes of action.The high levels of resistance occurring in Western Australia have caused considerable economic losses due to ineffective chemical applications and mortality of crop plants at seedling establishment. These findings highlight the need for a comprehensive resistance surveillance programme to be developed for H. destructor within Australia. Growers need to consider non-chemical approaches for pest control and should be encouraged to implement pesticide resistance management programmes for H. destructor.

Ostracod faunas at six locations are compared, and related to distributions in an Atlantic Ocean-wide data base. Five, widely developed, vertical faunal sequences are recognised at particular levels within deep water-masses: Henryhowella Fauna (lower part of Antarctic Intermediate Water); Krithe Fauna (Upper North Atlantic Deep Water); Poseidonamicus-Bosquetina Fauna (upper part of Lower NADW); Dutoitella Fauna (lower part of Lower NADW); Legitimocythere Fauna (Antarctic Bottom Water). These faunas are correlated with previously established deep water benthic foraminiferal assemblages, and their possible palaeo-oceanographic use is discussed.

Ostracods are valuable for the analysis of palaeoenvironments. The Japanese Quaternary has several characteristics different from that of N. Europe and N. America, such as no major glaciations, the presence of active volcanism and thick marine sediments. Through the analysis of ostracod assemblages from the Quaternary sediments of the Boso Peninsula, central Japan, variations of water depth, changes in oceanographical patterns, and the topographical history of the sedimentary basin can be interpreted.

John Eustace Whittaker was born near Burnley, Lancashire on 25 September 1945 and educated at St Mary’s College, Black-burn. Despite being a devoted Lancastrian, fate has decreed that since leaving school he has spent the rest of his life elsewhere and he is now a resident of south Essex. His interest in earth science was stimulated by the Geography and Geology teacher at St Mary’s College, Ken James, and consequently he entered the then University College of Wales, Aberystwyth to read Joint Geography and Geology in 1964. John was, however, ‘rescued’ from the geographical side of things by the redoubtable Robin Whatley (TMS Honorary Member 2004) and, in 1967, commenced research under his supervision, at the same time striking up what was to become a lifelong friendship with him, and also with John Haynes. John’s doctoral work concerned living ostracods of coastal sites in southern England and his thesis, ‘The taxonomy, ecology and distribution of Recent brackish marine Ostracoda from localities along the coast of Hampshire and Dorset (Christchurch harbour, The Fleet and Weymouth Bay)’, was a monumental two volumes submitted in 1972. From this developed Marine and Brackish Water Ostracods (Athersuch et al., 1989), an important synoptic work still in regular use (if you can find a copy). Fate again took a hand when, in 1971, a position in the Natural History Museum, London became available, working with another formidable character, the late Geoffrey Adams – on foraminifera rather than ostracods! John worked at the NHM until his retirement in . . .

Karl Krömmelbein (1920–1979) worked on both Paleozoic and Mesozoic sequences but is best remembered for his pioneering work on late Jurassic–early Cretaceous ostracod assemblages from Brazil and West Africa, clearly demonstrating in a series of publications between 1961 and 1972 the presence of comparable marginal-marine and non-marine faunas in continental margin basins on each side of the modern South Atlantic. These ostracods and their biostratigraphical distributions have assumed great importance in recent years consequent on the discovery of hydrocarbons, especially offshore Brazil. All Krömmelbein's published and background material is housed the the Senckenberg Forschungsinstitut und Naturmuseum, Frankfurt-am-Main, Germany with the sole exception of the material figured in Krömmelbein & Weber (1971) which is housed in the Bundesanstalt für Geowissenschaften und Rohstoffe and Landesamt für Bergbau, Energie und Geologie, Hannover, Germany. Do Carmo et al. (2008) make a number of erroneous statements about the material, i.e., that material of Krömmelbein (1965) was moved from Hannover to Frankfurt, and that Do Carmo et al.'s figured specimens from the Krömmelbein Collection in Frankfurt are ‘types’ when they are exclusively topotypic and not primary types. A statement in Poropat and Colin (2012, p. 701) attempts to clarify this situation, however, Antonietto et al. (2012, p. 663) compound the confusion by stating that the holotype of Hourcqia angulata salitrensis Krömmelbein and Weber, 1971 is housed in the Senckenberg, which it is not. The confusion may have arisen as a result of a temporary loan of the Krömmelbein and Weber (1971) specimens to Senckenberg.

A damping apparatus for damping vibrations in a vibrating system including a piston which is reciprocally movable in a hydraulic fluid filled damper chamber, piston movement in either direction of movement being resisted by fluid pressure in the damper chamber behind the piston, which resistance provides damping forces which act to oppose piston movement, the piston being connected to one component of the vibrating system and the damping chamber being connected to a second component of the vibrating system, characterised in that the fluid at at least a first side of the piston acts on a movable part which is movable in response to changing fluid pressure in the damper chamber at the first side of the piston as the piston moves, the movable member providing a relief volume for the fluid into which and from which fluid may flow from and towards the first side of the piston without passing to an opposite second side of the piston.

Recently, the monotypic ostracod genus Ankumia van Veen, 1932 was abandoned as nomen dubium by Jones (2003, p. 85) in favour of Platella Coryell & Fields, 1937 and a new combination was proposed for the type species of Ankumia, i.e. Platella bosqueti (van Veen, 1932). However, Ankumia bosqueti from the Maastrichtian of The Netherlands was introduced as an available taxon and, as documented by Jones (2003), the specific name is valid for recognizing the species in which ‘pathological individuals with retained moults’ occur. Therefore, there is no reason to treat Ankumia as nomen dubium. Yet, although there is no doubt about the cytherellid relationship of the species, two taxonomical questions still remain.(1) Do pathological individuals of cytherellids justify specific and/or generic ranking? Certainly they do not, and demonstration of a corresponding ‘normal’ species (including ‘pathological individuals’) among the associated cytherellids is wanting. On the other hand, if these pathological individuals can be proven as representing a discrete pathological genus, Ankumia remains as a valid genus to characterize the available species name bosqueti.(2) Why should Ankumia be abandoned in favour of Platella? When van den Bold (1967, pp. 306, 308) compared Coryell & Fields’ original Gatún ostracod fauna with his own collection from the Neogene Gatún Formation in the Panama Canal Zone, he recognized the type species, Platella gatunensis, as a small-sized cytherellid moult. Over the years about a dozen small- and normal-sized cytherellid species from all over the world have been assigned to Platella, ignoring the questionable taxonomic . . .

The Thanetian Stage in the type area is composed of the Thanet Formation, the Woolwich Bottom Bed and the Oldhaven Beds. The Thanet Formation at the stratotype localities in southeastern England contains calcareous nannoplankton Zones NP 6/7 and NP 8. The Woolwich Bottom Bed and Oldhaven Beds are not zonable in the type area. The marine “Bottom Bed” of the Woolwich and Reading Beds is, however, assignable to Zone NP 9 outside the type area (at Clarendon Hill in Wiltshire).

A laboratory-assembled high pressure liquid chromatograph with variable wavelength ultraviolet detector is described. The chromatography of the systemic fungicides benomyl, thiabendazole, thiophanate, related fungicides and benzimidazoles (13 compounds in all) is described using reverse phase and adsorption systems. Temperature affects reverse phase systems but not adsorption systems. Use of a variable wavelength detector increases sensitivity and selectivity. High pressure liquid chromatography (h.p.l.c.) has been applied to measurements of the solubility of benomyl and carbendazim in water and the degradation of benomyl in solution. Use of h.p.l.c. to measure benzimidazole residues awaits the development of methods of avoiding interference by substances extracted from crops and soils.