MICROFOSSILS

M. D. Brasier
University of Hull

\LLEX & UNWIN

Contents
Preface page ix Hints for collection and study 28
Ebridians 28
1 Introduction 1

Microfossils - what are they? 1 5 Group Acritarcha 30

Why study microfossils? 1 The vesicle 30
The cell 1 Classification 30
Nutrition 2 Acritarch affinities and biology 32
Reproduction 2 Acritarch ecology 33
The Kingdoms of life 2 General history of acritarchs 33
The stratigraphic column 5 Applications of acritarchs 33
Further reading 34
PARTI PROCARYOTES THE
Hints for collection and study 34
F U N D A M E N T A L CELLS 7
6 D i v i s i o n Chrysophyta - Silicoflagellates
2 D i v i s i o n Cyanophyta - Blue-green and chrysomonads 35
algae 9 Silicoflagellates 35
Tlic living cyanophyte 9 The living silicoflagellate 35
Cyanophyte life history 9 The silicoflagellate skeleton 35
"ossification 11 Classification 36
---ophyte ecology 11 General history of silicoflagellates 36
. history of cyanophytes and Applications of silicoflagellates 37
Iites 13 Chrysomonad cysts 37
f cyanophytes and stromatolites 15 Hints for collection and study 38
- reading 15
: : collection and study 15 7 D i v i s i o n Chrysophyta - D i a t o m s 39
The living diatom 39
- Schizomycophyta - Bacteria 16 The frustule 39
Diatom distribution and ecology 39
re bacterium 16 Diatoms and sedimentology 40
-. iogically significant bacteria 16 Classification 41
" collection and study 18 General history of diatoms 42
Applications of diatoms 42
Further reading 43
EVCARYOTES- SUCCESS
Hints for collection and study 44
"HiOUGH VARIETY 19
e eucaryotes
D i v i s i o n Chrysophyta -
r r h o p h y t a - Dinoflagellates Coccolithophores 45
The living coccolithophore 45
21
Coccoliths 45
reflate 21 Ecology of coccolithophores 45
•:ory 24 Coccoliths and sedimentology 46
.- 3, 24 Classification 47
25 General history of coccolithophores 47
dinoflagellates 27 Applications of coccoliths 49
-.noflagellate cysts 27 Further reading 49
'imfrro^ 28 Hints for collection and study 49
XU CONTENTS

9 Divisions C h l o r o p h y t a and R h o d o p h y t a Classification 101

- Green algae and red algae page 51 General history of foraminifera 116
Division Chlorophyta 51 Applications of foraminifera 118
Division Rhodophyta 54 Further reading 120
Applications of calcareous algae 55 Hints for collection and study 120
Further reading 56
Hints for collection and study 56 14 P h y l u m Crustacea - Ostracods 122
Soft body structure 122
10 D i v i s i o n Tracheophyta - Spores and The ostracod carapace 123
pollen 58 Ostracod reproduction and ontogeny 126
Life cycles in land plants 58 Ostracod distribution and ecology 127
Spore morphology 60 Ostracods and sedimentology 130
Distribution and ecology 67 Classification 130
Classification 68 General history of ostracods 142
General history of spores and pollen 73 Applications of ostracods 143
Applications of spores and pollen 75 Further reading 146
Further reading 76 Hints for collection and study 146
Hints for collection and study 76
15 Group Chitinozoa 147
The vesicle 147
11 P h y l u m C i l i o p h o r a - T i n t i n n i d s and
Distribution and ecology of chitinozoans 147
calpionellids 78
Classification 147
The living tintinnid 78
Affinities of chitinozoans 148
The lorica 78
General history of chitinozoans 149
Distribution and ecology of tintinnids 79
Applications of chitinozoans 149
Classification 79
Further reading 149
General history of tintinnids 80
Hints for collection and study 149
Applications of tintinnids 80
Further reading 80 16 Group Conodontophorida 150
Hints for collection and study 80 The shape of single conodont elements 150
Composition, ultrastmcture and growth of
12 P h y l u m Sarcodina - Radiolarians and elements 151
heliozoans 81 Symmetry transition series 152
Subclass Radiolaria and Subclass Conodont apparatuses and assemblages 152
Acantharia 81 The conodont animal 152
The living radiolarian 81 Conodont distribution and ecology 154
Radiolarian distribution and ecology 83 Classification 155
Radiolarians and sedimentology 83 General history of conodonts 160
Classification 85 Applications of conodonts 160
General history of radiolarians 87 Further reading 161
Applications of radiolarians 88 Hints for collection and study 161
Subclass Heliozoa 88
Further reading 88 A p p e n d i x - Reconnaissance methods 162
Hints for collection and study 89 Sample collection 162
Sample preparation 162
13 P h y l u m Sarcodina - F o r a m i n i f e r a 90 Sorting and concentration 165
The living foraminiferid 90
Bibliography 169
Foraminiferid life history 91
The test 92 Systematic Index 179
Foraminiferid ecology 97
Foraminifera and sedimentology 100 General Index 183