After decades of archaeological excavations, legacy collections present us with vast reservoirs of untapped research potential. By studying Ceramic Age (ca. 500 bc–ad 600) Caribbean pottery from Hacienda Grande (Puerto Rico) and Salt River (St. Croix), this exploratory study devised a method for the use of nondestructive geochemical analyses (portable X-ray fluorescence) on large ceramic collections to research various aspects of cultural interaction, such as trade, exchange, social networks, and mobility. A set of ceramic information was divided into multiple variables to test the geochemical data for patterns of variability due to vessel use, production techniques, or provenance of raw materials. The results indicate that the potters from Hacienda Grande most likely used only one local clay source, but applied different production and finishing techniques in relation to the vessel function; whereas, the ceramics found in Salt River indicate at least two clay sources or different tempers, yet little variation in finishing techniques. The results obtained in this study support the image of self-sufficient communities that maintained a close source-to-site distance in ceramic production and consumption. Furthermore, the observed similarities between islands point to a shared cultural package as the result of knowledge transmission through interaction, rather than transportation of pottery between sites and islands.

Protonolima mantispinoformis gen. et sp. nov. (Neuroptera: Mantispidae) is described from the early Eocene Green River Formation. It likely belongs to Calomantispinae, on the basis of the very distal origin of posterior radius and the basal crossvein between media and cubitus (1m-cu) connecting radius + media and anterior cubitus; if so, it would be the only fossil representative of the subfamily. Protonolima gen. nov. is probably most closely related to the extant American genus Nolima.

Placobdella pediculataHemingway, 1908 was originally described from individuals that were attached to Aplodinotus grunniens (freshwater drum) in Lake Pepin, Minnesota, USA. Apparently, no type material was deposited. The acquisition of contemporary specimens from its type host in the type locality facilitated redescription of P. pediculata. Placobdella pediculata is different from its congeners in that its caudal sucker is extended from the body by a pedicel (peduncle), bears digitate processes near the rim of the caudal sucker, a smooth body surface, and its anal placement (few annuli anteriad of the caudal sucker). Molecular comparison of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I sequence data from P. pediculata revealed differences of 13.8% to 17.4% among congeners. Placobdella pediculata is a distinct species.

The fossil record of nonbaenid paracryptodires ranges from the Late Jurassic (Kimmeridgian) to the Paleocene of North America and Europe only. Earlier remains may be present as early as the Middle Jurassic (Bathonian). Only a single dispersal event is documented between the two continents after their breakup during the Cretaceous in the form of the appearance of the Compsemys lineage in the Paleocene of France. Nonbaenid paracryptodires were restricted to freshwater aquatic environments but display adaptations to diverse feeding strategies consistent with generalist, gape-and-suction, and hypercarnivorous feeding. Current phylogenies recognize two species-rich subclades within Paracryptodira, Baenidae and Pleurosternidae, which jointly form the clade Baenoidea. A taxonomic review of nonbaenid paracryptodires concludes that of 34 named taxa, 11 are nomina valida, 15 are nomina invalida, and 8 are nomina dubia.