The Atlantic Forest possesses great biodiversity with numerous endemic species. This, along with fragmentation and loss of natural environments resulting from anthropic actions, place this complex ecosystem among global biodiversity hotspots. The objective of this study was to contribute the palynological knowledge of 17 species of six genera subordinate to the Helieae tribe using light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Acetolysed pollen material was used for making measurements and descriptions under light microscopy, while non-acetolysed pollen grains were used for obtaining SEM images. Pollen grains were found as monads in Macrocarpaea, rhomboidal tetrads in Calolisianthus amplissimus and tetrahedral tetrads in the other species. The type of aperture varied among colporate, hemicolporate, porate and hemiporate, while the ornamentation of the sexine varied among genera including reticulate, gemmate-pilate, rugulate, gemmate-baculate and rugulate-echinate. Using the results, a key and multivariate analysis were developed that confirm the separation of the species in the tribe. The present study provides a broad base of information for the taxonomy of the group, as well as serving other areas such as aeropalynology, melissopalynology and paleopalynology.

Ceiba, is a large tree used for ornamental landscaping in tropical regions of the world. It is found in tropical areas, including Mexico, Central America, South America, the Caribbean, West Africa, and Southeast Asia. The present work communicates the detailed pollen morphology of four Ceiba species growing in India including one hybrid, C. speciosa (A.St.-Hil.) Ravenna, C. insignis (Kunth) P. E. Gibbs & Semir, C. x insignis (cross between C. insignis and C. speciosa) and C. pentandra (L.) Gaertn., using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM), Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope (CLSM) and Light Microscope (LM) to highlight the taxonomic characterization of these species and document finer morphological details to correlate them with other Ceiba spp., growing around the world. Pollen grain is 4-5-colporate, brevicolpate; sub-oblate to prolate-spheroidal to sub-prolate; sexine reticulate (muri provided with scattered spinuloid excrescences, lumina reticolumellate) and mostly thicker than nexine. The multivariate principal component analysis (PCA) was applied on Ceiba and Bombax ceiba to numerical data obtained from pollen morphometry which clearly revealed a significant variation between different genus and species. A pollen key, based on these micromorphological data (especially pollen aperture and size of muri), is also presented for the Ceiba and B. ceiba. The study provides an analogue for precise identification of Ceiba pollen grains recovered in Quaternary and pre-Quaternary sedimentary deposits in India and other tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Besides, pollen preservation, evolutionary trend and palaeoecology are the other important implications of this study.

Pollen morphology of 43 species two subspecies and three varieties of the genera Acanthophyllum, Dianthus, Gypsophila, Petrorhagia, Psammosilene, Saponaria and Vaccaria, of Caryophylleae was observed and studied in detail using scanning electron microscopy. Among them, 28 species two subspecies and three varieties were reported for the first time. The results show that the number and distribution of pores and surface ornamentation have systematic significance. In addition, pollen morphology contributes to infrageneric evolutionary trends of Dianthus, infrageneric and intergeneric classification of Gypsophila, and reveals the differences between the tribes Caryophylleae and Sileneae.

Forensic palynology is a discipline used in criminal cases, the importance of which has been increasing within the forensic sciences worldwide over the past three decades. Palynological analysis of surface soil samples collected from crime scenes, items and individuals has already been proven to provide important evidence linking suspects, victims and items to specific locations. A palynological study of surface soil obtained in two Portuguese districts, Coimbra and Setubal, was undertaken. The main aim was to determine the value of soil samples regarding the plant community diversity in a given area of the country, based on the evaluation of palynomorph assemblages, and to determine whether any variation could be useful in a forensic palynology context. Five surface soil samples were obtained and processed from three representative types of habitat (dunes, mixed forest and scrub) within the two districts, providing 30 samples. In total, 5434 palynomorphs were analysed and 62 taxa identified, representing nine families, 42 genera and 11 species. Results show that both districts were generally characterised by high pollen taxa frequencies, by composition diversity and by distinct palynological profiles for each district, area and collection site. In conclusion, this study shows that different locations varied in their pollen profiles, which may be of use to forensic palynologists.

The Middle to Late Miocene Brassington Formation from the Peak District in Derbyshire, central UK, has yielded a diverse vegetation assemblage, but until now there have been no reports of fungal remains. Here, we describe three new species of fossil fungal palynomorphs from the Kenslow Member of the Brassington Formation. The taxa have been assigned to the Chaetosphaeriaceae and Pyrenulales, and were most likely saprophytic members of the community. The extant living relatives of the new fossil fungi are commonly found on decaying wood, often submerged in freshwater. A saprobic ecology on submerged decaying wood is consistent with sedimentological evidence that shows the Kenslow Member was deposited in a lacustrine or wetland environment. This is the first reported occurrence of the genus Rhexoampullifera in the fossil record.

Exceptionally well-preserved palynomorphs were recovered from a Turonian section cored in Tanzania. Here we provide an in-depth evaluation of the terrestrial palynomorph assemblages recovered, discuss their environmental affinity, and provide taxonomic descriptions for seventeen angiosperm species. Forms present include various species of Liliacidites, Tricolpites, Tricolporites, Tetracolpites, Syncolporites, Triporopollenites, Hexaporotricolpites, and Periporopollenites. In addition to these angiosperm species, the palynological assemblage is dominated by gymnosperm genera that include Classopollis, Ephedripites, and Exesipollenites. This assemblage and the rarity of humidity-dependent bryophytes and pteridophytes clearly support the hypothesis that the Turonian climate in Tanzania was warm and relatively dry.

The pollen morphology of 63 African Impatiens species (Balsaminaceae) is studied using scanning electron microscopy. In addition, the pollen wall structure of five African Impatiens species was investigated with transmission electron microscopy. Pollen of African balsams is medium to large in size. Oblate Impatiens pollen is most common yet peroblate and suboblate pollen are also well represented. African pollen of the genus Impatiens is mainly circular, rectangular or elliptic. Reticulate sexine ornamentation is characteristic for most of the species investigated. Both homobrochate and heterobrochate pollen is present within the genus. Occasionally, the lumina are not entirely demarcated by muri, resulting in coalescence between adjacent lumina. The muri vary from slender with a tapering top edge, to slender with a rounded edge, to broad, more or less flattened muri. The tectal muri are always supported by two or three rows of short and massive columellae. Orbicules are absent in all species investigated. Observations of the pollen wall stratification show that pollen of African Impatiens consists of a thin foot layer, a lamellated endexine (characterized by remnants of the white lines) and a one-layered intine. Foot layer and endexine are slightly intermingled and therefore sometimes difficult to distinguish from each other.

Terrestrial palynomorphs from the siliciclastic rocks of the Hørbyebreen and Mumien formations in the Birger Johnsonfjellet area, Spitsbergen are documented, providing new knowledge of the stratigraphical ranges of the recorded taxa. Together with a reassessment of previous palynological work in the light of recent advances in palynology, the definitions of three informal palynological assemblages are established. These are correlated to the Carboniferous miospore biozones of Western Europe but differences in the stratigraphical ranges are recorded, as Spitsbergen is located in a different paleofloristic province. Paucity of palynological data from the Arctic areas, as well as lack of independent age control, hampers exact age assignment of the palynological assemblages described. Two age alternatives of the lower part of the Hoelbreen Member are discussed, with the most plausible age for the studied section being mid to late Visean in age. A more consistent and up-to-date correlation of the Mississippian palynofloras in the Arctic region is provided, demonstrating similarities to other Arctic regions. The new age reassessment also improves knowledge of stratigraphical breaks in the succession, providing better understanding of the tectono-stratigraphical history of the region.

Palynological analyses of 13 samples from two sediment cores retrieved from the Sabrina Coast, East Antarctica provide rare information regarding the paleovegetation within the Aurora Basin, which today is covered by the East Antarctic Ice Sheet. The assemblages, hereafter referred to as the Sabrina Flora, are dominated by angiosperms, with complexes of Gambierina (G.) rudata and G. edwardsii representing 38–66% of the assemblage and an abundant and diverse Proteaceae component. The Sabrina Flora also includes Battenipollis sectilis, Forcipites sp. and Nothofagidites (N.) spp. (mostly belonging to the N. cf. rocaensis-cf. flemingii complex), along with a few fern spores, including Laevigatosporites ovatus, a moderate presence of conifers, and previously undescribed angiosperm morphospecies. Two of these, Battenipollis sabrinae sp. nov. and being Gambierina askiniae sp. nov., are described herein. A majority of the assemblage is interpreted as deposited contemporaneously with sedimentation, including Gambierina spp., which is traditionally assigned a Cretaceous–earliest Eocene age range. However, our age diagnosis for the Sabrina Flora, based on key morphospecies, indicates that sediment was most likely deposited between the latest Paleocene to early–middle Eocene, and that Gambierina rudata and G. edwardsii extended longer than previously proposed.

The organic-walled dinoflagellate cyst Molassedinium bicornutum gen. et sp. nov. described in this paper is recorded in the Oligocene (Rupelian) organic-rich sediments of the Eggerding Formation from the North Alpine Foreland Basin (Molasse Basin), Austria. It was discovered within a diverse and well-preserved dinoflagellate cyst assemblage. It is a gonyaulacacean (leptodinioidean) holocavate cyst with distinctive apical and antapical ectophragmal horns and an apical archaeopyle. The current stratigraphic range of the taxon is restricted to the Rupelian. It may constitute a potentially important regional stratigraphic marker for high-resolution age control. It is associated with a dinoflagellate cyst assemblage indicating inner–outer neritic and nutrient-rich environments.

Twenty-nine mudstone samples from coastal exposures of the upper Campanian Northumberland Formation on Hornby Island, British Columbia, Canada, have yielded diverse assemblages of exceptionally well-preserved dinoflagellate cysts belonging to the family Areoligeraceae. In total, at least 11 species belonging to eight genera occur throughout the studied section. Emendations are proposed for the genera Canningia, Canninginopsis, Circulodinium, Cyclonephelium and Senoniasphaera. The new species Canningia diastatikos sp. nov. is proposed. The assemblages include one species complex, which we refer to as the ‘Areoligera volata complex’, that exhibits morphological intergradation between forms typical of Areoligera coronata and Areoligera volata. It is postulated that morphological intergradation may reflect ecophenotypic variability which may present utility for palaeoenvironmental reconstructions.

We analysed scientific production related to melissopalynology in Brazil and surveyed the pollen types described in publications, producing a melissopalynological database. We inventoried articles published between 2005 and 2017 indexed in the Web of Science (WoS) and Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO). Searches in WoS involved researching the terms (1) mel?ssopalynolog*, (2) pollen analy?* AND honey, (3) bee* pollen, (4) pollen NEAR/15 bee*, (5) pollen analysis of honey, and (6) pollen analy?* NEAR/15 honey; in SciELO, we used the search terms (1) melissopalinologia, (2) polén AND mel, (3) polén AND abelha, (4) polén apícola, and (5) análise polínica AND mel. Additionally, we consulted the resume of the principal authors of melissopalynology research in Brazil to identify articles published during that period but not appearing in other database searches. We uncovered a total of 133 publications distributed among 56 journals, with a mean of 4.92 authors/publication. A total of 1,362 pollen types were identified, representing 130 botanical families. Among those, the most well represented in terms of numbers of pollen types were Fabaceae (270), Asteraceae (89), Euphorbiaceae (61), Rubiaceae (58), Myrtaceae (51), Malvaceae (51), Bignoniaceae (49) and Arecaceae (48). Fifty-nine bee species were mentioned in the studies, distributed among 19 genera. Apis mellifera was the most frequently mentioned bee species (73 publications), followed by the native bee species Tetragonisca angustula (13 publications). The pollen types most frequently mentioned in the articles were (in decreasing order): Eucalyptus, Myrcia, Cecropia, Mimosa caesalpiniifolia, Vernonia, Poaceae type and Croton. The inventoried publications comprised all five geographical regions of Brazil, especially the northeastern region of that country, with 59 publications. There are still large areas of Brazil without any melissopalynological studies, however, principally the central-western and southern regions. As such, more research will be necessary to fill gaps in our knowledge of Brazilian palynodiversity.

This study documents the detailed palynology of the Bridge Creek Member, Greenhorn Limestone Formation, at the Rock Canyon anticline outcrop, west of Pueblo, Colorado, USA. The section is the formally ratified Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) for the base of Turonian Stage and corresponding Lower Turonian Substage, and the only proposed GSSP for the base of the Middle Turonian Substage. The authors' previously published palynological data from the underlying Cenomanian strata in the nearby US Geological Survey (USGS) Portland-1 core, and from cores and an outcrop of Cenomanian, Turonian and earliest Coniacian age in SW Texas, are reviewed for biostratigraphy. Dinoflagellate cyst ranges and events in both areas are calibrated against other published bio- and chemostratigraphical (carbon isotope) data and an astronomical age model. A regional dinoflagellate cyst zonation is proposed, adapted from a Central and Northern European scheme, comprising three zones and four subzones. Comparison with vintage published palynological data from other states, including Arizona, Kansas, Utah, Wyoming and Montana, indicates that the zonation is probably applicable to marine sections throughout the Cretaceous Western Interior Seaway of the USA. The new palynological data from around the Lower–Middle Turonian boundary at Pueblo support its proposal as a GSSP.

Here palynological assemblages are presented from channel surface sediment samples from the Caceribu, Guaraí and Guapimirim-Macacú rivers located in an important area of the Brazilian coast (Guanabara Bay, State of Rio de Janeiro), in order to provide information relevant for the interpretation of palaeoecological records. The data indicate the predominance of pollen types from the Atlantic Forest in all samples and a relatively low representation of mangrove pollen, suggesting distant (regional) fluvial transport. Avicennia and Rhizophora were represented in those samples closer to the intertidal zone, Rhizophora being the most important. It was possible to verify a marked difference in pollen concentration/deposition among the three rivers, probably related to the different hydrodynamic pattern of each river. A low concentration of palynomorphs occurred in the Macacú-Guapimirim River, resulting from its higher flow, and there was a high deposition of palynomorphs in the sediments of Guaraí River, in response to its isolation from the hydrographic Guanabara Bay basin. It was possible to verify other interesting data, such as low palynomorph concentration in samples from near the mouth and an increase of palynomorphs in the upstream samples, mainly due to the more active action of the tidal currents. Meanwhile, the increase in the total concentration of the palynomorphs in the upstream samples coincides with the maximum reach of the saline waters and their meeting with the internal flow of the rivers.