IEM.1-6 Morphology, Taxonomy and Applications of Siliceous Microfossils

Instructors: M. Triantaphyllou; T. Tsourou; E. Besiou; E. Malinverno; T. Danelian

SEMESTER: 1st

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course deals with the study of siliceous microfossils, as an ideal tool in environmental and geo-environmental research, playing an important role in the biogeochemical cycles of carbon, silica and calcium in oceanic systems and contributing to biogenic carbonate sedimentation. Among the siliceous microfossils, focus will be given to diatoms and silicoflagellates as tools for biostratigraphic and paleoenvironmental assessment. Radiolaria assemblages will be also discussed.

CONTENT:

Theoretical content (lectures).

Introduction to marine diatoms: physiology, reproduction, habitat, morphology of the skeleton

Key taxonomic characters for the identification of diatoms: focus on key extant and fossil genera

Diatom biogeographic distribution in extant and past environments

Ecological role of diatoms in different oceanic settings: polar and equatorial upwelling, intermittent upwelling conditions (the fall-dump model); Harmful Algal Blooms

Cenozoic diatom biostratigraphic schemes and biochronology

Examples of diatom biozonation from key time intervals

Introduction to silicoflagellates: physiology, reproduction, morphology of the skeleton

Key taxonomic characteristics for the identification of extant and fossil silicoflagellate genera

Biogeography of extant silicoflagellates and ecological forcing on the distribution of species and morphotypes

Cenozoic silicoflagellate biostratigraphic markers

Introduction to radiolaria: physiology, reproduction, morphology of the skeleton

Key taxonomic characters for the identification of extant and fossil radiolaria genera

Biogeography of radiolaria and ecological forcing on the distribution of species and morphotypes

Radiolaria biostratigraphic markers

Β. Practical exercises:

Preparation techniques for qualitative and quantitative analyses of siliceous microfossils

Quantitative biostratigraphic methods and data statistical treatment

Lab sessions on diatoms and silicoflagellates under the Light Microscope

Biostratigraphic exercises and hands-on applications

BREAKDOWN OF WORKLOAD

Activity	Semester Workload (hours)
Face to face (in lectures and practical exercises)	39
Using computers, tablets, smartphones and specialized software (in lectures and practical exercises)	10
Laboratory exercises	39
Questions and Answers	10
Preparation for final examination and/or project presentation	27
Total	125

STUDENT EVALUATION/GRADING

The evaluation process is conducted in English, either with progress in separate sections of the material or with the final examination of the whole material and includes:

I. LECTURES (50%)

Oral Examination and/or

Written exam with short answer questions and Multiple choice test and/or

Written examination with extended answer questions and/or

Scientific presentation in a specific topic related to the subject of the course

ΙΙ. PRACTICAL EXERCISES (50%)

Written examination with exercises and problem solving

SUGGESTED LITERATURE

Armstrong H. and Brasier M., 2005. Micropaleontology, second edition. Blackwell Publishing, 296 pp.

Barron Diatom Catalogue: supplement to Lazarus D., Barron J., Renaudie J., Diver P., Turke A., 2014. Cenozoic Planktonic Marine Diatom Diversity and Correlation to Climate Change

Barron J., Stickley C.E., Bukry D., 2015. Paleoceanographic and paleoclimatic constraints on the global Eocene diatom and silicoflagellate record. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 422: 85.100

Bolli H.M., Sounders J.B., Perch-Nielsen K., 1975 – Plankton Stratigraphy, vol. 2. Cambridge Earth Science Series. Cambridge University Press.

Boltovskoy, D., Kling, S.A., Takahashi, K., Bjørklund, K., 2010. World atlas of distribution of recent polycystina (radiolaria). Palaeontologia Electronica 13, 1–229.

Danelian, T., Johnson, K.G., 2001. Patterns of biotic change in Middle Jurassic to Early Cretaceous tethyan radiolaria. Mar. Micropaleontol. 43, 239–260.

Danelian, T., Meunier, M., Tetard, M., Skampa, E., Triantaphyllou, M., Stavrakakis, S., Gogou, A., 2022. Diversity of polycystine radiolarians in sediment traps from the Ionian, North Aegean and Cretan Seas: a preliminary account. Rev. Micropaleontol. 74, 100606.

Haq B.U. and Boersma A., 1998 – Marine Micropaleontology. Elsevier, 376 pp.

Lazarus, D., 2005. A brief review of radiolarian research. Paläontolische Zeitschrift 79/1, 183–200.

McCartney K., Witkowski J., Jordan R.J., Daugbjerg N., Malinverno E., van Wezel R., Kano H., Abe K., Scott F., Schweizer M., Young J.R., Hallegraeff G.M., Shiozawa A., 2014. Fine structure of silicoflagellate double skeletons. Marine Micropaleontology 113: 10-19.

McCartney K, and Witkowski J., 2016. Cenozoic silicoflagellati skeletal morphology: a review and suggested terminology. Journal of Micropaleontology 35: 179-189.

McCartney K., Witkowski J., Jordan R.J., Abe K., Janusziewicz, Wrçbel R., Bak M., Soeding E., 2022. Marine Micropaleontology 172: 102108

Smol J.P. and Stoermer E.F Eds., 2010. The Diatoms. Applications for the Environmental and Earth Sciences, Second Edition. Cambridge University Press.