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This study presents the micropalaeontological and biostratigraphical results of a microscopical investigation of the microfossil content of some 6000 thin-sections of rocks of the Khami Group (Jurassic-Lower cretaceous) as represented in Southern Iran, which forms part of the autochthonous zone of the Zagros-ranges. Representatives of the different microfossil groups (sometimes indicating contemporaneous facies) have been described, and illustrated in a Generalised Range Chart, detailed Distribution Abundance Charts, etc., accompanied by 240 photomicrographical Illustration Plates. Many species and varieties are recorded as new, or represent the first record from the Middle East region. An attempt has been made to locally correlate 18 surface outcrops (measured and sampled), by using 10 Biostratigraphical Zones; and to recognise these microfaunal zones of Oman, Arabia, in Southern Iran. A close relationship between S. Iranian Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous microfossils, and those of other parts of the Tethys seem to have existed during the greater part of these times. The abundance and variety of these microfossils have provided excellent material for biostratigraphical zonation, age determination, and correlation.

It is intended that this study will contribute to the growing record of knowledge on the stratigraphic distribution of Jurassic calcareous nannofossils in order to extend their biostratigraphic and correlatory use. Over two hundred samples from six sections in Jurassic sediments from Portugal were examined in light and scanning electron microscopes. The taxonomic aspects of the flora were studied and the stratigraphic ranges of the species and their abundances were recorded. Four of the sections cover the Lower and Middle Jurassic and these are in fully marine facies. One of the Upper Jurassic sections, Torres Vedras, is also in marine sediments but the second, the Alcanede-Carvalhos Road Section reflects part of a regressive phase which culminated in the deposition of brackish water and non-marine sediments in the basin to the north of the River Tagus during the Upper Jurassic (oýr Lusitanian stage of Portuguese geology). The stratigraphic position of the two Upper Jurassic sections is not well known. It was hoped that the examination of the calcareous nannofossils in fifteen samples from a Callovian to Oxfordian section on the Isle of Skye and in 75 samples from three Upper Jurassic cores in the western North Atlantic. would enable correlation of species and thus resolve the question of the stratigraphic position of the Upper Jurassic Portuguese sections. In fact, it only proved possible to locate the Torres Vedras Section which was of Callovian to Lower Kimmeridgian age. In addition, fourteen samples from a Triassic to lowermost Jurassic (Hettangian) section from Watchet in North Somerset, England were examined in a preliminary investigation of the early calcareous nannofossil record. The group is generally accepted as first appearing in the Lower Jurassic but the Rhaetian. samples from Watchet contained a limited assemblage which showed that a pre-Jurassic record exists. Further evidence for this was found in a reconnaissance survey of Triassic sediment from Italy. finally, a biostratigraphic scheme is developed from the results obtained in this study and from other published data.

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Morphological studies of some non-fasciculate Jurassic tubuloporinids and comparative studies of other cyclostomatous Bryozoa have enabled aspects of their palaeobiology to be elucidated and their sytematics to be revised. Skeletal ultrastructure ha been surveyed in a number of species and it relevance a taxonomic character assessed. Zooid structure and variation are considered. Factors influencing ontogenetic and astogenetic zonation is postulated. The functional morphology and genesis of tubuloporinid heterozooids have been elucidated. Quantitative studies have shown that ecophenotypic within-colony zooidal variation is high and tends to dominate between-colony comparisons of zoocium size. Differences in colony growth-form are a product of differing styles of zooecial budding, forms of budding zones, and positions of budding loci. Unilamellr, bilamellar, multilamellar, non-lamellar, and composite (Terebellaia) patterns of colony growth are described. 8 Jurassic tubuloporinid growth-forms are recognised and their ecological significant assessed by functional morphological inference and comparison with living analogues. Strengh and stability, integrated zooid feeding, and differential modes of resource utilization are shown to be reflected by colony growth-form. The ecological succession of bryozoan growth-forms is inferred. Three families of non-fasciculate tubuloporinids are recognised in the Jurassic; Stomatoporidae, Multisparsidae and Plagioeciidae. Emended diagnoses are given of 9 genera together with a key to the identification of all accepted genera and systematic descriptions of 15 species including two new species, Reptomultisparsa tumida and Reptoclausa porcata. The palaeoecology of Jurassic bryozoans has been examined and their distribution is shown to be largely facies controlled whilst species exhibit extended longevities.

The overall aim of this project is to investigate adaptive mechanisms involved in the evolution of Neanderthal and Modern Human face morphology. This is done by using a new method to summarise tooth wear patterns in a large collection of Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene hominins. This pattern is interpreted as an indicator of the forces habitually placed on different parts of the dentition. As the characteristic Neanderthal facial morphology is often interpreted as an adaptation to strong bite force between the anterior teeth, it is hypothesised that they should be particularly heavily worn in Neanderthals, relative to the rest of the dentition. The results presented here show that all Late Pleistocene hominins had heavily worn anterior teeth and that this was more pronounced in the Modern Humans than in the Neanderthals. There was, however, a characteristic Neanderthal pattern with wear more evenly spread between anterior teeth, whereas in Modern Humans it was more strongly concentrated in the incisors. In recent hunter-gatherers teeth were an integral part of the toolkit, strongly reflected in tooth wear. Both Neanderthals and the Skhul-Qafzeh Modern Humans shared a Middle Palaeolithic technology, with a small range of tool types and heavy anterior tooth wear, but the much more variable Upper Palaeolithic toolkit did not result in a reduction. Variation between different regions however suggests that the differences are complex Epipalaeolithic, Mesolithic and Neolithic jaws showed a reduction in the contrast between anterior and cheek tooth wear, as might be expected with the large technological changes they represent. A preliminary study was made of dental casts from Canadian Inuit whose ages and sexes were recorded. They showed much heavier anterior tooth wear than any archaeological groups. This pattern was established early in life and women had much stronger anterior wear than men. This was related to sexual division of labour and it is striking that in Neanderthals the situation seems to have been replicated.

The sedimentology and ichnology of numerous Yoredale cyclothems (L. Carboniferous) from Northern England and Southern Scotland are described and the relationships between the recurring lithofacies, which make up the Yoredale cyclothems, and the trace fossil assemblages which are preserved within them, examined.

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