University of Leicester

 

The phytoPal Project

Gary L. Mullins1, Richard J. Aldridge1, Ken J. Dorning2, Alain Le Hérissé3, Malgorzata Moczydlowska-Vidal4, Stewart Molyneux5, Thomas Servais6 and Reed Wicander7

1, Department of Geology, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK. 2, Pallab Research, 58 Robertson Road, Sheffield S6 5DX, UK. 3, UMR 6538 "Domaines Océaniques", Université de Bretagne Occidentale 6, Avenue Le Gorgeu BP 809, 29285 Brest Cedex - France. 4, Uppsala University, Department of Earth Sciences, Palaeobiology, Norbyvägen 22, S-752 36 Uppsala, Sweden. 5, British Geological Survey, Keyworth, Nottingham NG12 5GG, UK. 6, Paleontologie - Sciences de la Terre, UMR 8014 CNRS, USTL, Cite Scientifique SN5, F-59655 Villeneuve d'Ascq Cedex, France. 7, Department of Geology, Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48859, USA.

Funded by the Leverhulme Trust (reference F/00212/F)


About the project

The Proterozoic and Palaeozoic phytoplankton fossil record is composed principally of the cysts of acritarchs, the phycomata of prasinophyte algae and very rare zygotes of zygnematalean algae. From the perspective of the fossil record it appears as if these groups of phytoplankton formed the basis of the marine food web.

We intend to document, via a relational database, the global and stratigraphical distribution of Palaeozoic phytoplankton. This database will be achieved through the collaboration of an international team of phytoplankton workers.

One of our principle aims is to document the diversity of Palaeozoic phytoplankton through the construction of a Sepkoski-type curve. The distribution of the phytoplankton can then be related to changing patterns in global climate, macrofaunal diversity and the end Ordovician, Late Devonian and PermianTriassic extinction events.


1st phytoPal Workshop, University of Leicester, December 2003

Download a copy of the Abstract Volume.

Download a copy of the report on the meeting, which includes the programme and abstracts.


2nd phytoPal Workshop, XI IPC Meeting, Granada, Spain, July 2004

Download a copy of the phytoPal poster presented at this meeting.

Download a copy of the report on the meeting.


3rd phytoPal Workshop, Université des Sciences et Technologies de Lille (USTL), December 2004

Download a copy of the report on the meeting, which includes the programme and abstracts.


4th phytoPal Workshop, 38th AASP, St Louis, USA September 2005

Download a copy of the abstracts.


5th phytoPal Workshop, Prague, September 2006

Download a copy of the abstracts.


The phytoPal database

The phytoPal database is the backbone of the project. In essence it comprises a list of phytoplankton taxa and their stratigraphical occurrence and a reference database. As the phytoPal project aims to promote discussion between phytoplankton workers, certain sections of the database have been made public and we welcome any comments and the submission of additional information. Comments can be either directed to Gary Mullins, or may be sent to the phytoPal distribution list (see below). Each of the databases is regularly updated and a 'release date' is given at the bottom of each page.

The phytoPal Taxonomic Database.....DOWNLOAD NOW.....a list of taxa included in the database

The phytoPal Reference Database.....DOWNLOAD NOW.....a list of phytoplankton references.


The phytoPal distribution list

The phytoPal distribution list is an email based message board for discussion about the phytopal project.To subscribe to the list send the following message to listserver@le.ac.uk. The command should be in the main body of the email (i.e. the bit where you normally type your message and not the subject field). The subject field should be left blank and any signature files deleted.subscribe phytopal Your NameWhen you want to send messages to the list, send your email to phytopal@le.ac.uk. You will receive a copy of your email and it will also be sent to every other subscriber. Replies to messages should also be sent to this address.Messages can only be sent from the email address or addresses that you subscribe. So, if you intend to use hotmail or other email accounts when abroad/at home, you will have to subscribe these as well. Any messages from email addresses that are not subscribed will be automatically rejected by the listserver.If you wish to unsubscribe a particular email address you should send the following command to listserver@le.ac.uk. The command should be in the body of the email and all other fields should be blank and any signature files deleted.unsubscribe phytopal

If you encounter any problems contact Gary Mullins.


29/01/2007 © University of Leicester