Radiolaria from the Equatorial Atlantic Ocean (Barbados), Eocene. Image by Claudio Stadler, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Fribourg, Switzerland.
Chair: Savannah Worne (Nottingham Trent University)
Secretary: Luca Pellegrino (University of Torino, Italy)
The Silicofossil Group emerged within TMS in the early 2000’s mainly by Diatom and Radiolarian specialists and has organized some successful biannual joint meetings with the Palynology Group of TMS.
The TMS Silicofossil Group is unique as it encompasses several taxonomic groups that share the physiological adaptation of using silica to synthesize skeletal forms. As such, silica biomineralization is a common area of interest to the members of the Silicofossil Group, including factors controlling growth, morphology and preservation of siliceous microfossils. This encompasses diverse themes, including physiology, taxonomy, evolution, genetics and ecology, and application-based topics related to biochemical engineering, palaeoceanography, paleolimnology, biostratigraphy, palaeobiology, etc., ranging from the molecular scale (genetics, physiology, etc.) to global scale (geochemical cycling, biodiversity, etc.) studies.
Recent Silicofossil Posts
- The Micropalaeontological Society Annual Conference – Pisa, ItalyA Natural Kaleidoscope: understanding the Earth system through microfossils We are delighted to announce that the Annual Conference of The Micropalaeontological Society (TMS) will be held in Pisa, Italy, from 5 to 8 November 2025, hosted by the University of Pisa. The conference will feature: The TMS Annual Conference will be held in Pisa,… Read more: The Micropalaeontological Society Annual Conference – Pisa, Italy
- Internship Opportunity: Deep-sea sediments off the Al Wajh Carbonate Platform, Red SeaProfessor Volker Vahrenkamp’s research team is currently recruiting for an up to 6-month internship joining the Carbonate Reservoirs Studies Group (CaResS Geology) at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Project description: The Red Sea records climatic and associated sea-level and hydrological changes throughout… Read more: Internship Opportunity: Deep-sea sediments off the Al Wajh Carbonate Platform, Red Sea
- A memorial meeting for John Eustace Whittaker (25.09.1945 – 29.07.2023)Dear friends We propose to organise a one-day memorial meeting in honour of our good friend and scientific collaborator John Whittaker who passed away 18 months ago. The meeting will be held at the Natural History Museum, London, where John served his entire career as a micropalaeontologist. A renowned authority on… Read more: A memorial meeting for John Eustace Whittaker (25.09.1945 – 29.07.2023)
- Volunteer as TMS TreasurerMy term of office as society Treasurer will conclude in November 2024, and the TMS is now looking for a volunteer to take up this role. I have thoroughly enjoyed serving in this positions and highly recommend the experience to others. If you are interested in getting involved with TMS… Read more: Volunteer as TMS Treasurer
- 21st Century Drilling WorkshopBuilding capacity in the digital domain using scientific ocean drilling legacy material Applications open for Workshop 2. Deadline 2nd of September 2024 Website: https://le.ac.uk/iodp/events/21st-century-drilling Application form: https://forms.gle/Kyky6bMkwrmQvevYA Dates for Workshop 2: 3-12 November 2024 at the BCR, MARUM in Bremen, Germany Arrival expected on 3 November, departure expected on 13 November 2024 We are… Read more: 21st Century Drilling Workshop