Welcome to another action-packed issue of Palaeontologia Electronica! In this issue, we present an expansive paleoecologic study of "Scottish" forams (Did they wear kilts?), new insights into Gondwanan paleogeography, and a tantalizing glimpse of some exceptional Eocene bats. To top it off, Ray Wilhite outlines a fieldwork-amenable approach to gathering 3D morphometric data that would make CT-scan-users envious.
The big news for this issue is that Norm MacLeod is stepping down as PE Executive Editor to focus on his new duties as Keeper of Palaeontology at The Natural History Museum, London, as well as his research and PaleoNet responsibilities. Norm will continue to be involved in the journal, but on an informal basis. Congratulations on the new position and thanks for the many years of hard work on PE’s behalf, Norm!
In the coming years, PE will continue to grow – literally. For example, this year we hope to publish three issues, including our first theme issue, to expand our reach into additional non-North American, non-western European audiences, and to increase our indexing by commercial referencing services. At the same time, we plan to keep PE freely accessible, providing a low-cost noncommercial journal which speaks to the widest possible international paleontology audience. So if you’re nearing conclusion of one of your research projects, please consider sending us your manuscript!
Dave Polly has also changed his role at PE, taking over duties as Treasurer. In addition to indexing paleontology-related web sites, Dave will help chart a stable financial future for the journal, while making sure that we give our sponsors and readers the most science for their money. Once again, many thanks to our sponsors for providing financial, server, and archival support; we couldn’t publish this journal without you!
Lastly, how many of your or your neighbor’s kids consume everything paleontological? What does one get a 7-year-old for their birthday? Why not a richly-illustrated paleontology book? In this issue, we present our first review of a children’s book; Leah Horton advises us whether Bugs Before Time is a stinker or stocking-stuffer. Keep your eyes peeled in upcoming issues for reviews of similar popular paleontology titles, as well as technical literature.
Whitey Hagadorn
& Norm
MacLeod
Executive Editors