We disagree with Rahnev & Denison (R&D) that optimality should be abandoned altogether. Rather, we argue that adopting a normative approach enables researchers to test hypotheses about the brain's computational goals, avoids just-so explanations, and offers insights into function that are simply inaccessible to the alternatives proposed by R&D.

The hydrocarbon systems of the Mesozoic, inverted West Netherlands Basin have been analyzed using 2-D forward modelling. Three source rocks are considered in the modelling: Lower Jurassic oil-prone shales, Westphalian gas-prone coal deposits, and Lower Namurian oil-prone shales. The Lower Namurian hydrocarbon system of the basin is discussed for the first time.

According to the modelling results of the Early Jurassic oil system, the oil accumulations were filled just after the main inversion event. Their predicted locations are in agreement with exploration results. Modelling results of the Westphalian gas system, however, show smaller and larger sized accumulations at unexplored locations. The gas reservoirs were filled during the Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous rifting phase. Results of modelling of the Lower Namurian oil system indicate that gas formed by secondary cracking of the oils can have mixed with the Westphalian coal-derived gas. Such a mixing is inferred from geochemical analyses. The existence of a Lower Namurian hydrocarbon system in the West Netherlands Basin implies that hydrocarbons are possibly trapped in the Westphalian and Namurian successions. These potential traps in the basin have not yet been explored.

The deep subsurface temperature data of the Roer Valley Graben have been re-analysed and combined with new temperature data from hydrocarbon exploration wells. The results show that the deep subsurface temperature distribution in the Roer Valley Graben is essentially the same as in the relatively stable high bordering the Roer Valley Graben to the southwest. Thus, the Cenozoic tectonic evolution of the Roer Valley Graben, which is characterized by uplift and denudation during the Late Eocene and subsidence due to rifting starting from Late Oligocene, has hardly affected the temperatures in the graben, which is probably due to the slow subsidence and sedimentation rates. In contrast to what is suggested on previously published temperature maps, the Roer Valley Graben is probably not a relatively cold area in the Netherlands.

Modern cone scales and seeds of Pinus strobus and Sequoia sempervirens, and their fossil (Upper Miocene, c. 6 Mar) counterparts Pinus leitzii and Sequoia langsdorfii have been studied using pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS), electron-microprobe and scanning electron microscopy. Microscopic observations revealed only minor microbial activity and high-quality structural preservation of the fossil material. The pyrolysates of both modern genera showed the presence of ligno-cellulose characteristic of conifers. However, the abundance of (alkylated)phenols and 1,2-benzenediols in modern S. sempervirens suggests the presence of non-hydrolysable tannins or abundant polyphenolic moieties not previously reported in modern conifers. The marked differences between the pyrolysis products of both modern genera are suggested to be of chemosystematic significance. The fossil samples also contained ligno-cellulose which exhibited only partial degradation, primarily of the carbohydrate constituents. Comparison between the fossil cone scale and seed pyrolysates indicated that the ligno-cellulose complex present in the seeds is chemically more resistant than that in the cone scales. Principal component analysis (PCA) of the pyrolysis data allowed for the determination of the discriminant functions used to assess the extent of degradation and the chemosystematic differences between both genera and between cone scales and seeds. Elemental composition (C, O, S), obtained using electron-microprobe, corroborated the pyrolysis results. Overall, the combination of chemical, microscopic and statistical methods allowed for a detailed characterization and chemosystematic interpretations of modern and fossil conifer cone scales and seeds.

The Bembridge Limestone Formation (BLF), Late Eocene of Headon Hill, Isle of Wight, England, contains a diverse array of mammals (around 50 spp.) distributed through 10 levels. Its lower part (“lower fauna”) marks the appearance of a significant number of species, genera and one family unknown from earlier English Late Eocene strata. Towards the top of the BLF there is a reversion to faunas (“upper fauna”) more typical of the underlying Headon Hill Formation. This represents their last appearance in England. The succeeding Bembridge Marls Member fauna is similar to that in the lower part of the BLF. These changes are provincial in scale and may be climate induced (reflecting a slight warming followed by terminal Eocene cooling). Superimposed on these changes are smaller-scale more frequent fluctuations linked to alternating marl and black mud lithologies which may represent local habitat changes. In order to obtain overall understanding of the environment of deposition and taphonomic bias influencing these mammalian assemblages an integrated multidisciplinary study is being undertaken.

Plant macrofossils are unfortunately extremely rare in this sequence. Those few which are present typify the fresh-water marsh vegetation widespread in the Late Eocene/Early Oligocene of England. In contrast mammalian faunas indicate more wooded conditions. Seeds like those of the modern free-floating fresh-water plant Stratiotes occur in three levels. However, they are poorly-preserved. The chemical composition of the seed coat as revealed by flash pyrolysis gas chromatography indicates a very simple polyphenol macromolecule probably resulting from transformations of more complex polyphenols in well-preserved Stratiotes seeds.

Determinable palynomorphs are very rare and largely restricted to the part of the sequence which contains the “upper fauna”. They suggest a tranquil fresh-water depositional setting as do several molluscs and charophytes. Palynomorphs also include fungal remains, fern spores and a few tree pollen, the latter possibly from regional vegetation. However, the bulk of the palynological organic matter consists of brown structureless organic matter (SOM), resin-like particles and “platy kerogen”. In the lower beds, pale shelly muds with potamidids and corbiculids lack mammals and contain palynological organic matter dominated by resin-like particles and with abundant pyrite. These beds probably reflect brackish influence, the loss of which largely coincides with the reappearance of abundant mammals (“lower fauna”), occurrence of Stratiotes and of charophytes. Resin-like particles remain dominant in the palynological organic matter. “Platy kerogen” dominates three units including that containing the first occurrence of the “upper fauna”. Subsequently resin-like particles again dominate. Brown SOM is scattered throughout but is well represented in two units one of which contains “lower fauna” the other “upper fauna”.

Variations in palynological organic matter are reflected in the chemical composition of residues studied. Results from five black muds show that samples which mainly contain resin-like particles are dominated by n-alkanes and n-alk-1-enes in their pyrolysates. However, there is no indication of known resin chemical signatures. This indicates that the organic matter in these residues is mainly derived from cuticles (cutan) and/or cell wall remains (algaenan) of fresh-water algae. Samples containing “platy kerogen” and brown SOM are dominated by aromatics and phenols in their pyrolysates indicating an origin from woody materials. Work in progress on stable isotope analyses of the residues may further clarify the nature of the organic input.