Specimen-based palaeobiological research combined with cutting-edge methods and models helps better answering questions about evolution and biodiversity throughout Earth’s history. New research on Lower Jurassic bivalves from Germany have revealed the oldest members of two bivalve families, the earliest evidence of sexual dimorphism in bivalves, and specialized drilling predatory behaviour by an extinct gastropod. Pleurotomariid gastropods, the extant clade with the longest fossil record and the most diverse Paleozoic gastropod group, which declined in diversity since the mid-Paleozoic, contrasting with the continued diversification of Gastropoda. New collections from the Carboniferous suggest pleurotomariids were not only diverse but also the most abundant gastropod clade in the Late Paleozoic. Taxonomic re-examination of type material and undescribed specimens in museums shows that nearly all Triassic pleurotomariid genera evolved after the Permian–Triassic mass extinction (PTME). Their slow recovery in the Triassic was disrupted by the Carnian Pluvial Episode, and they never regained Paleozoic diversity levels. A phylogeny of pleurotomariids (Ordovician–Recent), reconstructed using the Fossilized Birth-Death model, revealed no significant differences in evolutionary rates among branches or over time, suggesting that extinction and diversity decline were not driven by evolvability. The analysis also indicates that early ontogenetic shell characters are more conservative, challenging previous assumptions about phylogenetic value of shell characters. The PTME affected not only Pleurotomariida but the entire marine ecosystems, as evidenced by new fossil collections from Türkiye. The modelled trophic interactions across seven localities show that food webs did not collapse but restructured and became top-heavy (predator-dominated), especially in higher latitudes.

Cephalopods are among the most iconic taxonomic groups for palaeontological research due to their excellent fossil record and high evolutionary rates. However, despite their historical relevance, phylogenetic studies have been lagging behind when compared to other fossil groups. Only recent years have seen an increase in these studies, with the application of modern quantitative methods such as Bayesian inference and particularly the fossilised birth-death model. This has allowed a clearer understanding of the evolutionary history of different groups of fossil cephalopods. Building upon this, it is also necessary to expand research efforts into novel, as well as traditional directions. For example, comparative phylogenetic tools allow to target specific characters for ancestral state reconstructions or their rate of changes across the tree. This can be used for geochemical proxy data, allowing to link population-level palaeoenvironmental conditions with macroevolutionary patterns, for which the term “phylogeochemistry” was recently established. Other studies have provided new insights into biomineralization strategies, microstructures and chemical composition of fossil cephalopods, as well as improved knowledge on the 3D morphology of internal shell structures. Last but not least, core taxonomic work remains crucial, as it forms the basis of palaeobiological research, but many uncertainties and problems persist. All previous aspects provide information that can be fed back into morphological character matrices or further explore cephalopod macroevolutionary patterns through downstream analyses. In conclusion, fossil cephalopods can serve as an excellent example how diverse tools allow for an integrative perspective on the evolution and palaeobiology of a clade.

The composition of today’s forests is shaped by multiple factors: climate zones with specific temperature and precipitation patterns, altitude, soil composition, natural disturbances, and anthropogenic influence all affect forest structure and biodiversity. In warm, humid climates, wood decomposition is rapid, driven by fungi and microorganisms; however, this process slows in drier and cooler conditions. Insect larvae also play key roles in this breakdown, fragmenting plant material and promoting forest floor humification through their frass.

This ecological function has remained the same over millions of years. Fossilized resins—ambers—offer unique insights into ancient forest ecosystems. Amber often preserves insect larvae, especially beetle larvae that lived in or near resin-producing trees. Beetle larvae feeding on hardwood, softwood, fungus-infested wood, and directly on spores and hyphae appear widespread in amber deposits from diverse regions. They must have helped recycle nutrients and supported decomposition in past forests.

To infer these ancient ecological relationships, I analyze larval morphology. Mouthparts are especially informative: chisel-like mandibles point to hardwood borers, while brushes or setose structures indicate fungal feeders. Body shape also provides insights—flattened forms suggest life under bark or on exposed surfaces under strong environmental pressures, while cylindrical shapes imply life within soft or decaying substrates. This presentation showcases a diverse array of insect larvae from ambers of various origins and ages, using morphological and shape analyses to reconstruct their ecological roles and feeding strategies, supported by a range of methodologies. The new findings deepen understanding of ancient forest ecosystems.