The article aims at demonstrating that authority is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon. An overview of numerous definitions and theories of authority serves as a point of departure that leads to the reconstruction of the typologies of authority existing in social sciences and to qualifying the functions of authority. The place of the phenomenon in social life is revealed by the analysis of its key operation mechanisms and impact areas. Theoretical definitions and typologies form the background for concentrating on authority in local communities, since its social role (e.g. inspirational, regulatory and integrative) at this level is exceptionally important from the perspective of social order maintenance and local communities’ development.
Triceratium barbadense Greville, 1861a, T. brachiatum Brightwell, 1856, T. inconspicuum Greville, 1861b and
T. kanayae Fenner, 1984a, are among the most common diatoms reported worldwide from lower to middle Eocene
biosiliceous sediments. Due to complicated nomenclatural histories, however, they are often confused. A morphometric
analysis performed herein indicates that T. brachiatum is conspecific with T. inconspicuum, and that both
were previously often misidentified as T. barbadense. Triceratium barbadense sensu stricto is a distinct species
similar to Triceratium castellatum West, 1860. Triceratium brachiatum and T. kanayae are transferred herein
to a new genus, Fenneria, for which a close phylogenetic relationship with Medlinia Sims, 1998 is proposed.
A review of the geographic and stratigraphic distribution of Fenneria shows that the best constrained records of
its occurrences are found at DSDP Site 338, and ODP Sites 1051 and 1260. The ages of the base (B) and top (T)
of each species’ stratigraphic range are calibrated here to the Geomagnetic Polarity Timescale either directly or
inferred via correlation with dinocyst biostratigraphy. Latitudinal diachroneity of ~7 million years is documented
for F. brachiata, which disappears earlier in tropical and mid-latitude sites than in the northern high latitudes. These
observations, coupled with a preliminary compilation of the Chron C20n taxonomic composition of pelagic diatom
assemblages for Sites 338, 1051 and 1260, indicate that diatoms diversified palaeobiogeographically considerably
earlier than the Eocene−Oligocene Transition, as commonly believed. This study also emphasizes the importance
of the detailed examination of specimens from both museum collections and deep-sea cores as a step toward enhancing
the utility of Palaeogene diatoms in palaeoceanographic and palaeoenvironmental reconstructions.