Timing of the Closure of the Central American Isthmus: Evidence From Shallow-Water Benthic Foraminifera (Earth Science)

大约300万年前，巴拿马地峡从海上出现，将美洲热带海洋动物群一分为二，深刻影响了许多动物的进化和地理分布。切断深水连接的时间已经被研究过了，但柯林斯博士将利用浅水底栖有孔虫来确定最终关闭的时间。这些丰富的原生动物的化石物种表明了它们以前生活的水深。从标有最新生物地层分区的地层中，将结合东太平洋和加勒比海有孔虫迄今的生物地理分歧和地峡最终闭合的分类数据，结合地峡两侧随时间变化的水深序列。将使用标准的实验室和分析方法。海洋连接的终止日期对于古生物学的进化研究、遗传分化速率的分子生物学研究以及区域构造抬升和南美洲和北美脊椎动物的陆地交换的计算都是重要的。与主办机构的互动包括：教授生物地层学本科课程，领导古生物地理学研究生研讨会，共同教授夏季地质野外夏令营，以及安排知名女性古生物学家的客座讲座。该项目进一步推动了VPW计划的目标，即：(1)为妇女提供机会，在NSF资助的工程和科学学科中发展她们的职业生涯；(2)通过提高受雇于工业、政府和学术机构的女科学家和工程师的知名度，鼓励妇女追求科学和工程事业。通过鼓励妇女参与科学，这是对国家未来科学活力的宝贵投资。

Approximately three million years ago the emergence of the Isthmus of Panama from the sea divided the American tropical marine fauna in two, profoundly affecting the evolution and geographic distribution of many animals. The time of severance of deep.water connections has been studied, but Dr. Collins will determine the time of final closure using shallow.water benthic foraminifera. Fossil species of these abundant protists indicate the water depths in which they formerly lived. From strata dated with the newest biostratigraphic zonations, a sequence of water depths through time from both sides of the isthmus will be combined with taxonomic data on the biogeographic divergence of East Pacific and Caribbean foraminifera to date and the final closure of the isthmus. Standard laboratory and analytical methods will be used. The date of termination of the marine connection is important to evolutionary studies in paleontology, molecular biological studies of rates of genetic divergence, and calculations of regional tectonic uplift and the terrestrial interchange of South and North American vertebrates. Interactions with the host institution include: teaching an undergraduate course in biostratigraphy, leading a graduate seminar in paleobiogeography, co-teaching summer geology field camp, and arranging guest lectures by established women paleontologists. This project furthers VPW program objectives which are (1) to provide opportunities for women to advance their careers in engineering and in the disciplines of science supported by NSF and (2) to encourage women to pursue careers in science and engineering by providing greater visibility for women scientists and engineers employed in industry, government, and academic institutions. By encouraging the participation of women in science, it is a valuable investment in the Nation's future scientific vitality.