SGER: Devonian-Carboniferous Echinoderms from Iran: Implications for Extinction Rebound and Global Repopulation

石炭纪被称为棘皮动物时代，但我们对石炭纪棘皮动物的起源和全球扩张的认识存在着明显的差距。最近的一些研究表明，对北美和西欧以外的脊椎动物和囊胚目动物群的评估可以导致我们对这些动物的灭绝、反弹和古生物地理学的理解的范式转变。从中东到中国东南部，泥盆纪-二叠纪的海百合化石几乎是未知的。Mehdi Yazdi博士最近在伊朗发现了泥盆纪和石炭纪的海龙杯和牙冠。这些动物群具有足够的多样性和质量，具有重要的科学价值。PIS希望对这些动物群进行采样和分析，以了解它们在分类学和生物地理上的重要性。随着最近伊朗和美国关系的解冻，重要的是他们要利用这个机会之窗。

Maples.0084466The Carboniferous Period has been called the "Age of Echinoderms", yet a noticeable gap exists in our understanding of the origins and global expansion of Carboniferous crinoids. A few recent studies have shown that assessment of crinoid and blastoid bearing faunas from outside the North American and Western European realms can lead to paradigm shifting leaps in our understanding of extinction rebound and paleobiogeography of these animals. Devonian-Permian crinoids are virtually unknown from the Middle East into southeastern China. Devonian and Carboniferous crinoid cups and crowns were recently discovered in Iran by Dr. Mehdi Yazdi. These faunas are of sufficient diversity and quality to be of great scientific value. The PIs wish to sample and analyze these faunas for their taxonomic and biogeographic importance. With the recent thaw in Iranian-American relations, it is important that they take advantage of this window of opportuinity.