Molecular fossils, mass extinctions and the rise of complex algae

分子化石、大规模灭绝和复杂藻类的兴起

• 批准号: DP240100281
• 负责人: Prof Jochen Brocks
• 金额: $ 40.75万
• 依托单位: The Australian National University
• 依托单位国家: 澳大利亚
• 项目类别: Discovery Projects
• 财政年份: 2024
• 资助国家: 澳大利亚
• 起止时间: 2024-01-01 至 2026-12-31
• 项目状态: 未结题
• 来源: https://dataportal.arc.gov.au/RGS/Web/Grants/DP240100281
• 关键词: Molecular; fossils; mass; extinctions; rise

This project aims to illuminate the fate and role of phytoplankton during the Permo-Triassic crisis, the most severe mass extinction event in Earth's history. Despite being the vital driving force of the carbon cycle, these microscopic yet essential organisms have largely evaded fossilization and their precise history remains unknown. Leveraging innovative molecular fossil technology, this project seeks to unlock this critical information, generating insights into the mechanisms behind climate-driven mass extinctions and the subsequent recovery of marine life. By doing so, this study aims to reveal how current disruptions to the base of the food chain may escalate through all levels of marine ecosystems, causing extinction.

该项目旨在阐明浮游植物在二叠纪-三叠纪危机期间的命运和作用，这是地球历史上最严重的大规模灭绝事件。尽管它们是碳循环的重要驱动力，但这些微小但必不可少的生物在很大程度上避免了石化，它们的确切历史仍不清楚。利用创新的分子化石技术，该项目试图解锁这一关键信息，深入了解气候驱动的大规模灭绝和随后海洋生物恢复背后的机制。通过这样做，这项研究旨在揭示目前对食物链基础的破坏可能会通过海洋生态系统的各个层面升级，导致物种灭绝。