Plio-Pleistocene Turnover in the Caribbean Reef Coral Fauna and its Relationship to Regional Environmental Change

PI将研究的时间，规模和选择性 灭绝和起源事件与一个主要的周转 加勒比海珊瑚礁动物群中的插曲。 项目将涉及：1） 在中新世晚期至更新世期间进行了广泛的采集 剖面，哥斯达黎加，牙买加，库拉考; 2）确定剖面的年代 利用微体化石、古地磁、Sr同位素等方法， 标本的形态测定。 分类学和生态学 将对组分进行比较，以评估差异敏感性 并找出可能的原因。 结果将有 对灭绝研究和保护的重要意义 现代热带珊瑚礁生物多样性的战略。

PI will study the timing, magnitude and selectivity of extinction and origination events associated with a major turnover episode in Caribbean reef coral fauna. Project will entail: 1) making extensive collections in late Miocene to Pleistocene sections, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Curacao; 2) dating the sections using microfossils, paleomagnetics and Sr isotopes; 3) identifying specimens by morphometrics. Differential taxonomic and ecologic components will be compared to evaulate differential susceptibility to extinction and identify possible causes. Results will have important implications for extinction studies and for conservation strategies for modern tropical reef biotas.