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”，但我们对石炭纪海百合的起源和全球扩张的认识存在明显的差距。最近的一些研究表明，对北美和西欧以外的海蚕类和囊胚类动物的评估可以使我们对这些动物的灭绝反弹和古生物地理学的理解发生范式转变。从中东到中国东南部，泥盆纪-二叠纪海百合几乎不为人所知。最近，Mehdi Yazdi博士在伊朗发现了泥盆纪和石炭纪的海百合杯和王冠。这些动物种类繁多，质量优良，具有很高的科学价值。pi希望对这些动物群的分类和生物地理重要性进行取样和分析。随着最近伊朗和美国关系的解冻，利用这一机会之窗是很重要的。

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.