Early Sharks: The basal branching pattern and time-scale of chondrichthyan phylogeny

该奖项是根据2009年美国复苏和再投资法案（公法111-5）资助的。”这个项目对软骨鱼的进化起源有了新的认识：鲨鱼、鳐鱼和不太为人所知的嵌合体。鲨鱼和它们的近亲往往被认为是原始的和/或适应性极强的捕食者，尽管最近人们的注意力已经转移到它们的生态脆弱性和独特性上，它们显然是古代遗传遗产的储存库。这个项目解决的问题是，如果有的话，现存的鲨鱼状鱼类是原始的，并旨在将今天的分子遗传学发现和保护目标置于一个清晰而精确的进化背景中。化石是这项研究的核心。虽然化石很罕见，但我们都知道一些引人注目的例子。本研究将采用最新的分析方法和成像技术来研究这些早期鱼类，以填补早期脊椎动物多样性知识的突出空白。这项研究将直接有助于为脊椎动物生命之树提供一个坚实的基础。该项目将为本科生、研究生和博士后水平的年轻科学家提供培训和就业机会，他们具有进一步开展跨学科研究的巨大潜力。鲨鱼吸引了人们的注意力，因此通过推广项目、博物馆讲座和展览、学校参观和广播媒体，为促进公众对科学的理解提供了一个极好的工具。最后，这个项目将在国家和国际各级建立和扩大机构间研究和教育网络。

This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5)." This project takes a fresh look at the evolutionary origin of cartilaginous fishes: sharks, rays, and the less well-known chimaeras. Sharks and their relatives tend to be presented as primitive and/or supremely adapted predators, although popular attention has shifted more recently towards their ecological vulnerability and uniqueness as an apparent reservoir of ancient genetic heritage. This project addresses the question of what, if anything, is primitive about living shark-like fishes, and aims to place today's molecular genetic discoveries and conservation targets within a clear and precise evolutionary context. Fossils are central to this research. While fossils are rare, remarkable examples are known. This research will employ the latest analytical methods and imaging techniques to investigate these early fishes to fill an outstanding gap in knowledge of early vertebrate diversity.This research will contribute directly to the ongoing effort to provide a robust foundation of the tree of vertebrate life. The project will deliver training and employment opportunities for young scientists at undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral levels, with high potential for further interdisciplinary research. Sharks grab attention, and thereby provide a superb vehicle for promoting the public understanding of science through outreach programs, museum talks and displays, school visits, and broadcast media. Finally, this project will build upon and extend networks of inter-institutional research and education at national and international levels.