Early Palaeozoic radiolarian evolution

该项目将应用一种新的变革性技术-X射线微计算机断层扫描技术，对早古生代（5.3亿-3亿年）放射虫微化石进行研究。预计这将首次允许非破坏性检查来阐明这些化石的内部骨骼结构，这对理解它们的进化至关重要。三维图像的计算机重建将揭示细节，在此基础上，可以发展早期系统发育关系的理解。这反过来又将允许实现这一重要的长距离海洋原生动物群的全部生物地层潜力，这些原生动物通常大量存在于深海沉积岩中。

This project will apply a new transformative technology, X-ray micro computed tomography, to the study of Early Palaeozoic (530-300 million year old) radiolarian microfossils. It is expected that this will allow, for the first time, non-destructive examination to elucidate the internal skeletal architecture of these fossils that is critical to understanding their evolution. Computer reconstruction of three-dimensional images will reveal details upon which an understanding of early phylogenetic relationships within this phylum can be developed. This in turn will allow realisation of the full biostratigraphic potential of this important long-ranging group of marine protozoans that commonly occur in great abundance in deep marine sedimentary rocks.