Micro and macro evolution of Cenozoic planktonic foraminfera

本研究项目旨在了解环境条件的变化是否会导致浮游有孔虫形态特征的变化。首先，候选人将通过分析现有文献并将任何名称变化和新物种纳入新生代大型浮游有孔虫的进化史中，来回顾新生代浮游有孔虫的α分类学（阿泽等人，2011年）。其次，他们将确定每一种浮游有孔虫特征的功能，并将其按生物在其环境中的需求的重要性排序。最后，他们打算利用在Globigerinella，Beella和Protentella谱系中观察到的形态特征的变化来确定生物特征的变化是否允许物种迁移到新的环境中，或者环境条件的改变是否导致这些浮游有孔虫所具有的特征的改变。为了完成这个项目，候选人将分析当前和过去的文献，使用Image Pro Premier软件进行形态测量，并进行多种地球化学分析。

This research project aims to understand whether variation in environmental conditions results in a change in morphological traits in planktonic foraminifera. This will be completed by taking a three-fold approach.Initially, candidate will review the alpha taxonomy of planktonic foraminifera over the Cenozoic era by analysing current literature and incorporating any name changes and new species into the Cenozoic macroperforate planktonic foraminifera phylogeny (Aze et al., 2011). Secondly, they will identify the function of each planktonic foraminifera trait and rank them in order of importance to the organisms' need in its environment. Finally, they intend to use the changes in the morphological traits observed within Globigerinella, Beella and Protentella lineages to identify whether variation in the organisms characteristics allowed species to migrate into new environments or whether alteration of environmental conditions led to modification in the traits possessed by these planktonic foraminifera. In order to complete this project, candidate will analyse current and past literature, take morphometric measurements using Image Pro Premier software and undertake multiple geochemical analyses.