摘要
Spatangoid echinoids belonging to Heteraster found in the Lower Cretaceous limestones and calcareous deposits of the Tirgan and Sarcheshmeh formations(Barremian-Aptian)in the Bahman jan-Bala stratigraphic section on the northern flank of the Borouj syncline,situated in the eastern Kopet-Dagh Basin,northeastern Iran are assessed as a sexually dimorphic species.Sexual dimorphism is a common feature in echinoids and,in this study of Heteraster renngarteni Poretzkaja,1961,sexual dimorphism has been detected for the first time in the family Toxasteridae.
基金
The authors appreciate the hard work and help of our friends in the Geological Survey of Iran,North East Territory(GSINET),especially Dr.Jafar Taheri.The authors are especially grateful for the linguistic helps and efforts of Susan Turner(Brisbane).