Systematic and paleoecology of Lower Cretaceous (Aptian) echinoids from Siriz area, northwest of Kerman, Iran

In order to identify, classify and paleoecological study of Lower Cretaceous echinoid fauna in northwest of Kerman area, the stratigraphic section of Siriz, was selected and its specimens were sampled and studied. Echinoids were studied and identified from a rich and diverse collection of macrofossils (echinoids, brachiopods, bivalves, gastropods and corals) and microfossils (foraminifera and ostracods), which present in this deposits. Sixteen genera and species of echinoids are reported for the first time from the region, among which six species are new and reported from Kerman area previously. The co-existence of echinoids and other fossil groups in Siriz area confirms an Aptian age for the sediments. Also, it can be concluded that a shallow, less than 50 meters and warm platform environment was prevailed during the deposition of the strata.