Albian–Cenomanian echinoids from areas north of Bandar Abbas and south of Fars in the Zagros Mountains, Iran

Fossil echinoids have rarely been described from Iran. This study focuses on the echinoid fauna found in the Cretaceous strata (Kazhdumi Formation) of the Geno and Gerash sections in the Bandar Abbas and Fars areas of the Zagros Mountains, southern Iran. The age of the Kazhdumi Formation in both sections is determined to be Albian-Cenomanian based on the associated ammonites and microfauna, its stratigraphic position, and previous studies on this formation. Twenty-one echinoid species (twelve regular and nine irregular) belonging to seventeen genera were described in this study. Fourteen of these species are reported for the first time from Iran. In addition, a new diadematoid echinoid species, Arabicodidema jafariani sp. nov. is introduced. New age ranges are proposed for Pliotoxaster comanchei and Lambertiaster douvillei. The paleogeographic position of the Zagros Basin in the Tethyan realm is confirmed based on the distribution of the index species.