Search

Crustacean remains from the Tarioba shell mound (Sambaqui da Tarioba) archaeological site were investigated in order to produce a reference inventory of this taxonomic group. Information on past crustacean diversity is important for establishing baselines on biodiversity, as well as recovering paleoenvironmental information and comprehension of evolutionary change patterns for the Brazilian coast. The archaeological site was excavated by delayering the soil by artificial 10 cm sections which revealed five archaeological stratigraphic layers. A sample of mollusk shells for each of these layers was used for dating based on the C14 method. The results show an occupation period of 550 yr for the Tarioba shell mound, with dates ranging between 4,070 cal BP (beginning of occupation) and 3,520 cal BP (occupation ending) and record nine species of crustaceans from the shell mound. However, a reduction of biodiversity over time was found that was not statically significant. Therefore, it seems that patterns of composition, richness and distribution of crustaceans have been stable in the last 4,070 years BP.

A list of marine species of bivalves and gastropods found in seventy archeological sites of the shellmound type from Rio de Janeiro state was produced, based on the archeological material deposited in the collections of Museu Nacional (Rio de Janeiro, RJ), Instituto de Arqueologia Brasileira (Belford Roxo, RJ) and Museu do Sambaqui da Tarioba (Rio das Ostras, RJ). A total of 124 taxa were identified, of which 65 bivalves and 59 gastropods. The data retrieved from the shellmounds indicate stability of the composition patterns of mollusc biodiversity on the Rio de Janeiro state coast, at least in the period between 8,000 and 2,000 years B.P. The listing presented may be useful as a reference inventory for research pertaining to biological invasions, biogeography, conservation and management.