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Early diagenesis of fossil plants, especially of their reproductive structures, provides essential information about the evolution of the group. In this study, we describe the morphology and early fossil diagenesis of isolated eudicot seeds collected in neosols (entisols) derived from limestones of Romualdo Formation, Araripe Basin, Brazil. They were studied using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray microtomography, and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in the imaging mode. The seeds were three-dimensionally preserved with volumes ranging from 10.16 to 18.57 mm3. The morphology and anatomy are described, and the specimens are identified as Fabidae seeds. It is known that Fabidae arose in the mid-late Cretaceous, so the seeds were considered diachronic to the paleobiota from the Romualdo Formation, not belonging to this stratigraphy. Based on the spectrometric intensities of the mapped elements, such as C, Fe, Si, and Cu, intensity images were elaborated on these elements on the surface and inside the seeds. The maps indicated higher intensities of C, Fe, Si, and Cu in the seed tissues than those in modern seeds, suggesting an early stage of diagenesis. The calcareous sandstones of the Romualdo Formation may have contributed charged ions carried by meteoric water and groundwater, and they later precipitated in the organic tissues, triggering the start of diagenesis in the soil.

The phylum Mollusca includes one of the most beautiful examples of colour patterns in present-day shells. However, they are rare in the fossil record because they demand excellent fossilization. In Brazil, colour patterns in fossil mollusk shells are recorded in gastropods Natica aff. bulbulus White, 1887 from the Riachuelo Formation (Aptian-Albian), Sergipe-Alagoas Basin. This paper presents the first gastropod shells from the Romualdo Formation with colour patterns, visible under natural and UV light, belonging to the families Naticidae and Cassiopidae, collected at Santo Antônio outcrop municipality of Exu, Pernambuco and, Pinheiro and Serra do Mãozinha sites, municipality of Missão Velha and Romualdo site, municipality of Crato, Ceará. Among the cassiopids more than 100 specimens were tested, with 1/3 of them showing a residual colour pattern under UV light exposure, after chemical preparation. They correspond to the species Paraglauconia (Diglauconia) araripensis (Beurlen, 1964), Paraglauconia (Diglauconia) lyrica Maury, 1934, Gymnentome (Gymnentome) carregozica (Maury, 1934) and Gymnentome (Gymnentome) romualdoi Beurlen, 1964. The colour pattern is virtually similar in both genera, with fluorescent stripes on a dark background, showing the taxonomic similarity between them. As for the naticids, about 20 specimens were collected and 15 show good preservation, observing the visible colour pattern under natural light in Natica sp. and Euspira sp.; both new taxa for the Araripe Basin. The residual colour pattern in naticids ranges from spiral stripes to sigmoidal lines and blotches of brown and yellowish tones on a paler background, as observed in fossil species of the same family in the Cenozoic. The new occurrences increase the fossiliferous diversity of mollusks of the Romualdo Formation and extend the understanding of the diversity of colouration patterns of Lower Cretaceous gastropods.

The unusual association of fish and crabs from Romualdo Formation, Aptian–Albian of the Araripe sedimentaryBasin, NE Brazil. In a study and collection of fossils from the Romualdo Formation in “Araripe pernambucano”, an association of Vinctifer comptoni and Rhacolepis buccalis with eubrachyurans and orithopsids crabs was observed in four calcareous nodules. Associations were discussed based on ecological and taphonomic hypotheses. It is noted from the degree of articulation of the organisms, that either the death or the availability of crab moults in the sediment possibly occurred before the death of the fish. In addition, the fish do not have teething consistent with feeding on crabs. Thus, this association would occur due to fossilization processes and not due to ecological interactions. The study also emphasized systematic and paleogeographic aspects of the groups. Romualdocarcinus salesi is probably related to the “higher” true crabs (Eubrachyura), a hypothesis already raised in previous works, due to the preservation of its dorsal carapace next to a pleon of subquadrangular shape similar to those seen in this group. The occurrence of Exucarcinus gonzagai associated with fish, in concretions in the shales, can raise the question of E. gonzagai and Araripecarcinus ferreirai species as synonyms. The data obtained with the survey of the paleogeographic distribution of fish and crabs in geological formations of correlated age corroborates the hypothesis of the Tethyan marine influence in Araripe. Keywords: ichthyolites, decapods, paleoecology, taphonomy, Santana Group, Cretaceous. RESUMO – Em estudo e coleta de fosseis da Formacao Romualdo no Araripe pernambucano, observou-se, em quatro nodulos calcarios, uma associacao de Vinctifer comptoni e Rhacolepis buccalis com caranguejos eubraquiuras e oritopsideos. Foram discutidas as associacoes a partir das hipoteses ecologicas e tafonomicas. Nota-se a partir do grau de articulacao dos organismos, que ou a morte ou a disponibilizacao de mudas dos caranguejos no sedimento possivelmente se deram previamente a morte dos peixes. Alem disso, os peixes nao possuem denticao condizente com alimentacao a partir de caranguejos. Assim, esta associacao se daria devido aos processos de fossilizacao enao devido a interacoes ecologicas. O estudo tambem enfatizou aspectos sistematicos e paleogeograficos dos grupos. Romualdocarcinus salesi estaria possivelmente relacionado aos caranguejos verdadeiros mais “avancados” (Eubrachyura), hipotese ja levantada em trabalhos anteriores, devido a preservacao de sua carapaca dorsal junto a um pleon de formato subquadrangular semelhante aos vistos neste grupo. A ocorrencia de Exucarcinus gonzagai associado aos peixes, em concrecoes nos folhelhos, pode colocar em discussao as especies E. gonzagai e Araripecarcinus ferreirai como sinonimias. Os dados obtidos com o levantamento da distribuicao paleogeografica de peixes e caranguejos em formacoes geologicas de idade correlata corroboram com a hipotese da influencia marinha tetiana no Araripe. Palavras-chave: ictiolitos, decapodes, paleoecologia, tafonomia, Grupo Santana, Cretaceo.

O presente artigo pretende divulgar um método para identificação, mapeamento e caracterização morfométrica de depressões fechadas em áreas de carste subjacente. A região analisada encontra-se localizada na zona costeira do Brasil e constitui uma de suas bacias sedimentares costeiras, a Bacia Sedimentar da Paraíba. Nessa área, ocorrem bacias fechadas sobre unidades litoestratigráficas de natureza carbonática, recobertas por sedimentos arenoargilosos inconsolidados, indicando um possível carste. No intuito de compreender sua gênese, foram utilizados dados topográficos advindos de cartas topográficas e de Modelos Digitais de Elevação (MDE) para a identificação de padrões de drenagem radial centrípeta e delimitação dos divisores das bacias fechadas. A partir de então, percebeu-se que o MDE apresentou grande potencial para distinção de padrões de drenagem com maior nível de detalhe. Assim, foi possível inferir características morfométricas importantes, tais como: grau de elipsidade e sinuosidade acima de 1, relação profundidade/diâmetro abaixo de 0,1, áreas acima de 1 km2 e drenagens centrípetas, as quais indicaram, principalmente, forte controle estrutural, evolução predominantemente horizontal e infiltração difusa, que são características típicas de bacias poligonais. Os dados mencionados se mostraram bastante eficientes e satisfatórios, uma vez que permitiram compreender particularidades genéticas primordiais para o estudo de feições dessa natureza.

Depressões fechadas em sedimentos areno-argilosos inconsolidados da Formação Barreiras foram identificadas na Bacia Sedimentar da Paraíba. Considerando esse fenômeno, o objetivo desse estudo consistiu em analisar as características geomorfológicas e geológicas das feições, a fim de compreender sua gênese e evolução. Foram utilizadas imagens do SRTM (Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission), a partir das quais foram delimitadas as bacias fechadas e obtidas informações morfométricas. As mesmas imagens foram utilizadas para a extração de lineamentos estruturais, a fim de correlacioná-los com os alinhamentos entre as depressões fechadas, e verificar a hipótese de ocorrência de dissolução e carstificação. Alémdisso, foi realizada a medição das direções de fraturas no campo, sobre afloramentos da Formação Gramame. Por fim, informações geológicas foram obtidas a partir do mapeamento geológico dos estados da Paraíba e Pernambuco, para a extração dos limites geográficos da Formação Gramame. A partir dos dados morfométricos, percebeu-se que essas formas de relevo possuem grandes extensões, perímetros irregulares e grande elipsidade, seguindo orientações preferenciais, em consonância com as descontinuidades regionais. Os dados geológicos e as observações de campo demonstram que as mesmas estão sofrendo influência da dissolução nos calcários subjacentes, no entanto não se exclui a ocorrência do mesmo processo nos sedimentos areno-argilosos da Formação Barreiras. Esses aspectos abrem caminhos para futuros estudos tratando da composição química e suscetibilidade à dissolução das rochas sobre a qual essas formas se desenvolvem. Para mais, possibilita uma melhor compreensão da dinâmica hidrogeológica da região e sua relação com o sistema cárstico, e o esclarecimento de aspectos conceituais e sistemáticos do Carste da Bacia da Paraíba.

From the shrimp fauna survey of the upper Aptian–lower Albian Romualdo Formation of the Araripe Basin, State of Pernambuco, Brazil, new records of the sergestid Paleomattea deliciosa Maisey & Carvalho, 1995, have been identified, in addition to description of the Cretainermis pernambucensis gen. et sp. nov. (Penaeoidea). The new fossil is characterized by the short, spiniform and toothless rostrum and well-marked cervical groove. These fossils form associations that differ taphonomically in two types: Type 1 association occurs in shale layers and it is represented by shrimp buried in situ. Type 2 association occurs in layers of calcareous sandstone with shrimps both buried in situ and transported.

Os estudos paleontologicos no estado de Pernambuco, Nordeste do Brasil, iniciaram no seculo 19 e, posteriormente, pesquisadores do Sudeste do pais realizaram expedicoes para coletar fosseis, quando grande parte do acervo foi transferida para os museus e colecoes no Rio de Janeiro e Sao Paulo. Nos ultimos 10 anos, uma vasta producao bibliografica sobre a paleontologia de Pernambuco foi produzida, porem, muito restrita a comunidade cientifica. Esse trabalho tem como objetivo apresentar uma sintese do estagio atual de conhecimento da macropaleobiota de Pernambuco e discutir os desafios e caminhos que podemos seguir para melhor difundir a informacao cientifica para a sociedade. Em funcao disso, atraves de levantamento bibliografico e de acervos cientificos, foi possivel dizer que em Pernambuco, dentre os 184 municipios do estado, pelo menos, 64 tem ocorrencia fossil, associada as bacias de Jatoba, Araripe, Pernambuco e Paraiba, alem das pequenas areas de depositos fluviais, lagoas e tanques com mamiferos de grande porte. Os municipios de Petrolândia e Tacaratu tem um vasto registro da Era Paleozoica. O destaque da Era Mesozoica e a Formacao Romualdo da Bacia do Araripe, nos municipios de Exu, Araripina, Trindade e Ipubi. Do final do Cretaceo e o inicio do Paleogeno, a maior importância fica no municipio de Paulista, Bacia da Paraiba, com rochas e fosseis do limite Cretaceo/Paleogeno (K/Pg). Do Periodo Quaternario destacam-se os depositos de mamiferos de grande porte, distribuido nas zonas do Agreste e Sertao, com ocorrencia em mais de 45 municipios. Alem disso, cerca de 40% do material-tipo dos acervos e procedente, principalmente, de pedreiras de calcarios do Cretaceo e Paleogeno da faixa costeira de estados do Nordeste. Esse material-tipo corresponde a mais de 400 fosseis, representando a descricao de 103 novas especies de macrofosseis e icnofosseis. Com base nesses dados, conclui-se que a comunidade cientifica deve melhorar o vinculo com a sociedade, alem de estabelecer pontes entre e os orgaos de fiscalizacao e protecao do patrimonio paleontologico.

O Museu de Ciencias Naturais e de Historia Barra do Jardim foi criado em 27 de outubro de 2001, tem como missao resgatar, preservar e promover a cultura do municipio de Barra do Jardim. Esta localizado na area urbana e historica da cidade e pertence a Fundacao Francisco de Lima Botelho. A importância geologica do municipio e amplamente conhecida no contexto da Bacia do Araripe pelos afloramentos classicos da Formacao Romualdo, a exemplo do Sitio Sobradinho, e pela presenca incontestavel de fosseis. Apesar disto, o municipio nao esta inserido na area vizinha que circunscreve o Geoparque Araripe, porem conta com apoio de varios segmentos da sociedade para preservar e divulgar seu patrimonio historico e natural, os fosseis da Bacia do Araripe. O objetivo do trabalho e apresentar na integra, pela primeira vez, o acervo da colecao paleontologica do museu, sua importância para a comunidade cientifica e como exemplo de cidadania para a regiao. O museu passou recentemente por informatizacao, e conta com 375 especimes tombados com dados sobre procedencia geologica e geografica, identificacao taxonomica, coletor e data de coleta. A colecao e constituida na maior parte por peixes (58%), seguido de artropodes (15%), plantas (9%), repteis (6%), icnofosseis (6%), moluscos (3%) e outros (3%), incluindo o holotipo do crustaceo decapode Aripenaeus timidus . O acervo do museu reflete a diversidade fossilifera da conhecida Formacao Romualdo, proveniente de 11 localidades (sitios) do municipio de Jardim, incluindo inclusive, coletas realizadas em plena Avenida Wilson Roriz, no centro da cidade. A criacao do acervo teve inicio a partir do reconhecimento pela populacao da importância e o valor cientifico e cultural do seu patrimonio natural, e se constitui num exemplo de cidadania consciente, e mais, que valoriza a natureza, alem de enxergar o fortalecimento da relacao das pessoas com suas herancas culturais. O Museu de Jardim abriga nao somente exemplares fosseis para pesquisas relevantes para o conhecimento da paleontologia da Bacia do Araripe, como tambem se constitui um local de visitacao publica regional de efeito educativo, cultural e turistico.

Fossil mollusks in the Araripe Sedimentary Basin have been reported since the 1960s, with bivalves present in the Crato and Romualdo formations and gastropods restricted to the latter. The identification and description of those mollusks have assisted in the paleoenvironmental reconstruction of the Romualdo Formation (Aptian-Albian) and in the interpretation of the marine incursion route that indicates the influence of the Tethy Sea on the basin. This paper describes and illustrates fossils collected in the locations of Zé Gomes, Cedro-Tabuleiro and Santo Antônio, municipality of Exu, Pernambuco, highlighting the paleoecology and geographic distribution of the genera, as well as observing the faunal affinities between the Romualdo and Riachuelo formations. This analysis resulted in the identification of bivalves of the Veneridae family - Eocallista sp. and Eocallista sp. 2., and gastropods of the Trochidae - Calliostoma sp., Akeridae - Akera sp. and Acteonidae – Acteon sp. families. The paleogeographic distribution of the genera demonstrated congruence with the Tethyan corridor, the specimens being within the limits of the Tethys Sea, confirming the presence of this sea in the Araripe Basin. The paleoecological association of the fauna has demonstrated affinity with a restricted marine lagoon environment already identified for the Romualdo formation. The presence of these genera of mollusks extends the faunal affinity between the Araripe (Romualdo Formation) and Sergipe (Riachuelo Formation) basins, demonstrating that probably due to the eustatic characteristics present in the Albian, there was a connection between those basins, allowing for the interchange not only of Thetyan elements, but also of species related to the South Atlantic already dominant in the Sergipe Basin.

This work presents the analysis of C and O isotope values behavior in the carapace of ostracodes and foraminifera from the Romualdo Formation, Araripe Basin – PE. The analized samples were collected in three outcrops (Arrojado, Canastra and Cedro) located in the cities of Exu and Araripina. The de δ18O values ranged from -10.1‰ to -10.2‰ VPDB and the δ13C values ranged between -12,6‰ to +2.7‰ VPDB. The results for oxygen data indicate high temperature of waters and the deposition of marine limestones in all outcrops. For the carbon isotopic data in the Arrojado and Canastra outcrops, the values indicate an anoxic environment with high content of organic matter. In Cedro outcrop, a positive variation occurs indicating an increase in primary production, also associated to an anoxic event, and the positive values are interpreted as a transgressive pulse. These results indicate that Cedro outcrop, located in the middlesouth portion of the basin, has environmental characteristics with greater marine influence than in the Arrojado and Canastra outcrops, located in the southwest portion.

This study describes two pterosaur specimens from the Romualdo Formation (Lower Cretaceous, Aptian–Albian), Araripe Basin, from the municipalities of Araripina and Exu of Pernambuco State, Northeast Brazil. Specimen DGEO-CTG-UFPE 7571 comprises the distal ends of radius and ulna, the carpal complex, sesamoid bones and the proximal end of metacarpals III and IV. The bones were found articulated and exceptionally well-preserved. This specimen had a wingspan between 5.5 and 5.8 m and is tentatively referred to as Anhangueridae due to the presence of a ventral crest on the distal end of the ulna and because only metacarpals III and IV reach the carpus. Histological analysis indicates it was sub-adult. The other specimen, DGEO-CTG-UFPE 7781, is identified as Pterodactyloidea indet. and consists of proximal fragments of the first three digits of the manus and their respective unguals, and fragments of the fourth digit. This is the first pterosaur reported for the municipality of Araripina, and is one of the few records with a well-defined provenance.

The Romualdo Formation, Aptian-Albian of the Araripe Basin, is known for the extraordinary preservation of its paleoichthyofauna. The majority of the studies performed on the basin are descriptive, so this study aims to analyze morphological adaptations in the paleoichthyofauna of the Romualdo Formation, seeking to understand how they influenced the life habits of fishes. To conduct the paleoecological study, 117 specimens were selected among 13 different taxa and used for the investigation of types of dentition, mouth orientation, and body morphology. A cluster analysis was carried out using morphometric data of body morphology, resulting in three groups based on the similarity index among the species. The morphology of most of the paleoichthyofauna, like Rhacolepis buccalis and Vinctifer comptoni, was adapted to swimming in high-energy environments and continuous swimming. Others, such as Araripelepidotes temnurus, presented a morphology adapted to surviving in low-energy environments, and few, like Brannerion sp. and Neoproscinetes penalvai, could perform maneuverability moves due to a deep, laterally flattened body and well-developed fins. The mouth orientation, as well as the body morphology, was of great importance to the inferences about the living zone and feeding habits of the fishes, suggesting that most inhabited the middle of the water column and were generalists regarding their feeding zone. Moreover, the types of dentition or lack thereof helped to infer food diversity and a possible food web. Therefore, the ecomorphological attributes showed some degree of morphological variations in the paleoichthyofauna, reflecting different swimming habits in environments of varied energy. The study also revealed a range of explored food resources, and the association among the fishes allowed the proposition of a rather complex food web.

A caracterizacao da palinoflora das rochas correlatas a Formacao Crato na Bacia do Jatoba, de idade Aptiano - Albiano Inferior, foi realizada atraves da analise de associacoes palinofloristicas, recuperadas do testemunho 2-JSN-01-PE, perfurado na localidade de Serra Negra, Nordeste do Brasil. As evidencias palinologicas sugerem um paleoambiente dominado por uma sedimentacao de origem continental lacustre, sob clima quente, demonstrando uma variacao de condicoes ambientais de arido a semiarido, ao longo do testemunho. A composicao palinofloristica identificada enquadra-se aquelas observadas nas bacias do nordeste brasileiro e insere-se nas caracteristicas das associacoes palinofloristicas, pertencentes a provincia microfloristica da provincia a “Cretaceo Inferior Pre-Albiana a Dicheiropollis etruscus/Afropollis” Herngreen et al. (1996).

This manuscript presents a biostratigraphic analysis based on non-marine palynomorphs and ostracods during the interval corresponding to the Aptian - lower Albian (local Alagoas stage) in the Jatoba Basin, northeastern Brazil. The data used for the analysis were from 179 samples collected in core 2-JSN-01-PE, which was drilled in the locality of Serra Negra, municipality of Ibimirim, Pernambuco. Of the 179 samples collected and prepared, only 23 presented ostracods, whereas 64 levels were carriers of organic waste, which aided in the biostratigraphic correlation of the studied core. From the palynological data, it was possible to identify the upper limit of the Inaperturopollenites turbatus (P-260) palynozone and the Sergipea variverrucata (P-270) palynozone and the lower limit of the Complicatisaccus cearensis (P-280) palynozone in the core 2-JSN-01-PE. Among the palynozones, the upper limit of P-260, whose record is difficult to track in northeastern Brazil and has been identified only in the Sergipe/Alagoas basin, and the limit of P-270 and P-280 in the Jatoba Basin, which had not yet been identified, can be highlighted. From the data based on non-marine ostracods, it was possible identify the “ Cytheridea ”? spp. ex. Group 201/218 Biozone (herein designated Damonella grandiensis ), code 011. Such record in the Jatoba Basin is represented for a diverse fauna when compared with the record of monospecific fauna initially proposed in the Sergipe/Alagoas Basin.

A influência marinha no Aptiano-Albiano da bacia sedimentar do Araripe, sempre foi sugerida a partir de fósseis de vários grupos taxonômicos como os equinoides e diversos moluscos gastrópodos e biválvios. Apesar da Formação Romualdo apresentar assembleias com fósseis desses invertebrados, relevantes para a indicação dessa influência marinha durante o Aptiano-Albiano, passaram muitos anos sem receber estudos apropriados. Somente após os recentes trabalhos feitos tanto com os equinoides como os moluscos ali representados possibilitou a análise paleoecológica dessas assembleias. Esses estudos possibilitarão configurar uma possível rota dessa incursão marinha ocorrida no início da formação do Oceano Atlântico. Nesse trabalho foram analisados fósseis de invertebrados de vinte sítios da Formação Romualdo, distribuídos ao longo da bacia do Araripe em Pernambuco, Ceará e no Piauí. A partir deste estudo foram feitas inferências paleoecológicas, bem como a distribuição paleogeográfica da fauna mostrando prováveis ambientes de sedimentação marinho, lagunar e estuarino, mostrando as possíveis entradas do mar na bacia. Foram constatadas espécies em comum com o Albiano da bacia de Sergipe e com a Formação Codó, no Maranhão. Essa associação de invertebrados marinhos é composta predominantemente pelos equinodermos: Pygurus (Echinopygus) tinocoi e Bothryopneustes araripensis, pelos gastrópodos: Tylostoma ranchariensis, Cerithium sergipensis, Paraglauconia (Diglauconia) araripensis e pelos biválvios: Aguileria dissita e Brachidontes araripensis. Já na associação lagunar predominam gastrópodos Paraglauconia (Diglauconia) araripensis, Gymnentome (Gymnentome) romualdoi, Gymnentome (Craginia) beurleni, "Pseudomesalia" ("Pseudomesalia") santanensis, "Pseudomesalia" ("Pseudomesalia") "mennessieri", Cerithium sergipensis e Tylostoma ranchariensis e ausência de equinoides. Na estuarina predominam os biválvios Brachidontes araripensis e Corbula sp.

Up to date, at least 50 species of Crocodylomorpha are known in Brazil. Those species are distributed in a temporal range from the Triassic to the present day. However, Crocodylomorpha records from the Brazilian Jurassic are quite scarce, and they have been often considered as lacking enough information for a proper systematic identification. In this study, we describe new Crocodylomorpha specimens, collected in Ibimirim city, Pernambuco state, Northeast of Brazil, where outcrops of the Alianca Formation (Upper Jurassic), Jatoba Basin, have been recorded. The specimens are represented by teeth, frontal plate, vertebrae, and osteoderms. Despite fragmented, these Crocodylomorpha remains allowed us, based mainly on morphological evidence in the teeth, to visualize intermediate characteristics between the Goniopholididae and Teleosauridae. The present work reveals the high, and still little explored, paleontological potential of the Alianca Formation in the understanding of the Brazilian Jurassic.

The goal of this study is to investigate the Aptian–lower Albian microfossil association present in the Romualdo Formation, Araripe Basin, Pernambuco State, northeastern Brazil. Fifty-six samples of calcarenites and claystones were collected from the level where marine invertebrates are concentrated and in the coquinoid limestones, which compose the transgressive strata of the Romualdo Formation. The samples were from five outcrops (Cedro, Santo Antonio, Arrojado, Canastra and Torre Grande) located in the south-central region of the Araripe Basin. Nine species of foraminifera and five species of ostracods were found. The foraminifera species were: Agathammina cf. pusilla, Agathammina sp., Spiroloculina sp. 1. Spiroloculina sp. 2, Quinqueloculina sp. Astacolus sp., Gaudrynopsis sp., Conorboides minutissima and Lingulogavelinela sp. The recorded foraminifera associations are representative of different environments, from shallow marine settings to hypersaline lagoons. The five species of ostracods were: Pattersoncypris salitrensis, Pattersoncypris symetrica, Pattersoncypris sinuata, Pattersoncypris cf. micropapillosa and Damonella grandiensis. The ostracods inhabited a myxohyaline environment and tolerated the variation of salinity occurred during the deposition of the Romualdo Formation. Three assemblages were identified and their stratigraphic position was determined for each outcrop, suggesting that the south-central portion of the Araripe Basin presents clearer evidence of marine influence than the southwestern portion. Although a precise reconstruction of the route of marine ingression would require additional studies, the presence of the foraminifera genus Agathammina indicates an affinity with the Tethyan fauna. Therefore, we can conclude that the marine ingression during the Aptian–Albian followed a north-northeast direction, reaching initially the south-central part of the basin.

Here we describe a new record of a sauropod dinosaur from the Lower Cretaceous (Hauterivian–Barremian) Rio Piranhas Formation, Sousa Basin, NE Brazil. Dinosaur fossil bones from this deposit were unknown until now. Thus, the discovery of a sauropod fibula from this locality is highly significant. Our discovery represents an indeterminate titanosaur and the earliest stratigraphic occurrence of this group in central Gondwana. When compared to chronocorrelate titanosaur trackmakers of this geological unit, this fossil specimen appears substantially smaller. Histological analysis of the fibula suggests that this is a relatively young individual (approximately 40–50% adult body size) that had passed its most rapid phase of early juvenile growth, but had not yet attained somatic maturity. Thus, the fibula recovered is from a young individual rather than from a small-bodied adult titanosaur.

The Cassiopidae family belongs to a group of gastropods of the Tethyan Realm, whose origin and dispersion are related a transgression of the Tethys Sea during the Early Cretaceous. The Romualdo Formation in the Araripe Basin, located in Northeast Brazil, presents fossil assemblages with echinoids, bivalves and cassiopid gastropods, indicating a marine sedimentation at the top of the formation. This research reveals three new species of this fauna: Gymnentome (Craginia) beurleni sp. nov., ‘Pseudomesalia’ (‘Pseudomesalia’) mennessieri sp. nov and ‘Pseudomesalia’ (‘Pseudomesalia’) santanensis sp. nov. We also review two other species: Craginia araripensis Beurlen, 1964 and Gymnentome romualdoi Beurlen, 1964 , which we reclassify taxonomically as Paraglauconia (Diglauconia) araripensis and Gymnentome (Gymnentome) romualdoi, respectively; Paraglauconia (Diglauconia) lyrica Maury, 1936 and Gymnentome (Gymnentome) carregozica Maury, 1936 were the first recorded species in the Araripe Basin. The occurrence of these cassiopid gastropod fauna in other basins, such as Sergipe, Potiguar and Parnaiba, indicate the influence of waters coming from the north through the Tethys Sea in the Aptian–Albian and in the marginal continental basins of the Brazilian Northeast.

Beachrocks observed along coastal lines in tropical regions throughout the world are known by reflect a higher sea level during Holocene Epoch, simultaneously acting as natural erosional protectors. A straight line of sandstone beachrocks along the coastal line in northeastern Brazil adds to that a historical value documented in cartography since the colonial period. These rocks helped in the anchorage of ships since the discovery of the country by the Portuguese navigators. Charles Darwin mentioned these rocks in 1841. This work shows that the patrimonial significance of the beachrocks in the southern portion of the coast of the State of Pernambuco surpasses its geological importance. Composed by sandstones, these rocks were used, since the colonial period, as building material for churches, fortifications, gravestones, roads and sidewalk paving, among others. Several of these edifications, some nowadays in ruins, still represent important historical and architectural heritage. On the other hand, the seawater barrier formed by these belts of sandstone allow the development of ponds, used nationwide and internationally as touristic attraction, generating important financial incomes for the region. However, it is very important to associate the scientific information to the pleasure tourism, aiming to promote the awareness for the conservation and valorization of the beachrocks of the southern coastal zone of Pernambuco as an important geological and historical heritage.

Benthic macroinvertebrate fossils can be seen towards to the top of the Romualdo Member of the Santana Formation, in the Araripe Basin, Northeast Brazil, and can provide paleoenvironmental and paleobiogeographical information regarding the Cretaceous marine transgression which reached the interior basins in Northeast Brazil. We analyse taphonomic characteristics of macroinvertebrate concentrations of two outcrops (Torrinha and Torre Grande) within the municipality Araripina, Pernambuco, in order to enhance our understanding of the Cretaceous paleoenvironment in the western portion of the Araripe Basin. At the outcrop Torrinha, proximal tempestitic taphofacies were identified. These predominantly consist of ceritid, cassiopid, and later, naticid gastropods as well as undetermined bivalves. Given this lack of variability it can be deduced that there were no significant paleoenvironmental changes during the successive stages tempestitic sedimentation. In the Torre Grande outcrop distal to proximal tempestitic taphofacies were identified from the base to the top respectively pointing to a decrease in paleodepth. Asides from the macroinvertebrates present in Torrinha, there are also echinoids – unequivocal evidence for marine conditions. These occurrences appear to be restricted to Romualdo Member outcrops in the Araripina municipality (the Southeast portion of the Araripe Basin) confirming a previously published hypothesis suggesting that the Cretaceous marine transgression originated from the neighbouring Parnaiba Basin to the west. This study identified marine molluscs of a similar age to those in the Romualdo Member's equivalent rock units in the Parnaiba and Sergipe-Alagoas (SE-AL) basins suggesting a marine connection between these basins and the Araripe Basin during the Early Cretaceous.

A Formação Romualdo contém assembleias fósseis de invertebrados compostas principalmente de moluscos gastrópodos e biválvios, equinoides, táxons importantes e indicativos de influência marinha durante o Aptiano-Albiano da Bacia do Araripe, no nordeste do Brasil. Este trabalho descreve e ilustra formalmente moluscos gastrópodos e biválvios da Formação Romualdo, pontuando as características paleoecológicas dos gêneros com base em 750 espécimes dos estados de Pernambuco, Ceará e Piauí. Esta análise resultou na identificação dos gastrópodos Cerithium sergipensis Maury, 1936 e Tylostoma ranchariensis n. sp. e os biválvios Aguileria dissita White, 1887, Corbula sp. e Brachidontes araripensis n. sp.. Caracteres paleoautoecológicos indicam gastrópodos epifaunais, biválvios epifaunais e semi-infaunal bissado, indicativos de ambiente marinho raso (interdital-subtidal) a lagunas interditais. A presença das espécies Cerithium sergipensis e Aguileria dissita nas formações Romualdo (Aptiano-Albiano, Bacia do Araripe) e Riachuelo (Albiano, Bacia de Sergipe) caracteriza um bioevento regional de irradiação adaptativa. A ocorrência de uma nova espécie de Tylostoma sugere influência marinha oriunda do Mar de Tétis, uma vez que esse gênero é característico do Domínio Tetiano, representando um bioevento local de inovação biológica pelo sucesso de seu desenvolvimento nas formações citadas e por processos geológicos favoráveis em nível global.

We present two pollen diagrams from the semi-arid Caatinga of the Catimbau National Park, in Pernambuco and from a Mauritia palm forest in the Caatinga/Cerrado ecotone of southern Piauí, NE Brazil, spanning the last 10,000 cal. yrs BP and the last 1,750 cal yrs BP, respectively. These two records contain a signature of the local vegetation and permit the correlation of the pollen signal with regional climatic changes. The Catimbau record shows Zizyphus sp., a typical Caatinga taxon, in all three pollen zones indicating regional Caatinga vegetation and the predominance of local arboreal taxa adapted to high humidity from 10,000 to ca. 6,000 cal. yrs BP with a gradual tendency towards drier conditions revealed by a deposition hiatus between 6,000 to ca. 2,000 cal. yrs BP. This abrupt loss of sediments in both localities is interpreted as a consequence of the establishment of modern semi-arid climates. The subsequent return of humidity is signaled by increased sedimentation rates and 14C date inversions in agreement with high precipitation, revealed by σ18O ratios in speleothems from NE Brazil. Modern sediments deposited in the last 500 years reflect local conditions with the maintenance of humidity by geological faulting and surfacing water tables.

Despite the exceptional palaeontological richness of the renowned Santana Group from the Early Cretaceous Araripe Basin of Brazil, only one specimen of true crabs (Brachyura) has been discovered to date. Here we present two new genera and species of brachyuran crabs from the upper Aptian–lower Albian Romualdo Formation of the Santana Group, represented by 30 specimens from several localities across the Araripe Basin in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. One taxon, Exucarcinus gonzagai Prado and Luque gen. et sp. nov., is similar to several endemic stem raninoidans (Orithopsidae) from the late Aptian and early Albian of Colombia and the USA, respectively, while Romualdocarcinus salesi Prado and Luque gen. et sp. nov., seems to be closer to “higher” true crabs (Eubrachyura) from the Cenomanian of Spain. The presence of taxa similar to those from the mid-Cretaceous of northern South America, southern North America, and western Europe, reinforces the view of a Tethyan marine influence in Araripe during the breakup of South America and Africa, and adds to the growing data that suggest a generic and specific degree of endemism of true crabs in tropical South America during the mid-Cretaceous.

Pleistocene sites with mammals in Brazil are commonly recorded from limestone or dolomite caves, outcrops at rivers and creeks, coastal plain lagoon deposits, rock shelters, and natural tanks. This work presents a new late Pleistocene site containing bones and footprints of mammals. The footprints are assigned to llama (Lamaichnum), cervid (Pecoripeda), horse (Hippipeda), and at least one megamammal (?Toxodon), constituting the northernmost record for the late Pleistocene of South America and the first record from Brazil. Mammals are related to fluvial environments along with treeless vegetation during a sub-humid climate, in a region currently dominated by a semiarid biome.

So far, there are at least 22 species of fossil turtles formally described for Brazil, with the Araripe Basin being the second largest in Mesozoic diversity with five species, losing only to the Bauru Group, with six species. The material presented here refers to three fossil turtles (DGEO-CTG-UFPE 8470, DGEO-CTG-UFPE 8471, DGEO-CTG-UFPE 8932) from Romualdo, an Albian Formation of the Araripe Basin (Cretaceous), collected in municipalities of Pernambuco (PE). The DGEO-CTG-UFPE 8470 specimen was identified as Araripemys barretoi Price, 1973, and DGEO-CTG-UFPE 8471 and DGEO-CTG-UFPE 8932 as Cearachelys placidoi Gaffney et al., 2001, the first occurrence of this taxon in the state of Pernambuco. DGEO-CTG-UFPE 8470 and DGEO-CTG-UFPE 8932 are the first Testudines described from the municipality of Exu, (PE).

Limestone and marl from Maria Farinha Formation (Paraíba Basin, NE Brazil) accumulated in a shallow continental shelf environment during the expansion of the Atlantic Ocean in early Paleocene (Danian). It contains a rich paleontological record, which comprises many marine invertebrates, several species of bony and cartilaginous fishes, a crocodyliform and turtle remains. Here, we describe a new genus and species of pleurodire turtle from Maria Farinha Formation, based on a nearly complete plastron, an incomplete left pelvic girdle, and four dermal plates of the carapace. We tested the phylogenetic position of Inaechelys pernambucensis gen. et sp. nov. by including it in a comprehensive cladistic analysis of pleurodires. The new species is included within Botrhemydidae, with affinities to Bothremydini, positioned as sister group of Rosasia soutoi. Inaechelys pernambucensis gen. et sp. nov. differs from R. soutoi for the almost straight anterior lobe cranial edge of its plastron, as well as for its pentagonal shaped entoplastron and its abdominal shield midline, which is considerably smaller than the respective femoral shield midline. Inaechelys pernambucensis is the first turtle species formally described from Brazilian Paleocene strata. Within Bothremydidae, it is also the first conclusively fully marine species described for this country. This new record contributes to the understanding of the ecology and paleobiogeographical distribution of Bothremydidae family.

This study presents field and chronological investigations along the coast of northeastern Brazil from ~4°S to 9°S latitude, which corresponds to ~700 km of coastline under a semi-diurnal mesotidal regime. We investigated wave-built terrace deposits and dated sediments using the optically stimulated luminescence and thermoluminescence methods on quartz grains. The wave-built terraces yielded two main age groups: 200-230 ka and 100-130 ka, which we interpreted as depositional ages. We correlated these age groups with oxygen-isotope stages 7c and 5e, respectively. These events correspond to the antepenultimate and penultimate transgressions along the Brazilian coast. The deposits occur mainly in patches on low-lying flat plateaus along the littoral zone and incision valleys that cut across coastal tablelands. The altitude of the base of the 200-230 ka terraces ranges from 10 m above mean sea level (asl) to -2m asl, whereas the base of the 100-130 ka varies from 12 m asl to -2 m asl. Both terraces were deposited in the foreshore and upper shoreface zones. We noted a coincidence between sea-level highstand chronologies in northeastern Brazil and those in the Bahamas and Bermuda.Este estudo apresenta uma investigação de campo e geocronológica realizada ao longo da costa nordeste do Brasil entre ~4°S e 9°S de latitude, o que corresponde a ~700 km de costa submetida a um regime de meso-maré. Nós investigamos terraços marinhos construídos por ondas e datamos sedimentos usando luminescência oticamente estimulada e termoluminescência em grãos de quartzo. Os terraços marinhos forneceram dois grupos de idades: 200-230 ka e 100-130 ka, que interpretamos como idades de deposição. Nós correlacionamos estas idades com idades do estágio isotópico do oxigênio 7c e 5e, respectivamente. Estes eventos correspondem a antepenúltima e penúltima transgressões que ocorreram ao longo da costa brasileira. Os depósitos ocorrem predominantemente em faixas sobre plateaus horizontais e de baixa altitude ao longo da zona litorânea e em vales incisos que cortam os tabuleiros costeiros. A altitude da base dos terraços de 200-230 ka varia entre 10 m e -2 m anm (acima do nível do mar), enquanto a base do terraço de 100-130 ka varia entre 12 m e -2 m anm. Ambos os terraços foram depositados na zona de frente de praia e zona de antepraia superior. Nota-se umaa coincidência entre a cronologia de níveis marinhos elevados no nordeste do Brasil e aquelas das Bahamas e Bermudas.

Os mamiferos fosseis de Fazenda Nova, na regiao Nordeste do Brasil, sao representativos de um intervalo mais antigo que a transicao Pleistoceno- Holoceno. Incluem Xenarthra, Glyptodontidae, Glyptatelinae (representado por Pachyarmatherium sp.), Glyptodontinae, Glyptotheriini, Hoplophorinae gen. et sp. indet., Pampatheriidae (representado por Holmesina cf. H . paulacoutoi ), Megalonychidae gen. et sp. indet., Megatheriidae ( Eremotherium laurillardi ), Notoungulata, Toxodontinae (representado por Toxodon sp.) e Proboscidea (cuja forma conhecida e Stegomastodon waringi ). Registra-se e discute-se neste artigo a ocorrencia inedita de representantes da tribo norteamericana Glyptotheriini no Brasil, bem como do genero Pachyarmatherium no Estado de Pernambuco, e se apresenta o historico do tratamento taxonomico do taxon Chlamydotherium . Datacoes por Luminescencia Opticamente Estimulada (LOE) nos sedimentos e por Ressonância Paramagnetica Eletronica (EPR) nos dentes associados de Stegomastodon posicionam a fauna de Fazenda Nova entre 58.900 e 63.800 anos AP, equivalente ao estagio isotopico IOS 3 e ao evento interstadial wisconsiniano medio, registrado na regiao andina norte da America do Sul. O conjunto da fauna mostra afinidades com outras do sudeste e nordeste do Brasil e a presenca de Glyptotheriini e Pachyarmatherium , com aquelas do norte da America do Sul, da America Central e do sul da America do Norte, e sugere condicoes de clima quente e umido para a epoca da deposicao. Palavras-chave: mamiferos, Pleistoceno Superior, taxonomia, paleoclima, datacoes EPR e LOE, Brasil.

Two Stegomastodon waringi teeth from Brazilian northeastern megafauna were dated by electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy. The samples were collected in Pernambuco state, Brazil. The dating of these samples will contribute to the better knowledge of megafauna presence in this region as well as to the events associated to the extinction of these species. Additive dose method was used to evaluate the archeological dose (AD) and a non-linear relation between ESR signal amplitude and dose was obtained. The AD obtained by the exponential fitting was 120 ± 1 and 112 ± 1 Gy , leading to an estimation of an age of 63 ± 8 and 60 ± 9 ky for radioisotope early uptake model, 64 ± 8 and 60 ± 9 ky for linear uptake and 60 ± 9 ky for a combination of uptake processes.

O Araripe pernambucano tem excelentes exposições de rochas da Formação Santana, Bacia Sedimentar do Araripe (PE, CE e PI), reconhecida internacionalmente pelos fósseis de vertebrados, preservados em concreções, considerados entre os mais importantes do supercontinente Gondwana (110 Ma). Embora a região tenha excelente potencial para coleta e estudos paleontológicos, facilitada pela extração a céu aberto da gipsita (Polo Gesseiro do Araripe), não existem ações de preservação do patrimônio fossilífero. Dado a vocação mineira e o potencial paleontológico, a região torna-se relevante para desenvolvimento de programas, projetos e ações que promovam os recursos naturais para uso educacional, turístico, inclusão social e sustentabilidade. Propõe-se a criação de museus paleontológicos nos municípios do Araripe pernambucano, como estratégia de uso sustentável desses recursos para geração de cultura e renda para a região, ao mesmo tempo em que se preserva para as gerações futuras a “memória paleobiológica da Terra”, retratada nos nossos fósseis., The Araripe Basin portion located in the Pernambuco state of Brazil has excellent Santana Formation outcrops. This internationally known unit has provided some of the most important concretion preserved vertebrate fossils of the Lower Cretaceous (~110 Ma) Gondwana. Although this region has its potential for fossil collecting eased by the gypsum extraction in surface mines (known as the ‘Araripe Plast Pole’), there are currently no fossil Patrimony preservation actions in the area. Given both the mining and paleontological potentials of these localities it is relevant to develop programmes, projects, and measures to promote its natural resources for educational, touristic, social, and sustainable porpuses. Here we propose the creation of paleontological museums in some of the Araripe municipalities within the Pernambuco state. These museums will be strategic for the sustainability of these resources to generate culture and profit for this region. These museums will also preserve the ‘Earth’s paleobiological memory’ by protecting our fossils for future generations., Agradecemos ao Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico do Brasil/CNPq, pela bolsa de produtividade de pesquisa 303071/2014-1 e o projeto de pesquisa 401748/2010, a Pró-reitora de Extensão- PROEXT-UFPE e a FUNCULTURA, Processo 0756/2014. Sinceros agradecimentos também são devidos a prefeitura do Munícipio de Exu, ao Departamento Nacional de Produção Mineral-DNPM e ao Sindicato da Indústria do Gesso de Pernambuco/SINDUGESSO, pelo apoio no desenvolvimento da pesquisa., info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Quartz and feldspar crystals were selected from the samples as eolic dunes, beach-rock and marine terraces, all collected in the coast area of Paraiba State, located in northeastern Brazil, in order to obtain ages of deposition of the sediments. It is a systematic study in the area. The results of the ages will be used in local sea-level changes study and a correlation between highstands of marine oxygen-isotopes stages will be made. Optically stimulated luminescence and thermoluminescence have been measured and the regeneration method with multiple aliquot protocol was applied to obtain the paleodose values. Preliminaries ages spanning 3.2–229 kyr were evaluated.