RESUMO
A study of macro and microfacies, palynoflora and palynofacies of the non-marine Cerro Negro Formation at President Head Peninsula, Snow Island, northwest of the Antarctic Peninsula, was developed. Two assemblages were recognized: Palynofacies assemblage 1 (P1) at the base of the section with a dominance of fern spores and conifer pollen grains, and facies association consisting of a clastic layer, with the predominance of mudstones; and Palynofacies assemblage 2 (P2) at the top of the section, with remarkable abundance of AOM/Pseudoamorphous particles, associated with facies that includes tuffs. The complete section shows in some levels the presence of freshwater algae and translucent phytoclasts. The integrated data characterizes a fluvial-lacustrine environment, what is reinforced by the occurrence of freshwater algae (Botryococcus) in some levels of P1 and P2. We could verify an increase in volcanic activity towards the top of the section that apparently has played an important role in the collapse of the palynoflora. The occurrence of the spore species Muricingulisporis annulatus, Sotasporites elegans, S. triangularis, Foraminisporis wonthaggiensis, and F. asymmetricus in the Cerro Negro Formation allows the correlation with sections in South America and Australia, suggesting an Aptian age for these deposits.
Assuntos
Meio Ambiente , Regiões Antárticas , Plantas , PólenRESUMO
Two new species of Zonocypris G. W. Mller, 1898 are described from the late Aptian of the Araripe Basin, Northeast Brazil: Zonocypris berthoui sp. nov. and Zonocypris dorsoconvexa sp. nov. Species of this genus occur from the Early Cretaceous to the Holocene and are characterized by a small globular carapace, often ornamented over the whole surface by concentric ridges with simple normal pore canals, showing a remarkable morphological stability during the evolution of the genus. The first records of the genus point to an Atlantic origin. In Aptian deposits, species of Zonocypris are rare, occurring in brackish/freshwater assemblages, with marine influence.
Assuntos
Crustáceos , Fósseis , Animais , BrasilRESUMO
Representatives of the Class Ostracoda are widely used as tools in applied paleoecological and biostratigraphical studies in all continents. In the Araripe Basin, located in the northeastern of Brazil, the Romualdo Formation is one of the most studied, not only for the preservation but also for the abundance of its fossils. The ostracod genus Pattersoncypris Bate, 1972 is well-represented in this formation and it is the most abundant, which reinforces the importance of its taxonomic study. In this work, Pattersoncypris minima sp. nov. is described for the Romualdo Formation as a contribution to the knowledge on Brazilian Cretaceous non-marine ostracods. Taphonomic aspects are also presented, considering the complete ontogenetic stages of the material.
Assuntos
Crustáceos , Fósseis , Animais , BrasilRESUMO
A combined biostratigraphic and palaeoecological study of foraminifera, ostracodes and microfacies was carried out on the Aptian in the Sítio Sobradinho section of the Araripe Basin, northeast Brazil. The analysed section represents a deepening-upward sequence with mid-ramp shoal and outer ramp to basin facies associations on a mixed siliciclastic-carbonate marine ramp. The analysed rocks are dominated by Early Cretaceous planktic foraminifera (Hedbergella aptiana, H. praelippa, H. sigali, Blesfucuiana cf. cumulus, Microhedbergella miniglobularis, Gorbachikella cf. kugleri, Pseudoguembelitria blakenosensis, Globigerinelloides clavatus, Globigerinelloides aff. aptiensis, Gubkinella sp. and Loeblichella sp.). Ostracoda fauna is composed mainly of Pattersoncypris crepata and Pattersoncypris micropapillosa. The occurrence of P. crepata associated with the Aptian planktic foraminifera demonstrates the potential of this ostracode species to date this interval. The planktic foraminifera from the upper Aptian (Microhedbergella miniglobularis Zone) of the Araripe Basin show characteristical Tethyan affinities.