A synthesis on the Paleogene continental fossils of Brazil

Abstract

Very few paleontological studies have been carried out in the Paleogene of Brazil. Most of the research is limited to southeastern Brazil, in the Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Minas Gerais States. Mollusks, frogs, birds, Chelonia, crocodilians, Ophidia, mammals and some plants (Psidium, Celtis and Myrtaceae) have been found in the late Paleocene of the Itaborai Basin. The Fonseca Basin contains well-preserved leaves, with carbonized cuticles. Some angiosperm families can be found in the Fonseca Formation as Annonaceae, Bignoniaceae, Combretaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Lauraceae, Leguminosae, Malvaceae, Malphighiaceae, Melastomataceae, Meliaceae, Menispermaceae, Mimosaceae, Monimiaceae, Myrsinaceae, Myrtaceae, Rutaceae, Sapindaceae, Sapotaceae, Theaceae and Tiliaceae. Palynological data from the Fonseca Formation indicate an Eocene age. Some plant and animal fossils from the Oligocene are described in the Aiuruoca Basin (Entre-Córregos Formation) as plant leaves (Anonnaceae and Lauraceae), stems, fruits, fishes, amphibians and insects. In the Tremembé Formation (Taubaté Basin), it has been reported a large amount of fossils as fishes, reptiles, birds and mammals, dated as late Oligocene/Miocene.