O uso de trichoptera, ephemeroptera e odonata como bioindicadores do paleolago da formação Crato

Abstract

The Crato Formation has one of the best and most important fossiliferous deposits of the Early Cretaceous, in addition to being a remarkable geological site. The fossils contained in this unit are relatively abundant and diverse, including invertebrates, vertebrates and plants. The present work aims to investigate the characteristics of the Crato Formation paleolago based on the analysis of Odonata, Ephemeroptera and Tricopter larvae as bioindicators using the principle of actualism. The relevance of this study is to compare the paleontological record of Odonata, Ephemeroptera and Trichoptera larvae with current organisms, as they are extremely sensitive to environments with low oxygen concentration, temperature and water turbidity, commonly found in rivers and/or shallow lakes. Thus, according to the principle of actualism, we can use these characteristics to define qualities of the paleolago of the Crato Formation. This work seeks evidence, based on the fossiliferous record, that can contribute to a reconstruction of the Crato Formation paleoenvironment during the Lower Cretaceous.