Descrição de novo táxon fóssil de Proscopiidae: uma contribuição para a paleontomofauna da Formação Crato

Abstract

The Proscopiidae family is a group of orthopterans known for its remarkable camouflage strategy, in wich they resemble plant branches. This family has a scarce fossil record, with only one species described, which was found in the Crato Formation (Lower Cretaceous), embedded in the Araripe Basin. The Crato Formation is considered one of the most important Konservat-Lagerstätten in the world and its study contributes to a better understanding of the paleobiogeography, paleontomofauna, paleoflora and paleoecology of this region. In this context, on the present work, a new species of Proscopiidae is described and characterized, based on a specimen also found in the Crato Formation. In addition, the atypical state of preservation of the specimen was investigated to identify the taphonomic pathways involved in its fossildiagenesis. Considering the significance of the Crato Formation, the description of a new fossil species of Proscopiidae, as well as the study of its taphonomic aspects increased the paleontological knowledge about this family, and contributed to the understanding of the paleontomofauna of the Araripe Basin.