the DAAD and third parties set cookies and process usage data the DAAD and third parties transfer usage data to third countries in which there is no level of data protection comparable to that under EU law You can also find selection options and explanations of these cookies and processing at the end of this page under "Cookies" There you can withdraw consent at any time with effect for the future These issues affect our daily lives and are closely linked to climate change Climate education goes beyond teaching the scientific concepts behind climate change it is about preparing the younger generations for the challenges they are already facing and will inherit For instance, the Displacement and migration caused by climate-related disasters disrupt education as families relocate and face new barriers such as lack of documentation and language differences The barriers young people face because of climate change can range from infrastructure to psychological trauma and stress Inadequate school infrastructure because of climate-related disasters leads to prolonged disruption of education the psychological toll of dealing with the trauma and stress of climate-related disasters is significant affecting their mental well-being and reducing their ability to focus on their education we will discuss climate education on three fronts: 1) teacher training and the need to prepare educators to address climate crises among their students; 2) learning from real examples and challenges at the local level; and 3) how school infrastructure is important to mitigate climate change and also to adapt to upcoming climate events and how infrastructure is also a pedagogical way to teach and communicate climate change You can watch the recording of Evelyn Araripe's presentation in the Community © Gettyimages/Dilok Klaisataporn © Gettyimages/Dilok Klaisataporn©Share your knowledge with others!Are you working on an exciting project? You would like to present your research results? You are an expert on a topic that you think would be interesting for other Germany alumni? Then we invite you to participate as a speaker in one of our events. #byalumniforalumni We look forward to exchanging ideas with you. © Getty Images/Dynamoland © Getty Images/Dynamoland©Urban migrant and refugee solidarityDate04.06.2025 Harald Bauder will talk about urban migrant and refugee solidarity in the current political climate Strategies for good self-management in times of increasing demands in your studies and professional life In the hottest and driest biome in northeastern Brazil there is a distinctive region of shrubland and thorn forest known as “Caatinga,” a Tupi word meaning “white forest” or “white vegetation.” This is the 2.4 million-acre Araripe Plateau which lay beneath an ocean many millions of years ago and is known for its ancient fossils dating back to the age of the dinosaurs an ancient freshwater aquifer creates unexpectedly lush pockets of rainforest fed by streams flowing down the steep slopes of the Araripe plateau with a population estimated at only about 800 individuals The Critically Endangered Araripe Manakin is a striking bird with black-and-white males sporting a prominent bright red helmet-like crown that inspired the nickname “little soldier of Araripe.” In contrast the females and young are mainly olive green with pale green upperparts The endemic Araripe Manakins only nest above year-round running streams and require exactly the unique forest habitat that exists only here The oldest—and ongoing—threat to their habitat comes from the piping and channeling of water for agricultural irrigation and urban supply the manakin’s forested breeding habitat is being destroyed or degraded by spreading agriculture and housing developments crawling up the slopes of the plateau for the growing nearby town of Crato The bird’s remaining habitat is estimated to be only about 7,000 acres Rainforest Trust has partnered with Associação de Pesquisa e Preservação de Ecossistemas Aquáticos (AQUASIS) to safeguard 52% of the Araripe Manakin’s global population by protecting 1,231 acres of its fragile home in a new reserve This area is adjacent to the existing Oasis-Araripe Reserve and will create an important corridor between the manakin’s feeding areas upstream and breeding areas downstream Our partner has been working in the region for 18 years documenting and amplifying the Araripe Manakin’s plight with such success that the bird has become a symbol in the region for water conservation as a “guardian of the waters” and is now a source of local pride The Araripe Manakin Oasis Reserve will protect springs that are vitally important to more than 1 million people in this dry region Associação de Pesquisa e Preservação de Ecossistemas Aquáticos (AQUASIS) for providing information for this article “The trees here shed their leaves to preserve moisture and the animals have evolved to adapt to conditions The Araripe Manakin or "Little Soldier Bird," by AQUASIS Thank you for signing up for news and information alerts from Rainforest Trust and general and administrative costs through a combination of investment earnings and unrestricted contributions from our closest supporters 100% of your donation is allocated to conservation projects The house is divided into four distinct structures connected by external pathways that guide residents and visitors both physically and visually and an open space for storing a vintage Beetle car The social block features a gathering room and a gazebo that offers panoramic views of the landscape Instead of imposing a large built volume onto the site the design fragments the house to preserve existing flows of energy This approach aims to minimize disruption to the natural environment allowing the house to camouflage itself within the grand natural landscape of the Araripe National Forest The design team at AzulPitanga employs rammed earth walls for their thermal inertia and ability to regulate interior temperatures The rooms are oriented to receive sunlight from the east and west with protective elements such as small balconies and closets shielding them from the harsh western sun Bathrooms feature large windows that open to the landscape reinforcing the residents’ desire to bathe in nature Natural stone flooring in the bathrooms enhances this experience The social block is defined by two parallel Barbalha stone walls and a large rectangular slab roof supported by four recessed pillars The east and west facades incorporate a half-timbering technique using massaranduba wood bars sealed with reinforced mortar The design includes large sliding shutter doors and an external stone wall staircase leading to a rooftop viewpoint VV House by AzulPitanga nestles among coconut trees at the foot of Chapada Nacional do Araripe in Barbalha The project preserves a water line that crosses the land during rainy periods maintaining the flow of water to the Arajara River The circulation axis of the house follows the natural topography integrating ramps and terraces among the trees This design ensures that the house is born from its surroundings respecting and maintaining the pre-existing natural flows The design reflects the clients’ philosophy of living in harmony with natural energies with its minimalist architecture and Mediterranean identity embodying a delicate balance between tradition and modernity VV House by AzulPitanga exemplifies a sensitive and sustainable approach to architecture integrating seamlessly with its environment while providing functional and aesthetic living spaces VV House utilizes local materials such as Barbalha stone and rammed earth the house is divided into four distinct structures connected by external pathways AzulPitanga’s design allows the house to camouflage itself within the natural landscape of the forest rammed earth walls provide thermal inertia regulating interior temperatures effectively the social block offers panoramic views of the landscape VV House’s layout integrates ramps and terraces among the trees facades incorporate massaranduba wood bars name: VV House / Casa VV lead designers: André Moraes architect: AzulPitanga | @azul.pitanga designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here. edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom AXOR presents three bathroom concepts that are not merely places of function but destinations in themselves — sanctuaries of style Metrics details A lithostratigraphic section of the maximum flooding zone of the Romualdo Formation at the Sítio Sobradinho outcrop was performed thirteen samples were collected for micropalaeontological analysis and six petrographic slides were prepared for microfacies analyses Petrographic analysis was carried out with a Zeiss Axio Scope.A1 microscope equipped with a Zeiss AxioCam MRc camera at the Applied Micropaleontology Laboratory (LMA) of the Federal University of Pernambuco Microphotographs of petrographic slides and selected carbonate microfossils were obtained from a Phenom XL scanning electron microscope (SEM) at the LMA The specimens presented here were deposited in the LMA under the collection numbers LMA-00029 to LMA-00073 Distribution and abundance of microfossils recovered from the Sítio Sobradinho section. Figure created by Robbyson Mendes Melo on CorelDRAW version 22.0 (https://www.coreldraw.com) Foraminifera recovered from the Sítio Sobradinho section: 1–19 Scale bar: 1–14 = 100 µm; 15–43 = 30 µm Ostracoda recovered from the Sítio Sobradinho section: 1–4 ostracodes and other microfossil data from the Romualdo Formation indicates that the local Alagoas Stage (Ostracoda Zone RT-011) can now be constrained to the Aptian The foraminiferal assemblages show Tethyan affinities suggesting a marine route coming to the Araripe Basin from the equatorial South Atlantic with north seawater origin The age of the Cretaceous Santana Formation fossil Konservat Lagerstätte of north-east Brazil: a historical review and an appraisal of the biochronostratigraphic utility of its palaeobiota Phosphatized ostracod with appendages from the Lower Cretaceous of Brazil Quelônio Amphichelydia no Cretáceo Inferior do Nordeste do Brasil Insetos (Hymenoptera) cretáceos do Grupo Araripe - Nordeste do Brasil Biostratigraphy of Lower Cretaceous microfossils from the Araripe Basin The function of the cranial crest and jaws of a unique pterosaur from the Early Cretaceous of Brazil Mohr, B. A. R., Bernardes-de-Oliveira, M. E. C. & Loveridge, R. F. The macrophyte flora of the Crato Formation. Crato Foss. Beds Brazil Wind. into an Anc. World 537–565 (2007) https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511535512.020 Revisão da paleoflora das formações Missão Velha A new mesosuchian crocodilian from the Lower Cretaceous Crato Formation of North-Eastern Brazil An updated review of the fish faunas from the Crato and Santana formations in Brazil Cretaceous dinoflagellate provincialism in Brazilian marginal basins Tafonomy of macroinvertebrates and Albian marine ingression as recorded by the Romualdo Formation (Cretaceous New brachyuran crabs from the Aptian-Albian Romualdo Formation Santana Group of Brazil: Evidence for a Tethyan connection to the Araripe Basin New records of shrimps from the Lower Cretaceous Romualdo Formation with new taxa of Penaeoidea (Crustacea: Decapoda: Dendrobranchiata) arquitetura deposicional e faciologia da Formação Missão Velha (Neojurássico-Eocretáceo) na área-tipo Nordeste do Brasil: Exemplo de sedimentação de estágio de início de rifte a clímax de rifte Tectonic history of the Borborema Province in Tectonic Evolution of South America (eds Análise comparativa da paleogeologia dos litorais atlânticos brasileiro e africano A contribution to regional stratigraphic correlations of the Afro-Brazilian depression - The Dom João Stage (Brotas Group and equivalent units - Late Jurassic) in Northeastern Brazilian sedimentary basins Tectono-stratigraphic evolution of the Upper Jurassic-Neocomian rift succession Sequências deposicionais do Andar Alagoas da Bacia do Araripe The transgressive-regressive cycle of the Romualdo Formation (Araripe Basin): Sedimentary archive of the Early Cretaceous marine ingression in the interior of Northeast Brazil Paleogeografia do Atlântico Sul no Aptiano: um novo modelo a partir de dados micropaleontológicos recentes Aptian/Albian (Early Cretaceous) paleogeography of the South Atlantic: a paleontological perspective Arai ‘Aptian/Albian (Early Cretaceous) paleogeography of the South Atlantic: A paleontological perspective’) Arai ‘Aptian/Albian (Early Cretaceous) paleogeography of the South Atlantic: A paleontological perspective’ Jenkyns, H. C. Carbon-isotope stratigraphy and paleoceanographic significance of the Lower Cretaceous shallow-water carbonates of Resolution Guyot, Mid-Pacific Mountains. Proc. Ocean Drill. Program, 143 Sci. Results (1995) https://doi.org/10.2973/odp.proc.sr.143.213.1995 Biotic changes in Cretaceous oceanic anoxic events of the Tethys Transient global cooling at the onset of early Aptian oceanic anoxic event (OAE) 1a Climate variability and ocean fertility during the Aptian Stage A paleoceanographic model for the early evolutionary history of planktonic Foraminifera Cretaceous paleoceanography: Evidence from planktonic foraminiferal evolution Integrated stratigraphy across the Aptian-Albian boundary in the Marnes Bleues France: a candidate global boundary stratotype section and boundary point for the base Oceanic anoxic events and plankton evolution: Biotic response to tectonic forcing during the mid-Cretaceous Coupe de la Formation Santana dans le secteur de Pedra Branca (Santana do Cariri; Bassin d’Araripe NE du Brésil): contribution a l’étude de la sedimentologie et des paleoenvironnements in Simpósio sobre a Bacia do Araripe e Bacias Interiores do Nordeste Análise isotópica de oxigênio e carbono em microfósseis da Formação Romualdo Paleontologia da Formação Santana (Cretáceo do Nordeste do Brasil): estágio atual do conhecimento Análise paleoecológica do registro das primeiras ingressões marinhas na Formação Santana (Cretáceo Inferior da Chapada do Araripe) in 1° Simpósio Sobre a Bacia do Araripe e Bacias Interiores do Nordeste 226–233 (1990) Aptian marine ingression in the Araripe Basin: Implications for paleogeographic reconstruction and evaporite accumulation New data on the ostracodes from the Crato lithologic unit (lower member of the Santana Formation latest Aptian–lower Albian) of the Araripe Basin (Northeastern Brazil) Taxonomic studies of non-marine ostracods in the Lower Cretaceous (Aptian-lower Albian) of post-rift sequence from Jatobá and Araripe basins (Northeast Brazil): Stratigraphic implications Phosphatized ostracods from the Cretaceous of Brazil Possible fossil ostracod (Crustacea) egg from the Cretaceous of Brazil Morphology and ontogeny of Cretaceous ostracods with preserved appendages from Brazil Planktic foraminiferal species turnover across deep-sea Aptian/Albian boundary sections Abrupt planktic foraminiferal turnover across the Niveau Kilian at Col de Pré-Guittard (Vocontian Basin southeast France): New criteria for defining the Aptian/Albian boundary Biostratigraphic zonation for Cretaceous planktonic foraminifers examined in thin section Early Cretaceous nannofossils and planktonic foraminifera from northern Gargano (Apulia Mid-Cretaceous planktonic foraminifers from Blake Nose: revised biostratigraphic framework Cretaceous oceanic anoxic events and radially elongated chambered planktonic foraminifera: Paleoecological and paleoceanographic implications Late Aptian to Maastrichtian foraminiferal biogeography and palaeoceanography of the Sergipe Basin Brazil Aptian-Albian planktic foraminifera from DSDP Site 364 (offshore Angola): Biostratigraphy Paleoecologia dos ostracodes da Formação Santana (bacia do Araripe): um estudo ontogenético de populações in 1° Simpósio sobre a bacia do Araripe e bacias interiores do Nordeste 309–328 (URCA Taxonomy of limnic Ostracoda (Crustacea) from the Alagamar Formation Biostratigraphic and paleozoogeographic review of the upper Aptian-Albian ostracods of Riachuelo Formation Caracterização e significado paleoambiental da fauna de ostracodes da Formação Codó (Neoaptiano) biostratigraphic and paleogeographic implications On the validity of two Lower Cretaceous non-marine ostracode genera Ostracodes from the Aptian e Santonian of the Santos Brasil: implicações paleoambientais e bioestratigráficas Ostracodes do Aptiano-Albiano da Bacia do Araripe: Implicações paleoambientais e bioestratigráficas Sedimentos do Neojurássico-Eocretáceo do Brasil: idade e correlação com a escala internacional Palinoestratigrafia e geocronologia dos sedimentos albo–aptianos das Bacias de Sergipe e de Alagoas - Brasil Palinoestratigrafia do intervalo Alagoas da Bacia do Araripe Faciologia orgânica da Formação Romualdo (Grupo Santana Cretáceo Inferior da Bacia do Araripe): caracterização da matéria orgânica sedimentar e interpretação paleoambiental Upper Aptian mixed carbonate-siliciclastic sequences from Tucano Basin Northeastern Brazil: Implications for paleogeographic reconstructions following Gondwana break-up The Araripe Basin in NE Brazil: an intracontinental graben inverted to a high-standing horst Cretaceous planktonic foraminifers-DSDP Leg 39 (South Atlantic) Cretaceous planktonik foraminifers from DSDP Leg 40 Foraminíferos planctônicos no Cretáceo médio da Bacia de Santos Brasil morphologic and taxonomic studies of Aptian planktonic foraminifera Leckie, R. M. Mid-Cretaceous planktonic foraminiferal biostratigraphy off central Morocco, Deep Sea Drilling Project Leg 79, Sites 545 and 547. Initial reports DSDP, Leg 79, Las Palmas to Brest 579–620 (1984) https://doi.org/10.2973/dsdp.proc.79.122.1984 The upper Aptian-Albian succession of the Sergipe Basin Brazil: an integrated paleoenvironmental assessment Towards an integrated biostratigraphy of the upper Aptian-Maastrichtian of the Sergipe Basin Brazil Moullade, M., Tronchetti, G. & Bellier, J.-P. The Gargasian (Middle Aptian) strata from Cassis-La Bédoule (lower Aptian historical stratotype, SE France): planktonic and benthic foraminiferal assemblages and biostratigraphy. Carnets géologie (Notebooks Geol. (2005) https://doi.org/10.4267/2042/1460 Barremian-Aptian Praehedbergellidae of the North Sea area: a reconnaisance Evolution in the Early Cretaceous planktonic foraminiferal genus Blefuscuiana Planktonic foraminifera from the Cretaceous of Trinidad B BouDagher-Fadel, M. K., Banner, F. T. & Whittaker, J. . E. The early evolutionary history of planktonic Foraminifera. British Micropalaeontological Society Publication Series (British Micropalaeontological Society, 1997). https://doi.org/10.2307/1486073 Boudagher-Fadel, M. K. Biostratigraphic and geological significance of planktonic Foraminifera. Developments in Palaeontology and Stratigraphy (University College London, 2015). https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-444-53638-9.00001-5 Barremian-Aptian calcareous plankton biostratigraphy from the Gorgo Cerbara section (Marche central Italy) and implications for plankton evolution and geochemical analysis of the uppermost Hauterivian Faraoni Level in the Fiume Bosso section Evaluating the evidence on the opening of the Equatorial Atlantic Gateway and its global impact in Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs vol palaeobiogeography and palaeoecology of Albian-Maastrichtian pithonellid calcispheres: Impact on Tethys configuration Ammonite and foraminiferal biogeography and the opening of the Equatorial Atlantic Gateway in 1er Symposium International de Paléobiogéographie 12 (Université Pierre et Marie Crurie Microbialite fields developed in a protected rocky coastline: the shallow carbonate ramp of the Aptian Romualdo Formation (Araripe Basin in Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology (eds Q99–Q421 (Geological Society of America and University of Kansas Press Ostracod faunas in the Purbeck and Wealden of England The central palaeo-Andean basin of Bolivia (Potosi area) during the late Cretaceous and early Tertiary: reconstruction of ancient saline lakes using sedimentological paleoecological and stable isotope records Ostracod biostratigraphy and palaeoecology of the Purbeck Limestone Group in Southern England Ecological strategies in the ancient asexual animal group Darwinulidae (Crustacea Western Gondwana non-marine ostracods from Early Cretaceous low-latitude ephemeral lake A color guide to the petrography of carbonate rocks - grains (American Association of Petroleum Geologists Flügel, E. Microfacies of carbonate rocks. Microfacies Carbon. Rocks https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-08726-8 (2004) Huggett, J. M. Glauconites. in Reference Module in Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences 542–548 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-409548-9.11978-5 Morphogroups of agglutinating foraminifera Their life positions and feeding habits and potential applicability in (paleo)ecological studies Tubular agglutinated foraminifera as indicators of organic carbon flux in Proceedings of the Fourth International Workshop on Agglutinated Foraminifera 1993 (eds M.) 141–144 (Grzybowski Foundation Special Publication no A revision of the Lower Cretaceous foraminiferal genus Falsogaudyinella from northwest Europe and Romania M.) 145–157 (Grzybowski Foundation Special Publication no Biostratigraphy and paleoceanography of the Cretaceous seaway between Norway and Greenland Paleoecologia dos ostracodes nao-marinhos do Cretaceo Inferior da Bacia Potiguar in 5° Simpósio sobre o Cretáceo do Brasil 383–391 (UNESP Palaeoenvironmental assessment of Early Cretaceous limnic ostracods from the Alagamar Formation Foraminifera from the Grayson Formation of northern Texas The neglected history of oceanic anoxic event 1b: Insights new data from the Poggio le Guaine section (Umbria-Marche Basin) Morphometric response of late Aptian planktonic foraminiferal communities to environmental changes: a case study of Paraticinella rohri at Poggio le Guaine (central Italy) Mercury anomalies in upper Aptian–lower Albian sediments from the Tethys realm Upper Hauterivian–upper Barremian planktonic foraminiferal assemblages from the Arroyo Gilico section (Southern Spain) Paleoecology of mid-Cretaceous planktonic foraminifera: a comparison of open ocean and epicontinental sea assemblages Middle Cretaceous planktonik foraminifers of the Antarctic margin: Hole 693A in Proceedings of the Ocean Drilling Program Late Aptian (Cretaceous) paleoceanography of the South Atlantic Ocean inferred from dinocyst communities of the Sergipe Basin Brazil Síntese Bioestratigráfica da Bacia do Araripe (Nordeste do Brasil) in 2° Simpósio sobre a Bacia do Araripe e bacias interiores do Nordeste (eds Revisão estratigráfica da Bacia de Sergipe/Alagoas Stratigraphy and biogeographic affinities of the late Aptian-Campanian ostracods of the Potiguar and Sergipe basins in northeastern Brazil Early cretaceous ostracod biostratigraphy of eastern Brazil and western Africa: an overview Download references The authors would like to acknowledge the Brazilian National Petroleum Agency (ANP) and PETROBRAS for financial support through the following projects: “ARTUNJA: Correlações bioestratigráficas dos sistemas flúvio-lacustres das fases rifte e pós-rifte das bacias do Araripe 2017/00263-2” and “Implantação da infraestrutura do Laboratório de Micropaleontologia Aplicada da Universidade Federal de Pernambuco/no This study was financed in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - Brasil (CAPES) Huber for the valuable support in identification of foraminifera We are grateful to Edval Santos for his help in acquiring the MEV images The authors thank to the reviewers and the editor for their significant suggestions that allowed us to improve the manuscript These authors contributed equally: Juliana Guzmán Virgínio Henrique de Miranda Lopes Neumann and Ariany de Jesus e Sousa Laboratory of Applied Micropaleontology (LAGESE/LITPEG) Enelise Katia Piovesan & Virgínio Henrique de Miranda Lopes Neumann performed the descriptive research of foraminifera performed the descriptive research of ostracodes All authors contributed and reviewed the manuscript The authors declare no competing interests Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations Download citation DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-72789-8 Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content: a shareable link is not currently available for this article Communications Earth & Environment (2025) Palaeobiodiversity and Palaeoenvironments (2025) Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science Connecting decision makers to a dynamic network of information Bloomberg quickly and accurately delivers business and financial information a Brazilian tycoon who built his empire by tapping the same gusts that brought Portuguese sailors to South America five centuries ago he created an estate that includes about 170,000 hectares of land in Brazil’s northeast and Casa dos Ventos the wind-energy giant that’s developed almost a third of Brazil’s current and planned capacity plus the revenue from a 2.3 billion reais ($767 million) sale of wind assets to Cubico Sustainable Investments Ltd have helped Araripe grow a personal fortune that the Bloomberg Billionaires Index values at $1.3 billion “Brazil’s national anthem says the country is a giant by its own nature,” the billionaire says “People always thought that was because of gold or other underground treasures The son of an engineer who built infrastructure to fight the deadly droughts common in the northeast Araripe began a circuitous career by developing high-end beachfront property there in the 1980s and 1990s before snapping up a distressed off-road vehicle producer He finally wound his way back to where he started and the abandoned backlands his family grew up on he had turned a plateau in the middle of the Sertao into one of the world’s hubs for wind-power production is now one of General Electric’s biggest clients for wind turbines in Latin America and has been fending off buyout approaches from Chinese and U.S It’s the biggest wind-farm developer in Brazil the world’s ninth-largest producer of the renewable energy according to the Global Wind Energy Council In an hour-long interview at Casa dos Ventos’ Sao Paulo headquarters Araripe discussed the northeastern hinterland that spawned his fortune but is also known for economic hardship and unforgiving droughts Portuguese fortune seekers who came here found no gold; strong-armed outlaws basically ran the place as recently as the 1930s And the government still struggles to deliver on decades-old promises to install even basic infrastructure like clean water It’s against this backdrop and Ceara’s harsh landscape that Araripe once lent a jeep to a wind energy expert who was charting the region’s wind map — a serendipitous ride that became a turning point for Brazil’s wind industry He’d made his first small fortune when he founded Construtora Colmeia a builder that developed beach properties in Ceara After selling the builder to his employees he rescued an off-road vehicle company by the name of Troller in 1997 Troller was exporting the rugged-terrain vehicles to Kuwait Araripe liked to test the jeeps on long excursions across South America he lent one to an old buddy from the Aeronautical Technological Institute a prestigious engineering university in Sao Paulo state from which Araripe had graduated in 1977 says he drove around Ceara to measure the wind enduring a precarious river crossing in which his ferry was nearly swept away by a strong current when Araripe sold Troller to Ford Motor Co that same friend pushed him to invest in the budding technology The idea was cemented during an alumni party between cocktails and music “Nobody back then was paying attention to wind energy,” says Araripe “The scientific knowledge on wind power was about the same as a shaman’s knowledge of medicine.” The industry has been a boon for part of a region marked by pockets of extreme violence Wind-park developers like Araripe pay families and land owners in impoverished areas about 4 million reais a month Casa dos Ventos started out buying or renting land in Ceara so its engineers could find the best gusts which Araripe says he can do better than anyone else because he knows the lay of the land “The secret was in measuring the wind,” says Thais Prandini an analyst at Sao Paulo-based consultant Thymos Energia “It’s a company that found an interesting niche and made a ton of money.” Casa dos Ventos began building its own farms and today is involved in every part of the process from bidding on long-term government supply contracts to development and even the operation of some farms Araripe says Casa dos Ventos is sitting on enough land to spawn another 15 gigawatts of capacity in coming years Brazil’s current installed capacity is about 10 gigawatts who has never taken on a partner in Casa dos Ventos refers to himself as a “lifelong bachelor” in business although these days his son and daughter help run the company He entertains the idea of selling a small stake one day Nor is he really that interested in expanding beyond Brazil because there’s a “poetry” to the business here He likes harnessing a force that’s inspired Brazilian artists who described the region’s wind as “rapid BloombergNEF (BNEF) is a strategic research provider covering global commodity markets and the disruptive technologies driving the transition to a 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Contact us Chapada do Araripe is located on the triple border between the states of Ceará nearly 180 km in length covered by Atlantic Forest has been historically inhabited by indigenous peoples and traditional communities who remain there to this day one environmental protection area and one geopark has seen its landscape drastically changed with the installation of the largest complex of wind farms in Brazil and one of the largest such complexes anywhere in Latin America.  Inaugurated in 2017, the Ventos do Araripe III Complex, located on the border between the states of Pernambuco and Piauí, was built by the Brazilian company Casa dos Ventos Energias Renováveis S.A. with financing from BNDES (Brazilian Development Bank) and NDB (New Development Bank) the financial institution of the BRICS group of emerging counties formed by Brazil a team of researchers from Conectas and IAP (International Accountability Project) visited the region interviewed dozens of families from different communities near Ventos do Araripe III and found that the project the project has been viewed as synonymous with progress and the guarantee of a future for the local populations According to information from the company and from the authorities the installation of the wind turbines created nearly 1,500 direct jobs and boosted the local economy which have an installed capacity of 359 MW enough electrical energy to supply 400,000 homes were built on land leased from 71 families in the municipalities of Araripina (state of Pernambuco) and Simões (state of Piauí) covering an area of 10,200 hectares.  this model allowed residents to become partners in the project the company has paid more than R$5 million per year to the families whose land was leased 2025 - Conectas Human Rights - Postal Code 47 - São Paulo (SP) Brazil - ZIP: 01032-970 - Phone: +55 (11) 3884-7440 Associação de Pesquisa e Preservação de Ecossistemas Aquáticos (AQUASIS) the Araripe Manakin is losing its only nesting habitat to deforestation spreading agriculture and stream manipulation It is estimated that only 800 individuals survive and a mere 7,000 acres of their habitat remains But new housing developments from the growing nearby town of Crato and stream diversion for agriculture are destroying the manakin’s riverbank forest These activities also jeopardize this vital source of water for more than one million people in the Araripe region have a unique opportunity to reverse the Araripe Manakin’s trend toward extinction by safeguarding 1,231 acres of vital forage and breeding habitat essential to the bird’s survival This will protect 52% of the species’ global population Header photo: The Araripe Manakin or “Little Soldier Bird,” by Agami Photo Agency The Araripe Manakin or "Little Soldier Bird," by Agami Photo Agency Significant areas of the proposed Araripe Manakin Oasis Reserve are adjacent to an existing reserve and will expand vital habitat for this bird Once designated as a private nature reserve it will protect an essential corridor between the manakin’s feeding areas upstream and breeding areas downstream Other threatened species utilizing the proposed reserve are the Ceara Leaftosser Northern Tiger Cat and Cobra-da-terra dos brejos documenting the population trends of the Araripe Manakin by locating its nests and monitoring for reproductive success and genetic kinship relationships Our partner will continue to work with local people to improve water management and reduce habitat destruction We work hard to ensure we raise only the funds needed for each project In the rare case we raise more money than needed or a project comes in under budget excess monies will be transferred to the Conservation Action Fund This fund supports our important conservation work throughout the tropics Our partners’ ability to work with their governments and build strong connections with local communities ensures the successful implementation of our projects Our board members and other supporters cover our operating costs so you can give knowing your whole gift will protect rainforests Paleontologists have stumbled upon a bird fossil that is so well preserved its long tail feathers have possibly retained their original color and spots It’s a first-of-a-kind discovery for South America and the oldest known bird ever found in Brazil The discovery was made in the Araripe Basin in Northeastern Brazil, where a former lakebed holds thousands of fossils from the Cretaceous period — 145 to 66 million years. At the time, Brazil and the rest of South America were in the process of separating from Gondwana — an ancient supercontinent that comprised Africa the Indian subcontinent and the Arabian Peninsula Location map of the discovery (red star) of the 115 million years old Brazilian fossil bird 115 million year old Cretaceous rocks where the oldest complete bird from Gondwana was found On the very rare occasions that scientists uncover Cretaceous birds fossils the best specimens have primarily been found in China and in the form of 2-D slabs 115-million-year-old fossil retains its 3D shape revealing a hummingbird-sized animal with long ribbon-like tail feathers The tail feather are 30 percent longer than the length of the main skeleton and boast a row of five spots — possible remnants of its original plumage — at the base of the bird’s backside Ismar Carvalho of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and colleagues made the discovery, which was reported today in Nature Communications Ismar Carvalho and Fernando Novas describe the fossil discoveries in the Araripe Basin in eastern Brazil A video in Spanish illustrates the fossil find © 1996 - 2025 NewsHour Productions LLC PBS is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization Subscribe to Here's the Deal with Lisa Desjardins Metrics details An Author Correction to this article was published on 05 August 2020 This article has been updated The Romualdo Formation (Araripe Basin) is worldwide known for the large number of well-preserved fossils but the dinosaur record is rather scarce which is the first tetrapod recovered from the basal layers of this stratigraphic unit that consist of dark shales is known by an incomplete but articulated right hind limb with the distal portion of the femur The new species differs from other coelurosaurs by a medial fossa in the tibia and digits II The phylogenetic analysis recovered Aratasaurus museunacionali closely related to Zuolong salleei The paleohistology indicate that the specimen is a juvenile with an estimated body length around 3.12 m The new taxon represents the first occurrence of basal coelurosaurians in the Araripe Basin and suggests a widespread distribution of this group during the Lower Cretaceous Location map of the Mina Pedra Branca, Ceará State. The crossed geologic hammers indicate where Aratasaurus museunacionali gen. et sp. nov. was found. Figure created by Renan Alfredo Machado Bantim on PS Adobe Photoshop CC, version 20.0.6. Outcrop of Mina Pedra Branca where Aratasaurus museunacionali gen was recovered with indication of the stratigraphy and where the dinosaur came from Figure created by Renan Alfredo Machado Bantim on PS Adobe Photoshop CC Composed stratigraphic section of Mina Pedra Branca quarry (Municipality of Santana do Cariri showing the fossiliferous calcareous nodule level (A) and the dark shale horizon (dinosaur) where Aratasaurus museunacionali gen were recovered from this layer such as fishes (e.g. the sole tetrapod known form this deposit is the dinosaur described here From the combination of “ara” and “atá” from the Tupi language meaning born and fire Incomplete but articulated right hind limb with the distal portion of the femur proximal half of the tibia and mid-distal regions of metatarsals I–IV The specimen (MPSC R 2089) is housed at the Museu de Paleontologia of the Universidade Regional do Cariri and a cast will be deposited at the Museu Nacional/UFRJ in a dark shale located about 2.5 m above the contact with Ipubi Formation Aratasaurus museunacionali differs from other basal coelurosaurs by the following combination of characters: tibia exhibiting a medial fossa; symmetric pes with digits II and IV subequal in total length; distal condyles of metatarsi II III and IV symmetric mediolaterally and with subequal width; width of metatarsi II and IV similar presenting the dorsal surface of the distal articulation bulbous The holotype (MPSC R 2089) of Aratasaurus museunacionali gen showing the femur and tibia before preparation Only a section of the distal portion of the femur is preserved (110 mm; Fig. 5). It is observable only from the medial view. The most distal region is in articulation with the proximal surface of the tibia, covering most of the posterior intercondylar fossa. A deep intercondylar fossa is observable. A marked groove separates the condyles. It is bulbous and exhibits a lateral ridge The fibular condyle forms a right angle with the anteroposterior axis of the articulation The medial surface of the tibia is marked by a fossa located close to the proximal articulation the fibular condyle is continuous with the fibular crest A deep fossa separates the lateral cnemial ridge from the fibular crest Part of the holotype (MPSC R 2089) of Aratasaurus museunacionali gen showing the (A) photo and (B) drawing of the right pes first to second phalanx of pedal digit II; pph1d3 first phalanx of pedal digit III; pph1-3d4 first to third phalanx of pedal digit IV; u1 it is reduced and has the same length as the first phalange of pedal digit I The proximal articulation is flattened and blade-like This bone contacts the mid-distal region of the medial surface of metatarsal II Metatarsals II and IV are morphologically and proportionally similar, being expanded mediolaterally. All exhibit collateral ligament pits. The longest is metatarsal III, which, based on the relation of the foot relative to the tibia, was about 243 mm long (Fig. 4) The dorsal surface of the distal articulation of metatarsals II and IV are bulbous The articulation of metatarsal III is markedly ginglymoid with an extensor pit on the dorsal surface The collateral ligament pits are present in all metatarsals being deeper in metatarsal III and shallower in metatarsal IV Digits II and IV are about the same length. The preserved pedal phalangeal formula is I-1, II-2, III-3 and IV-4 (Fig. 6) Although most of the phalanges are compressed some of the ones of digit III were preserved in their original shape and exhibit an ellipsoid cross-section with digit IV possessing the shortest phalanges compared to the remaining digits The collateral ligament pits of the phalanges of digits II and III are deep and symmetrical Although these pits are also deep in digit IV they exhibit a slight mediolateral asymmetry being deeper in the lateral side in digit III The dorsal surface of the proximal articulation of phalanges II-1 and III-1 is bulbous The distal articulation of phalanges II-1 and III-2 are marked by an extensor pit marks on the dorsal surface III-2 and III-3 and all of the digit IV show an asymmetric shaft with the proximal half of the ventral surface showing flexor processes The phalanges III-2 and III-3 also exhibit a concave ventral surface Unguals I, II and III are preserved (Fig. 7). Most of the dorsal surface of the ungual I is covered by rock matrix. The ventral surface of all unguals show a faint flexor tubercle. The lateral and medial surfaces of the unguals II and III exhibit ridges, especially in the ungual II. Pedal unguals (MPSC R 2089) of Aratasaurus museunacionali gen B) Photo and schematic drawing of the second pedal digit and (C D) photo and schematic drawing of the third pedal digit The rounded cnemial crest is also present in Zuolong sallei The lateral ridge on the cnemial crest is also observed in Zuolong sallei A rounded fibular condyle and an elongated fibular crest is shared with Aratasaurus museunacionali and Zuolong sallei This condyle in Australovenator wintonensis presents a ventral convexity which is different from the flattened surface of Aratasaurus museunacionali III and IV are about the same in Aratasaurus museunacionali while Zuolong sallei shows a metatarsal III twice the width of the metatarsals II and IV the distal articulation of metatarsals II and IV in Aratasaurus museunacionali are similar and differs from the condition of Aarun zhaoi in which metatarsals II is the widest and tallest among the other metatarsi of the pes The unguals of both Zuolong sallei and Aratasaurus museunacionali are also similar presenting flexor tubercles and symmetrical grooves in lateral facets the material known from the Aratasaurus museunacionali differs from derived coelurosaurian groups (e.g Ornithomimosauria) and Megaraptora mainly regarding by the cnemial crest and the disposition and morphology of metatarsals the new Brazilian theropod has a tibia similar to that of Zuolong salleei and the pes more similar with that of Aarun zhaoi and Tanycolagreus topwilsoni Osteohistological section of the second metatarsal of Aratasaurus museunacionali gen showing the four growth cycles (numbers 1–4) marked by two lines of arrested growth and one annulus po—primary osteons; LAG—lines of arrested growth Stratigraphic chart modified from Cohen et al based on the plesiomorphic characters and close relationships with Zuolong salleei Aratasaurus museunacionali integrates the most basal lineage of Coelurosauria Life reconstruction of Aratasaurus museunacionali gen secondary osteons and a high number of primary osteons implies on a juvenile/young adult ontogenetic stage for this animal The ontogenetic stage attributed to Aratasaurus museunacionali probably explains its reduced proportions because its asymptotic size was not reached indicating that this animal could have grown further traditional search tree bisection and reconnection (TBR) branch swapping with zero random seed 3,000 replicates and 10 saved trees per replication The obtained trees were reanalyzed in TBR with the parameter “stop when maxtrees hit” with additional coding for Santanaraptor placidus and Timimus hermani as follows: Two casts were also made to preserve external morphological data The bone was sectioned in previous existing breaking area A bone sample with approximately 1 cm of thickness was obtained It was embedded in clear epoxy resin Resapol T-208 catalyzed with Butanox M50 cut with a micro rectify (Dremel 4000 with extender cable 225) mounted to a diamond disk the mounting side was wet ground and polished using a metal polishing machine (AROPOL-E Abrasive sandpaper of different grits were used in this step (grit size 60 / P60 the section was examined and photographed under a transmitted light microscope (Zeiss Inc Spain) mounted to an AxioCam camera with Axio Imager The M2 imaging software was used in the examination procedure An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper First Early Cretaceous theropod dinosaur from Brazil with comments on Spinosauridae Brusatte, S. 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TNT version 1.5 including full implementation of phylogenetic morphometrics In Preparation and Sectioning of Specimens (eds Padian E.-T.) 55–160 (University of California Press Download references We would like to thank Plácido Cidade Nuvens (deceased in 2016) for obtaining the specimen studied here and Bruno C Vila Nova (UFPE) for preparing part of the material Diogenes de Almeida Campos (CPRM) and Francisco de Freitas Leite (URCA) are thanked for discussions regarding the name of the new species acknowledges Lucy Gomes de Souza (Museu Nacional/Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro) for helping with the TNT software The paleoartist Maurilio Oliveira is acknowledged for the life reconstruction of this new dinosaur This study was partially founded by the Fundação Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ #E-26/202.905/2018 to A.W.A.K.) the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq #420687/2016-5 and #313461/2018-0 to A.W.A.K.; #311715/2017-6 to J.M.S.; #305705/2019-9 to F.J.L.) the Fundação Cearense de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (FUNCAP #BMD-0124-00302.01.01/19 to R.A.M.B. and the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - Brasil (CAPES) - Finance Code 001 (CAPES #88887.162865/2018-00 to R.A.M.B.) acknowledges the doctoral fellowship from Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES - PROANTAR: 88887.336584/2019-00 and Finance code 001 CAPES #88887.162865/2019-00 to RAMB) Laboratório de Paleobiologia e Microestruturas Juliana Manso Sayão & Rafael Cesar Lima Pedroso de Andrade Laboratory of Systematics and Taphonomy of Fossil Vertebrates Museu Nacional/Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro organized the curation and preparation of the specimen performed the anatomical descriptive research preformed the phylogenetic analysis; J.M.S Download citation DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-67822-9 Sun Shelter / Refúgio do Sol by AzulPitanga is a 60 sqm tiny house constructed with rammed earth, integrating into the landscape of the Araripe National Forest in Ceará, Brazil designed to address the region’s high thermal variation Inspired by elements of African-origin religions and terreiros (community complexes) the shelter embodies a cozy retreat from the intense Brazilian sun in the rural hinterlands involved the use of rammed earth and wattle and daub techniques replacing drums with manual earth-piling and weaving Refúgio do Sol is integrated into the landscape of the Araripe National Forest | all images by Igor Ribeiro The artisanal construction process fostered a collaborative learning environment enriching the experience for all involved and contributing to a unique architectural outcome and wooden beams and pillars construct the tiny house the hydraulic block on the left houses service areas while the social areas settle on the right side this shelter provides a cozy retreat from the Brazilian sun the west side highlights the rammed earth wall and reinforced mortar hydraulic block small openings on the west protect the interior from solar intensity the facade boasts white walls made of hand-rammed earth and large wood-framed openings antique shop windows add charm to the design Refúgio do Sol offers an eco-friendly living space amidst natural beauty the outdoor area spatially integrates with the interior of the house natural materials and textures merge the kitchen and dining room balcony stand protected from solar intensity AzulPitanga’s design approach promotes sustainable living practices name: Sun Shelter / Refúgio do Sol architect: AzulPitanga | @azul.pitanga lead architects: André Moraes and Carolina Mapurunga Metrics details This study reports a set of primeval marine incursions identified in two drill cores Based on a multi-proxy approach involving stratigraphy three short-lived marine incursions were identified designated Araripe Marine Incursions (AMI) 1–3 which occur within the shales of the Batateira Beds (lower part of the Barbalha Formation) were identified by the occurrence of benthonic foraminifera and a mass mortality event of non-marine ostracods AMI-3 was recognized in the upper part of the Barbalha Formation based on the occurrence of ichnofossils and planktonic foraminifera The observation of the planktonic foraminifera genus Leupoldina for the first time in the basin indicates early Aptian/early late Aptian age for these deposits and the first opportunity of correlation with global foraminifera biozonation Our findings have implications for the breakup of the Gondwana Supercontinent as these incursions represent the earliest marine-derived flooding events in the inland basins of northeastern Brazil The geological record of northeastern Brazilian marginal and interior basins is fundamental for obtaining temporal and geographical constraints for the first marine incursions in the region including their provenance and relationship with the relative motions between the incipient African and South American plates and geochemical approaches is essential to obtain a clearer image of these ingressions and the relationship between the Tethys and the proto-South Atlantic waters as well as the development of a more accurate paleogeographical model for this time interval The recognition of marine incursions within these basins provides essential information to help decipher the pathways of this major geological event and microbiofaciological data for the Barbalha Formation the lowermost stratigraphic unit of the post-rift sequence of the basin and allowed identification of the primeval marine incursions in northeastern Brazil and its deposits lay atop Precambrian terrains (Piancó-Alto Brígida and Granjeiro) in the transversal domain of the Borborema Province Eight species belonging to three genera of non-marine ostracods were identified in borehole 1PS-06-CE (Fig. 4a–h), with moderate to good preservation. Recovered species include Candonopsis? alagoensis, Candona? sp., Pattersoncypris alta, Pattersoncypris micropapillosa, Pattersoncypris salitrensis, Pattersoncypris angulata, Pattersoncypris sp. 1, and Pattersoncypris sp. 2. 99.30 m); (g) Pattersoncypris micropappilosa (right lateral view; 1PS-06-CE 99.30 m); (h) Theriosynoecum silvai (right valve Calcareous nannofossils: (n–s) Ascidian spicule (1PS-06-CE Ostracod abundance varies throughout this borehole there is a remarkably high abundance of well-preserved and articulated specimens (particularly at depths 99.80 and 99.30 m with over 1000 individuals in each sample) abundance and diversity of the ostracod fauna decreases considerably Calcareous nannofossils were recovered only in borehole 1PS-06-CE, in the fine-grained facies of the Batateira Beds (Fig. 4n–u) We recorded poorly- to well-preserved ascidian spicules at 112.30 m and five specimens of calcareous dinocyst fragments (Thoracosphaera spp.) at 114.70 m Key microfossil species recovered (1PS-06-CE and 1PS-10-CE boreholes): (a) Leupoldina sp 39.20 m); (d) Serpulids (collar = white arrows) (1PS-10-CE 99.30 m); (g,h) Wackestone and packstone with ostracods (1PS-06-CE 99.30 m); (i) Wackestone with ostracods and serpulids (red frame corresponds to image “(j)”) (1PS-06-CE 99.30 m); (j) Detail view of wackestone with ostracod shells and serpulid tubes (red arrows) (1PS-06-CE 99.30 m); (k) Sergipea variverrucata (1PS-10-CE Globigerinelloides specimens were identified by their typical planispiral biumbilicate coiling in equatorial sections The stratigraphic positions of the biomarkers discussed in this chapter are shown in the Supplementary Material (SM) The absence of globally distributed marine microfossils in the Brazilian interior basins has historically prevented their correlation with global chronostratigraphic charts, therefore they have only been calibrated using local biozones so far. Here we report for the first time the occurrence of Leupoldina spp. in the Barbalha Formation, in thin sections (Fig. 5a) The lack of representatives of typical lower Aptian palynomorph-based biozones is probably due to paleoclimate exclusion41 We contend that paleoclimate dynamics might have controlled the local appearance and disappearance of plant species which directly affected the palynostratigraphic records The presence of agglutinating foraminifera in the sandstone deposits (1PS-10-CE) indicates brackish conditions possibly due to deltaic influence in this system resting above the fluvial facies of both wells reveals a generalized flooding event associated with an increase in the relative sea level reinforces the hypothesis of establishment of fully marine conditions during this interval the Batateira Beds record the reestablishment of lacustrine environments following a sea level drop associated with rhizobioturbation in facies F3 also indicate eventual subaerial exposure They are an impoverished expression of the Cruziana ichnofacies due to the introduction of brackish conditions in the distal portions of the fluvial setting These ichnological characteristics might reflect stressful conditions caused by salinity changes the presence of Scolicia associated with the Srw lithofacies suggests that salinity was sufficient to sporadically support the establishment of a stenohaline fauna The ichnological assemblages and micropaleontological data support this interpretation of flooding in both boreholes We dated the deposits of the Barbalha Formation for the first time based on the recovery of the planktonic foraminifera genera Leupoldina and Globigerinelloides which corresponds to the early Aptian/early late Aptian interval Three marine incursions (AMI-1 to AMI-3) were identified in the Barbalha Formation based on a multi-proxy analysis (micropaleontological The lower two occur in the Batateira Beds (lower Barbalha Formation) recording the primeval marine incursions into the Araripe Basin related to the breakup of the Gondwana and the opening of the South Atlantic Ocean is characterized by an abundance of the agglutinated foraminifera and minor occurrence of organic-walled dinocysts and calcareous dinocysts in the laminite deposits of the Batateira Beds of borehole 1PS-06-CE The mass mortality event of non-marine ostracods reinforces this marine incursion event in the upper part of the Barbalha Formation is characterized by the occurrence of bioturbation mainly represented by Scolicia as well as the presence of planktonic foraminifera Leupoldina spp These incursions are the oldest recorded so far related to the breakup of the Gondwana Supercontinent and the opening of the South Atlantic Ocean and paleomagnetism will contribute to the characterization of these marine deposits as well as the routes taken by these marine incursions We described and analyzed core samples taken from boreholes 1PS-06-CE and 1PS-10-CE, drilled by the Santana II Project53 in the eastern portion of the Araripe Basin and micropaleontological analyses were completed preferentially done in the fine siliciclastic and limestone lithologies (shales we provide the full dataset of microfossils/microbiofacies in the supplementary materials (SM) The characterization of the sedimentary facies of boreholes 1PS-06-CE and 1PS-10-CE followed the usual methods with description of physical sedimentary structures and basic lithology Intervals with no recovery were interpreted based on the accompanying well drilling data namely gamma-ray values (indirect data); a small portion was obtained from cut samples For the purposes of stratigraphic correlation the laminite deposits of the Batateira Beds in the lower part of the Barbalha Formation the levels containing serpulids and the ostracods mass mortality event identification of ichnotaxa was hampered by the loss of ichnotaxonomical features as well as the restrictions inherent to observations made using two-dimensional core surfaces due to its geographical proximity and relevant correlation to the stratigraphic sequence and consisted of the immersion of 20 g of sediment in 200 mL of deionized water with 3 mL of Extran for 24 h The sediments were then washed through 250 we imaged the most representative specimens in an EVO/MA15 Zeiss scanning electron microscope (SEM) No planktonic foraminifera species were recovered in washed samples probably due to the strong cementation and poor preservation of the material in the sampled interval their analysis was only possible through the thin sections made for microbiofacies studies All the studied material is currently stored in the micropaleontologic collection of the Museu de História Geológica do Rio Grande do Sul (MHGRS) under the curatorial numbers ULVG 13482 to ULVG 13491 Minimums of 200 palynomorphs were counted in each sample for the palynological method identification and counting were carried out with a Zeiss Imager.A2 microscope using bright field illumination and incident blue light (fluorescence mode) at 200×  Photomicrographs were taken using a Zeiss AxioCam MRc (Micropaleontology Reference Center) digital camera Our palynological analysis recorded pollen grains The slides are stored in the collection of the MHGRS under the curatorial numbers ULVG 13595 to ULVG 13682 Sample preparation for calcareous nannofossil analysis followed the decantation methodology described in Bown and Young57 Each sediment sample was fragmented in an agate mortar and placed in a Falcon tube with 40 mL of deionized water The solution was stirred for 30 s and then set to decant for five minutes The supernatant (approximately 0.2 mL) was then collected the coverslip was placed on a slide with Norland optical adhesive 61 and cured under UV light The slides were examined using a Zeiss Axio Imager.A2 microscope Data was processed using the software Zen 3.0 (blue edition) for micrometric measurements under the curatorial numbers ULVG 13492 to ULVG 13594 Lithology and preservation degree throughout the cored sections controlled the sampling interval Select intervals of alternated mudstone-packstone and shale-siltstone required higher sampling density while coarser-grained intervals were strategically undersampled We used a ZEISS Axioscope 5 petrographic microscope for microfossil identification and lithologic analysis We defined six semi-quantitative categories representing relative abundance based on the number of specimens of foraminifera counted: very abundant (> 40) under the curatorial numbers ULVG 13685 to ULVG 13722 The authors confirm that the data supporting the findings of this study are available within the article and its supplementary materials Ogg, J. G., Ogg, G. M. & Gradstein, F. M. Cretaceous. in A Concise Geologic Time Scale. 167–186. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-444-59467-9.00013-3 (Elsevier Evolving ideas about the Cretaceous climate and ocean circulation A new starting point for the South and Equatorial Atlantic Ocean Channell, J. E. T., Erba, E., Nakanishi, M. & Tamaki, K. Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous time scales and oceanic magnetic anomaly block models. in Geochronology, Time Scales and Global Stratigraphic Correlation. https://doi.org/10.2110/pec.95.04.0051 (SEPM Society for Sedimentary Geology Ogg, J. G., Hinnov, L. A. & Huang, C. Cretaceous. in The Geologic Time Scale 2012. 793–853. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-444-59425-9.00027-5 (Elsevier B.V. Arai, M. Aptian/Albian (Early Cretaceous) paleogeography of the South Atlantic: A paleontological perspective. Braz. J. Geol. 44, 339–350. https://doi.org/10.5327/Z2317-4889201400020012 (2014) Luft-Souza, F. et al. Sergipe-Alagoas Basin, Northeast Brazil: A reference basin for studies on the early history of the South Atlantic Ocean. Earth-Sci. Rev. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.EARSCIREV.2022.104034 (2022) Paleocorrentes e paleogeografia na Bacia do Araripe Proposta de revisão da coluna litoestratigráfica da Bacia do Araripe in Tectonic Evolution of the South America 31st International Geological Congress (eds Fambrini, G. L. et al. Caracterização dos Sistemas Deposicionais da Formação Barbalha, Bacia do Araripe, Nordeste do Brasil. Vol. 103. http://www.lneg.pt/iedt/unidades/16/paginas/26/30/209 (2016) The age of the Cretaceous Santana Formation fossil Konservat Lagerstätte of north–east Brazil: A historical review and an appraisal of the biochronostratigraphic utility of its palaeobiota Chronostratigraphic constraints and paleoenvironmental interpretation of the Romualdo Formation (Santana Group New marine data and age accuracy of the Romualdo Formation Araripe, R. C. et al. Upper Aptian–Lower Albian of the southern-central Araripe Basin, Brazil: Microbiostratigraphic and paleoecological inferences. J. South Am. Earth Sci. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JSAMES.2022.103814 (2022) Sedimentação e Tectônica da Bacia do Araripe Stratigraphical propose to the post-rift-I tectonic-sedimentary sequence of Araripe Basin in 2° International Congress on Stratigraphy Mercury chemostratigraphy as a proxy of volcanic-driven environmental changes in the Aptian-Albian transition Late Barremian/Early Aptian Re–Os age of the Ipubi Formation black shales: Stratigraphic and paleoenvironmental implications for Araripe Basin U/Pb geochronology of fossil fish dentine from Romualdo Formation Análise estratigráfica da Bacia do Araripe Análise tectonossedimentar das fases início de rifte e clímax de rifte da Bacia do Araripe Chagas, D.B. Litoestratigrafia da Bacia do Araripe: Reavaliação e propostas para revisão. in Dissertation (MSc). 1–112. http://hdl.handle.net/11449/92893 (2006) Exceptional preservation of soft tissues by microbial entombment: Insights into the taphonomy of the Crato Konservat-Lagerstätte Foraminifera and Ostracoda from the Lower Cretaceous (Aptian–lower Albian) Romualdo Formation northeast Brazil: Paleoenvironmental inferences Mixed siliciclastic-carbonate sedimentation in an evolving epicontinental sea: Aptian record of marginal marine settings in the interior basins of north-eastern Brazil Early Cretaceous planktonic foraminifera from the Tethys: The genus Leupoldina Pforams@microtax: A new online taxonomic database for planktonic foraminifera Early Cretaceous planktonic foraminifera from the Tethys: The large many-chambered representatives of the genus Globigerinelloides Early Cretaceous ostracod biostratigraphy of eastern Brazil and western Africa: An overview Palinoestratigrafia e geocronologia dos sedimentos Albo-Aptianos de Sergipe-Alagoas in Boletim do 5° Simpósio Sobre o Cretáceo do Brasil Earlier onset of the Early Cretaceous Equatorial humidity belt Facies architecture and sequence stratigraphy of an early post-rift fluvial succession Araripe e Potiguar (Brasil): Caracterização estratigráfica e paleoambiental Facies sedimentares e ambientes deposicionais da Formação Barbalha no Vale do Cariri An opportunistic trace fossil assemblage from the flysch of the Inoceramian beds (Campanian-Palaeocene) Ichnology: Organism–Substrate Interactions in Space and Time (Cambridge University Press Ostracoden des Nordost-Brasilianischen Wealden Population structure of ostracods: some general principles for the recognition of palaeoenvironments Paleoenvironmental evolution of the Aptian Romualdo Formation Colonization of brackish-water systems through time: Evidence from the trace-fossil record Trace fossils formed by heart urchins—A study of Scolicia and related traces The ichnology of the fluvial–tidal transition: Interplay of ecologic and evolutionary controls Names for trace fossils: A uniform approach Sedimentgefüge im Bereich der Südliche Nordsee Vol 505 (Abhandlungen der Senckenbergischen Naturforschenden Gesellschaft Palynological techniques-processing and microscopy in Palynology: Principles and Application (eds 29–50 (American Association of Stratigraphic Palynologists Foundation Calcareous Nannofossil Biostratigraphy (Chapman and Hall/Kluwer Academic Classification of Carbonate Rocks According to Depositional Textures (AAPG Download references The authors acknowledge the research and development project entitled “Mar Interior: Incursões marinhas e a bioestratigrafia do Cretáceo Inferior nas Bacias Interiores do Nordeste do Brasil,” sponsored by Petrobras S.A. for funding this study; the National Mining Agency (Agência Nacional de Mineração-ANM/Brazil) for providing the studied samples; and itt Oceaneon/Unisinos for providing the facilities during the preparation and Renata Guimarães Netto for their helpful taxonomic and paleoecological discussions; and to Victória Herder Sander for all laboratory support during sample preparation and processing techniques GF was sponsored by Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq/Brazil: grant number 308087/2019-4) and MLA is a research fellow of CNPq (grant number 310955/2021-1) we’d like to thank the two anonymous reviewers for their contributions to the manuscript Instituto Tecnológico de Paleoceanografia e Mudanças Climáticas (itt Oceaneon) Marlone Heliara Hünnig Bom & Alessandra Santos Mauro Daniel Rodrigues Bruno & Marlone Heliara Hünnig Bom Amanda Santa Catharina & Mario Luis Assine performed the descriptive research of palynomorphs performed the descriptive research of ostracods performed the descriptive research of microbiofacies and foraminifera performed the descriptive research of calcareous nannofossils Download citation DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-32967-w In an 11-square mile strip of forest on the slopes of a plateau in northeastern Brazil lives an entire species, considered by scientists to be one of the most endangered birds in the world 18 years after it was first discovered by scientists conservation groups have acquired 140 acres of land to establish the first-ever reserve for the Araripe manakin making it a national symbol of conservation Censuses conducted in 2010 showed that there are about 800 Araripe manakins all living within Brazil’s Chapado do Araripe the IUCN lists the species as Critically Endangered The CLP report mentions that while much of the manakin’s habitat is legally protected Calls to establish a permanent protected area for this species started in 2008 but it was not until late 2014 that Brazilian NGO Aquasis and bird conservation group American Bird Conservancy (ABC) were able to purchase suitable land for this purpose the purchased land was previously allotted for “sustainable use,” a categorization that made protection more challenging The 140-acre parcel that Aquasis and ABC acquired is connected with the state-managed Sítio Fundão State Park and borders Araripe National Forest to the south An adjacent landowner agreed to full protection for 27 acres of his land Aquasis is also in discussions with another nearby landowner to expand the reserve a further 60 hectares (148 acres) ABC and Aquasis have made strides in reforesting disturbed areas of the Chapado do Araripe with more than 4,500 native seedlings planted as of December 2014 these conservation efforts will help preserve not only the Araripe manakin but also other species that share its restricted habitat such as the silvery-cheeked antshrike (Sakesphorus cristatus) and the white-browed antpitta (Hylopezus ochroleucus) The “fortress conservation” model is under pressure in East Africa as protected areas become battlegrounds over history and global efforts to halt biodiversity loss Mongabay’s Special Issue goes beyond the region’s world-renowned safaris to examine how rural communities and governments are reckoning with conservation’s colonial origins and trying to forge a path forward […] Scientists have discovered a bird fossil in the Araripe Basin of northeastern Brazil, now believed to be the oldest bird ever found in the country. According to the findings published this month (June 2, 2015) in Nature Communications the fossil dates back to the Cretaceous Period This unique animal is so well preserved that its long tail feathers may have retained their original color and spots It’s a first-of-its-kind find for South America This evidence currently constitutes the most informative source to understand the early evolution of bird feathers the last and longest epoch of the Mesozoic Era Preserved birds with feathers are extremely rare with a number of previous skeletal remains flattened with poorly preserved feathers Until now the best specimens of early birds have been found in China in two-dimensional slabs Paleontologists Ismar Carvalho and Fernando Novas of the Federal University of Rio de Janerio found the new fossil giving researchers an exquisite look at its unique plumage Filamentous feathers – sometimes called “protofeathers,” as there is disagreement over whether they are true feathers as we know them today – cover the currently unnamed specimen The most interesting feature of this hummingbird-sized animal are the long ribbon-like tail feathers measured to be 30 percent longer than the length of the main skeleton The fossil is so well preserved that scientists can distinguish five spots from the original tail feathers along with remnants of an ornamental color pattern Click here to read more about the evolution of feathers. Enjoying EarthSky? Sign up for our free daily newsletter today! the elongated ribbon-like tail feathers seen on this fossil are unknown in living birds making it difficult for scientist to interpret their function The ribbon feathers are anatomically different from modern tail-feathers which today’s birds use for body balance Other examples of complex plumage, such as the Confuciusornis Researchers agree that these structures were likely sexually dimorphic – that is different in appearance between males and females of the same species The structures were likely associated with sexual display or visual communication The Araripe Basin has yielded a variety of well-preserved fossils from a number of plants and animals creating one of the best-known terrestrial ecosystems for the early Cretaceous Period This area was a vibrant lakebed 145 to 66 million years ago with numerous fossil discoveries of insects This latest discovery provides deeper insight into this area’s ancient ecosystem and sparks further investigation of the evolutionary split between modern day birds and their dinosaur ancestors describe the fossil discoveries of the Araripe Basin Bottom line: Scientists report an unusual bird fossil found in the Araripe Basin of northeastern Brazil which has yielded many other well-preserved fossils of plants and animals The new fossil – which shows long tail feathers – is now believed to be the oldest bird fossil ever found in Brazil and its a first-of-its-kind find for South America We invite you to visit our campaign page to discover why we need your contributions now more than ever to preview an illustration from Guy Ottewell’s great book that we're helping finalize and to learn more about EarthSky’s history “Things are always so much more peaceful when looking up.” We couldn’t agree more we apologize for the popup and greatly appreciate your support The dates displayed for an article provide information on when various publication milestones were reached at the journal that has published the article activities on preceding journals at which the article was previously under consideration are not shown (for instance submission Food ChemistryCitation Excerpt :This plant spreads in cerrado areas of the “Chapada do Araripe” where it is popularly known as “Catuaba-de-rama” or “Catuaba-de-cipó” roots and latex are used in traditional local medicine in the preparation of medicines to treat sexual impotence rheumatism and different inflammatory conditions 2019) has shown that this species has elevated concentrations of phenolic compounds All content on this site: Copyright © 2025 Elsevier B.V. “Those of us here who are the peoples of the Chapada do Araripe do not really consider ourselves from the states of Pernambuco We are the peoples from the area surrounding the Chapada do Araripe which used to be a nation called Cariri,” explained Alemberg Quindins Alemberg is referring to the mid-20th century a period when the people who previously inhabited the region around the Chapada do Araripe called it the “State of Cariri” and referred to themselves as the “People of Cariri”.  “The territory of Cariri was divided by the state borders of Pernambuco But as far the Cariri people were concerned represented the promised land for the peoples of this piece of the Brazilian northeast,” he added.  the main language family of the tribes of the sertão hinterland part of what remains of the cultural heritage of the Cariri people is present in the Cariri Indians located in the municipality of Queimada Nova The Cariri of Serra Grande were the first indigenous group in Piauí to have their territory officially demarcated Another part of the cultural preservation of the peoples of the Chapada do Araripe is present in the quilombola communities a quilombola community containing some 60 families located in the area that is part of the municipality of Simões This is what concerns us,” explained Dalva de Jesus “It is very clear for those of us who work with historically exploited peoples that their lives their entire world is attached to their land and how they identify with it When people are worried that they might not be able to stay on their land they are in fact concerned with their own existence as a people which is a huge impact,” said Alexandre Andrade Sampaio coordinator for Latin America and the Caribbean of the International Accountability Project Apprehensive about the frequent visits by representatives of the wind power companies that covet the land given its so-called “wind potential” set up the Association of Remnants of Quilombola Communities of Serra dos Rafaéis and they use the village church to discuss and decide on actions to take with all the residents Video compiles accounts of residents and researchers who visited the region:  These discussions also address possible measures to be taken to offset the impacts of the installation of the towers on neighboring land the inhabitants of the village suffer the same impacts as those who authorized the lease of their land they do not enjoy the benefits of the lease contract or any assistance from the companies Among the main complaints are the loud noises made by the blades which increase dramatically with the strength of the wind even making it difficult for people to sleep.  Increased frequency of lightning and death of animals are also cited as new incidents that have started to occur since the arrival of the wind farms in the region “One thing we want and that we are fighting for is our rights We are calling on the owners of the farms and the people who work there to come and talk to us they also need to see things from our side and provide us with some help whereas the Serra dos Rafaéis Quilombola Community has shown its ability to unite and claim their rights the village has also been targeted by the wind power companies in the process of expanding the Araripe III Wind Farm without the necessary engagement to come together and discuss viable solutions for the whole community residents started to receive frequent visits from commercial representatives of the companies The conversations conducted individually with each family have begun to generate a climate of mutual distrust between the inhabitants Rumors have surfaced that one given resident may already be negotiating a lease or that the amount of the lease for one piece of land may be higher than for others without respecting the consultation timelines and processes established by the community which was adopted by the Brazilian State for the purpose of preventing the ongoing deterioration of the cultures and ways of life in the communities that form the national mosaic,” said Sampaio.    The negotiation strategy adopted by the companies led to the erosion of the community’s social and traditional ties as residents began to enter into negotiations on the terms imposed by whoever contacted them overlooking any concern with their way of life and worldview the community filed a petition with the Palmares Foundation for recognition as a “Remaining Quilombola Community” based on the family trees and their cultural manifestations and traditional celebrations “The proper recognition of these communities as traditional quilombola communities is not only a matter of historical justice it is also a mechanism for the recognition and fulfillment of their rights It was through coordination between the quilombola communities that they managed to get priority vaccination which illustrates the importance of external dynamics not destroying these processes,” said Julia Neiva coordinator of the Defense of Socioenvironmental Rights program at Conectas as soon as representatives of the companies started to suggest that recognition of the community as a quilombola could prevent people from leasing their land the residents themselves dropped the petition and stopped sending the necessary documentation for the certificate to be issued.  but by that point they had already been from house to house which would be considerable,” said Adilson Lopes There are residents who see the possibility of leasing their land as a way to receive an income for their subsistence they acknowledge that they do not know what rights they will have once the contract is signed with the company Without any schools or healthcare facilities the communities of Serra dos Rafaéis are examples of villages left to their own devices and that need to negotiate their future with millionaire companies that see the power of the wind as an opportunity to make a fortune in a statement published by the company Votorantim which has a joint venture involving the Ventos do Araripe III Wind Complex and the Vento do Piauí I Wind Farm it announced that the net revenue from these projects had increased 6% in the third quarter of 2020 from the same period in 2019 “this goes to show that even clean energy projects – which are supposedly less harmful – can have very serious effects on the lives of communities in the region when they are developed without social participation and without concern for the impacts they can have on people’s lives” Tune House, designed by FB+MP Arquitetos Associados, is situated in Cariri, Ceará emerging from the Chapada do Araripe region known for its significant paleontological site and vast protected national forest ‘Araripe’ derives from the ancient Tupi word ararype which means ‘in the river of the macaws.’ The architectural concept stemmed from a careful balance between the clients’ preferences for industrial and contemporary design and the imperative of minimizing environmental impact The challenging terrain, characterized by steep slopes, dictated the decision to elevate the house on pilotis mitigating ground contact issues like infiltration while preserving the natural landscape A key consideration was preserving the panoramic view of the city skyline achieved through a spacious rooftop belvedere and strategic interior framing all images by Igor Ribeiro The floor plan of Tune House adheres to a single-family layout with a notable feature being the elongated swimming pool mirroring the house’s length also elevated on pilotis with vanishing edges doubling as a sculptural element that interacts with the surrounding vegetation and zenithal light Materiality, chosen by FB+MP Arquitetos Associados employing concrete blocks for fences and metal profiles with concrete slabs for the structure Glass panels foster a seamless connection with the outdoors integrated thoughtfully into the design for natural illumination and spatial harmony Tune House emerges from the Chapada do Araripe region the concept balances contemporary design with a commitment to environmental conservation Tune House navigates the challenging terrain of steep slopes the floor plan reflects a single-family layout featuring a swimming pool elevated on pilotis with vanishing edges a rooftop belvedere offers sweeping views of the city skyline seamlessly integrated into Tune House’s design a central helical staircase acts as both a functional element and a sculptural centerpiece including concrete blocks and metal profiles contribute to Tune House’s industrial aesthetic the helical staircase interacts harmoniously with surrounding vegetation name: Tune House architect: FB+MP ARQUITETOS ASSOCIADOS | @fbmparquitetos lead architects: Felipe Barros and Mateus Pinheiro photography: Igor Ribeiro | @igorilr Victor Beccari Tupandactylus navigans a Cretaceous pterosaur speciesVictor Beccari © Revista Pesquisa FAPESP - All rights reserved A fossil illegally taken from Brazil to Europe in the mid-1990s is set to be returned to the country in June after two years of diplomatic negotiations The announcement was made by the Guimarães Rosa Institute linked to Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs The fossil was found at a site in the Araripe basin and was taken to become part of the collection of the State Museum of Natural History Karlsruhe in Germany the fossil was found to be the only known record of a dinosaur about the size of a chicken that lived 120 million years ago in what is now the Brazilian Northeast The case first drew attention two years ago when paleontologists from the UK and Germany published an article on the fossil classifying it as a new species of dinosaur called Ubirajara jubatus Based on evidence that the fossil was removed from Brazil illegally by traffickers the journal that published the finding (Cretaceous Research) removed the article from its website The fossil will be transferred to the Plácido Cidade Nuvens Paleontology Museum in Santana do Cariri ABC helped Aquasis purchase 140 acres in a prime breeding area for the Araripe Manakin ABC and Aquasis had the opportunity to acquire an adjacent property that includes springs and forests—all the elements required to support as many as eight new breeding territories for Araripe Manakin The purchase was made possible by the support of the IUCN National Committee of The Netherlands and a number of other donors who generously gave to ABC’s online campaign we can continue to secure the Oasis Reserve as an epicenter for forest habitat protection and restoration the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem services and the wise use of water resources along the slopes of the Araripe Plateau,” said Alberto Campos Aquasis Co-Founder and Director of Development The Araripe Plateau occurs in the heart of the vast drought-strickencaatinga biome that dominates most of the landscape of northeastern Brazil and the demand for it is increasing as the region quickly develops into an urban landscape will also benefit from the reserve expansion The bird was relatively common until the 1980s but it has declined substantially in recent decades Expanding the reserve not only protects essential territory for the birds it enables conservation actions that will boost their numbers “For many of these species closing in on the brink of extinction we need to do more than just protect habitat,” said Bennett Hennessy “We need to understand the species’ limiting factors and actively manage habitat to increase the population The Oasis Araripe Reserve has the in-depth research knowledge to apply habitat improvement techniques to increase the population of the Araripe Manakin on land the reserve owns.” Managing water resources will be essential to that effort because streams have been an important limiting factor in the recuperation of the Araripe Manakin The birds breed in understory vegetation that overhangs running water While this makes it harder for predators to reach the birds’ nests it limits breeding sites in such a drought-prone area where springs and streams are rare Because streams are so important for local agriculture with water diverted elsewhere for use by people including habitat destruction that leads to forest loss has also been directly destroying Manakin breeding habitat The removal of stream-edge vegetation leaves fewer areas in which Araripe Manakins can nest The reserve extension will allow Aquasis to better manage two vitally important springs in the area for the benefit of birds as well as people The southern spring will be managed to create two streams which Aquasis will reforest with vegetation that offers ideal breeding habitat for the Araripe Manakin Aquasis will also now be able to use the northernmost spring to create a stream route that traverses more of the forest area and offers more breeding territory for the birds With good stream management and revegetation Aquasis predicts it will be able to provide habitat for 12 new nests in the northern part of the reserve—where the newly acquired land is located—and eight in the southern section That would support breeding areas for as many as 20 pairs of Araripe Manakins whose reproductive success will be vital to the survival of their species The city of Chattanooga Department of Public Works Transportation Division will host an information session for constituents and neighborhood partners to learn more about the E. 14th Street Neighborhood ... more reptiles and mammals widen the diversity of the South American fauna from millions of years ago CIÊNCIA DA VIDA - CAHAPADA DO ARARIPE/FAAPWooden beasts of prey: on this and the following pages are artisan works from the Master Noza Center of Popular Culture in the town of Juazeiro do Norte CIÊNCIA DA VIDA - CAHAPADA DO ARARIPE/FAAP It would be difficult for the archive of the Brazilian fauna species from millions or thousands of years ago to be larger than that of the United States It is not just a case of the consequences of a research budget – in our case twenty-two times lower in which the fossils can conserve themselves much more easily than under the forests that cover the most land of our country Brazilian paleontologists do not have many places in which to dig although they do not lose the opportunity to put on their field hat and their well worn working clothes and yet again take a chance in some spot along the Bauru Basin or the Araripe Plateau a vast section of sedimentary rock that runs through the states of São Paulo houses the remains of animals that lived some 80 million years ago The problem is that access is not always possible Regions such as the northwest of the state of São Paulo proven to be rich in its diversity of species from millions of years ago can no longer be churned up as they have been taken over for sugarcane plantations One of the few other alternatives for returning with something valuable in a backpack is the Araripe Plateau one of the most fertile territories for fish and reptile fossils in the country In this region 110 million-year old fossils are common to the extent of even inspiring the local artisans which has resulted in pieces such as those illustrated on these pages the Argentinean paleontologists no longer hide their pride in telling that in their country around one thousand species of fossilized vertebrates have been identified the equivalent of at least four times the Brazilian total which has helped to preserve the remains of animals that had previously occupied the current desert of Patagonia But there is another motive: “Paleontology in Argentina has been a tradition for 150 years” a professor at the University of La Plata who has been working in this area for almost 35 years “Paleontology began before physics and medicine and for the last 40 years has been considered a profession.” Even with the above mentioned disadvantages At the Second Latin-American Congress on Vertebrate Paleontology around 30 new fossil species of South American animals were presented and of those at least half were from Brazil As yet subject to confirmation by way of the publication of scientific papers in specialized magazines such discoveries attest to the maturity of the discipline within the country and highlight the importance of Latin America as an irradiation center for new animal species It can be noted that one of the oldest species of dinosaur was found in the State of Rio Grande do Sul where it had lived some 230 million years ago evidently without suspecting that from its height of 1.8 meters and modest weight of 30 kilograms would come some millions of years later huge beasts such as the Tyrannosaurus rex one of the symbols of paleontology in the northern hemisphere On the same Mother Earth Although unbeatable in popularity probably because they provoke our atavistic fears of monsters the dinosaurs did not live alone on ancient Earth most abundant and most successful animals during the major part of the time in which they lived between 230 million and 65 million years ago not only reveal a diversity and geographical distribution beyond imagination but also provide evidence on the transformations through which the Brazilian landscape has undergone On the lands then occupied only by a chopped up vegetation intermingled with small forests at least three times larger than the tapirs the largest Brazilian land mammal of today the mastodons were spread from north to south but it was not known that they could also have occupied what is now the State of Rondonia as has been indicated by the discovery of two mastodon craniums that are almost intact There were also other mammals as large as the mastodons – the Pyrotheria lying between the cities of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro there lived the first Brazilian Pyrotheria with a trunk longer than that of an elephant unearthed by São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro  researchers is impressive for its manner and for the time in which it lived: around 30 million years ago in the small caverns of the State of Rio Grande do Norte a reptile similar to the current broad snouted alligator (caiman latirostris) had lived in an indication that the climate was very different and probably there had been a lot more water in this region that today is so dry “There was a mosaic of different vegetation in the current Brazilian semi-desert region” a researcher at the Federal University of Viçosa (UFV) after having studied another group of animals: bats due to the extreme fragility of their bones of 1 or 2 centimeters and teeth of around 1.5 millimeters the specialists have identified 27 species of bats aged up to 20,000 years old The most recent was discovered by Patrícia Hadler Rodrigues a doctorate student from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) on an archeological site in the northeast of Rio Grande do Sul This is the first example of a bat of around 30 centimeters of wingspan which today live on a vast territory running from the south of Canada to the Amazon but which more or less 9,000 years ago also lived in southern lands – and nobody is risking to say why they left Also in the State of Rio Grande the fossil of a lizard known as tegus or Tupinambis sp. with a 60 centimeter tail that makes up half of its body size Some 1.5 million years ago it was at least a palm size larger The doubts emerge with the same generosity as the findings It is still not known for sure how the majority of the groups of animals came about or even how some superimposed themselves upon others Between 57 million and 38 million years ago lizards belonging to the current iguanas group occupied on their own two islands Seychelles and Reunion were exclusive to the near neighboring island of Madagascar from the National Natural History Museum of France and went back to disappearing – a phenomenon known as competitive substitution that probably must also have occurred on this side of the Atlantic to Europe and to India around 100 million years ago Competition for sure had always been intense although it is not enough on its own to explain why some species did well and others not so well – or why some only evolved after others had died out “The mammals remained in the background of the dinosaurs although the two groups had come about roughly at the same time” from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) one of the discoverers of the first Brazilian Pyrotheria from the Natural History Museum of Taubate “It was the extinction of the dinosaurs that brought about the pathway for the irradiation of the mammals” the mammals then left their borrows and took on the light of the day from the Saint John Bosco National University of Patagonia has presented a molar tooth of a small herbivorous marsupial that must have been the oldest Cenozoic mammal in South America This is an indication that during this era there had been an intense substitution of animal species “South America had its very own fauna since many fossils from here are not found in the United States or Canada” which for the last 2.5 million years has united the two Americas many species arrived from the north and in numbers probably higher than the species that left from the south The result: the fight for space and food eliminated the majority of the large South American mammals One of the groups that did not receive a drop of compassion was the notoungulates some of them similar to the current hippopotamus but 10,000 years ago there was no sign of the tens of species of ungulates already described Probably these animals lived part of their time in the water and part on land in accordance with studies carried out by Ana Maria Ribeiro from the Zoo-Botanic Foundation of the city of Porto Alegre During the three days of debate carried out at a hotel fronting Copacabana beach there was no lack of gripping reports of probable new animal species that had lived many millions of years ago although as yet subject to the traditional scientific confirmation by way of articles to be published in specialist magazines from the Natural History Museum of Taubaté presented what should be the fossils of two or three probable new species of birds from the Paleontology Museum in the town of Marilia Found some two months ago near the town of Presidente Prudente in the west of the state of Sao Paulo – some smaller than the diameter of a ten-cent coin – they show that these birds of size close to that of a sparrow had lived between 70 million and 80 million years ago These new examples represent the enantiornithes. something very strange when compared to a chicken had only had their feathers registered at the Araripe Plateau Small enantiornithes such as those from Brazil also lived in China but in the north of Argentina they were at least three times larger the succession of scientific reports appeared to be a contest announced the discovery of a herbivorous dinosaur of 35 meters in length that had lived between 125 million and 130 million years ago and is perhaps the largest representative of the sauropod family found throughout the world But one of the highest bids – or rather the oldest – came from Max Langer a researcher at the University of Sao Paulo (USP) in Ribeirao Preto with a dinosaur from the ornitholestes group that lived around 230 million years ago it would be one of the most primitive of South America this would be the thirteenth species of dinosaur found in the country which is slowly filling up the world archive of currently around one thousand described species The problem is that whilst the paleontologists take from the rocks what must be the oldest species it becomes more difficult to differentiate the true dinosaurs from the other reptiles: this new herbivorous dinosaur of 1.5 meters in height Even Langer himself had shown surprise when he was exhibiting the group of bones that he had excavated at Agudo and in front of an audience of more than 300 people questioned: “What the devil are these?” The most emotional moments of the congress were exactly those in which ancient ideas fell down “We’re at a moment of profound conceptual revision” He attributes the abundance of the findings and the moving forward of the debate to the intensive work of relatively young scientific leaders – aged around forty years – who go out into the field in the hunt for fossils who defend daring proposals and who are training students to have feathers is no longer the privilege of birds: dinosaurs could also well have had feathers and wings – and could also have flown a paleontologist from the National Museum of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro who has described five of the twelve species of Brazilian dinosaurs both produced at the National Museum itself one of the most primitive birds ever found it is no longer seen as a transition animal between the birds and the dinosaurs is a piece of work by Orlando Grillo: the Microraptor gui it looks like a bird: it has feathers on its arms and legs The Microraptor reopens a polemic idea: were the birds really the descendents of the dinosaurs does not believe that there can be a direct relationship between the two groups to have feathers is not necessarily a signal of kinship “What seems to be feathers in the majority of cases are not feathers but form fossilized bacteria.” Alexander Vargas has obtained some evidence to defend the opposite hypothesis: the birds descended specifically from carnivorous dinosaurs such as the Tyrannosaurus Snakes Dealing with a group which had literally slithered around the feet of the dinosaurs one that is a little more subtle: based on the molecular analysis of five genes of current species which make up the group that feeds on large sized prey having first appeared at least 110 million years ago “This study draws attention to the fact that molecular data should be interpreted with caution and reinforces the importance of the inclusion of fossils and of morphological data thus creating a more complete analysis” The chaos of the evolutionary history of snakes comes from the basis: as yet it is unknown from which group of lizards they originated we could solve the essential doubts with respect to the origin of snakes” But there are two problems that get in the road of this search: snakes are very different amongst themselves which would very much facilitate this intricate historical reconstruction the current species represent only a small sample of the groups that practically came about at the same era as the dinosaurs it is unknown if they had originated on land they would have evolved from marine lizards intends to prove by searching through the coast of the Adriatic Sea in search of fossils that could prove his idea Perhaps it would be possible to know within ten years who is working along the right lines in the face of the evidence that each one will have the luck to find Brazil is one of the most diverse countries in the world with the highest number of endemic bird species Brazil's ecosystems are home to more than 300 species of endemic non-migratory birds Most of these endemic birds are at a constant threat to their existence with most them listed as critically endangered- just on the verge of extinction Brazil's reliance on agriculture has led to extensive deforestation for pasturelands and farming land leading to habitat loss and fragmentation Though some species are listed as endangered and more action has to be taken to preserve the uniqueness provided by this rare species The Minas Gerais is small bird endemic to Brazil's gallery forests The bird is distributed in the northern and central regions of Gerais The bird has been listed as an endangered species due to habitat loss and degradation and has been protected by the Brazilian law though The bird has a head and body length of 12cm with a long slender and fairly cocked tail The underside and wings of the bird are pale yellow against an olive-green upper body color and weigh about 8gm The Minas Gerais forages tree canopies in pairs or family groups for arthropods The hooded seed-eater is a critically endangered species endemic to Brazil The species is thought to be possibly extinct in the wild due to lack of information on the species for close to two centuries since its first discovery in 1823 The hooded seed-eater is a terrestrial non-migratory bird with a black hood and throat and olive-coloured upper parts with a length of about 12cm there are no established threats to this species Surveys to search for this species have been encouraged to establish the population The bird is a non-migratory endangered bird species endemic to Brazil's states of Pernambuco The blackbird is predominantly black with a total head-body length of 12-24cm The bird forages in its habitats in groups of around 30 individuals for fruits The Forbes's Blackbird reproduces during the rainy season laying two clutches per breeding season The bird is threatened by habitat destruction The bird is a rare and endangered species endemic to Brazil The bird occupies terrestrial systems in the humid and evergreen highland forests Breeding occurs during the rainy season between September and December The body length of the Alagoas Tyrannulet is between 11 and 12cm and an average weight of 8gms The upper body is colored dark olive-green while the underparts are whitish with pale yellow wing bars on the dusky wings The bird is a non-migratory species that forages on leaves and branches of tree canopies in their habitats Severe habitat degradation due to logging and conversion into sugarcane plantations are the main threats to the population of the bird Efforts towards conservation include protection by the Brazilian law and placement under protected areas such as the Pedra Talhada Biological Reserve The kinglet calyptura is a critically endangered bird species endemic to Rio de Janeiro in Brazil Kinglet's habitats are mainly in the Atlantic forests in secondary growth forests and tropical lowland forests dusky wings with white wing bars and a short tail The bird is non-migrant but seasonal altitudinal movement have been recorded seeds and insects make up most of the kinglet's diet Foraging is done in pairs on the leaves of trees in its habitats The white-collared kite is a non-migratory bird endemic to the humid tropical lowland evergreen forests and coastal mangroves of Brazil The bird is found in the states of Paraiba This kite is a critically endangered bird of prey due to habitat loss resulting from deforestation and agricultural expansion The kite is large with a body length of about 50cm and weighs between 550 and 580g The head is white with a pearl-grey crown and dark eyes with gray eye rings The upper parts of the kite are darker than the whitish underside The species has been protected in areas such as the Maurice forests with private individuals preserving the bird's habitats within their farms The dove is a highly rare bird endemic to Brazil The non-migratory bird has been listed as critically endangered due to habitat loss and fragmentation brown dove has a length of about 15.5cm with pale brown underparts Foraging is mainly done singly or in a pair with their main diet being seeds The habitat of the Dove is restricted to the open savannah grasslands of Campo cerrado Protected areas such as the Serro das Araras Ecological Station have been set up towards the conservation of the species together with the protection status by the Brazilian law The manakin is a rare and native species in Brazil that has been categorized as a critically endangered species due to habitat loss through deforestation black and red manakin with white wings in males and black wings in females The females have an olive green body with a pale body The habitats of the manakin are in secondary growth forests and moist forests in humid parts The bird is terrestrial and non-migratory and is mainly found in pairs Breeding occurs during the rainy seasons in November to April with females laying a clutch of about two eggs The species has been protected in areas such as the Oasis Araripe Reserve with NGOs making a contribution towards the conservation of the Araripe Manakin Spix's macaw is a rare species endemic to northern Bahia in Brazil The parrot is listed as a critically endangered species due to its declining population in its natural habitats mainly the woodland forests with tall and dense tree cover Illegal trapping for the pet trade and habitat loss are the main threats to this species The macaw is protected by the Brazilian law with some of its population being bred in captivity The macaw is predominantly blue with the wings having a darker shade Breeding takes place during summer with the female laying a clutch of 2-3 eggs Nests are mainly built in the Caribbean trumpet tree The endemic bird has a length of 12-14cm and weighs about 15g Males had a primarily black body with a white lower breast and pointed white bill The bird's habitats are gallery forests found in areas with water and seasonally to permanently flooded forests The bird is terrestrial and feeds on insects and seeds The cone-billed tanager is found in Emas National Park Alto Rio Juruena and Mato Grosso areas of Brazil The bird has been listed as critically endangered due to habitat loss Private organizations and non-governmental bodies have played a significant role both directly and indirectly towards the preservation and protection of the endemic birds' biodiversity Such efforts include support for governmental policies and activities restoration of natural habitats and the establishment of private reserves where these birds are bred in captivity Other critically endangered birds endemic Brazil include the cherry-throated tanager Bahia tapaculo and Stresemann's bristle front photos and original descriptions © 2025 worldatlas.com Innovative use of advanced technology assisted research on the anatomy of Rhacolepis buccalis an extinct fish that lived over 100 million years ago in waters covering Chapada do Araripe By Peter Moon  |  Agência FAPESP – The innovative use of X-ray synchrotron microtomography reveals hitherto imperceptible aspects of specimens and samples creating opportunities for entirely novel types of scientific research a fish that swam over 100 million years ago in the waters that covered Chapada do Araripe The findings have been published by eLife in the article entitled “Heart fossilization is possible and informs the evolution of cardiac outflow tract in vertebrates” The story of how 62 Brazilian fish fossils from Araripe were sent to France to be scanned using microtomography begins with Xavier-Neto’s interest in the evolution and biology of the multichambered heart All vertebrates have a multichambered heart the heart has four chambers – two atria and two ventricles – through which blood is pumped Amphibians and reptiles have hearts with three chambers Invertebrates have much simpler cardiac structures without chambers but with peristaltic pumps: the blood is pumped by alternating compression and relaxation similar to the kneading movements of the intestine “No living vertebrate has a heart that can be considered a transition between the peristaltic pump and the multichambered heart,” Xavier-Neto said “But it’s possible that an animal with this transitional profile once existed and became extinct That’s why we decided to investigate the fossil record to see if we could find fossilized hearts No one even knew if it was possible for a heart to fossilize.” The vast majority of animal fossils only preserve the hard parts Exceptional circumstances are needed for soft parts to fossilize Sites with the right conditions for this to happen are very rare a high tabular plateau with a massive escarpment on the eastern side located on the border between Ceará and Pernambuco States Between 119 million and 113 million years ago Araripe was the bottom of a shallow lagoon Its ancient tropical waters teemed with fish turtles and an infinity of insects inhabited the nearby coastal plain extinct flying reptiles that have made Chapada do Araripe world famous Although pterosaurs are the stars of Araripe the geological formation was discovered in the mid-nineteenth century thanks to the abundance and excellence of its fish fossils which are among the most complete and perfectly formed of their kind Xavier-Neto sought out these fossils in annual trips to the northeast of Brazil the National Department of Mineral Production) he began taking dozens of fish fossils to Campinas choosing the most complete and least deformed His preference for research purposes was Rhacolepis buccalis a relatively small fish spanning only 10 cm in length Xavier-Neto dissolved some fossils in acid to investigate the internal structures of the species I found a structure that caught my attention,” he said This is the characteristic shape of the heart in fish.” Computed tomography imaging was not successful so he turned to the National Synchrotron Light Laboratory (LNLS) in Campinas A synchrotron is an extremely bright light source used by scientists to determine the structural and chemical properties of materials at the molecular level When submitted to synchrotron microtomography the fish fossils revealed their inner structures but the images were blurred and indistinct It was impossible to determine whether the third specimen did indeed contain a fossilized heart The X-ray beam produced by the Brazilian synchrotron only penetrates a few micrometers into any material The solution was to turn to a more powerful synchrotron The fossils were sent to the ESRF in Grenoble The facility’s mighty beamline produced images with a resolution of 6 micrometers a thousand times the resolution of medical tomography the French synchrotron revealed a wealth of details with “magnificent” image quality “We were able to see all the internal structures very distinctly,” he said “We could even determine the species of shrimp the fish had eaten.” It was a shrimp species from Araripe that had already been described we saw the anatomy of a 113-million-year-old fish And we obtained proof that the conical structure we had glimpsed was indeed the fish’s heart,” Carvalho continued It didn’t have the single outflow valve seen in most fish today this conical structure in the Rhacolepis specimen from the age of the dinosaur had five valves Xavier-Neto’s hypothesis is that an evolutionary transition occurred early on in the evolution of fish species from an original heart with tens of valves to a heart with only five valves The number of valves then decreased until most species had a single valve “The number of valves must have decreased gradually,” Carvalho said To determine whether there are indeed hearts with tens of valves researchers need to study other fossils of different ages and belonging to other groups such as three-dimensional conservation of soft tissue Most of the material in these conditions is outside Brazil “It’s important to do this research because now we know we can use fossils to study the evolution of the heart the knowledge that synchrotron microtomography can literally perform a virtual ‘autopsy’ on a fish fossil opens up the possibility of investigating the internal structures of all the fossils that have a conserved record of their soft parts,” Xavier-Neto said “There are thousands of fossils in these conditions from Araripe alone not to mention the material from fossil-bearing deposits that conserve magnificent remains of dinosaurs and birds in China Xavier-Neto and Carvalho will have to continue sending their fossils out for analysis in France when LNLS is due to start operating Sirius currently under construction at Campinas with FAPESP’s support “Sirius will be the most powerful synchrotron in the world when it comes on stream,” Carvalho said The article entitled “Heart fossilization is possible and informs the evolution of cardiac outflow tract in vertebrates” (doi: 10.7554/eLife.14698) by José Xavier-Neto et al., published in eLife, can be read at elifesciences.org/content/5/e14698v1 The Araripe Manakin is a critically endangered bird from the family of Manakins  In 2004 it proceeded on the assumption that less than 250 individuals exist in the wild which was based on 43 discovered males Unfortunately in 2000 a theme park with swimming pools and asphalted roads was built at the type locality Nascente do Farias and the largest part of its original habitat became destroyed The cleared trees were replaced by banana plantations The Araripe Manakin (Antilophia bokermanni) is a critically endangered bird from the family of Manakins (Pipridae) It was discovered in 1996 (and scientifically described in 1998) in the Chapada do Araripe of northeast Brazil where it is considered critically endangered with a known range of only 1 sq.km Fortunately that locale is within a protected area that can be visited Because of its helmet-like crown it has received the Portuguese name soldadinho-do-araripe which means "Little soldier of Araripe" This name also associates it with the related which is known simply as the soldadinho.As typical of most manakins males and females have a strong sexual dimorphism in the colors of the plumage it is a relatively large and long-tailed manakin The strikingly patterned males have a predominately white plumage With the exception of the white wing coverts down to the middle back runs a carmine red patch The females are mainly olive green and have pale green upper-parts They have a reduced olive green frontal tuft In 2000 there was an estimated population of less than 50 individuals and it was considered as one of the rarest birds in Brazil and in the world Only three males and one female were found until that date In 2003 the estimations were more optimistic and Bird Life International assumed the population of 49 to 250 individuals In 2004 it proceeded on the assumption that less than 250 individuals exist in the wild which was based on 43 discovered males Privacy Policy Having problems signing this? Let us know.