Patrimônio paleontológico do Araripe (Bacia do Araripe, Formação Crato) no centro histórico de Manaus, Amazonas

Abstract

Founded in 1663, Manaus developed slowly until the Belle Époque, a period of prosperity driven by the rubber economy that spurred urban and architectural transformation. During this time, a rising bourgeoisie facilitated the construction of prominent buildings in the Historic Center, heavily influenced by European architectural styles. Ornamental rocks, notably the fossiliferous Lioz limestone (Cretaceous) imported from Portugal, adorned buildings and sidewalks. Over time, weathering and anthropogenic actions significantly damaged these stones. During the revitalization of the Historic Center, damaged Lioz limestones were replaced with laminated limestones from the Crato Formation (Araripe Basin), which contain well-preserved fossils, effectively introducing an ex situ paleontological heritage to Manaus. This study maps and taxonomically identifies fossils with Crato Formation limestones in Manaus’s Historic Center. Fieldwork involved visiting key sites, recording fossils locations using Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates, photographing specimens, and conducting taxonomic analyses. I documented 57 fossils on sidewalks around Largo de São Sebastião, near Praça Dom Pedro II, and along the José Clemente Street, Sete de Setembro Avenue, Floriano Peixoto Avenue, and Epaminondas Avenue. Identified fossils include the fish species Dastilbe crandalli Jordan, 1910 (Actinopterygii), one of the most abundant species of the Crato Formation, and the plant species Brachyphyllum obesum Heer, 1881. Tentative identifications also suggest the presence of Welwitschiophyllum brasiliense Dilcher, Bernardes-de-Oliveira, Pons & Lott, 2005, and Araucarites vulcanoi Duarte, 1993. Identification was often hindered by significant wear, likely due to weathering from high regional rainfall and temperatures, exacerbated by anthropogenic impacts in high-traffic areas. These findings contribute to the scientific and historical documentation of Manaus’s paleontological heritage. The georeferenced fossil records enable the development of academic itineraries for informal learning spaces, targeting both primary and higher education. Such initiatives promote appreciation of paleontological heritage and its integration into pedagogical practices, fostering educational and recreational engagement with the region’s geological history. Keywords: Araripe Basin; Crato Formation; Fossils; Ex-situ Paleontological Heritage;