Early Permian Sarcopterygii from the Paraná Basin, State of São Paulo

Abstract

This contribution comprises a review of Early Permian Sarcopterygii (Coelacanthimorpha - coelacanths; Tetrapodomorpha - Osteolepimorpha and tetrapods) of the Paraná Basin in the state of São Paulo. The other important group of sarcopterygians - Dipnoi (lungfishes) - have still not been recorded in São Paulo in the Early Permian. The Coelacanthimorpha have been reported in the Itararé Group, Tatuí and Irati formations. The sandstone and conglomerate at the base of the Taquaral Member of the Irati Formation are rich in icthyofossils, including labyrinthodont teeth that have been assigned to the Tetrapodomorpha. These teeth range from a few millimeters to a few centimeters in length, which makes them the largest teeth in the Permian of the State of São Paulo. The most frequent fish remains in the silty shale facies of the Taquaral Member are scales of Coelacanthimorpha, which may reach a few centimeters in size. Currently the coelacanths live in deep marine environments. However, during the Paleozoic they lived in waters of different salinities as well as in fresh waters. The Tetrapodomorpha were also able to live in waters of varied salinities and in continental settings. The paleoenvironmental analysis of ancient deposits with these groups of fossils thus requires a thorough survey of their sedimentary context as well as the associated paleobiota.