The ichthyodectiform Cladocyclus gardneri (Actinopterygii: Teleostei) from the Crato and Santana Formations, Lower Cretaceous of Araripe Basin, North-Eastern Brazil

Abstract

The genus Cladocyclus is known from the most important Brazilian North-Eastern basins, being more abundant and better preserved on the Lower Cretaceous Araripe Basin, where it occurs in both the Crato and Santana Formations. Comparing the different species found in this Basin (cf., Cladocyclus sp. from the Crato Formation and Cladocyclus ferus from the Santana Formation) with the type species, Cladocyclus gardneri, we can conclude that the Crato Formation taxon represents a juvenile of C. gardneri and that C. ferus is a junior synonymous of C. gardneri. Considering the palaeoenvironmental conditions of the Araripe Basin we can suggest that the lacustrine Crato Formation was used as a nursery for marine taxa such as C. gardneri.