RESEARCH LINES
Fossil Petrography and Paleohistology
Use of histological and petrographic analyses in fossils to understand their diagenesis, and paleobiological and paleoecological aspects of extinct organisms.
Paleohistology is a field of study dedicated to the analysis of fossilized tissues. This discipline allows us to investigate the microscopic structure of bones, teeth and other tissues, providing valuable insights into the physiology, growth and even the occurrence of diseases in extinct beings. Paleohistology uses CT-Scan and microscopy techniques to access the architecture and organization of tissues, helping to answer questions about the evolution and way of life of species from the past. Fossil petrography, in turn, uses microscopy techniques to understand the processes involved in the diagenesis of these materials.
Figures: (1) Histological slide illustrating pathology in a titanosaur long bone (Aureliano et al., 2021). (2) Histological slide illustrating pneumosteal tissue in a vertebra of Uberabatitan ribeiroi (Aureliano et al., 2020). (3) Histological slide of a vertebra from the titanosaur Arrudatitan maximus (Aureliano et al., 2023).
Paleoicnology
Analysis of fossil traces for paleoenvironmental and paleoecological interpretation and study of the behavior of extinct organisms.
Paleoichnology is the study of fossil traces, such as footprints, excavations, bite marks or perforations produced by organisms in substrates. This discipline makes it possible to reconstruct paleoenvironments, identify the presence of rarely preserved organisms such as somatofossils, determine ecological relationships between species and elucidate the behavior of different beings from the past. Paleoichnology research uses field and laboratory techniques to identify, document and analyze ichnofossils. Interpreting the data obtained through these techniques helps to answer questions about the diversity, distribution and evolution of past organisms.
Figures: (1) Three-dimensional model of a theropod dinosaur footprint in description. (2) Bite marks on a sauropod dinosaur rib (Reis et al., 2022). (3) Footprint of a theropod dinosaur about 140 million years old associated with an indigenous petroglyph up to 9,000 years old in Sousa-PB (Troiano et al., 2024).
Paleoecology
Using fossils to reconstruct past ecosystems.
This discipline uses fossils to elucidate the environmental parameters of past ecosystems and the relationship between past organisms. By analyzing somatofossils and ichnofossils, paleoecology makes it possible to understand environmental transformations, identify evolutionary patterns and understand how life has adapted to different conditions over geological time.
Figures: (1) Trophic web of the Romualdo Formation, Araripe Basin (Aureliano et al., 2018). (2) Fossil sheet from the Potiguar Basin (under study).
Morphometrics and Systematics
Study and classification of fossils to understand evolutionary relationships and patterns.
In paleontology, morphometrics and systematics play fundamental roles in the identification and classification of fossils. Morphometry is a quantitative analysis that allows anatomical features to be measured and compared in order to identify evolutionary patterns, population variations, etc. among extinct species. Systematics, on the other hand, focuses on the classification and organization of fossils based on their evolutionary relationships.
Figures: Morphometry and systematics of theropod teeth (Delcourt et al., 2019; 2024).
The Impact of Colonialism on Science
Evaluation of the impact of colonialism on science, with a focus on paleontology.
Colonialism has historically had a profound and lasting impact on science, shaping not only methods and theories, but also power relations and knowledge structures. It is essential to identify, quantify and recognize the colonialist legacies in science and work to deconstruct them, promoting collaboration and diversity of knowledge and perspectives.
Figures: (1) Aline Ghilardi at the "Ubirajara jubatus" dinosaur repatriation event. (2) Paleontological data production volume by country (Raja et al., 2022).