Itapecuru Formation

Itapecuru Formation
Stratigraphic range: Aptian-Cenomanian
~120–95 Ma
TypeGeological formation
UnderliesAlluvium and Corda Formation
OverliesCodó, Grajaú and Piauí Formations
Thicknessup to 2,000 m (6,600 ft) in São Luís Basin
700 m (2,300 ft) in Parnaíba Basin
Lithology
PrimaryMudstone, sandstone
OtherBreccia, diamictite
Location
Coordinates3°23′30″S 44°21′30″W / 3.39167°S 44.35833°W / -3.39167; -44.35833
Approximate paleocoordinates8°36′S 15°54′W / 8.6°S 15.9°W / -8.6; -15.9
RegionItapecuru Mirim
Maranhão
CountryBrazil
ExtentSão Luís and Parnaíba Basins
Type section
Named forItapecuru Mirim
Itapecuru Formation is located in Brazil
Itapecuru Formation
Itapecuru Formation (Brazil)

The Itapecuru Formation is a geological formation in Itapecuru Mirim, Maranhão, Brazil.

It was formed during the Aptian to Albian stages of the Early Cretaceous. Dinosaur remains are among the fossils that have been recovered from the formation.

Fossil content

Color key
Taxon Reclassified taxon Taxon falsely reported as present Dubious taxon or junior synonym Ichnotaxon Ootaxon Morphotaxon

Notes
Uncertain or tentative taxa are in small text
crossed out taxa are discredited.

Dinosaurs

Sauropods

Sauropods of the Itapecuru Formation
Genus Species Location Stratigraphic position Material Notes Images
Amazonsaurus A. maranhensis A rebbachisaurid sauropod
Amazonsaurus
Dasosaurus
Dasosaurus D. tocantinensis Lower A partial skeleton A somphospondylian sauropod
Sauropoda indet. Indeterminate

Theropods

Theropods of the Itapecuru Formation
Genus Species Location Stratigraphic position Material Notes Images
Abelisauridae Indet. Indeterminate A abelisaurid theropod
Giganotosaurini Indet. Indeterminate Tooth A giganotosaurin carcharodontosaurine; closely related to Giganotosaurus carolinii and Mapusaurus rosae.
Theropoda indet. Indeterminate

Crocodylomorphs

Crocodylomorphs of the Itapecuru Formation
Genus Species Location Stratigraphic position Material Notes Images
Candidodon C. itapecuruense A candidodontid notosuchian

Mosasaurs

Mosasaurs of the Itapecuru Formation
Genus Species Location Stratigraphic position Material Notes Images
Mosasauridae Indet. Indeterminate An indeterminate mosasaurid

Plesiosaurs

Plesiosaurs of the Itapecuru Formation
Genus Species Location Stratigraphic position Material Notes Images
Brachaucheninae Indet. Indeterminate A brachauchenine thalassophonean

Turtles

Turtles of the Itapecuru Formation
Genus Species Location Stratigraphic position Material Notes Images
Araripemys A. barretoi A araripemydid side-necked turtle
Itapecuruemys I. amazoniensis A cearachelyin bothremydine

Fish

Fishes of the Itapecuru Formation
Genus Species Location Stratigraphic position Material Notes Images
Arganodus A. tiguidiensis A arganodontid lungfish
Ceratodus C. africanus A ceradodontid lungfish
Mawsonia M. gigas A mawsoniid coelacanth

See also

References

  1. ↑ Ferreira, Neila N.; Ferreira, Elizabete P.; Ramos, Renato R.C.; Carvalho, Ismar S. (2016). "Palynological and sedimentary analysis of the Igarapé Ipiranga and Querru 1 outcrops of the Itapecuru Formation (Lower Cretaceous, Parnaíba Basin), Brazil". Journal of South American Earth Sciences. 66: 15–31. Bibcode:2016JSAES..66...15F. doi:10.1016/j.jsames.2015.12.005. ISSN 0895-9811.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Weishampel, David B; et al. (2004). "Dinosaur distribution (Late Cretaceous, South America)." In: Weishampel, David B.; Dodson, Peter; and Osmólska, Halszka (eds.): The Dinosauria, 2nd, Berkeley: University of California Press. Pp. 600-604. ISBN 0-520-24209-2.
  3. ↑ de Souza Carvalho, Ismar; dos Santos Avilla, Leonardo; Salgado, Leonardo (2003). "Amazonsaurus maranhensis gen. et sp. nov. (Sauropoda, Diplodocoidea) from the Lower Cretaceous (Aptian–Albian) of Brazil". Cretaceous Research. 24 (6). Elsevier BV: 697–713. Bibcode:2003CrRes..24..697D. doi:10.1016/j.cretres.2003.07.005. ISSN 0195-6671.
  4. ↑ Mayer, E. L.; Silva Junior, J. C. G.; Kerber, L.; Navarro, B. A.; Bandeira, K. L. N.; Cisneros, J. C.; Sousa, E. P.; Pereira, A. A.; Medeiros, M. A.; Lindoso, R. M.; Cavalcanti Neto, F. P.; Ghilardi, A. M.; Aureliano, T.; Godoy, P. L.; Ferreira, G. S.; Langer, M. C. (2026). "A new titanosauriform with European affinities in the Early Cretaceous of Brazil: insights on Somphospondyli phylogeny, histology and biogeography". Journal of Systematic Palaeontology. 24 2601579. doi:10.1080/14772019.2025.2601579.
  5. ↑ França, T. C.; Brilhante, N. S.; Delcourt, R.; Silva, J. L.; Hendrickx, C.; Medeiros, M. A.; Costa, F. R. (2025). "A carcharodontosaurid tooth from "Boca de Forno" Ravine of the Itapecuru Formation, Parnaíba Basin, Maranhão, Brazil". Cretaceous Research. 106163. doi:10.1016/j.cretres.2025.106163. hdl:11336/277468.
  6. ↑ Candidodon itapecuruense type locality at Fossilworks.org
  7. ↑ Batista, Diego L.; de Sousa Carvalho, I.; de la Fuente, M.S. (2020). "A new Cretaceous (Pleurodira: Pelomedusoides) from the Lower Cretaceous of Parnaíba Basin, Brazil": Journal of South American Earth Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsames.2020.102872