Water, a key factor in the erosion that revealed these fossil treasures during Brazil's massive floods, could also destroy them if scientists do not intervene quickly.
Record floods in Brazil: dinosaur fossils in danger
Between late April and late May, southern Brazil experienced historic flooding that revealed fossils of about 35 dinosaurs and other ancient animals, the journal reports. Nature in an article published on August 30. However, these fossils are in great danger.
Without prompt intervention, important fragments of prehistoric history could disappear forever, warn researchers such as Leonardo Kerber, coordinator of the Center for Support to Paleontological Research of Quarta Colônia (CAPPA) at the Federal University of Santa Maria in São João do Polêsine in Nature.
An unprecedented mobilization of paleontologists
Faced with these historic storms, CAPPA researchers have redoubled their efforts to save as many fossils as possible. On May 15, for example, they discovered the remains of a bipedal carnivorous dinosaur belonging to the family of Herrerasauridaea species that dominated the Triassic period approximately 230 million years ago, probably one of the oldest ever unearthed.
Some excavation sites remain inaccessible, submerged under water, while others are made unstable by incessant rains. Despite these difficult conditions, the CAPPA team remains determined to preserve these remains.
The urgency is heightened by the rarity and fragility of some fossils. Small pieces, such as the ear bones of ancient reptiles, are particularly vulnerable. These elements, although tiny, provide crucial information about the evolution of species and their intelligence. Everyone loves big dinosaurs. [Mais] the greatest diversity of species is always found among the smallest animals ” says Leonardo Kerber.
The team of researchers is currently working to extract a fossil of a cynodont, an ancient reptile, ancestor of mammals, which lived 260 to 100 million years ago, and the skull of a baby rhynchosaurus.
Preserving the fossil legacy for future generations
The fossil-rich region where the paleontologists operate has 29 excavation sites, but only 21 are accessible since the floods, the rest are still underwater. Their goal is not only to save these fossils, but also to understand ancient ecosystems and the evolution of species.
In addition to saving fossils, Brazilian paleontologists face another challenge: the conservation and valorization of these discoveries. Today, CAPPA does not have a museum to store and exhibit these fossils to visitors. Having such a space would be crucial to raise awareness among the local public and encourage the protection of this scientific heritage, the researchers explain.
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