A guide to fossiliferous outcrops from the Devonian of Mato Grosso do Sul, Central-west Brazil

Abstract

Mato Grosso do Sul has a significant area with Devonian outcrops containing fossils mainly of marine invertebrates, plants and, more rarely, fish fragments of the climax and impoverished Malvinoxhosan (= Malvinokaffric) fauna. Despite this, for a long timethe state had a lack in studies related to the Devonian paleontology of the Paraná Basin, only gaining prominence from the 2010s onwards. Therefore, the objective of this work is to present a guide of the fossiliferous Devonian outcrops recognized so far in the state, which are located in the municipalities of Rio Negro, Rio Verde de Mato Grosso, Coxim and Pedro Gomes. The outcrops presented here represent a true geopaleontological heritage in situ. Divulge them is vital not only for their preservation, but also for the dissemination and appreciation of paleontological science among society in general.