AN UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE OF AMBER IN LAMINATED LIMESTONES: THE CRATO FORMATION LAGERSTÄTTE (EARLY CRETACEOUS) OF BRAZIL

Abstract

Abstract: Sub-ellipsoidal to irregular clasts of amber occur within millimetrically laminated limestones of the Nova Olinda Member, Crato Formation (Early Cretaceous, ?Aptian) of the Araripe Basin in Ceará, north-east Brazil. The amber is associated with resin-filled cones, foliage and palynomorphs attributed to the Araucariaceae and may be referred to Brachyphyllum sp., cf. Wollemia sp. and cf. Agathis sp. Irregular, septate tubular structures may represent microinclusions and are considered to be fungal hyphae.