Análise tafônomica de restos fósseis de Mormoops megalophylla procedentes da Toca da Boa Vista, Campo Formoso, Bahia

Abstract

This dissertation presents a taphonomic analysis of a fossil accumulation composed of remains of Mormoops megalophylla from Toca da Boa Vista, in Campo Formoso (Bahia), one of the largest caves in the Southern Hemisphere and recognized for the exceptional preservation of fossils of both small and large vertebrates. The study aimed to understand the processes involved in the formation and preservation of this fossil assemblage through the investigation of taphonomic features present in a subsample of approximately 5 kg of sediment and bone remains, currently curated by the Natural Sciences Museum of PUC Minas. The methodology consisted of sorting the first 564 identifiable elements, selected following statistical criteria of representativity, followed by the analysis of taphonomic attributes associated with chemical, physical, and biological factors. The results indicate good preservation of the bones, low incidence of weathering, and no evidence of significant transport, suggesting that the individuals died within the cave and that their deposition occurred gradually, associated with the recurrent presence of bat colonies in the site. A predominance of dense skeletal elements, such as the tympanic bulla, greater fragmentation of more fragile parts, and the frequent occurrence of encrustations and chemical markings compatible with mineralization in a stable cave environment were observed. The conclusion indicates that the accumulation represents a taphonomic record characteristic of low-energy subterranean environments, reflecting conditions favorable to preservation and allowing the exploration of aspects of the paleoecology of M. megalophylla and the depositional dynamics of Toca da Boa Vista, with the potential to advance the understanding of fossil deposit formation in hypogenic systems.