Paleoecological inferences on the fish assemblage of the Acu Formation (?Aptian-Cenomanian), Potiguar Basin, NE Brazil: a multiproxy approach

Paleoecological studies have been largely explored in the last decades, providing important data regarding, among other features, the feeding behavior and living environments of extinct taxa. The fish assemblage of the Acu Formation (?Aptian-Cenomanian), Potiguar Basin, has been recently discovered and described, but ecological inferences have not been made. Here, we analyze the known taxa through a multiproxy approach in order to characterize their autecology as well as provide interpretations of these data in the context of the unit. We conclude that the fishes from the Acu Formation were mainly gen-eralists regarding feeding behavior and swimming adaptations, living in different portions of the estu-arine system previously inferred for the locality. Comparisons with Western Gondwana units of similar age hint at a great paleontological potential for the unit. The study also highlights the importance of multiproxy approaches in paleoecological studies and the need of a major review on the ecological terminology used.(c) 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Paleoecological studies have provided important data on the feeding behavior and living environments of extinct taxa. A recent study analyzed the fish assemblage of the Acu Formation through a multiproxy approach and concluded that the fish were mainly generalists in terms of feeding behavior and swimming adaptations. Comparisons with similar age units in Western Gondwana suggest a significant paleontological potential for the Acu Formation. The study highlights the importance of multiproxy approaches in paleoecological studies and the need for a major review on ecological terminology.