O registro fóssil dos depósitos sedimentares proterozoicos, paleozoicos e mesozoicos do Cráton do São Francisco inclui estruturas de origem microbiana (microbialitos, oncólitos), palinomorfos terrestres e marinhos, microfósseis silicosos e carbonáticos de origem marinha, metazoários neoproterozoicos, artrópodes, uma variedade de bioturbações, vertebrados actinopterígios, sarcopterígios e dinossauros. Com exceção dos microbialitos, que são amplamente distribuídos, os fósseis são relativamente escassos se comparados com a extensão geográfica dos depósitos e concentrados em alguns horizontes estratigráficos excepcionais. A raridade dos achados pode ser explicada pela falta de prospecção nas áreas mais distantes das localidades tradicionalmente conhecidas, e também ao baixo potencial de preservação dos fósseis em ambientes deposicionais do Meso e Neoproterozoico, ou de regimes climáticos extremos, i.e. glacial para o Paleozoico e desértico para as porções mesozoicas da Bacia Sanfranciscana. Trabalhos recentes de prospecção, no entanto, têm revelado um potencial significativo para novas descobertas, especialmente na região norte de Minas Gerais. Parte dos registros cenozoicos está distribuída em bacias restritas incluindo as de Gandarela e Fonseca (Eoceno-Mioceno), onde basicamente se preservou folhas de angiospermas e gimnospermas, palinomorfos e insetos, e a Bacia de Juatuba, com registro predominante de folhas de angiospermas O Quaternário constitui uma exceção do ponto de vista da diversidade e abundância de fósseis, especialmente devido à ampla ocorrência de mamíferos em sistemas cársticos. A descontinuidade dos depósitos sedimentares no Cráton do São Francisco mostram hiatos de cerca de 250 milhões de anos entre as seções fossilíferas paleozoicas e de cerca de 125 milhões de anos (Eocretáceo ao Pleistoceno) para a fauna de vertebrados. Palavras-chave: paleontologia, bacias sedimentares, registro fóssil, Proterozoico, Mesozoico, Cenozoico Abstract: THE FOSSIL RECORD OF THE SEDIMENTARY COVERS OF THE SÃO FRANCISCO CRATON IN MINAS GERAIS. The fossil record of the Proterozoic, Paleozoic and Mesozoic sedimentary deposits of the São Francisco Craton includes microbial structures (microbialites and oncoliths), terrestrial and marine palynomorphs, siliceous and calcareous marine microfossils, Neoproterozoic metazoans, arthropods, a variety of bioturbations, actinopterygians, sarcopterygians and dinosaurs. Except for the microbialites, which are widely distributed, the fossils are relatively scarce if compared with the geographic extension of the deposits and concentrated in some exceptional sedimentary horizons. The rarity of the findings can be explained by the lack of fieldwork far from the localities traditionally explored, and the low potential of fossil preservation in paleoenvironments of Paleo and Mesoproterozoic or those under extreme climatic regimes, i.e. glacial for the Paleozoic rocks and desertic for most of the Mesozoic rocks within the Sanfranciscana Basin. On the other hand, recent works have revealed a significant potential for new discoveries, especially in northern Minas Gerais. Part of the Cenozoic record is distributed across restrict basins, including Gandarela and Fonseca (Eocene-Miocene), where basically leaves of angiosperms and gymnosperms, palynomorphs and insects are preserved, and the Juatuba Basin, with predominant record of angiosperm leaves. The Quaternary is an exception of fossil diversity and abundance, due to the widespread occurrence of mammals in karstic deposits. The discontinuity of the sedimentary deposits in the São Francisco Craton shows gaps in the fossil record, which encompass c. 250 my between the Neoproterozoic and Paleozoic, and c. 125 my (Early Cretaceous to Pleistocene) for the vertebrate fauna. Keywords: paleontology, sedimentary basins, fossil record, Proterozoic, Mesozoic, Cenozoic

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ABSTRACT. Glyptodon sp. fossil remains can be found throughout Brazil. However, little information is available about their chronological distribution. With the intention to contribute to this issue, we present, as far as we know, the first direct radiocarbon date for 1 specimen of this genus found in Brazil. The osteoderm MZSP-PV660 found in Abismo do Fóssil Cave

Among fossiliferous quaternary deposits, caves are foremost in interest, in relation to richness as well as diversity of fossils preserved therein. The goals of this study are: (i) to review taphonomic research involving paleovertebrates collected in Brazilian caves, and (ii) to propose a controlled collection method for fossils in carbonate soils. The studies about Brazilian paleovertebrate taphonomy in caves began in the XIX century. Until the 1990s, they were conducted in low priority, restricted to taxonomic and paleoenvironmental aspects. After the 1990s, taphonomic studies became more relevant. They were then applied in quaternary deposits in many Brazilian states and used innovative techniques, e.g., chemical analysis and absolute dating methods. Fossil collecting demonstrated satisfactory results in carbonate soils. This technique safely removes bones without causing damage, and spatially reconstructs their location in the substrate, allowing detailed taphonomic interpretations.