Recent brachiopods from the southern Brazilian shelf: palaeontological and biogeographical implications

摘要: Until recently, the rhynchonelliform (articulated) brachiopod fauna from Brazilian continental shelf (western South Atlantic) was represented only by endemic species Bouchardia rosea (Mawe), reported coastal waters of states Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. The present study, based on samples (<30 m), shelf, slope (99–485 m), documents Atlantic shows that this is more widespread, diverse, cosmopolitan than previously thought. Based a total 16,177 specimens, following brachiopods have been identified: (Family Bouchardiidae), Platidia anomioides Platidiidae), Argyrotheca cf. cuneata Megathyrididae), Terebratulina sp. Cancellothyrididae). In settings, overwhelmingly dominated rosea. Rare juvenile (<2 mm) specimens were also found at two shallow-water sites. settings (100–200 m), diverse includes rosea, sp., cuneata, anomioides. Notably, in as deep 485 m, extending known bathymetric range genus. Also, record state Parana southernmost occurrence species. genera are documented here for first time western Atlantic. shares similarities with those Indian shelves southern Africa, Antarctic, Caribbean Mediterranean waters. present-day much thought their Cenozoic palaeobiogeographic history has to be reconsidered perspective.