Geopark Araripe 2016 From Brazil

On 21st of November 2016 the Post Authority of Brazil have launched a set of two stamps with fossils of Geopark Araripe. This issue addressing the biological, geological and paleontological importance of this fantastic natural universe of the Brazilian Northeast. Created in 2006, it‘s the first Geopark in the Americas, recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization - UNESCO

Dragonfly Fossil: The dragonfly, a symbol of the Museum of Paleontology of URCA,
in Santana do Cariri-CE, is one of the most beautiful and impressive
fossils that compose the collection of this Museum and is a true icon of the Araripe GeoPark and the Brazilian Paleontology.
In the past, at least 120 million years ago, around a large lake, several species of dragonflies were hovering above its waters. The dragonfly fossils of the Crato formation are extremely similar to dragonflies found in Chapada do Araripe. These insects are part of the Odonata Group, which has a life cycle that is closely connected to water bodies and which appeared in the Paleozoic, conserved, until today, with the same general morphological characteristics.

Moth Fossil: The Emperor moth, known scientifically as the Lepidoptera, flew through the air of the region that today is Brazil in the early Cretaceous, mainly during the deposition of plated limestone of the Crato formation. Lepidoptera fossils are extremely rare in these rocks, and the vast majority of fossils are from isolated wings. Thus, this beautiful specimen from the Museum of Paleontology of URCA is unique due to the exceptional preservation of the entire body of the animal, including delicate parts such as the antennas. The most extraordinary aspect of this fossil is the preservation of the color pattern of the wings of the butterfly.