Special papers in Palaeontology: 71
<br />2004
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<br />Fossils of the Miocene Castillo Fm, Venezuela: contributions on neotropical palaeontology.
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<br />Ed M. R. Sanchez and J. A. Clack
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<br />ABSTRACT. Nine species-level taxa of decapod crustaceans and at least two additional indetenninate brachyurans are recognized in the early Miocene Castillo Fonnation of Cerro la Cruz, Lara State, Venezuela. Callianassa sp. sensulato, and Petrochirus sp. are recognized for the first time in Venezuela. Eriosachila rathbunae is reponed from Miocene rocks. Thus, the range of the genus Eriosachila is extended to the Miocene, previously having being known only from the Eocene. The presence of at least three taxa previously known only from Eocene rocks suggests that the fauna has a distinctly relict aspect.
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<br />KEY WORDS: Crustacea, Decapoda, Miocene, Venezuela, relict fauna.