LAPC Collection
Our field trips have constantly provided material that form the LAPC collection. After being properly prepared by our staff, this material is mostly accessed for specimen-based student research (scientific collection). Teaching collections of paleobotanical and vertebrate specimens have supported didactic activities of students taking annual classes on Geology and Paleontology.
Thus this material is available for hands-on student research and learning activities and comprise specimens from the Permian of Irati Formation (Paraná Basin), Cretaceous sandstones of Alfredo Marcondes, Itapecuru Formation (Maranhão), Crato and Romualdo Formations (Araripe Basin), Santa Marta and Snow Hill Island Formations (James Ross Island, Antarctica), and from the Oligocene of the Tremembé Formation (Taubaté Basin).
LAPC sample of a Mesosauridae specimen, Irati Formation. Scale bar: 5 cm.
LAPC sample of a dinosaur (Sauropoda) specimen, Itapecuru formation. Scale bar: 5 cm.
LAPC sample of an invertebrate (Mollusk) specimen, Itapecuru Formation. Scale bar: 5 cm.
LAPC sample of an plant (trunk) specimen, Tremembé Formation. Scale bar: 5 cm.
The lab is inserted in a bigger multidisciplinary research lab equipped with stereomicroscopes, digital microscope, fume hood and multiple work benches, with the facilities of counting with the experimental support of a Multiuser centre lab where MEV (FEI Quanta 250), Fluorescence optical microscopy (Zeiss Axio Imager A2) and rotary microtome (Leica RM 2255) to produce histological sections of samples and zoom them in micro details. Specimens are mechanically prepared before being submitted to any kind of analyses or equipments, which is provided by our staff and students. Library journal collections and departmental computing facilities is also available for student research in Paleontology. Collection can also be accessed by foreign researches by contacting the lead lab/curator.
Lead lab/curator contact: fabiana.costa@ufabc.edu.br
Vertebrate Paleontology and Animal Behavior Lab (LAPC)
Foundation: September 2014
Mission: To produce knowledge/provide information on fossil vertebrates (Vertebrate Paleontology) and unveil the behavior and biomechanics of extant animals (Animal Behavior and Biomechanics), with emphasis on reptiles (former) and mammals (latter). Consequently, to share this information with the broader community.
Address:
Lab 101-103/Zeta Building
UFABC - SBC campus
Alameda da Universidade s/n
Anchieta - São Bernardo do Campo
09606-045
Research Group:
Research Areas:
- Paleontology
- Ethology
- Biomechanics
- Functional Morphology
- Taxonomy / Systematics
Main Themes:
-Morphological, Systematic and Biomechanic study of fossil reptiles (emphasis in Archosauria)
-Phylogenetic analysis
-Ecomorphology and behavior of extant mammals (emphasis in Xenarthra)
LAPC staff
Lab Leader
Field trip to Antarctica/Paleoantar team
Proantar 2017-2018
Fabiana R. Costa
Paleontology and Animal Behavior
-Professor at UFABC / undergraduate courses.
-Professor at the Postgraduate Program of Evolution and Diversity - UFABC. Former professor at UNIFESP.
- INCT - Paleovert member.
- Recipient of PhD scholarships from FAPERJ (Nota Dez) and CNPq, MSc scholarship from CAPES, and undergraduate research scholarship from FAPESP.
-MSc and PhD degrees in Zoology at Museu Nacional / UFRJ - Visiting PhD Student at University College London.
-BSc degree in Biological Sciences (Marine Biology) at UNESP.
-BSc degree in Translation at PUC-RJ.
-BSc degree in Letters (Portuguese/English) at FAFI-Sete Lagoas.
FOLLOW:
Guest lecture at UNESP
Visit to National Museum of Nature and Science, Tsukuba, Japan
PhD students
01
PhD student
Ana Laura Dangió
Paleontology
-PhD student at the Postgraduate Program in Evolution and Diversity - UFABC.
-MSc degree in Biosciences - UNESP.
-Lic degree in Biosciences - UNESP.
-Research area: Vertebrate Paleontology (Batomorphi), Systematics, Biomechanics.
PhD thesis: Evolution of prehensile capacity in pterosaurs (CAPES scholarship)
FOLLOW:
Valerian Jean Philippe Jésus
Paleontology
-PhD student at the Postgraduate Program in Evolution and Diversity - UFABC.
-MSc degree in Systematics, Evolution, Paleontology - Sorbonne Université.
-BSc degree in Earth Sciences - CY Cergy Paris Université.
-Research area: Vertebrate Paleontology (Crocodylomorpha), Taxonomy, Biomechanics.
PhD thesis: Comparison of the locomotor postures of extinct Crocodyliformes with modern counterparts (FAPESP scholarship)
Co-supervisor: André E.P. Pinheiro - UERJ; John Hutchinson (RVC College)
02
PhD student
FOLLOW:
MSc students
01
MSc student
Anderson da Silva Nascimento
Paleontology
-MSc student at the Postgraduate Program in Evolution and Diversity - UFABC.
-BSc degree in Biological Sciences - UFPI.
-Research area: Vertebrate Paleontology (Pterosauria), Anatomy, Systematics, Taxonomy.
MSc dissertation: Ontogenetic patterns in the genus Anhanguera (Pterosauria, Pterodactyloidea, Anhangueridae), with description of new specimens and a new species (CAPES scholarship)
Co-supervisor: Rubi Rodriga V. Pêgas - MZ/USP
FOLLOW:
Gabriela da Cunha Marques
Paleontology
-MSc student at the Postgraduate Program in Evolution and Diversity - UFABC.
-BSc degree in Biological Sciences - Faculdades Metropolitanas Unidas.
-Research area: Vertebrate Paleontology Functional Morphology, Biomechanics.
MSc dissertation: Comparison of flight movement between pterosaurs and modern birds (FAPESP scholarship)
02
MSc student
FOLLOW:
03
MSc student
Miguel Xavier Mailho Maia
Paleontology
-MSc student at the Postgraduate Program in Evolution and Diversity - UFABC.
-BSc degree in Biological Sciences - UFMG.
-Research area: Vertebrate Paleontology (Pterosauria), Biomechanics.
MSc dissertation: Wing posture of Rhamphorhynchus muensteri (Pterosauria, Rhamphorhynchidae) (FAPESP scholarship)
FOLLOW:
Arthur Puerta Meschini
Animal Behavior/Biomechanics
-MSc student at the Postgraduate Program in Evolution and Diversity - UFABC.
-BSc degree in Biological Sciences - Universidade Paulista.
-Research area: Animal Behavior, Biomechanics.
MSc dissertation: Comparison of bite force performance in modern crocodilians (CAPES scholarship)
FOLLOW:
04
MSc student
Undergraduates
01
Undergraduate
Marcos Vinicius de Sousa Lopes Silva
Paleontology
-Undergraduate student in Science and Technology - UFABC.
-Research area: Vertebrate Paleontology (Batomorphi) Biomechanics.
TCC/IC project : Study of the swimming hydrodynamics of the Jurassic ray Aellopobatis bavarica (Batomorphi, Spathobatidae)
FOLLOW:
Júlio Magnani
Paleontology
-Undergraduate student in Science and Technology - UFABC.
-Research area: Vertebrate Paleontology, Taxonomy.
IC project : Morphometric analysis of the hind limbs of South American abelisaurids and noasaurids (Dinosauria, Theropoda) (CNPq scholarship)
FOLLOW:
02
Undergraduate
Alumni - Research Collaborator
Paulo Ricardo de Oliveira Costa
Paleontology
-MSc defended in 2025. Currently collaborating on ongoing research projects developed at the lab.
-BSc degree in Biological Sciences - UAM.
-Research area: Vertebrate Paleontology (Glyptodontia), Anatomy, Biomechanics.
MSc dissertation: Biomechanical analysis of the posture of Panochthus intermedius Lydekker, 1894 (Xenarthra, Glyptodontoidea)
01
Collaborator
FOLLOW:
Field trip to Alfredo Marcondes (São Paulo State, Brazil)
Alumni
BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
UFABC
Vertebrate Paleontology
- Ana Flávia Bezerra de Oliveira
- João Lucas da Silva (CNPq scholarship)
- Pedro Vinicius Lima
- Guilherme Rangel Simandi
- Caroline Cristina Ribeiro de Oliveira
- MSc Greyck Willyan Marques Santos (CAPES scholarship)
- PhD Rubi Rodriga Vargas Pêgas (FAPESP scholarship)
- MSc Tainá Constância de França Pinto (CAPES scholarship)
- PhD Natan Santos Brilhante (Postdoctoral Researcher, year 2024-25)
Animal Behavior
- Fernando Jara Facciole
- Marcella Marques Rosa
- Natalia Solano Opazo
External Students
Vertebrate Paleontology
- Denis Luiz Fernandes da Silva (USP)
- Gustavo Rodrigues (UNIFESP)
Junior students
- Guilherme Tunckus
- Gabriella Temperine Rosa (Junior scholarship)
Collaborators
- Yuri de Oliveira Nobre (UFSCAR)
- Gabriela Oliveira/Mat. Engineering (CNPq scholarship)
- Gabriela de Andrade Moreno/Biomedical Engineering (co-advisorship)
ENGINEERING
LAPC Team members
What's the difference between a member and a collaborator?
To be a member (lab student) you have to formally develop research in the lab; a collaborator helps in other tasks (e.g., field works, eventual material preparation, events, etc.)
Our Collaborators
LAPC external collaborators
- Alexander W. A. Kellner, PhD - UFRJ (Museu Nacional)
- André Piacentini Pinheiro, PhD - UERJ (São Gonçalo campus)
- Antônio Álamo Feitosa Saraiva, PhD - URCA
- Bortx Holgado Palacios, MS - UFRJ (Museu Nacional)
- Ivan Nunes, PhD - UNESP (coastal campus)
- John Hutchinson, PhD - Royal Veterinary College - Londres
- Kamila Luisa Nogueira Bandeira, PhD - UERJ (Maracanã campus)
- Olavo Luppi Silva, PhD - UFABC (São Bernardo campus)
- Oscar Rocha-Barbosa, PhD - UERJ (Maracanã campus)
- Patrícia Sammarco Rosa, PhD (Lauro de Souza Lima Institute)
- Richard Buchmann de Oliveira, PhD - UFES (Vitória campus)
- Taissa Rodrigues, PhD - UFES (Vitória campus)
