One of the most important events in the history of life is the evolution of the complex, eukaryotic cell. The eukaryotes are complex organisms with membrane-bound intracellular structures, and they include a variety of both single-celled and multicellular organisms: plants, animals, fungi and various protists. The evolutionary origin of this group may be studied by direct evidence of past life: fossils. The oldest traces of eukaryotes have appeared by 2.4 billion years ago (Ga), and have additionally diversified in the period around 1.8 Ga. The Mesoproterozoic Era (1.6-1 Ga) is characterised by the first evidence of the appearance complex unicellular microfossils, as well as innovative morphologies, and the evolution of sexual reproduction and multicellularity. For a better understanding of the early eukaryotic evolution and diversification patterns, a part of this thesis has focused on the microfossil records from various time periods and geographic locations. Examination of microfossil morphology, cell wall microstructure and biochemical properties, reflect their intracellular complexity and function, and allow reconstructions of their life cycle, as well as observing the evolutionary pattern of change from Mesoproterozoic, to Cambrian-Ordovician transition. Several case studies included assemblages deriving from Mesoproterozoic, Neoproterozoic and early Paleozoic time intervals that show disparate morphotypes and innovative features indicative of algal clades. The Mesoproterozoic Ruyang Group in northern China has yielded a diverse microfossil assemblage that provides important clues about the diversification of different eukaryotic groups. Furthermore these microfossils contributed an additional evidence for the emergence of the crown group Eukarya by 1.7-1.4 Ga. In another part of this thesis, examination of wall microstructure and chemical properties via Raman spectroscopy has been used to assess the biological affinities of various Neoproterozoic problematic carbonaceous compression fossils. Studies on the early Phanerozoic (c. 545-485 Ma) assemblages from Estonia reconstructed patterns of the early radiations of phytoplankton and its evolutionary innovations. A continuing theme in this thesis has been using a combination of evidence of microfossils’ fine-scale morphology, ecology and chemical properties to determine their function in life, in addition to their systematic position. / Palaeobiology and diversification of Proterozoic-Cambrian photosynthetic eukaryotes

Le bassin de Franceville d'âge Paléoprotérozoïque (2,2-2,0 Ga) est connu pour ses réacteurs nucléaires naturels, la richesse de son sous-sol (minéralisations uranifères et manganésifère) et ses formations sédimentaires bien préservées qui ont fourni les plus anciens macro-organismes multicellulaires déplaçant la limite de l’apparition de la vie multicellulaire précédemment fixée à 600 Ma à 2,1 Ga. Ces derniers sont retrouvés dans la formation FB dont la mise en place s'est faite durant et immédiatement après le GOE (Grand Evenement d’Oxydation de l’atmosphère terrestre). Cependant, le bassin de Franceville possède également des roches de type cherts qui appartiennent majoritairement au FC et sont le sujet de ce travail.Les observations de terrains, les études pétrographiques et géochimiques sont utilisées pour déterminer l'environnement de dépôts, le mode de formation, et la source de la silice qui compose ces cherts. L'analyse des différents affleurements met en évidence trois faciès distincts : (1) un faciès chert massif d'apparence homogène, (2) un faciès de chert béchique et (3) un faciès stromatolites. Les dômes plats, relativement peu épais, et les formes concentriques à la surface de ces dômes traduisent un milieu supratidal à intertidal. Les observations microscopiques dépeignent trois microfaciès : (1) un microfaciès homogène composé de microquarz dans lequel sont inclus de carbonates et des calcédoines ; ce microfaciès est caractéristique des affleurements de Sucaf et route de Moyabi ; (2) un microfaciès hétérogène montrant des grains qui peuvent être assimilés à des péloïdes à Bambaye, et à des intraclastes et oncoïdes à Lekouba ; (3) un microfaciès laminé (stromatolites) présent dans tous les affleurements. Ces différents microfaciès peuvent être reliés à une précipitation directe de silice, à l'exception des faciès à intraclastes comprenant des inclusions de carbonates qui résultent de la silicification d'un précurseur carbonaté. La formation FC de Francevillien du Gabon renferme les plus vieux microfossiles de Gunflint (Gunflintia, Huroniospora, Eoastrion) qui sont observés dans des stromatolites. Des observations microscopiques (microscopie optiques, microscope électronique à balayage, microscopie électronique à transmission, microscopie laser confocal à balayage et la microspectroscopie Raman) ont été utilisées pour étudier la morphologie et l'ultrastructure dans le but de mieux caractériser leur préservation, leur biogénicité et leur affinité biologique. Malgré un degré de maturation élevé de la matière organique qui les compose, les gaines et les parois des Gunflintia et Huroniospora sont préservées par une recristallisation de plusieurs générations d'opales de différentes textures. Des filaments larges (> 3 μm) à parois épaisses sont reconnus pour la première fois dans un assemblage stromatolitique de type Gunflint et montrent la préservation d'une ultra-structure de gaine épaisse souvent observée dans les cyanobactéries. Deux types de formes en étoiles (Eoastrion) sont distinguées. L'étude palynologique et ultrastructurale révèle un processus de préservation similaire à celui des Gunflintia et Huroniospora. Toutefois, les branches d'un Eoastrion traversant un cristal de chlorite diagénétique tardif sont compatibles avec la formation de branches par migration. De ce fait, leur biogénicité reste discutable. / The Franceville basin of Paleoproterozoic age (2.2-2.0 Ga) is known for its natural nuclear reactors, richness of its bedrock (uranium and manganese ore mineralization) and well-preserved sedimentary formations that provided the oldest multicellular macro-organisms moving the limit of the emergence multicellular life previously set at 600 Ma to 2.1 Ga. TheThese are found in the FB formation which was deposed during and immediately after the GOE (Great Oxydation Even of Earth's Atmosphere). However, the Franceville basin also possesses cherty-type rocks which mainly belong to the FC and are the subject of this work.Field observations, petrographic and geochemical studies are used to determine environment of deposition, mode of formation, and source of the silica which composes these cherts. The different outcrops analysis shows three distinct facies: (1) massive chert facies (2) brecia chert facies and (3) stromatolites facies. The flat domes, relatively thin, and concentric forms on the dome surface indicate a supratidal to intertidal environment. Microscopic observations depict three microfacies: (1) homogeneous microfacies composed of microquarz in which are included carbonates and chalcedony; This microfacies is characteristic of Sucaf and route de Moyabi outcrops (2) heterogeneous microfacies showing grains that can be assimilated at peloids Bambaye, and intraclasts and oncoids at Lekouba; (3) laminated microfacies (stromatolites) present in all outcrops. These different microfacies may be related to direct silica precipitation, with the exception of intraclastic facies including carbonate inclusions, resulting from silica replacement of carbonate rocks.The Gabonese Francevillien FC formation contains the oldest Gunflint microfossils (Gunflintia, Huroniospora, Eoastrion) which are observed stromatolites. Microscopic observations (optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, confocal scanning laser microscopy and Raman microspectroscopy) were used to study morphology and ultrastructure for the purpose better characterize their preservation, biogenicity and biological affinity. Despite a high degree of maturation of the organic matter that composes them, the sheaths and walls of the Gunflintia and Huroniospora are preserved bythe recrystallization of several generations of opals of different textures. Thick-walled large (> 3 μm) filaments are first recognized in a Gunflint-type stromatolitic assembly and show the preservation of a thick sheath ultra-structure often observed in cyanobacteria. Two types of star shapes (Eoastrion) are distinguished. The palynological and ultrastructural study reveals a similar preservation process to Gunflintia and Huroniospora. However, the branches of an Eoastrion crossing a late diagatetic chlorite crystal are compatible with the formation of branches by migration. Therefore, their biogenicity remains debatable.

O Grupo Corumbá, SW Brasil, documenta uma etapa importante na evolução da vida por causa de seu registro fóssil de microbialitos, microfósseis, e organismos multicelulares indicativos da complexidade cada vez maior da biosfera no final do período Ediacarano. A importância paleobiológica da Formação Bocaina, inserido no meio do Grupo Corumbá, e datado em cerca de 560 Ma, é embasada em sua diversidade de microbialitos e registro de significativo evento fosfogenético, associados a supostos \"microfósseis em forma de vaso\", semelhantes à tecamebas, interpretadas como os primeiros protistas heterótrofos. Estes fósseis, bem como formas semelhantes reconhecidos em outras unidades geológicas do mundo, precedem o registro da explosão de organismos multicelulares macroscópicos esqueléticos (Cloudina, Corumbella) na formação sobrejacente Tamengo (543 Ma). A morfologia do microbialitos fornece evidências de variação local do nível do mar durante a deposição da Form ação Bocaina. As análises morfológicas e químicas dos microfósseis usando microscopia óptica e eletrônica de varredura, EDS e espectroscopia Raman ajudaram a esclarecer a natureza biológica desses objetos e, assim, contribuir para a compreensão da importância da evolução da vida no Ediacarano, na Formação Bocaina, Grupo Corumbá. / The Corumbá Group, SW Brazil, documents an important stage in the evolution of life because of its fossil record of microbialites, microfossils, and early multicellular organisms indicative of the rapidly increasing complexity of the biosphere at the very end of the Ediacaran period. The paleobiological importance of the Bocaina Formation, in middle of the Corumbá Group and dated at about 560 Ma, lies in its diversity of microbialites and its record of a significant phosphogenesis event with associated putative \"vase-shaped microfossils\", similar to testate amoebae, interpreted as early protistan heterotrophs. Th ese fossils, as well as similar forms recognized in other geologic units in the world precede the record of the explosion of macroscopic multicellular skeletal organisms (Cloudina, Corumbella) in the overlying Tamengo Formation (543 Ma). The morphology of microbialites provides evidence of local sea level variation during deposition of the Bocaina Formation. Morphological and chemical analyses of the microfossils using optical and scanning electron microscopy, EDS and Raman spectroscopy helped clarify the biological nature of these objects and thereby contribute to the understanding of the importance of the Bocaina Formation the evolution of late Ediacaran life in the Corumbá Group.

Pollen analysis of two surface transects of modern soil samples and four stratigraphic sections from the central Sierra Nevada of California have provided a climatic record covering the time interval since the recession of the last glaciers of the Wisconsin glaciation. Two separate warm intervals are recognized between the recession of the Wisconsin glaciers and the reappearance of glaciers in the Sierra during the Little Ice Age.

Palynology involves the study of past climatic and environmental changes through changes in the relative frequencies of different pollen types through time. Several multivariate statistical methods are suggested which can help in the description of patterns within pollen data. These techniques are based on comparisons between samples. Samples were compared using the product-moment correlation coefficient computed from data which had been subjected to a centering transformation. The methods are described using a geometric model. If there are m samples and n pollen types, then the data can be regarded as a set of m points in an n-dimensional space. Cluster analysis produces a dendrograph or clustering tree in which samples are grouped with other samples on the basis of their similarity to each other. Principal component analysis produces a set of variates which are linear combinations of the pollen samples, are uncorrelated with each other, and do the best job of describing the data using a minimum number of dimensions. This method is useful in reducing the dimensionality of data sets. Varimax rotation acts on a subset of the principal components to make them easier to interpret. Discriminant analysis is used to find the best way to tell groups of samples apart, where the groups are known a priori. Once a means of discrimination among groups has been established using samples whose groups are known, unknown samples may be classified into the original groups. Canonical analysis produces a way to display the maximum separation between groups in a graphic manner. Examples of applications of these methods in palynology are shown using data from Osgood Swamp, California, and from southern Arizona. These methods offer the advantages of reproducibility of results and speed in pattern description. Once the patterns in the data have been described, however, their interpretation must be done by the palynologist.

A Formação Sete Lagoas, base do Grupo Bambuí, tem sido alvo de constantes discussões sobre o contexto temporal e ambiental sob a qual esta unidade foi depositada. Sua idade tem sido atribuída a dois momentos distintos do Neoproterozoico, e ambas têm implicações evolutivas significativas. A primeira proposta, baseadas em dados geoquímicos e litoestratigráficos,relaciona a deposição da Formação Sete Lagoas após o fim da glaciação Marinoana (do modelo paleoclimático Snowball Earth), há cerca de 635 Ma, quando mudanças paleogeográficas e geoquímicas levaram a mudanças climáticas de escala global, o quepode ter impactado significativamente na bioprodutividade do Edicarano. O segundo modelo deposicional baseia-se na ocorrência de Cloudina sp., um fóssil-guia do Ediacarano final, em níveis estratigráficos próximos à base da Formação Sete Lagoas, apontando, portanto, para uma idade mais nova que a primeira hipótese. No entanto, ambos os modelos preveem um cenário de mudanças, ocorridas no Neoproterozoico tardio, enquanto a Formação Sete Lagoas estava sendo depositada. Tais mudanças foram de natureza climática, paleogeográfica e geoquímica, que influenciaram a composição da atmosfera e da hidrosfera, e culminaram em profundas mudanças na biosfera. Propôs-se aqui uma análise pormenorizada de microbialitos e microfósseis da Formação Sete Lagoas, visando compreender como os produtores, base dos ecossistemas, teriam respondido a tantas transformações ambientais e ecológicas, além de estabelecer a abrangência estratigráfica dos microbialitos e microfósseis desta unidade. Foram analisadas tramas de microbialitos carbonáticos e precocemente silicificados, amostras de mão para comparação e dados de afloramentos. Uma avaliação de materiais reportados em meados e na segunda metade do século passado também foi necessária, tendo em vista os avanços recentes no campo da Paleobiologia do Pré-Cambriano. Os dados demonstraram que a Formação Sete Lagoas conta com uma riqueza treze formasmicrobialíticas, sendo onze detalhadas neste trabalho e encontradas ao longo de toda a formação, tanto sobre o Cráton do São Francisco, quanto sobre a Faixa Brasília, porém em baixa quantidade. Estas formas são compostas por onze tipos de tramas, cujo conteúdo biogênico em última análise, remete, mesmo que de forma reliquiar, à formas cianobacterianas recentes reconhecidas como formadoras de estromatólitos. Por outro lado, microfósseis silicificados não são comuns, e foram observados apenas em três localidades, onde já tinham sido reportados. Porém, a re-análise deste material permitiu refinar os dados e identificar cinco táxons, quatro cianobacterianos - os gêneros Siphonophycus, Oscillatoriopsis e Eosynechococcus- e um Incertae sedis - o gêneroArchaeotrichion. A baixa diversidade de microfósseis, ou seja, baixa riqueza e baixa abundância, somada à baixa abundância e densidade de microbialitos nos afloramentos analisados foi interpretada como resultados de eventos diagenéticos e tectônicos que resultaram na perda de material. Outra vertente do  presente trabalho foi a re-avaliação de estruturas reportadas como fósseis há cerca de 50 anos, cuja interpretação à luz dos conhecimentos atuais, permitiram a identificação de alguns como pseudofósseis, a reclassificação deuma espécie de acritarco esferomórfico (Leiosphaeridia jacutica[Timofeev 1966]) e de outro espécime como provável Nemiana simplexPalij 1976. De um modo geral, pode-se perceber que, embora poucos espécimes tenham sido preservados, o registro fóssil da Formação Sete Lagoas é variado e inclui microbialitos, microfósseisbentônicos e planctônicos, identificados neste trabalho, além de icnofósseis, biomarcadores e metazoários reportados em trabalhos anteriores, mas que ainda demandam novas considerações. A ocorrência vertical de microbialitos ao longo de toda a unidade e a diversidade de tramas que os compõem demonstram que a bioprodutividade não sofreu declínio com as mudanças paleoambientais, seja por conta de mudanças climáticas, se considerarmos a Formação Sete Lagoas como capa carbonática, seja pelo estabelecimento de metazoários nos ecossistemas, se a considerarmos uma unidade depositada a partir do Ediacarano tardio. / The Sete Lagoas Formation, base of BambuíGroup, has been under constant discussion about the temporal and environmental context under it was deposited. Its age has been attributed to two different moments ofNeoproterozoic, each one comprising significative evolutionay changes. The first one, based on geochemical and lithostratigraphic data, related the deposition of Sete Lagoas Formation to the end of Marinoan glacial episode (the Snowball Earthpaleoclimatic model), ca. 635 Ma, when pelogeographic and geochemical changes resulted in global climatic changes, that could result in significative impacts over the Ediacaran bioprodutivity. The second age model is based on the occurrence of Cloudinasp., an index fossil of Terminal Neoproterozoic, in stratigraphic levels near the base ofthe formation, pointing for a younger age that previously proposed. However, both modelspredict a scenario of environmental changes, occurred during the Late Ediacaran, while the Sete Lagoas Formation deposited. Such changes include climatic, paleogeographic and geochemical, that influenced the composition of atmosphere and hydrosphere, what resulted in profound changes in the biosphere. Here it was proposed a detailed study of microbialites and silicified microfossils of Sete Lagoas Formation, aiming to understand the responses of producers, the framework of any ecosystem, would reacted to suchpaleoenvironmental and ecological changes, as well also establish the stratigraphic occurrence of Sete Lagoas Formatiom microbialites and microfossils. Fabrics of carbonate and early silicified microbialites were analyzed, aswell hand samples for comparison and data acquired in the outcrops. Previous reported material, collect in the past half century was also re-evaluated due to new knowledge concerning the Paleobiology of Precambrian. The data showed that the Sete Lagoas Formation has a richness of thirteen microbialite forms, which eleven were detailed in this paper and found throughout the unit, on the São Francisco Craton, as well on the Brasília Fold Belt, but in low abundance. These forms are composed of eleven types of fabrics, which biogenic content ultimately refers, even if reliquiar preservation, to Recent cyanobacteria recognized as mat formers. Moreover, silicified microfossils are not common, and were only observed in three localities, where they had already been reported. However, re-analysis of this material allowed to refine the data and identify five taxa, four cyanobacteria - Siphonophycus, Oscillatoriopsis, Eosynechococcus- and one Incertae sedis - Archaeotrichion. The low diversity of microfossils, including low richness and low abundance, coupled with the low abundance and density of microbialites in outcrops were interpreted as a result of diagenetic and tectonic events that resulted in the loss of material. Another aspect of this work was the re-evaluation of structures reported as fossils for about 50 years, whose interpretation in the light of updated knowledge, allowed the identification of some pseudofossils as the reclassification ofa species of sphaeromorphic acritarch (Leiosphaeridia jacutica [Timofeev 1966]) and putative Nemiana simplexPalij 1976. In general, it can be seen that, although a few specimens have been preserved, the fossil record of the Sete Lagoas Formation is varied and includes microbialites, benthic and planktonic microfossils, identified in this work, as well as trace fossils, biomarkers and metazoan reported in previous works, which require new considerations. The vertical occurrence of microbialites throughout the unit and the variety of frames that make up demonstrate that bioproductivity did not declined due to paleoenvironmental changes, either due to climate change, considering the formation Sete Lagoas Formation as cap carbonate, or by establishment ofmetazoan ecosystems, if we consider a unit deposited during the Late Ediacaran.

O registro proterozóico da Fazenda Funil, região de Cabeceiras, GO, inclui três unidades sedimentares: carbonatos do topo do Grupo Paranoá, níveis de diamictito da Formação Jequitaí, e um pacote de folhelhos, ritmitos de margas e folhelhos e carbonatos da Formação Sete Lagoas. As três unidades registram ocorrência de sílex microfossilífero, encontrados na forma de lentes no Grupo Paranoá, seixos na Formação Jequitaí e uma camada de aproximadamente 600 m de extensão na Formação Sete Lagoas. A semelhança do sílex nas três unidades levou ao questionamento da estratigrafia da Fazenda Funil e da origem dos seixos na Formação Jequitaí, se esta origem foi, de fato, sedimentar (glacial) ou se teria sido tectônico. Foram comparadas as tramas petrográficas (fabrics) do sílex das três unidades, aspectos inorgânicos (minerais, estruturas sedimentares e estruturas diagenéticas) e o seu conteúdo orgânico (microfósseis e características da matéria orgânica). A análise das amostras revelou grande semelhança entre as tramas e seus microfósseis. Nas três unidades foram identificados os mesmos tipos de tramas cinco tipos e 12 táxons de microfósseis, sendo que dois deles ainda não haviam sido identificados na região. Conclui-se que a camada de sílex atualmente atribuída à Formação Sete Lagoas foi a fonte dos seixos de sílex do diamictito da Formação Jequitaí e representa, na verdade, uma lasca tectônica do Grupo Paranoá colocada dentro do Grupo Bambuí durante a deformação brasiliana. Esta camada teria sido erodido e o diamictito depositado presumivelmente durante a glaciação Sturtiana, embora outras evidências glaciais não fossem observadas na Fazenda Funil. Este trabalho, além de esclarecer as relações estratigráficas na Fazenda Funil, demonstrou que microfósseis pré-cambrianos podem ser uma ferramenta muito útil no entendimento de bacias proterozoicas. / The Proterozoic record of the Fazenda Funil, near Cabeceiras, GO, includes three sedimentary units: carbonate at the top of Paranoá Group, diamictite of the Jequitaí Formation, and a succession of shale, marl-shale rhythmites, and carbonate of the Sete Lagoas Formation. Microfossiliferous chert occurs in these three units in the form of lenses in the Paranoá Group, clasts within the diamictites of the Jequitaí Formation and as a persistent, 600 meter-long layer in the Sete Lagoas Formation. The similarity of the chert from these three units brings up crucial questions as to the stratigraphy of the Fazenda Funil and the origin of the clasts in the Jequitaí Formation : are they, in fact, of sedimentary (glacial) or tectonic origin? Comparisons among the three units were made of chert fabrics, inorganic aspects (minerals, sedimentary and diagenetic structures), and organic content (microfossils and general characteristics of the organic matter). The analysis of several samples revealed great similarity between the fabrics and microfossils in the three units. Five fabrics and 12 microfossil taxons were identified, two taxons for the first time in the region. These observations led to the conclusion that the chert layer presently attributed to the Sete Lagoas Formation was the source of the chert clasts in the Jequitaí Formation and represents is a slice of the Paranoá Group introduced tectonically within the Bambuí Group during Brasiliano deformation. This layer was eroded and the diamictite deposited presumably during the Sturtian glaciation, even though other evidence of glaciation were not observed on Fazenda Funil. This research, besides clarifying stratigraphic relationships on Fazenda Funil, also demonstrates that Precambrian microfossils can be a very useful tool in research on Proterozoic basins.

A Formação Sete Lagoas, base do Grupo Bambuí, tem sido alvo de constantes discussões sobre o contexto temporal e ambiental sob a qual esta unidade foi depositada. Sua idade tem sido atribuída a dois momentos distintos do Neoproterozoico, e ambas têm implicações evolutivas significativas. A primeira proposta, baseadas em dados geoquímicos e litoestratigráficos,relaciona a deposição da Formação Sete Lagoas após o fim da glaciação Marinoana (do modelo paleoclimático Snowball Earth), há cerca de 635 Ma, quando mudanças paleogeográficas e geoquímicas levaram a mudanças climáticas de escala global, o quepode ter impactado significativamente na bioprodutividade do Edicarano. O segundo modelo deposicional baseia-se na ocorrência de Cloudina sp., um fóssil-guia do Ediacarano final, em níveis estratigráficos próximos à base da Formação Sete Lagoas, apontando, portanto, para uma idade mais nova que a primeira hipótese. No entanto, ambos os modelos preveem um cenário de mudanças, ocorridas no Neoproterozoico tardio, enquanto a Formação Sete Lagoas estava sendo depositada. Tais mudanças foram de natureza climática, paleogeográfica e geoquímica, que influenciaram a composição da atmosfera e da hidrosfera, e culminaram em profundas mudanças na biosfera. Propôs-se aqui uma análise pormenorizada de microbialitos e microfósseis da Formação Sete Lagoas, visando compreender como os produtores, base dos ecossistemas, teriam respondido a tantas transformações ambientais e ecológicas, além de estabelecer a abrangência estratigráfica dos microbialitos e microfósseis desta unidade. Foram analisadas tramas de microbialitos carbonáticos e precocemente silicificados, amostras de mão para comparação e dados de afloramentos. Uma avaliação de materiais reportados em meados e na segunda metade do século passado também foi necessária, tendo em vista os avanços recentes no campo da Paleobiologia do Pré-Cambriano. Os dados demonstraram que a Formação Sete Lagoas conta com uma riqueza treze formasmicrobialíticas, sendo onze detalhadas neste trabalho e encontradas ao longo de toda a formação, tanto sobre o Cráton do São Francisco, quanto sobre a Faixa Brasília, porém em baixa quantidade. Estas formas são compostas por onze tipos de tramas, cujo conteúdo biogênico em última análise, remete, mesmo que de forma reliquiar, à formas cianobacterianas recentes reconhecidas como formadoras de estromatólitos. Por outro lado, microfósseis silicificados não são comuns, e foram observados apenas em três localidades, onde já tinham sido reportados. Porém, a re-análise deste material permitiu refinar os dados e identificar cinco táxons, quatro cianobacterianos - os gêneros Siphonophycus, Oscillatoriopsis e Eosynechococcus- e um Incertae sedis - o gêneroArchaeotrichion. A baixa diversidade de microfósseis, ou seja, baixa riqueza e baixa abundância, somada à baixa abundância e densidade de microbialitos nos afloramentos analisados foi interpretada como resultados de eventos diagenéticos e tectônicos que resultaram na perda de material. Outra vertente do  presente trabalho foi a re-avaliação de estruturas reportadas como fósseis há cerca de 50 anos, cuja interpretação à luz dos conhecimentos atuais, permitiram a identificação de alguns como pseudofósseis, a reclassificação deuma espécie de acritarco esferomórfico (Leiosphaeridia jacutica[Timofeev 1966]) e de outro espécime como provável Nemiana simplexPalij 1976. De um modo geral, pode-se perceber que, embora poucos espécimes tenham sido preservados, o registro fóssil da Formação Sete Lagoas é variado e inclui microbialitos, microfósseisbentônicos e planctônicos, identificados neste trabalho, além de icnofósseis, biomarcadores e metazoários reportados em trabalhos anteriores, mas que ainda demandam novas considerações. A ocorrência vertical de microbialitos ao longo de toda a unidade e a diversidade de tramas que os compõem demonstram que a bioprodutividade não sofreu declínio com as mudanças paleoambientais, seja por conta de mudanças climáticas, se considerarmos a Formação Sete Lagoas como capa carbonática, seja pelo estabelecimento de metazoários nos ecossistemas, se a considerarmos uma unidade depositada a partir do Ediacarano tardio. / The Sete Lagoas Formation, base of BambuíGroup, has been under constant discussion about the temporal and environmental context under it was deposited. Its age has been attributed to two different moments ofNeoproterozoic, each one comprising significative evolutionay changes. The first one, based on geochemical and lithostratigraphic data, related the deposition of Sete Lagoas Formation to the end of Marinoan glacial episode (the Snowball Earthpaleoclimatic model), ca. 635 Ma, when pelogeographic and geochemical changes resulted in global climatic changes, that could result in significative impacts over the Ediacaran bioprodutivity. The second age model is based on the occurrence of Cloudinasp., an index fossil of Terminal Neoproterozoic, in stratigraphic levels near the base ofthe formation, pointing for a younger age that previously proposed. However, both modelspredict a scenario of environmental changes, occurred during the Late Ediacaran, while the Sete Lagoas Formation deposited. Such changes include climatic, paleogeographic and geochemical, that influenced the composition of atmosphere and hydrosphere, what resulted in profound changes in the biosphere. Here it was proposed a detailed study of microbialites and silicified microfossils of Sete Lagoas Formation, aiming to understand the responses of producers, the framework of any ecosystem, would reacted to suchpaleoenvironmental and ecological changes, as well also establish the stratigraphic occurrence of Sete Lagoas Formatiom microbialites and microfossils. Fabrics of carbonate and early silicified microbialites were analyzed, aswell hand samples for comparison and data acquired in the outcrops. Previous reported material, collect in the past half century was also re-evaluated due to new knowledge concerning the Paleobiology of Precambrian. The data showed that the Sete Lagoas Formation has a richness of thirteen microbialite forms, which eleven were detailed in this paper and found throughout the unit, on the São Francisco Craton, as well on the Brasília Fold Belt, but in low abundance. These forms are composed of eleven types of fabrics, which biogenic content ultimately refers, even if reliquiar preservation, to Recent cyanobacteria recognized as mat formers. Moreover, silicified microfossils are not common, and were only observed in three localities, where they had already been reported. However, re-analysis of this material allowed to refine the data and identify five taxa, four cyanobacteria - Siphonophycus, Oscillatoriopsis, Eosynechococcus- and one Incertae sedis - Archaeotrichion. The low diversity of microfossils, including low richness and low abundance, coupled with the low abundance and density of microbialites in outcrops were interpreted as a result of diagenetic and tectonic events that resulted in the loss of material. Another aspect of this work was the re-evaluation of structures reported as fossils for about 50 years, whose interpretation in the light of updated knowledge, allowed the identification of some pseudofossils as the reclassification ofa species of sphaeromorphic acritarch (Leiosphaeridia jacutica [Timofeev 1966]) and putative Nemiana simplexPalij 1976. In general, it can be seen that, although a few specimens have been preserved, the fossil record of the Sete Lagoas Formation is varied and includes microbialites, benthic and planktonic microfossils, identified in this work, as well as trace fossils, biomarkers and metazoan reported in previous works, which require new considerations. The vertical occurrence of microbialites throughout the unit and the variety of frames that make up demonstrate that bioproductivity did not declined due to paleoenvironmental changes, either due to climate change, considering the formation Sete Lagoas Formation as cap carbonate, or by establishment ofmetazoan ecosystems, if we consider a unit deposited during the Late Ediacaran.

O registro proterozóico da Fazenda Funil, região de Cabeceiras, GO, inclui três unidades sedimentares: carbonatos do topo do Grupo Paranoá, níveis de diamictito da Formação Jequitaí, e um pacote de folhelhos, ritmitos de margas e folhelhos e carbonatos da Formação Sete Lagoas. As três unidades registram ocorrência de sílex microfossilífero, encontrados na forma de lentes no Grupo Paranoá, seixos na Formação Jequitaí e uma camada de aproximadamente 600 m de extensão na Formação Sete Lagoas. A semelhança do sílex nas três unidades levou ao questionamento da estratigrafia da Fazenda Funil e da origem dos seixos na Formação Jequitaí, se esta origem foi, de fato, sedimentar (glacial) ou se teria sido tectônico. Foram comparadas as tramas petrográficas (fabrics) do sílex das três unidades, aspectos inorgânicos (minerais, estruturas sedimentares e estruturas diagenéticas) e o seu conteúdo orgânico (microfósseis e características da matéria orgânica). A análise das amostras revelou grande semelhança entre as tramas e seus microfósseis. Nas três unidades foram identificados os mesmos tipos de tramas cinco tipos e 12 táxons de microfósseis, sendo que dois deles ainda não haviam sido identificados na região. Conclui-se que a camada de sílex atualmente atribuída à Formação Sete Lagoas foi a fonte dos seixos de sílex do diamictito da Formação Jequitaí e representa, na verdade, uma lasca tectônica do Grupo Paranoá colocada dentro do Grupo Bambuí durante a deformação brasiliana. Esta camada teria sido erodido e o diamictito depositado presumivelmente durante a glaciação Sturtiana, embora outras evidências glaciais não fossem observadas na Fazenda Funil. Este trabalho, além de esclarecer as relações estratigráficas na Fazenda Funil, demonstrou que microfósseis pré-cambrianos podem ser uma ferramenta muito útil no entendimento de bacias proterozoicas. / The Proterozoic record of the Fazenda Funil, near Cabeceiras, GO, includes three sedimentary units: carbonate at the top of Paranoá Group, diamictite of the Jequitaí Formation, and a succession of shale, marl-shale rhythmites, and carbonate of the Sete Lagoas Formation. Microfossiliferous chert occurs in these three units in the form of lenses in the Paranoá Group, clasts within the diamictites of the Jequitaí Formation and as a persistent, 600 meter-long layer in the Sete Lagoas Formation. The similarity of the chert from these three units brings up crucial questions as to the stratigraphy of the Fazenda Funil and the origin of the clasts in the Jequitaí Formation : are they, in fact, of sedimentary (glacial) or tectonic origin? Comparisons among the three units were made of chert fabrics, inorganic aspects (minerals, sedimentary and diagenetic structures), and organic content (microfossils and general characteristics of the organic matter). The analysis of several samples revealed great similarity between the fabrics and microfossils in the three units. Five fabrics and 12 microfossil taxons were identified, two taxons for the first time in the region. These observations led to the conclusion that the chert layer presently attributed to the Sete Lagoas Formation was the source of the chert clasts in the Jequitaí Formation and represents is a slice of the Paranoá Group introduced tectonically within the Bambuí Group during Brasiliano deformation. This layer was eroded and the diamictite deposited presumably during the Sturtian glaciation, even though other evidence of glaciation were not observed on Fazenda Funil. This research, besides clarifying stratigraphic relationships on Fazenda Funil, also demonstrates that Precambrian microfossils can be a very useful tool in research on Proterozoic basins.

Heteromorph ammonites and dinoflagellate cysts from the Upper Cretaceous Northumberland Formation on Hornby Island, British Columbia, Canada are examined. The collection and preparation of new material has enabled the recognition of eleven species of which only three have been reported from the locality. Of these taxa represented from three heteromorph ammonite families in the study area, five are new occurrences and three are new to science. This expansion of the Hornby Island ammonite fauna is presented alongside a pioneering taxonomic survey of dinoflagellate cysts from the same rocks. Together, these macro- and microfossils reinforce a late Campanian age for the Northumberland Formation with the upper extent of the section approaching the Campanian-Maastrichtian boundary (CMB) interval. The palaeoecology and evolutionary relationships of these heteromorph ammonoids are considered with new insights into their ontogenetic development and neritic palaeoenvironmental circumstances. The dinoflagellate cysts and associated terrestrial palynomorphs have also allowed for enhanced palaeoenvironmental reconstruction and depositional setting inference. The scope of the studied material, and the presence of key index taxa, enables refined biostratigraphy and a stronger basis for correlation of the Hornby Island succession with neighboring coeval biotic provinces. / Graduate / 2018-08-10