The National Institutes of Science, Technology and Innovation Program – INCT/CNPq, is characterized by large long-term research projects in national and/or international scientific cooperation networks, involving researchers from the most diverse areas, for the development of high-impact scientific projects and training of human resources. Considering Brazil's rich fossil heritage and the growing scientific production carried out in the country, a pioneering action proposed an INCT dedicated to paleontological research, initially integrating laboratories whose main focus is fossil vertebrates.
INCT PALEOVERT brings together consolidated and emerging research groups from 15 Brazilian universities, in addition to the participation of international institutions. Our main objectives are the integration of research centers, the development of cutting-edge studies and the democratization of paleontological knowledge through actions that also promote the popularization of Science.
In addition to conducting basic research on fossil vertebrates, the challenge is to answer more complex questions that require greater funding than that provided by funding agencies in their regular calls for proposals.
Among the lines of research that we intend to promote are paleoneurology and morpho-anatomical studies through computerized tomography, paleohistology, studies of static and kinetic biomechanics, morphometry, paleobiological reconstructions, statistical ecological modeling, phylogenetic and biogeographic investigations, the integration of somato- and ichnofossil records, dietary inferences through isotopes, fossildiagenetic and absolute dating studies, and the analysis of organic biomolecules preserved in fossils.
To this end, the laboratories involved are being equipped with instruments that will enable the aforementioned research and with financial resources for various analyses. Activities involving the collection and prospecting of fossils in collaboration are also planned, with the aim of expanding the existing collections in the different institutions. It is also worth highlighting the implementation of scientific dissemination actions aimed at democratizing knowledge in the area of paleontology, through the production of teaching materials that explore the potential of fossil vertebrates for actions in education and popularization of science.
The set of strategies outlined within the scope of INCT PALEOVERT will ensure the training of human resources at various levels and the establishment of partnerships with foreign researchers, expanding the insertion of Brazilian vertebrate paleontology in the international research scenario, through the production of innovative, high-impact studies. It is planned, when possible, to expand the scope of this INCT's activities through the participation of other researchers and laboratories.