This beautifully illustrated 2007 volume describes the entire flora and fauna of the famous Lower Cretaceous Crato Formation of Brazil - one of the world's most important fossil deposits, exhibiting exceptional preservation. A wide range of invertebrates and vertebrates are covered, including extended sections on pterosaurs and insects. Two chapters are devoted to plants. Many of the chapters include descriptions of new species and re-descriptions and appraisals of taxa published in obscure places, rendering them available to a wider audience. Fossil descriptions are supported by detailed explanations of the geological history of the deposit and its tectonic setting. Drawing on expertise from around the world and specimens from the most important museum collections, this book forms an essential reference for researchers and enthusiasts with an interest in Mesozoic fossils.

Review of the hardback:'… beautifully illustrated … this book provides the most up-to-date information and a comprehensive treatise on the Crato Formation.'

Source: Journal of Vertebrate Palaeontology

Review of the hardback:'This book shows a complete and very detailed review of one of the most important Mesozoic deposit exhibiting exceptional preservations. … very detailed and sumptuously illustrated …'

Source: Geobios

Review of the hardback:'Preservation here is so good that even the detailed colour patterning on its outstretched wings is still evident. The editors of this Window into an Ancient World (along with the publishers Cambridge University Press) are to be congratulated on producing such an attractive and useful work which will, no doubt, join OUP's Messel book, the Smithsonian's book on Florissant, etc., on our library shelves for years to come.'

Source: Geological Magazine