Application of geoinformatics and cartography methods to analyze the distribution of fossils of the animal kingdom of Cuba

DOI: 10.35595/2414-9179-2025-1-31-463-478

View or download the article (Rus)

About the Authors

Nadia Garriga-Frances

Saint Petersburg State University, Institute of Earth Sciences,
31-33, 10th line of Vasilyevsky island, St. Petersburg, Russia, 199178,
E-mail: nadiagarriga03@gmail.com

Reinaldo Rojas-Consuegra

Petroleum Research Center. CUPET-MINEM.
481, Churruca, Cerro, Havana, Cuba, Postal Code 12000,
E-mail: rojas@ceinpet.cupet.cu

Abstract

This study demonstrates the effectiveness of using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and cartographic techniques to analyze the spatial and temporal distribution of fossils in Cuba, integrating data from the Paleobiological Database (PBDB) with geospatial tools such as QGIS. The results revealed a heterogeneous distribution of paleontological finds, with the highest concentration in the provinces of Pinar del Rio, Matanzas and Cienfuegos. No fossils were found in the province of Las Tunas and in the special municipality of Isle of Youth. This disparity may be related to the intensity of previous studies and the availability of data in the PBDB, rather than the actual absence of fossils in these zones. The most represented phyla are chordates, mollusks and echinoderms. The latter stand out for their diversity since the Cretaceous period, associated with ancient shallow marine ecosystems that are now lowlands. There is a predominance of marine mollusks in the Jurassic and land mollusks in the Quaternary. More than 85 % of the fossils are found at elevations below 150 meters, indicating the influence of environmental and geological factors on their differential preservation depending on elevation. The application of the Shannon diversity index and geographic concentration indices allowed the identification of priority areas for future research, optimizing the management of the paleontological heritage. The methodological approach combines modern technology with traditional research, providing a replicable framework for other geographical contexts. It emphasizes the importance of incorporating additional data from museum collections and paleoenvironmental analyses to better understand fossil distribution and preservation patterns.

Keywords

cartography, GIS, paleontology, Cuba

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For citation: Garriga-Frances N., Rojas-Consuegra R. Application of geoinformatics and cartography methods to analyze the distribution of fossils of the animal kingdom of Cuba. InterCarto. InterGIS. Moscow: MSU, Faculty of Geography, 2025. V. 31. Part 1. P. 463–478. DOI: 10.35595/2414-9179-2025-1-31-463-478 (in Russian)