bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lelstotheca Maheshwari, from the Barakar Formation of Raniganj Coalfield
Authors: Maheshwari H.K. , Srivastava A.K.
Published: September 2022

The genus Lelstotheca, known so far only from the Barakar Formation of Rajmahal Hills, Bihar is reported from the Barakar Formation of Raniganj Coalfield, West Bengal. The genus is represented by two species, viz., L. robusta (Feistmantel) Maheshwari and L. striata sp. nov. The new species is characterized by the presence of interconnecting striations running parallel to the median vein of the leaves. The taxonomic position of the genus and its records elsewhere are also discussed.
Fossil wood of Gmelina Linn. (Verbenaceae) from the Deccan Intertrappean beds of Nawargaon with comments on the nomenclature of Tertiary woods
Authors: Bande M.B.
Published: September 2022

A fossil dicotyledonous wood collected from the Deccan Intertrapean beds of Nawargaon, District Wardha, Maharashtra has been described. It has been assigned to the extant genus Gmelina Linn. Of Verbenaceae and has been described as a new species Gmelina tertiara. This is the first authentic record of the family Verbenaceae from the Deccan Intertrappean beds, which extends the antiquity of this family to the Palaeogene in the Indian Subcontinent. The problem of the nomenclature of Tertiary fossil woods has also been discussed.

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An abnormal megaspore from Lower Permian Coal Measures near lake Tanganyika, Zaire
Authors: Maheshwari H.K. , Bajpai Usha
Published: September 2022

An abnormal megaspore with a tetra radiate mark of cytokinesis is reported from the Lukuga Group of zaire, Central Africa. The sporoderm of the megaspore shows effects of bio-degradation probably resulting due to bacteria.
Occurrence of Bamboo in the Siwalik beds near Ranital, Himachal Pradesh
Authors: Lakhanpal R.N. , Tewari A.P. , Awasthi N.
Published: September 2022

Impressions of leaves and culms of bamboo have been described from the Lower Siwalik sediments near Ranital, district Kangra, Himachal Pradesh. Due to the insufficiency of the preserved data, it has not been possible to arrive at any definite identification of the bamboo.
Palynology of the Siwalik sediments of Kala Amb-Nahan area in Sirmaur District, Himachal Pradesh
Authors: Saxena R.K. , Bhattacharya A.P.
Published: September 2022

The palynoflora recovered from the Lower Siwalik (Nahan) and Upper Siwalik sediments exposed along the road sections in Kala Amb-Nahan area in Sirmaur District consists of 18 genera and 25 species. Of these, two species are new. The diagnoses of two palynogenera, viz., Inaperturopollenites and Inapertisporites, have been emended. One new combination has also been proposed.

The Lower Siwalik (Nahan) palynoflora is represented by 13 genera and 17 species of fungal remains (13%), pteridophytic spores of Cyatheaceae and Polypodiaceae (5%), gymnospermous pollen of Pinaceae (73.5%), and angiospermous pollen of Liliaceae and Myricaceae (8.5%). On the other hand, the Upper Siwalik assemblage is represented by 11 genera and 15 species of fungal remains (14%), gymnospermous pollen of Pinaceae (67%), and angiospermous pollen of Potamogetonaceae, Palmae, Poaceae and Magnoliaceae (19%). A comparison of these Lower and Upper Siwalik assemblages with the known assemblages from the corresponding horizons has been made and it has been observed that the Lower Siwalik assemblage comes closest to that described from the Bhakra-Nangal Section in Himachal Pradesh, whereas the Upper Siwalik assemblage is comparable to the Pinjor assemblage near Chandigarh and Assemblage-1 of Hoshiarpur-Una Road Section assemblage.
Bacteria from the Archaean Banded Iron-Formation of Kudremukh region, Dharwar Craton, South India
Authors: Venkatachala B.S. , Sharma Mukund , Srinivasan R. , Shukla Manoj , Naqvi S.M.
Published: September 2022

Scanning electron microscopic study of the Archaean (> 2.6 Ga old) banded iron-formation of the Bababudan Group, Dharwar Supergroup reveals the presence of coccoid and rod-shaped bacteria in syngenetic pyrite grains of the Kudremukh iron-formation. These resemble sulphur-reducing bacteria.
14th Birbal Sahni Memorial Lecture: The mixed Permian Cathaysia-Gondwana flora
Authors: Xingxue Li
Published: September 2022

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Sphenopsids from the Barakar Formation of Hura Tract, Rajmahal Hills, Bihar
Authors: Singh V.K. , Srivastava A.K. , Maheshwari H.K.
Published: September 2022

Sphenopsids from Lalmatia Incline (Lalmatia Top Seam, Barakar Formation), Rajmahal Hills, Bihar, belong to Sphenophyllum gondwanensis sp. nov., Lelstotheca sp. and equisetalean axes. Previous records of northern species of Sphenophyllum in Lower Gondwana sediments are reviewed and reassessed.
Significant palynozones of Subathu Formation (Himachal Pradesh) and their bearing on stratigraphy
Authors: Singh H.P. , Sarkar Samir
Published: September 2022

The distribution of the Subathu Formation palynozones (Upper Palaeocene-Upper Eocene) in the area of Kalka-Simla and Banethi-Bagthan (Himachal Pradesh) has been discussed. The comparative study of these palynozones shows that they are correlatable which has been inferred from the evidence of lateral distribution of the Subathu assemblages studied from widely separated areas.
Palynology of the Jaintia Group (Palaeocene-Eocene) exposed along Jowai-Sonapur Road, Meghalaya, India (Part II). Data analysis and interpretations
Authors: Singh H.P. , Tripathi S.K.M.
Published: September 2022

The palynoflora recovered from the Jaintia Group (Palaeocene-Eocene) exposed along the road between Jowai and Sonapur, Jaintia Hills have been dated and compared with various Lower Tertiary palynological assemblages. The present studies support tropical to subtropical vegetation during the Palaeocene-Eocene times. It has also been inferred that the Jaintia Group sediments were deposited under shallow marine conditions.
Fossil wood of Xanthophyllum from the Cuddalore Sandstone near Pondicherry
Authors: Awasthi N.
Published: September 2022

A fossil dicot wood from the Cuddalore sandstones exposed at Murattandichawadi near Pondicherry has been described. In all its anatomical features the fossil shows resemblance with the woods of the genus Xanthophyllum of Polygalaceae and hence named Xanthophyllum cuddalorense sp. nov.
Palynology of the Barail (Oligocene) and Surma (Lower Miocene) sediments exposed along Sonapur-Badarpur Road Section, Jaintia Hills (Meghalaya) and Cachar (Assam). Part-VII. Discussion
Authors: Singh H.P. , Rao M.R. , Saxena R.K.
Published: September 2022

The palynofloral assemblages from the Barail (Oligocene) and Surma (Lower Miocene) sediments exposed along Sonapur-Badarpur Road Section, Meghalaya and Assam have been discussed and interpreted. The total assemblage consists of 68 genera and 113 species. Qualitative analysis of the assemblage reveals that Lycopodiaceae, Polypodiaceae, Matoniaceae, Hymenophyllaceae, Ophioglossaceae, Schizaeaceae, Cyatheaceae, Osmundaceae, Gleicheniaceae, Parkeriaceae, Podocarpaceae, Pinaceae, Palmae, Potamogetonaceae, Araceae, Oleaceae, Bombacaceae, Labiatae, Mimosaceae and Malvaceae are represented in the assemblage. The present day distribution of these families indicates the prevalence of mainly tropical-subtropical climate during the deposition of Barail-Surma sediments. The environment of deposition has been interpreted as a coastal marine. Quantitatively, the pteridophytic spores constitute a major part (62%) of the assemblage followed by gymnospermous pollen grains (23%), angiospermous pollen grains (5.5%), dinoflagellate cysts (5%) and fungal remains (4.5%). A comparison of this assemblage with similar Oligocene-Lower Miocene assemblages of India has been made. The age of the sediments has also been discussed.
Diatom analysis of Hirpur Locality III (Lower Karewa), Kashmir Valley
Authors: Gupta H.P. , Khandelwal Asha
Published: September 2022

This paper embodies the results of diatom analysis of 54 samples covering all the lithofacies in Hirpur Locality III, Kashmir Valley. Out of 54 samples, only 16 samples have yielded diatoms whereas the rest of the samples proved barren. Diatom analysis has enabled to present two-fold comments: (i) the sediments are poor in diatoms and most of the frustules are ground, and (ii) these sediments are rich in Pennales. Furthermore, the frequency and nature of diatoms in the samples have revealed that the depositional environments were not wholly ponding rather there might have been violent floodings of the lake which perhaps hampered the growth of diatoms and their preservation too.
Permian - Triassic boundary in the Peninsula
Authors: Shah S.C.
Published: September 2022

The boundary between the Permian and Triassic systems is still a matter of controversy. The traditional view is that the base of the Otoceras beds marks the base of the Triassic and hence the top of the Permian. Though the basal Triassic is known, the topmost marine Permian is still to be recorded; this gap is not even represented by the non-marine sequence of rocks either in extra-peninsular India or in Salt Range, Pakistan.

In peninsular India, there is an undoubted non-marine (continuous) succession of Upper Permian and Lower Triassic age and no marine beds or intercalations are known. Similarly, from the extra-peninsular India, no terrestrial elements are known from the Upper Permian and Lower Triassic. Hence, the equivalence of the non-marine biozone to that of the marine is not known; only broad generalizations can be made.

The biota known from the non-marine Gondwana Sequence of Upper Permian and Lower Triassic are plants (mega as well microfloral elements), vertebrates and invertebrates are known from the Upper Permian but are so few in number, that these cannot be taken for discussion on Permian-Triassic boundary problems.

On reviewing the biota in the various peninsular basins, the Damodar Basin is considered significant for the problem of Permian and Triassic boundary. In the Raniganj Coalfield five sections, namely, Tatulakh, MAchkunda Jhor, Banspatelli, Nunia Nala and Nunia Khal have been studied extensively.

Summarizing, the following points are worth notice:

There was a peak development of the Glossopteris Flora in the upper part the Raniganj Formation. Normally, the peak development takes place just before the extinction. The complete extinction does not rule out the lingering of older forms.

The appearance of Lepidopteris and the small forms of Dicroidium is noted in the basal Panchet.

Glossopteris though became extinct at the lower altitudes has probably withdrawn to the higher altitudes, the climatic conditions of which were more akin the lower level. Dicroidium also was thriving simultaneously at higher altitudes at that time.

Higher up in the sequence but in the lower altitudes, Lystrosaurus and Estheriella

The miofloral zonations with respect to Raniganj and Panchet formations particularly with respect to Lystrosaurus zone, Estheriella Zone, Lepidopteris Zone are to be noted.

In the light of all the above considerations, the problem of the Permian and Triassic boundary is being reviewed.
Palynological correlation of Lower Gondwana coal seams
Authors: Bharadwaj D.C.
Published: September 2022

Correlation of coal seams which is universally accepted terse geological problem, has been enunciated in all its aspects. The physical and chemical characteristics which are unpredictably variable in coal seams have been evaluated vis-a-vis their palynological characteristics which are almost constant qualitatively. These are suggested to be used for typification of each coal seam or its lithological  equivalent so as to trace its lateral extension through correlation of the bits and parts occurring in various sectors of the coalfield. As example of palynotypification, two, recently studied two coal seams from Talcher Coalfield have been illustrated. One of them is the basal seam in a bore-hole designated as Seam I and interpreted geologically to be of Karharbari Formation. Palynologically it is characterized by the association of Indotriradites and Dentatispora. The other one is an outcrop seam, so far undetermined geologically. It contains preponderance of Callumispora, a spore genus that signifies Karharbari Formation. These coal seams, where so ever their lateral continuations extend, can be identified on the basis of the palynological contents qualitatively and to some extent also quantitatively.

The shortcomings and limitations of palynological methodology in the effort to achieve correlation of coal seams have been discussed and ways and means to mitigate the same suggested.
Stratigraphic implication of 'Late Gondwana' floras in the East Coast
Authors: Venkatachala B.S. , Rajanikanth A.
Published: September 2022

The Cauvery, Palar, Krishna-Godavari and Mahanadi basins in the East Coast of India include coeval, paralic, lagoonal and deltaic Mesozoic (‘Late Gondwana’) deposits distributed in detached outcrops. The ‘Ptilophyllum Flora’ characterizing these sediments was earlier considered Jurassic in age. Considerable floristic and stratigraphic data have accrued necessitating a relook on earlier age assignments and stratigraphic placements. Biostratigraphic evidences considered in toto suggest an Early Cretaceous age to the flora found in these sediments. Sedimentation of these sediments is attributed to rifting of the Indian Plate coupled with a reactivation phase. It is recommended that the term ‘Gondwana’ should either be recircumscribed to include marine coastal sediments or discontinued in favor of the usage of chronostratigraphic terminology.
Geographic distribution of the genus Cycadopteris during the Upper Gondwana
Authors: Pandya Neeru
Published: September 2022

A leaf genus Cycadopteris Zigno is reported for the first time from the Athgarh Formation, Orissa. The distribution of the genus Cycadopteris in India during the Upper Gondwana is discussed.
Gondwana Sequence of the northern Pranhita-Godavari Valley: its stratigraphy and vertebrate faunas
Authors: Kutty T.S. , Jain S.L. , Chowdhury T.R.
Published: September 2022

The Gondwana Sequence in the northern part of the Pranhita-Godavari Valley consists of four formations of the Lower Gondwana and seven formations of the Upper Gondwana. The gross lithological characters and mappability are considered as the major criteria for delineating the formations. The name Kamthi Formation which has been used by different authors in different senses, is here used in the sense of Sengupta (1970). The rocks between the Barakar and this Kamthi are divided into four lithozones for limitations of mappability. Although some of these lithozones have earlier been designated as formations, at present not sufficient information is available to justify this. Only two breaks, both within the Upper Gondwana, are found to be present: there is no recognisable break between the Lower and the Upper Gondwana. A summary of this succession is presented in tabular form taking into account the words of earlier authors. The alternative views that are radically different from the one presented here are also discussed briefly. The usefulness of plant megafossils and fossil vertebrates in understanding the stratigraphy is discussed briefly and their role in determining the possible geological ages of some of the formations is mentioned.

The vertebrate fauna from a number of formations is listed. At least seven formations are fossiliferous as far as vertebrates are concerned. Of these, two belonging to the Triassic and one belonging to the Jurassic are quite well-documented. The other four are less well known, but serve as very useful time markers. All these vertebrate-bearing formations can be correlated with co-eval rocks elsewhere in the world. The difficulty of correlating continental deposits is realized and keeping this in view a tentative correlation is presented.
Vertebrate faunas from the Indian Gondwana Sequence
Authors: Satsangi P.P.
Published: September 2022

In the thick pile of continental sediments of the Gondwana Sequence of India, the vertebrate-bearing horizons occur at nine stratigraphic levels; three of these are in the Palaeozoic and six in the Mesozoic. A vertebrate sequence covering the period from Upper Permian to Lower Jurassic is now known from the Indian Gondwana Formations. A brief review of the vertebrate faunas with their stratigraphic and palaeogeographic significance has been presented.
Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous dinoflagellate cysts from India with some remarks on the concept of Upper Gondwana
Authors: Garg Rahul , Khowaja-Ateequzzaman  , Jain K.P.
Published: September 2022

A critical re-evaluation of the known records of dinoflagellate cyst assemblages from Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous sediments of India is made and stratigraphically significant taxa are identified and tabulated. Emphasis is laid on integration of dinocysts and ammonite evidence for stratigraphy precision. Significance of dinocysts in age determination of Kimmeridgian-Tithonian sequences of Kutch and Malla Johar is recognized. Berriasian dinocysts are not known from India. It is suggested that dinocysts assemblages documented from subsurface of East Coast of India are not older than Hauterivian as no conclusive evidence for Valanginian age, assigned by earlier workers, is available.

The traditional view regarding coastal marine Lower Cretaceous sequences as part of Gondwana is not tenable. It is suggested that the term Gondwana be reserved for inland, predominantly non-marine, fluviatile-lacustrine sediments as a lithostratigraphic unit. In view of the lack of any definite evidence of Jurassic sediments in intracratonic basins and the prominent post-Triassic hiatus, Late Triassic is considered to mark the upper age limit of Gondwana sequences.
Limits of Greater Indian Plate during Gondwana time
Authors: Acharyya S.K.
Published: September 2022

Limits of the Greater Indian Gondwana continent varied with its break-up and collisional episodes. Late Palaeozoic basal Gondwana type glaciogene and associated sediments containing cold-water marine fauna, with or without Glossopteris, Cathaysian floral remains or admixtures occur in and across the Himalaya, in south Pamir, Tibet and in Shan-Tenesserim-Malaysian area, i.e., across the Late Mesozoic peri-Indian ophiolite belts. Cathaysian Flora with or without Glossopteris intercalations also occurs in western Iraq and New Guinea, both representing parts of the Gondwanic shield. Thus during Late Palaeozoic the Gondwana continents also hosted Cathaysian flora, especially in low palaeolatitudinal positions. The Himalaya, parts of Middle-East, Tibet, Shan-Tenesserim and Malaysian continental blocks therefore possibly formed parts of the Greater Indian Gondwanic continent.

The Late Cretaceous and Eocene olistostromal flysch belts tectonically flooring the ophiolite mélange of the Indus-Tsangpo and Naga-Chin Hills Andaman belts respectively delineate the northern and eastern continental margins of the Indian Plate. The present subduction zone beneath the Andaman island arc represents a westerly relayed Neogene margin of the Indian Plate.
Permian palynofossils from the eastern Himalaya and their genetic relationship
Authors: Srivastava S.C. , Anand-Prakash  , Singh Trilochan
Published: September 2022

Palynofossils from the Permian sediments of the eastern Himalaya have been critically revised with reference to the marine invertebrate fossils contained at various levels. The Pebble Slate Member of the Rangit Formation having sporadic presence of Eurydesma (Biozone 1) has not yielded palynofossils but the younger Rilu Member has yielded a radial monosaccate rich assemblage (Biozone 2). The association of Leiosphaeridia in this assemblage in Barpathar area characteristically indicates marine influence. Biozone 3 characterised by Callumispora + Parasaccites association is present in marine Garu Formation in Siang and Subansiri, non-marine Bhareli Formation in Kameng and Lower Coal Measures in Darjeeling District. Scheuringipollenites rich Biozone 4 is characteristically associated with the marine invertebrates in Siang District (Garu Formation) only; elsewhere it occurs independently. Biozones 5 and 6 are characterized by the abundance of striate-disaccate pollen grains, the latter having Indospora, Thymospora and Crescentipollenites and represent Upper Barakar and Raniganj palynofloras, respectively.

                 The Permian sediments in eastern Himalaya are in lithological contrast with the intracratonic continental sediments of the Peninsula but their floristic resemblances are close. Biozones 1 and 2 are comparable to Talchir palynoflora which is related to glacio-marine model of sedimentation. During the deposition of sediments containing Biozone 3, comparable to Karharbari palynoflora, the marine environment seems to have existed continuously from Siang to eastern Kameng but westwards certain areas were under fresh water environment. Similarly, Biozone 4 is associated with marine fossils in Siang only but elsewhere it is typically associated with fluvial sediments. Thus an eastward regression of the sea is plausible during Karharbari and Lower Barakar times. During the younger palynofloras having Upper Barakar (Biozone 5) and Raniganj (Biozone 6) affinities the conditions of deposition appear to be exclusively fluvial in nature. It is clearly indicated that a larger segment of sedimentation in these marginal basins of eastern Himalayas has continued under marine environment while in peninsular India the intracratonic depositional basins were under fluvial environment during the same time span.
Algal and fungal remains from Jowai-Sonapur road Section (Palaeocene-Eocene), Meghalaya
Authors: Tripathi S.K.M.
Published: September 2022

This paper deals with the systematic description of dinoflagellate cysts and fungal remains recovered from the Jowai-Sonapur Road Section (Palaeocene-Eocene)., Meghalaya. The dinoflagellate cysts are represented by 12 genera and 21 species. The fungal remains comprise fruiting bodies and spores assignable to 10 genera and 12 species.
Fossil algae from the Cretaceous of Varagur, Tiruchirapalli District, Tamil Nadu
Authors: Misra P.K. , Kumar Pramod
Published: September 2022

Algal remains from the limestone deposits at Varagur area, pertaining to Trichinopolly Group in Tiruchirapalli District, Tamil Nadu have been described. The assemblage comprises 31 species of 17 genera belonging to Cyanophyceae, Chlorophyceae and Rhodophyceae, of which, Palaeomastigocladus indicus gen. et sp. nov. and Amphiroa varagurense sp. nov. are newly proposed taxa Cayeuxia sp. cf. C. kurdistanensis Elliott, Pycnoporidium lobatum Yabe & Toyama, Cylindroporella sp. cf. C. sugdeni Elliott, Thaumatoporella incrustata (Elliott) Johnson & Kaska, Ethelia alba (Pfender) Massieux & Denizot, Ethelia sp., Archaeolithothamnium parisiense (Grumbel) Lemoine, A rude Lemoine, Mesophyllum varians Lemoine, Archaeolithophyllum sp., Amphiroa sp., A. elliotti Johnson and Amphiroa sp. cf. A. guatemalense Johnson & Kaska are new records for India The Varagur algal assemblage mostly contains the forms which are known from the Upper Cretaceous. The palaeoecological interpretations of the Varagur deposits have been made and it is visualised that during Upper Cretaceous there was a shallow warm sea at the site of deposition.
Some more fossil woods from the Lower Siwalik sediments of Kalagarh, Uttar Pradesh and Nalagarh, Himachal Pradesh
Authors: Yadav R.R.
Published: September 2022

Seven fossil woods comparable with the woods of Anisoptera oblonga and Dipterocarpus obtusifolius of Dipterocarpaceae, Aglaia edulis of Meliaceae, Acrocarpus fraxinifolius, Ormosia robusta, Koompassia malaccensis and Adenanthera pavonina of Fabaceae are described from the Lower Siwaliks of Kalagarh, Uttar Pradesh and Nalagarh, Himachal Pradesh. Occurrence of these taxa is indicative of a warm and humid climate around Kalagarh and Nalagarh during the Lower Siwalik period.
A fossil gymnospermous wood from the Miocene of Yunnan, China
Authors: Du Nai-Zheng , Prakash U.
Published: September 2022

A fossil gymnospermous wood Taxodioxylon chinense sp. nov. is described from the Miocene beds of South Yunnan Province, China. This is for the first time that a fossil wood of Taxodium Sequoia type has been found in the Neogene of China.
A new interpretation on the structure of Sahnia nipaniensis Mittre from the Rajmahal Hills
Authors: Suthar O.P. , Sharma B.D.
Published: September 2022

Description of five, serial, longitudinal sections cut through a male flower Sahnia nipaniensis of the Pentoxyleae, collected from the Rajmahal Hills, Bihar has been given. The flower was borne terminally on a dwarf shoot. Sporophylls are spirally arranged around a cylindrical receptacle. Sporangia are produced in opposite rows. Restoration of the flower is also given.
Palynostratigraphy of the Lower Gondwana sediments from Shobhapur Block, Pathakhera Coalfield, Madhya Pradesh
Authors: Srivastava S.C. , Sarate O.S.
Published: September 2022

Palynofloral investigations carried out on bore hole samples from Shobhapur Block, Pathakhera Coalfield in Madhya Pradesh revealed two distinct palynofloral assemblages. Assemblage Zone-I is rich in radial monosaccates, chiefly Parasaccites and includes the lowermost coal seam of the area, the Bagdona Seam Assemblage Zone-2 is characterised by the dominance of nonstriate disaccate -Scheuringipollenites, distributed in the younger coal seams including lower (Middle) and upper (Top workable). Assemblage Zone-1, corresponding to the known Upper Karharbari palynofloras, establishes the existence of Karharbari sediments in the Shobhapur Block of Pathakhera Coalfield, which were hitherto assigned to the Barakar Formation. The Barakar palynoflora has continued into the lower part of Motur Formation in borehole no. CMPS 43 of Shobhapur Block.
17th Birbal Sahni Memorial Lecture: Why basic science?
Authors: Sadasivan T.S.
Published: September 2022

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Origins of Life by Jim Brooks
Authors: Venkatachala B.S.
Published: September 2022

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Some mesozoic plant remains from Bhuj formation with remarks on the despositional environment of beds
Authors: Banerji J.
Published: September 2022

The paper deals with some plant remain from Pur and Pat River sections exposed near the villages Trambau and Nangor in Kutch District. These are Trambauathallites sukhpurensis comb. nov., Isoetes janaianus sp. nov., Cycadospadix sp. and Allocladus patensis sp. nov Due to the presence of Trambauathallites sukhpurensis and Isoetes janaianus the fossiliferous beds are considered to be of fresh water origin.
Occurance of a solenoporoid alga in the deccan intertrappean beds of Mohgaonkalan Chindwara District, Madhya Pradesh
Authors: Mehrotra R.C.
Published: September 2022

A fossil red alga Solenopora Dybowski of Solenoporaceae has been described for the first time from the Deccan Intertrappean beds of Mohgaonkalan, Chhindwara District, Madhya Pradesh. Its occurrence supports the presence of marine conditions in this area during the Early Tertiary period.
Morphographic study of Permian palynomorphs: Callumispora, Parasaccites, Crucisaccties and Faunipollenites
Authors: Tiwari R.S. , Srivastava S.C. , Tripathi Archana , Vijaya
Published: September 2022

Taxonomy is the primary requisite for biostratigraphy, and objective resolution of organisations as well as finer morphography leads to effective circumscription of taxa for taxonomy. Obviously, such an approach is critical for dispersed microfossils where form and shape remain the only tools for classification.

The palaeopalynology has come to its age and the inevitable discrepancies which had crept in during its initial stage, have been now identified in delimitation of taxa. In this catalogue, an attempt has been made to review the generic and specific groups in four Permian palynotaxa, viz., Callumispora, Parasaccites, Crucisaccites and Faunipollenites. On this line of approach, more taxa will be taken up subsequently, with a view to streamline their taxonomic treatment. The ultimate aim is to evolve a simplar, logical and practical system of identification based on major qualitative expressions of spore-pollen construction and exine characters.

The relative abundance of these four genera through Lower Gondwana formations of India has also been determined and their index value discussed. As such, the distribution of species of these genera is not known from the earlier works. It is therefore hoped that future workers would deal with each genus up to the specific level for determination of their distribution which will prove very useful for finer correlation. Only the selected species of distinct identity and restricted range have real practical value in biostratigraphy.
Additions to the neogene florule from near Bhikhnathoree, West Champaran District, Bihar
Authors: Awasthi N. , Lakhanpal R.N.
Published: September 2022

Eleven new species have been described from the Siwalik beds of Bhikhnathoree, West Champaran District, Bihar. These are based on leaf-impressions which show close resemblance with the leaves of modern Urena lobata, Aphanamixis polystachya, Toona ciliata, Pterocarpus macrocarpus, Derris scandens, Pongamia pinnata, Cassia glauca, Syzygium bracteatum, Ardisia solanacea, Ipomoea eriocarpa and Phoebe lanceolata.
On some plant fossil from Gondwana equivalent sediments of Eastern Himalaya
Authors: Singh Trilochan , Bajpai Usha
Published: September 2022

The plant fossils reported here were recovered from Gondwana equivalent continental facies outcropping in Kameng District (Arunachal Pradesh), South Sikkim District (Sikkim) and Darjeeling District (West Bengal). The flora comprising equisetalean axes, Phyllotheca sp., Glossopteris stenoneura Feistmantel, G. communis Feistmantel, G. sp. cf. G. leptoneura Bunbury, G. syaldiensis Chandra & Surange, G. formosa Feistmantel and Vertebraria indica Royle resembles that of the Late Permian Raniganj Formation of peninsular India.
Upper Proterozoic microfossils from the Infra Krol sediments, Nainital Synform, Kumaon Himalaya, India
Authors: Venkatachala B.S. , Shukla Manoj , Bansal Rajendra , Acharyya S.K.
Published: September 2022

Thin sections of cherty nodules, occurring within the dark grey to black carbonaceous slates of Infra Krol sediments from Nainital Synform of Kumaon Himalaya, India show abundant microfossils. These are atrributed to Gunflintia minuta, Eomycetopsis robusta, Palaeolyngbya barghoorniana, Siphonophycus kestron, Animikiea septata, Myxococcoides minor, Palaeoanacystis vulgaris, Huroniospora psilata, Eosphaera sp., Sphaeranasillos irregularis, Melanocyrilium sp, (vase-shaped microfossils) and associated unnamed Form "A," They are distributed randomly in the matrix containing a large amount of dispersed organic matter which imparts brown to dark brown colour to the chert matrix. The fossiliferous nodules may have been transported and redeposited along with the Infra Krol slates. The vase-shaped microfossils indicate the possibility of the Upper Riphean-Lower Vendian age for this assemblage. The age of Infra Krol sediments may be younger.
Palaeobotany and climate around Marhwas area, Sidhi District, South Rewa Gondwana Basin during Upper Permian
Authors: Chandra Shaila , Srivastava A.K. , Singh K.J.
Published: September 2022

Fossil plant asssemblages around Marhwas area in Sidhi District are represented by one species each of Trizygia, Neomariopteris and Scutum, a fern and 24 species of Glossopteris. Floristic composition indicates Raniganj-Kamthi affinities and a warm-temperate climate. High percentage of small-sized leaves and poor representation of pteridophytes in the flora suggest drier conditions and low humidity.
Palynology of Mesozoic outcrops of Athgarh Formation exposed near Talbast, Orissa
Authors: Jana B.N.
Published: September 2022

The palynoassemblage recovered from Athgarh Formation, near Talbast region, Orissa contains 23 genera and 33 species. This assemblage, the first record from the southern part of Athgarh outcrops in the region, is characterized by the dominance of the genus Murospora, and the palynofloral composition, as a whole, shows its affinity with Upper Jurassic Lower Cretaceous palynological assemblages.
Palynofacies, maturation and source rock potential in Krishna-Godavari Bassin, India
Authors: Rawat M.S. , Berry C.M.
Published: September 2022

Studies on palynofacies and thermal alteration index (TAI) were carried out in the subsurface sequence encountered in nine drilled locations of Krishna-Godavari Basin for source rock evaluation of the Late Cretaceous-Tertiary sediments. The dispersed organic matter, as a whole, is considered mostly land-derived. The composition of the organic matter is a dominantly mixed type. A higher degree of sapropelization is recorded in the Late Cretaceous-Palaeogene sequence as compared to Neogene. The organic maturation as suggested by TAI values indicates that the maturation level of ‘Oil Window’ (TAI = 2.5) reached in the Late Palaeocene (53.60 Ma) in A, B, F, and E locations. Younger levels of maturation are noted as Middle Eocene (43·49 Ma) in C and D and Early Miocene (13-16 Ma) in G, H and I location. It is further observed that the occurrence of the youngest level of ‘Oil Window’ maturation lies between 80°-100° C. which appears the effective cooking temperature for the kerogen in the basin. Based on palynofacies development and TAI values, the sediments within the mature zone are considered to possess good source rock quality to generate the mixed type of hydrocarbons in the maturation range of TAI 2.5 to 3.0.
Early Tertiary vegetational reconstructions around Nagpur-Chhindwara and Mandla, central India
Authors: Bande M.B. , Chandra Shaila
Published: September 2022

The Deccan Intertrappean flora represents a stage in the vegetational history of India when majority of forms constituting the modern vegetation of this subcontinent had attained a stability in their morphological characters. Most of the information regarding this flora is derived from the assemblages from Nagpur-Chhindwara region and Mandla District in central India. The Nagpur-Chhindwara assemblage is constituted by taxa representing all major groups of the Plant Kingdom belonging to marine, estuarine, fresh water, marshy and terrestrial habitats. The Mandla assemblage, mainly comprising plant fossils from the localities around Shahpura is exclusively angiospermous constituted mostly by palms and arborescent dicotyledons. Based on the available data of fossil plants from these areas, early Tertiary vegetational reconstructions have been attempted. The evidence of the Deccan Intertrappean plant fossils suggests the occurrence of evergreen to semi-evergreen forests in central India during the Early Tertiary, similar to the present-day forests of Western Ghats.
A new Crinum-like pseudostem from Deccan Intertrappean beds of Mohgankalan, India
Authors: Patil G.V. , Upadhye E.V.
Published: September 2022

A new petrified Crenum-like pseudostem Crinum eocenum sp. nov., comparable to modern Crinum asiaticum L. of Amaryllidaceae has been described from the Intertrappean beds of Mohgaonkalan, Madhya Pradesh.
Siwalik sediments of Arunachal Himalaya: Palynology, palaeoecology and palaeogeography
Authors: Singh Trilochan , Tripathi S.K.M.
Published: September 2022

The palynological assemblages comprising angiospermous pollen, pteridophytic spores, fungal remains, gymnospermous pollen, dinoflagellate cysts, acritarchs and reworked Permian spores and pollen have been reported from Siwalik sediments exposed in Kameng, Subansiri and Siang districts, Arunachal Pradesh. Palynological comparison with extant plants has been attempted to determine the palaeo-vegetation, Palaeoclimate and environment of deposition. Geological history and palaeogeography of Neogene sediments of Arunachal Himalaya have been discussed.
Vegetational dynamics of Tertiary Himalaya
Authors: Singh H.P. , Sarkar Samir
Published: September 2022

Selected palaeobotanical and palynological records published from the Tertiary Period of Himalaya have been examined and a generalized vegetational frame work has been reconstructed. The diverse Palaeogene floras of Himalaya are marked by moist deciduous and wet semi-evergreen forest types growing mostly under tropical climate in varying type of environments. The tropical families register a decline in the Early Miocene time. The Middle Miocene Himalayan orogeny coincides with proliferation of Abietineae and by the appearance of several subtropical floral elements. Development and diversity of forest types are controlled by the altitudinal belts. The Pliocene floral diversification is related to climatic changes and increased continentality. The wet tropical forests disappeared from the low altitudes, whereas wet subtropical and temperate forests were transformed into dry or moist vegetational types. The appearance of semi-arid and cold conditions forced several moisture-loving plants, either to migrate or perish. The modern composition of the Himalayan flora reveals that it is a partial continuum of Neogene floras which have been progressively enriched by the appearance of several immigrant elements and also by the changes brought in due to evolutionary processes.
Mangroves of India: History and palynostratigraphy of Chilka Lake, Orissa
Authors: Gupta H.P. , Khandelwal Asha
Published: September 2022

Fine resolution palynostratigraphy centred on Chilka Lake is aimed at the reconstruction of history of mangrove vegetation in tidal flat, salt marsh and fresh water wetland environments. Pollen analyses of air catches, lake water, lake bottom mud and surface soil samples have been collectively used to quantify the dispersal and preservation of pollen in relation to the modern vegetation. Pollen analysis of a 5.50 m deep profile from Balugaon at the western flank of the lake in prograded delta zone has been done which provides information about the changes in vegetation and depositional environments from approximately 3,100 radiocarbon years B.P. to the present. The results obtained suggest that (i) air catches are devoid of mangrove taxa instead seasonal non-arboreals and planted trees dominate, (ii) lake water, surface sediments and lake bottom mud samples have recorded the occurrence of both core mangroves and mangrove associates to the extent of 10-33 and 50-83 per cent, respectively, and (iii) Balugaon profile portrays the existence of marine, brackish and fresh water bioassemblages. On the basis of subtle changes in the vegetation, various depositional environments, transgressive and regressive facies have been determined.
On the occurrence of the carbonised woods resembling Treminalia and sonneratia in paleogene deposits of Gujrat, Western India
Authors: Guleria J.S.
Published: September 2022

The carbonised woods resembling modern woods of the genus Terminalia Linn. and Sonneratia Linn. belonging to family Combretaceae and Sonneratiaceae, respectively are described from the Rajpardi lignite mine situated in Bharuch District of South Gujarat. The fossils indicate the existence of tropical palaeoclimate and presence of the sea in the Vicinity of Rajpardi during Eocene. These form the first record of carbonised woods from Gujarat and from the Palaeogene sediments of India too.
On two enigmatic infructescences from Permian Gondwana of the Rajmahal basin
Authors: Bajpai Usha , Maheshwari H.K.
Published: September 2022

Two new dichotomously branched infructescences, a gynoclad and an androclad, are reported from shales associated with the Lalmatia Coalseam in Hura Coalfield, Rajmahal Basin, Bihar. The branched infructescences though are found in association with ginkgophyte leaves, yet their affinities seem to be with the pteridospermous groups.
Some observations on dinoflagellate cyst genus alterbidinium Lantin & Williams 1985
Authors: Khowaja-Ateequzzaman  , Garg Rahul , Jain K.P.
Published: September 2022

A detailed study of dinoflagellate cysts belonging to Alterbidinium Lentin & Williams 1985, recovered from Trichinopoly Formation (Turonian-Santonian), Cauvery Basin, southern India, revealed new information that the 2a intercalary periarchaeopyle and endoarchaeopyle are dissimilar in shape represented by steno- iso-deltaform and eury-deltaform respectivelv. The genus Alterbidinium and its two species, viz., A acutulum (Wilson) Lentin & Williams 1985 and A. minus (Alberti) Lentin & Williams 1985, are emended and a new species, A papilllatum is proposed.
Echimonoporoopollis, a new pollen genus from the neyveli formation of Jayamkonda Cholapuram well-12 Tiruchirapalli District, Tamil Nadu
Authors: Saxena R.K. , Khare Sanjay , Misra N.K.
Published: September 2022

A new pollen genus Echimonoporopollis, has been recorded from the Neyveli Formation of Jayamkondacholapuram well-12 in Tiruchirapalli District. Tamil Nadu. The genus is represented by two species. viz., E. grandiporus and E. neyveliensis and is characterized by spherical-subspherical shape, single pore and spinose exine. The restricted and abundant occurrence of this genus in the lower zone of the Neyveli Formation (Neocollperipollis spp. Cenozone) may prove vital in correlating this biozone with contemporary stratigraphic units.
The Tertiary of southeastern Australia: was it tropical?
Authors: Martin H.A.
Published: September 2022

In the early pan of the Tertiary, Australia was not in tropical latitudes but the climate was warmer and wetter, and the vegetation was mainly rainforest. Most of the vegetation is considered subtropical or warm temperate, but there are a substantial number of tropical taxa present throughout the Tertiary. There is an overall decline in temperature throughout the Tertiary. The mid-Late Miocene was a turning point in the Australian Tertiary as it marks the demise of widespread rainforest and the beginning of the development towards aridity. Today, about one-third of Australia lies within tropical latitudes but a large proportion of this area is arid. Remnants of the once widespread rainforest are found in disjunct areas along the northern and eastern coastal strip, including Tasmania.
A semi-ring porous fossil wood of Ziziphus from the Late Tertiary of Rajasthan
Authors: Guleria J.S.
Published: September 2022

A fossil wood of Ziziphus Mill. showing semi-ring porosity has been reported from the outskirts of Bikaner city, Rajasthan. It belongs to the Mar Formation, age of which most probably is Pliocene. Although fossil leaves and fruits of Ziziphus are known, there is no authentic record of its fossil wood so far. Thus the present report forms the first definite record of a fossil wood of Ziziphus. The fossil has provided evidence that ring-porosity is not a modern phenomenon in ziziphus, but most probably it is a genetically controlled character and not the result of adaptation to any cooler climate as has been envisaged the cause of ring porousness in woods by some workers.
Epidermal morphology of some Indian species of the genus Glossopteris Brongniart
Authors: Maheshwari H.K. , Tewari Rajni
Published: September 2022

Nineteen species of the genus Glossopteris are described from the Barakar Formation of Churulia Area, Raniganj Coalfield, India. Epidermal features of sixteen species have been investigated. In the rest, the carbonified crust is not preserved. Nine species, viz., Glossopteris asansolensis, G. bunburyana, G. danae, G. manjuiae, G. schopfii, G. schimperi, G. ednae, G. kusumiae and G. roylei are new. Nomenclature of G. damudica has been revised and the new species G. danae is established on the basis of revised nomenclature.
Changing patterns of the Permian Gondwana vegetation
Authors: Chandra Shaila
Published: September 2022

Floristics, ecology and vegetation through the Permian of peninsular India are summarised. Palynological, sedimentological and faunal data are also utilized in this study. The Permian vegetation of India, known as the Glossopteris flora, comprises fungi, bryophytes, lycophytes, arthrophytes, Filicales and gymnosperms. Some of the important plant types are reconstructed on the basis of available information. Five reconstructions are made depicting Talchir, Karharbari, Barakar, Kulti and Raniganj vegetation.
Morphological trends in Gondwana plants
Authors: Bajpai Usha
Published: September 2022

The term Gondwana has recently been redefined to include the group of terrestrial rocks in the Indian Craton, that was initiated with a basal Permian glacigene epoch and terminated with the large hiatus at the top of the Triassic. The Gondwana Supergroup as redefined now comprises Talchir, Damuda, Panchet and Mahadeva groups and ranges in age from the earliest Permian to latest Triassic or earliest Jurassic (Venkatachala & Maheshwari, 1991).

The vegetational scenario of Gondwana shows mixture of plants belonging to quite distinct habitats. The morphological adaptations of plants that thrived at all levels on land, in continental water, upland and in environments of exceeding dryness are significant. Leaf size varies from small to large with variety of apex and base, midribless to prominent midrib, non-petiolate to petiolate, veins loosely arranged, narrow mesh type of venation to open mesh and narrow mesh type. Leaf cuticle of glossopterids also shows variations.

Most of the Gondwana woods show variation in pith and primary xylem and secondary xylem. Pith varies from homo- to hetero-cellular. Primary xylem shows variation from endarch to mesarch. The secondary xylem is pycnoxylic, homoxylous. Secondary xylem shows well-marked growth rings. There is a great variation in the pitting of secondary tracheids. Xylem rays vary from uni- to multi-seriate. The ray field-pits also show diversity.

Wide diversities are also seen in the morphology of pteridophytic megaspores and of reproductive organs of gymnosperms. The exosporium of megaspore is either smooth or variously ornamented. The mesosporium is with or without cushions. Reproductive organs are known only for the glossopterid group and are of two types.

The changing patterns in leaves, woods, megaspores and reproductive organs of Gondwana plants may provide significant data for charting of morphotrends in these organs. It can probably also be established if these morphotrends were ecologically controlled temporary and transient phase or were genetically controlled leading to evolution of new types.
Indian Williamsoniaceae-an overview
Authors: Sharma B.D.
Published: September 2022

The morphology, anatomy and phylogeny of the known extinct representatives of the family Williamsoniaceae from India have been overviewed. The family occurs in the Upper Mesozoic rocks and is represented by fronds, stems, male, female and bisexual fructifications. Though the fronds vary in shape, size and venation, all possess identical syndetocheilic stomata. The stems Bucklandia and Sahnioxylon show minor variations in structure of tracheary elements and are related with cycadeoideas and homoxylous angiosperms. The male fructification Weltrichia is built on very distinct and different plan than the seed-bearing fructification- Williamsonia, which has been derived from Cordaianthus. The bisexual fructification -Amarjolia is terminal and exposed like Williamsonia, while in structure and arrangement of microsporophyll resembles Cycadeoidea. Relationship among different organs is suggested and phylogeny of Williamsoniaceae is discussed.