bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Microbiota and Organosedimentary structures from Vindhyan supergroup around Chandrehi, Madhya Pradesh
Authors: Maithy P.K. , Gupta Sumant
Published: September 2022

The present paper records the microbiota and stromatolite from Vindhyan Super-group around Chandrehi Section in Madhya Pradesh. The microbiota is recorded from Semri, Rewa and Bhander groups. It comprises bacteria - Biocatenoides; algae - Huronispora, Sphaerophycus, Aphanocapsiopsis, Corymbococcus; acritarcha - Orygmatosphaeridium, Bavlinella, Polyedryxium and other problematical remains.
India - The original homeland of Ceratopteris Brongniart (Parkeriaceae)
Authors: Kar R.K.
Published: September 2022

The spores of Ceratopteris Brongniart (known as Striatriletes in fossil state) have been studied in detail and it has been found that this spore was recorded for the first time from the Middle-Upper Eocene in Kachchh, Meghalaya and Assam. In Venezuela, Caribbean islands, Nigeria and Malayasia, Striatriletes started its occurrence in the Lower Oligocene. It has also been presumed that (a) Ceratopteris evolved in India during Middle-Upper Eocene when it was near the equator and enjoying tropical climate; (b) the genus migrated from the western coast of India towards equatorial Africa and then crossed the Atlantic Ocean to reach tropical Americas; (c) Ceratopteris migrated to Malayasia through northeast India and from there it reached to tropical Australia. Further, it has been suggested that the dominance of Ceratopteris spores in Oligocene-Miocene sediments of India, Venezuela, Caribbean islands, Nigeria and Malayasia is indicative of a big palaeogeographical province which may be called Ceratopteris or Striatriletes province.
An addition to knowedge of Otozamites Pecten Sahni & Sithole
Authors: Sitholey R.V. , Pal P.K. , T. M. Harris
Published: September 2022

An account of Otozamites pecten Sahni & Sitholey is based on richer material which permits the fuller description of its form while its cuticle is figured for the first time.
Occurrence of Cyanophycean remains from the Deccan Intertrappean Beds, Madhya Pradesh
Authors: Misra P.K. , Maithy P.K.
Published: September 2022

Cyanopycean remains, viz., Huronispora cf. microreticulata Barhoorn, Micro-cystiopsis mohagaonkalaensis gen. et sp. nov., Palaeohydrococcus raoi gen. et sp. nov. and Neophormidium indicum gen. et sp. nov. have been reported from Mohgaonkalan, Madhya Pradesh.
Fragmentary plant remains from the Hartala Hill, South Rewa Gondwana Basin, India
Authors: Pal P.K.
Published: September 2022

A few fragmentary plant remains, belonging to Pagiophyllum, Brachyphyllum and Desmiophyllum from the hillock south-east of Hartala Village, Shahdol District, Madhya Pradesh have been described. On the basis of megafloral contents, Hartaia Hill beds seem to be of Rhaetic-Liassic age.
Rajmahalispora, A new Cingulate spore genus from the Triassic of Rajmahal Basin, India
Authors: Tiwari R.S. , Tripathi Archana , Kumar P.
Published: September 2022

A new trilete-bearing cingulate miospore genus with rugulate ornamentation from the Triassic sediments of Rajmahal Hills, India is described.
Occurrence of Araucarian wood from the Neogene of West Bengal, India
Authors: Srivastava G.P. , Prakash U.
Published: September 2022

Fossil wood of Araucariaceae is described from the Miocene beds of Bolpur near Santiniketan in West Bengal. The wood shows mostly biseriate, alternate and contiguous hexagonal pits on the tracheidal walls. This finding forms the first record of Araucariaceae in the Neogene of India.
Studies on some more carbonised woods from the Neogene of Kerala Coast, India
Authors: Awasthi N. , Panjwani Madhu
Published: September 2022

More carbonized woods from Varkala Cliff Section and Payangadi Clay Mine belonging to Warkalli beds (Miocene-Pliocene) have been investigated. These woods show close resemblance with the extant woods of Leea, Gluta and Gonystylus and have been named Leeoxylon canncanorense sp. nov., Glutoxylon burmense (Hold.) Chowdhury, Gonystyloxylon indicum gen. et sp. nov. and G. tertiarum sp. nov. Almost all the modern taxa with which these carbonized woods show closest resemblance are confined to the tropical evergreen forests of Malayan and Indonesian archipelagoes.
The fossil floras of Kachchh. 1 - Mesozoic megafossils
Authors: Bose M.N. , Banerji Jayasri
Published: September 2022

Mesozoic plant remains from Kachchh form the subject matter of this paper. Out of the 44 genera described, three are new. The new genera are- Trambaua, Lorumformophyllum and Kachchhia. The former two are based on detached leaves, whereas Kachchhia is a male fertile organ related to the so-called Mesozoic Pteridosperms. Besides, some of the genera which have been recorded for the first time from Kachchh are Thallites, Hepaticites, Hausmannia, Dictyophyllum, Coniopteris, Caytonia, Linguifolium, Ctenozamites, Pseudoctenis, Anomozamites, Nilssoniopteris, Dictyozamites, Bennetticarpus and Allocladus. Thus in all more than 80 species have been described.

On the basis of megafossil assemblage it has been suggested that the Mesozoic plant bearing beds in Kachchh may range in age from Middle to Upper Jurassic.
The fossil floras of Kachchh- IV. Tertiary palynostratigraphy
Authors: Kar R.K.
Published: September 2022

The palynological work so far done on the various Tertiary sediments of Kachchh has been reassessed and new information added. Many genera have been redefined and new genera, viz., Intrareticulites, Retitribrevicolporites, Dermatobrevicolporites, Triangulorites, Arengapollenites, Minutitricolporites, Acanthotricolpites, Angulocolporites, Pseudonyssapollenites, Pilatricolporites, Tribrevicolporites, Triangulotricolporites, Retitetrabrevicoporites, Tripilaorites, Ligulifloraedites, Spinulotetradites, Verrudandotiaspora, Tricolporopilites, Tricolporocolumellites, Ratariacolporites, Plicatiaperturites, Palaeomalvaceaepollis, Pilapanporites, Verrupolyporites, Khariasporites, Magnamonocolpites and Hibisceaepollenites have been proposed. On the basis of relative frequency of all taxa the Matanomadh Formation (Palaeocene) has been divided into (i) Barren Zone, (ii) Dandotiaspora dilata Cenozone, (iii) Tricolpites minutus Cenozone, (iv) Couperipollis kutchensis Cenozone, and (v) Sponge spicules Zone; Naredi Formation (Lower Eocene) has been divided into (i) Lakiapollis ovatus Cenozone, and (ii) Lygodiumsporites lakiensis Cenozone. The Middle Eocene palynological assemblage has been divided into Proxapertites microreticulatus Cenozone for Harudi Formation and Cheilanthoidspora enigmata Cenozone for the Rataria bore-core. Maniyara Fort Formation (Oligocene) has been divided into (i) Operculodinium centrocarpum Cenozone, (ii) Trisyncolpites ramanujamii Cenozone, and (iii) Aplanosporites robustus Cenozone and Khari Nadi Formation (Miocene) has been classified into (i) Cordosphaeridium cantharellum Cenozone, (ii) Striatriletes susannae Cenozone, and (iii) Operculodinium israelianum Cenozone. Thus in total, there are approximately 179 spore-pollen species in Palaeocene, Lower and Middle Eocene, Oligocene and Miocene. Of them, 42 species are confined to Palaeocene, 39 species to Eocene, 25 species to Oligocene and 21 species to Miocene. The Lower Eocene has maximum number (113) of spore-pollen species. The population gradually decreases and in Miocene only three species of angiosperms are recorded. On the basis of morphological characters of spores and pollen grains the families Parkeriaceae, Amaranthaceae-Chenopodiaceae, Clusiaceae, Bombacaceae, Malvaceae, Acacieae, Caesalpiniaceae, Rhizophoraceae, Lecythidaceae, Meliaceae, Ctenolophonaceae, Polygalaceae, Alangiaceae, Apiaceae, Asteraceae, Poaceae and Arecaceae could be recognized. The palynological cenozones proposed in this paper have also been compared with other known assemblages from India.
The genus Phyllanthus from the Tertiary of India with critical remarks on the nomenclature of fossil woods of Euphorbiaceae
Authors: Prakash U. , Bande M.B. , Lalitha V.
Published: September 2022

The paper deals with in detail the problem of nomenclature of fossil woods of the family Euphorbiaceae and describes two fossil woods showing a close similarity with the modern woods of Phyllanthus emblica from the Tertiary of India. While one of them belongs to the Tipam sandstones of Assam, the other was collected from the Deccan Intertrappean beds of Nawargaon in the Wardha District of Maharashtra. The present findings thus indicate a continuous existence of the modern genus Phyllanthus in India from the early Tertiary till today. Speciation of fossil woods similar in structure and resembling the modern wood of Phyllanthus emblica, from widely separated continents belonging to different ages, has also been discussed.
Modern algae resembling fossil Tetraporina
Authors: Lindgren Svenolov
Published: September 2022

Specimens of Tetraporina, usually interpreted as algal microfossils, display similarities to several modem taxa of the Dinophyceae, Xanthophyceae and Chlorophyceae. The quadrangular and tetrahedral cell shape of algae and its variability due to ontogeny and environmental modifications are reviewed in this article together with taxonomical problems in different classes of modem algae which are relevant to the taxonomy and botanical affinities of fossil Tetraporina.
Fossil woods of Kingiodendron and Bauhinia from the Namsang beds of Deomali, Arunachal Pradesh
Authors: Awasthi N. , Prakash U.
Published: September 2022

Two fossil woods resembling those of Kingiodendron Harms and Bauhinia Linn. of the family Leguminosae are described from the Namsang beds (Mio-Pliocene) exposed along Namsang River at Deomali in Arunachal Pradesh. They have been named as Kingiodendron prepinnatum sp. nov. and Bauhinia deomalica sp. nov. respectively.
Fossil leaves of Dipterocarpus from the Lower Siwalik beds near Jawalamukhi, Himachal Pradesh
Authors: Lakhanpal R.N. , Guleria J.S.
Published: September 2022

Leaf impressions resembling those of the modern Dipterocarpus turbinatus Gaertn. f. and D. tuberculatus Roxb., have been described from the Lower Siwalik beds of Balu-Goloa, near Jawalamukhi (Himachal Pradesh) as Dipterocarpus siwalicus sp. nov. Their occurrence indicates that a moist tropical forest was growing near Jawalamukhi during the Middle Miocene times.
Palynology of the Barail (Oligocene) and Surma (Lower Miocene) sediments exposed along Sonapur-Badarpur Road Section, Jaintia Hills (Meghalaya) and Cachar (Assam). Part - III. Pteridophytic spores
Authors: Rao M.R. , Singh H.P.
Published: September 2022

The present paper deals with the systematic description of pteridophytic spores recovered from the Barail (Oligocene) and Surma (Lower Miocene) sediments exposed along Sonapur-Badarpur Road Section, Meghalaya and Assam. The pteridophytic spores are represented by 18 genera and 32 species. Quantitative analysis of the assemblage reveals that the pteridophytic spores are the dominant (63%) elements of the assemblage. Palynological data reveals that tropical-subtropical humid climates prevailed during the deposition of the sequence of sediments.
Palynological correlation of coal seams in Godavari Graben, Andhra Pradesh, India
Authors: Srivastava S.C.
Published: September 2022

The palynological study of various coal seams from Yellandu, Kothagudem, Belampalli, Ramakrishnapuram and Ramagundam coalfields of Godavari Graben has been done. The distributional pattern of various palyno-taxa has suggested the occurrence of six miospore assemblages. Miospore Assemblage E is marked by the association of Parasaccites and Scheuringipollenites. Assemblage D is characterised by the dominance of Brevitriletes. In assemblages C1, C2 and C3, Brevitriletes is associated with Hennellysporites. Indotriradites, although rare, occurs only in this assemblage. Horriditriletes and Latosporites characterise Assemblage B in association with Brevitriletes Primuspollenites gains significance only at this stage of palynofloral succession. In the youngest Assemblage A all the triletes decrease appreciably giving way to nonstriate-disaccates, Scheuringipollenites, so as to take up the dominance. The sporological succession shows only one change after Assemblage E (Upper Karharbari) was deposited. Miospore assemblages D to A represent the Lower Barakar palynoflora.
Further observations on Cycadinorachis omegoides Sharma from the Rajmahal Formation, India
Authors: Suthar O.S. , Bohra D.R. , Sharma B.D.
Published: September 2022

A petrified Cycadinorachis omegoides is reported from Sonajori in the Rajmahal Hills, Bihar. The number of bundles in the omega gradually reduces while the distinction of centripetal and centrifugal xylems increases towards the apex of the rachis (leaf). The ground tissue possesses mucilage ducts. The lamina has parallel veins and a more or less homogeneous mesophyll. Tracheids possess scalariform and contiguous bordered pits. The relationship of Cycadinorachis with allied extinct and extant plants is discussed.
Fundamentals of Palaeobotany by S.V.Meyen 1987
Authors: Maheshwari H.K.
Published: September 2022

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The facts and fictions of the Gondana Concept
Authors: Ahmad F.
Published: September 2022

Wegner did not envisage that Gondwanaland was an independent continent. This concept was introduced earlier but concretised by Du Toit. His Permian ice-cap covered almost the entire supercontinent. Ahmad, however, pointed out that the ice-cap at no stage was exceptionally large. Du Toit was not aware of the glacial deposits in Arabia or Tibet, and his ice-cap would have to be enlarged considerably if it was to form deposits in these areas, particularly the latter as well. All evidence goes to suggest that Tibet was not separated from India in the Permo-Triassic and the suture zone concept is not valid. These Tibetan glacial deposits carry Glossopteris flora and Stepanoviella and Eurydesma fauna as typical Gondwana forms. The deposits reach upto Kun Lun mountains.

The Himalayan region was separated from the peninsular basin and was part of the southern margin of an epicontinental Tethys. The ice-cap did not reach this area. However, Himalayan diamictites, as also those of Tibetan should be older than the peninsular and a Carboniferous age assigned to them by Chinese geologists may be valid.

The Gondwana concept envisaged glacial deposits overlain by freshwater sediments. This seemed to apply to peninsular India. Western Australia, South Africa, etc. But of late marine incursions have been reported from India and South Africa leaving, perhaps, only Antarctica where it could truly be applied today. The ice-cap covered peninsular India and peneplained it so that after it receded, the area was significantly down warped and this resulted in marine incursions. Umaria’s access to the sea was obviously to the southeast underneath the ice-cap and hence it could not carry fauna older than that of Manendragarh, Rajhara, too was perhaps an extension of this sea, although it could have been independent.
Marine influence in Hutar Coalfield, Bihar
Authors: Chaudhuri S.
Published: September 2022

Circumstantial evidences based on the proximity of the upper part of talchir and lower part of Karharbari formations in Hutar Coalfield with those of Daltonganj Coalfield having reported evidence of marine bed, as well as evidences of wave activity and salanitiy, raise the possibility of some marine influence in Hutar too. A few evaporates in this coalfield indicate dessication though temperature does not seem to have attained a high level. The presence of formainiferal genera Tolypammina, Saccammina, Bigenerina and Ammobaculites in addition to Frondicularia c.f. cavernula (Paalzow) in this background strongly argues for a marine influence in the basal part of Karharbari and adjacent Talchir areas. The significance of this has been discussed.
Depositional model and tectonic evolution of Gondwana basins
Authors: Cashyap S.M. , Tewari R.C.
Published: September 2022

The paper analyses the sedimentary evolution of Gondwana basins of the India peninsula based on lithofacies their association, dispersal and sedimentary characters from lowermost glacial Talchir (basal Permian) through Kharbari, Barakar, Barren Measure, Raniganj to Mahadeva (Middle Triassic). Particular attention is focused on the role of formative processes ad interaction of Tectonism and climate on sedimentary evolution and basin configuration.
Megaspore biostratigraphy of the Gondwana
Authors: Maheshwari H.K. , Tewari Rajni
Published: September 2022

Dispersed megaspores are known from almost all the Gondwana horizons though they are comparatively rare. Approximately, 36 genera and 110 species are known from the Gondwana sediments. The number of genera and species is almost equally divided between Permian and Mesozoic Gondwana. Most of the formations except Talchir, Barren Measures and Upper Tiki have marker megaspore taxa at generic level. The above-mentioned three formations have marker taxa only at the species level. At the present stage of our knowledge megaspores are found useful only for broader zonation. As far as age determination is concerned, the megaspores, as compared to other palynofossils, indicate younger ages.
Estheriid zonation in the Gondwana
Authors: Ghosh S.C. , Dutta Ashim , Nandi A. , Mukhopadhyay S.
Published: September 2022

Estheriid fauna of the Indian Gondwana is represented by 18 genera of fossil conchostraca. On the basis of recent discoveries of leaiid estheriids from the Lower Gondwana formations four new biozones are added to the previously established horizons. Nine esteriid biozones are now established for the entire Gondwana sequence of India. Lacuna, however, still exists in some of the formations. The biozones proposed are helpful for basinal correlation. There are some excellent index fossils to distinguish the Late Permian and Early Triassic Gondwana sediments and emplace precisely the boundary between them. With the record of Leaiid estheriids emerging from the Indian subcontinent, for the first time, all the five continents of the Gondwanaland can be tied up, solving a long existing problem in understanding the migratory route of the fauna. Indian fauna bears many of the common elements of the Gondwana estheriids of other continents from Late Permian to Jurassic periods. Estheriellids are confined to India (Early Triassic), Africa (Late Triassic) and South America (Jurassic-Cretaceous) only. The Indian species of Estheriells bear closer affinity to those of Europe (Bundenstein, Germany). It suggests dispersal of the bioprogram through land connections between the two super-continents during the Early Triassic.
Stratigraphic position and age of plant bearing Nidpur beds
Authors: Srivastava S.C.
Published: September 2022

The Gopad River Section near Nidpur has yielded a rich and diversified flora showing the dominance of Dicroidium associated with the culmination of non-straite bisaccate pollen. Gymnosperms are the main components of this fossil assemblage. Dicroidium a widely disseminated taxon in the Gondwanaland has restricted stratigraphical range. It has been considered to be an infallible indicator of Triassic time. Furthermore, the consistency of usual association of Pteruchus with Dicroidium also supports a Triassic age for Nidpur beds. Confirmatory evidence of the Triassic age is also provided by the frequent occurrence of Alisporites indicus correlated with the variable pollen (Aisporites complex) of Pteruchus. The dominant pollen Satsangisaccites distinguishes Nidpur assemblage from other palynofloras whereas Nidipollenites have now been reported from other Triassic palynofloras.
Contribution to the stratigraphy and vertebrate fauna of Lower Jurassic Kota Formation, Pranhita-Godavari Valley, India
Authors: Yadagiri P. , Rao B.R.J.
Published: September 2022

Gondwana Sequence of the Pranhita-Godavari Valley represents a thick succession of sediments ranging in age from Early Permian to Early Cretaceous. The Mesozoic Gondwana sediments contain a number of vertebrate bearing zones which are important for correlation and for assigning age to different units. New data on the vertebrate fossils of Kota Formation help trace the evolutionary history of early Jurassic mammals and dinosaurs and palaeogeographic configuration. The status of Gangapur Formation, as a unit, overlying Kota Formation and underlying Chikiala Formation is elaborated. Its lithological identity is established in the Yamanpalli area. Measured lithostratigraphic column of the limestone zone of the Kota Formation is described with the lithological variations and fossil contents. The data is useful for the correlation of limestone members in delineating the Kota Formation along its strike. Analysis of the geochemical data and vertebrate fossil community of Mesozoic sediments with particular emphasis on the Kota Formation, provide overwhelming evidences for freshwater environment of deposition of the Kota Formation. The evolutionary status of vertebrate fauna consisting of early mammals, dinosaurs and pholidophorid fishes is described which supports the Jurassic age of the Kota Formation.
Coal resources in the Indian Gondwana
Authors: Savanur R.V. , Roy A.K.
Published: September 2022

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Bengalia raniganjensis, a new sphenopsid from the raniganj formation, upper permian
Authors: Maheshwari H.K. , Singh V.K. , Bajpai Usha
Published: September 2022

A new taxon of ariculatae, closely resembling the characteristic Barakar form Lelstotheca is reported from the shales associated with Nega Coal of Raniganj Formation in Raniganj Coalfield. It comprises linear-lanceolate leaves with mucronate apices in clusters of about 18 in each whorl. Leaves are free throughout and apparently do not form a sheath or disc.
Some more leaf- impressions from the Lower Siwalik sediments of Kollabas, Nepal
Authors: Prasad Mahesh
Published: September 2022

Four species of leaf-impressions are described from the Lower Siwalik sediments of Koilabas, Nepal. They are: Dipterocarpus siwalicus Lakhanpal & Guleria of Dipterocarpaceae and Albizia siwalica sp. nov., Millettia koilabasensis sp. nov., and Ormosia robustoides sp. nov. of Fabaceae.
Late Cenozoic plant-impressions from Mahuadanr valley, Palamu District, Bihar
Authors: Bande M.B. , Srivastava G.P.
Published: September 2022

Impressions of leaves, fruits and a flower have been described from the Late Cenozoic beds from near Mahuadanr, Palamu District, Bihar. The assemblage consists of 25 species belonging to 22 genera and 16 families of the dicotyledons. Family Asclepiadaceae and the genera Spondias, Erythrina, Combretum, Mitragyna, Alstonia and Cryptolepis have been described for the first time from the Cenozoic of India. The data have been used to decipher the palaeoecology and depositional environment of the region. A comparison of this flora with other Neogene floras of India has also been made.
Importance of palaeobotany in the study of botany, zoology, geology and archaeology
Authors: Pant D.D.
Published: September 2022

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Plant fossils from upper beds of Raniganj Formation in Jharia Coalfield
Authors: Bajpai Usha , Tewari Rajni
Published: September 2022

There are three major coal seams in the Raniganj Formation of Jharia Coalfield, viz., Mahuda, Bhurungia and Lohpiti, in ascending order. The main constituents of the plant fossil assemblage from the roof shale of Lohpiti Seam, thal underlies the Lohpiti Sandstone Member, are the leaf Glossopteris shailae, the Stem Araucarioxylon kumarpurensis and the megaspore Noniasporites harrisii. A similar fossil assemblage has earlier been reported from the roof shales of Kajora Seam that underlies the Kumarpur Sandstone Member of Raniganj Formation in Raniganj Coalfield. The correlatability of Lohpiti Sandstone Member with Kumarpur Sandstone Member is established.
Rostrumaspermum venkatachalae gen. et sp. nov., an archegoniate seed from Triassic of Nidpur, India
Authors: Srivastava S.C. , Manik S.R.
Published: September 2022

Some carbonized seeds recovered from plant-bearing Nidpur beds are assigned to Rostrumaspermum venkatachalae et. sp. nov. Evidence of arechegonia with short tubular neck favours identity with conifers and settles precisely pineaceous affiliations.
The evolution of angiospermid pollen characteristics: conjectures and queries
Authors: Vasanthy G. , Venkatachala B.S. , Pocock S.A.J.
Published: September 2022

The origin and evolution of different exine layers of palynofossils is analysed in the light of accumulating ultrastructural data. Semi-diagramatic illustrations based on the published TEM results of various exine types representing a cross section of extinct and extant plant groups are given for easy reference and comprehension. Some of the important palynological questions and issues discussed in the present work are imprecise use to describe the infra-tectum of pollen, of the flexible term "granular" that often leads to erroneous derivations and conclusions; ontogenetic differences between the apparently similar complexly alveolate columellate sexine types of gymnosperms and angiosperms respectively; independent evolution of columellar complexity in unrelated taxa: role of ubiquitous white lines in the exines of extinct and extant spores and pollen and adaptive rather than phylogenetic significance of sacci in progymnosperms, gymnosperms and angiosperms. Despite recognition of angiospermid pollen characteristics especially in tectally reticulate and columellate pollen of Triassic (Cornet, 1979, 1985, 1989; Pocock & Vasanthy, 1988; Pocock, Vasanthy & Venkatachala. 1988) the pre-Cretaceous origin of angiosperm still remains an open question.
Chemical study of Cenozoic woods from Kashmir, India
Authors: Lone Farooq A. , Khan Maqsooda , Buth G.M.
Published: September 2022

Acetylbromide chemical treatment of fossil woods recovered from various Pliocene and Pleistocene strata in the Karewa Formation of Kashmir has been carried out to evaluate their degree of humification.
'The fossil flora of Kachchh, IV- Tertiary, palynostratigraphy' by Ranjit K. Kar (1985): A critique on dinoflagellate cysts
Authors: Jain K.P. , Garg Rahul
Published: September 2022

The Tertiary dinoflagellate cyst assemblages described from Kutch (Kar, 1985) have been critically re-evaluated. All available figured specimens of Early Eocene, Oligocene and Miocene assemblages have been restudied, most of these are rephotographed and reproduced herein, discussing morphological features for their proper taxonomic assessment and reallocation. The four new species, viz., Areoligera digitata, Cleistosphaeridium cephalum, Operculodinium paucispinosum, and O. robustum, proposed therein have been rejected. Two new combinations, viz., Apteodinium unicornum (Kar) and Operculodinium ornamentum (Jain & Tandon) and a new species Glaphyrocysta indica are proposed. An assessment of various palynozonation schemes revealed major lacunae in the presentation of stratigraphic and palynological data as well as several inconsistencies in the given charts, histograms and their descriptions in the text. It has been recommended that these zonation schemes should be used with caution for comparison and correlation purposes. The status of systematic descriptions of Middle Eocene and Oligocene dinoflagellate cyst taxa transcribed by Kar (1985) from Jain and Tandon (1981) and Jain (1980) has been discussed exemplifying several unexpected errors, inconsistencies and ambiguities. It is recommended that the readers should consult original papers of reproduced versions for correct citations and understanding.
19th Professor Birbal Sahni Memorial Lecture: Ratea of floral turnover and diversity change in the fossil records
Authors: Frederiksen Norman
Published: September 2022

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Dinocyst biostratigraphy of Cenomanian-Coniacian' formations of the western Gulf Coastal Plain, southern United States
Authors: Srivastava Satish K.
Published: September 2022

This palynological investigation of Cenomanian-Coniacian formations of Texas, U.S.A., consists of an examination of 63 outcrop samples from 9 stratigraphic sections exposed in 7 Countries in a north-south trend from about Dallas to Del Rio. The Grayson Formation, the Eagle Ford Formation, the lower Austin Chalk, and their southern equivalents were examined for palynological data. Most of the samples are rich in dinocyst assemblages. Seventy-eight dinocysts species of 47 genera, 3 acritarch species of three genera, and 28 spore-pollen species of 20 genera are recognized and their stratigraphic distribution documented. Systematic descriptions and illustrations of all dinocyst and acritarch taxa are given. Spore-pollen taxa have rare occurrences in all the studied sections and are thus only listed and illustrated.

The stratigraphic distribution of dinocyst taxa indicates that Cyclonephelium eisenackii and Ovoidinium verrucosum terminate at the end of the Cenomanian and Litosphaeridium siphoniphorum at the end of the Turonian. Dinogymnium acuminatum and Chatangiella victoriensis appear in the Coniacian.
Fossil woods of Terminalia and Lagerstroemia from the late cenozoic beds of Mahuadanr, Palamu District, Bihar
Authors: Srivastava G.P. , Bande M.B.
Published: September 2022

Two fossil woods belonging to Terminalia tomentosa and Lagerstroemia sp. cf. L. parviflora have been described from the fossiliferous sandstone exposed near Mahuadanr, Palamu District, Bihar. Based on the earlier record of fossil wood of Sindora from this bed a Miocene-Pliocene age has been suggested.
Metaphyte and Metazoan fossils from Precambrian sediments of India: a critique
Authors: Sharma Mukund , Shukla Manoj , Venkatachala B.S.
Published: September 2022

Evidences of multicellular life from the Indian Precambrian sediments have been reviewed. Their nature, morphology, biogenecity and syngenecity are evaluated in the light of associated evidences. The published records have been grouped under 13 categories, viz., Archaeocyatha, Chuaria·Tawuia group, frordoid forms, Hyolithoides, Longfengshania, medusoids, metaphytic algae, Sekwia excentrica, shelly forms, spiral forms, trace fossils, trilobitoid and eurypteroid and enigmatic group. Contrary to the world-wide records of multicellular organisms only at the Terminal-Precambrian (≈600 Ma), some of the Indian reports are 1,000-2,500 Ma old. This older antiquity needs proper explanation. In the present review after reassessment, all the records have been classed as true fossil, non-fossil and dubiofossil. In few cases, it has not been possible to comment upon the structure reported due to non-availability of specimen and poor photographic reproduction in print, such records have been grouped separately without any comments.

In several cases synaeresis and mud cracks have been described as trace fossils. Sedimentary structures have also been described as Sekwia, Longfengshania, Cyclomedusa, Archaeocyatha, Dasycladaceae algae, Epiphyton, lamellibranchs and such other forms Some records though of undoubted biogenic nature, viz., Katnia singhi and Vindhyavasinia misrai and Ajaicicyatha (from Krol sediments) need reassessment concerning their taxonomic affinity.

The oldest authentic biogenic structures in this review are considered to be about 1,000 Ma old. These records of metaphytes and metazoans-Ramapuraea vindhyanensis, vendotaenid forms, trace fossils, megascopic spiral algal forms and Chuaria·Tawuia assemblage, are mostly from the base of Kaimur and top of Semri groups. Trace fossils from Bhander Limestone of Vindhyan Supergroup; a metaphytic alga Renalcis from the Calc-Zone of Pithoragarh, and frondoid forms, trace fossils as well as small shelly fauna from the Krol-Tal sequence belonging to younger sediments of probable Vendian-Tommotion age are authentic records.

The multicellular plants and animals undoubtedly proliferated during the Vendian, but there are a few authentic exceptional records of multicellular life prior to 600 Ma from India. Similar earlier records are also known from China and Canada. These records are important in understanding the antiquity of multicellular life.
Provincialism in Gondwana floras
Authors: Maheshwari H.K.
Published: September 2022

The Gondwana sediments of India, ranging from Asselian to Rhaetian in age, contain remnants of a unique flora that in general composition is uniform all over. Two basic floral assemblages, i.e., Glossopteris-Assemblage and Dicroidium-Assemblage, can be recognized through Permian and Triassic, respectively. A synthesis of data on the distribution of plant fossils in different formations of the Gondwana Supergroup brings out an incipient provincialism throughout, particularly in the Barakar Formation. It is not yet understood if this provincialism is apparent or real.
Changing patterns of vegetation through Siwalik succession
Authors: Awasthi N.
Published: September 2022

The palaeobotanical record from the Neogene of Himalaya has been examined and an attempt has been made to reconstruct the vegetation patterns and throw light on palaeoclimate of the region during Siwalik time. Though the flora of the Pre-Siwalik Neogene from which the Siwalik flora evolved is poorly documented, a few palynofossils from the Kasauli and Dagshai formations indicate the existence of subtropical to temperate vegetation in the Upper reaches of the newly built Himalaya. On the contrary, a fairly rich assemblage of megafossils from the Siwalik indicates widespread tropical evergreen to moist deciduous mixed forest in the lowland sub-Himalayan zone during Middle Miocene-Pliocene The assemblage is dominated by wet evergreen dipterocarps and associated taxa, most of which are known to have entered the Indian subcontinent from southeast Asia during Miocene and subsequently spread all over and finally reached the lower slopes of sub-Himalaya. This has resulted increase in the diversity of tropical vegetation.

The post-Pliocene orogeny of Himalaya brought great changes in the topography and climate which adversely affected the vegetation patterns of the region. The Early and Middle Siwalik tropical evergreen forest whose chief component are Anisoptera, Dipterocarpus, Hopea, Shorea (other than Shorea robusta), Polyalthia, Calophyllum, Aphanamixis, Dysoxylum, Gluta, Dracontomelum, Mangifera, Swintonia, Cynometra, Koompassia, Ormosia, Pongamia, Sindora, Duabanga, Diospyros spp., Myristica, etc. started dwindling towards the end of Middle Siwalik and subsequently disappeared from western and central sectors, though a few taxa like Mangifera, Litsea, Cinnamomum, Bauhinia, Dalbergia, Ficus, etc. continued to adjust to the new climatic conditions. Extinction of tropical evergreen taxa and further rise of Himalaya gave way to proliferation and diversification of tropical and subtropical moist deciduous to dry deciduous temperate vegetation in the lower and higher slopes respectively, as is also evidenced from the palynological record.
The evolutionary status of fungi
Authors: Mehrotra B.S.
Published: September 2022

This review reflects on the uncertainties revolving around the origin of fungi and the paucity of the fossil record of these organisms. The main cause for the lack of fossil data is perhaps the insufficient attention these organisms have received and not that they have evaded the attempts to bring them to light. A brief review of the criteria generally used in propounding the hypothesis for the evolution of the modern fungi has also been made.
Fungal behaviour and fungal evolution: the role of internal factors
Authors: Subramanian C.V.
Published: September 2022

With reference to fungal evolution, the role of natural selection versus internal factors is discussed in general terms. The inadequacy of natural selection as an explanation is highlighted with special reference to Alister Hardy’s concept of ‘behavioural selection’. Fungal behaviour is the basis of fungal evolution: the prime factor is an internal one and resides in the genome itself. There are countless such genomes, co-existing and co-evolving with other biota and with each other in a system that is balanced and self-sustaining. Each genome has a life style, a style unto itself, and has the potential to evolve on its own. Examples of speciation in the fungal kingdom are cited to show that fungal species are dynamic and are evolving as seen from allopatric speciation. Fungal behaviour rather than selection plays the prime role in their evolution. Evolution is not the product of a struggle for existence but a process of being and becoming. It is suggested that we de-link the question of survival of species (and their extinction) from the question of their origins.
Evolution of leaf forms among palms
Authors: Padmanabhan D.
Published: September 2022

Among the three basic types of palm leaves- the palmate, costapalmate and the pinnate. The palmate form is considered to be the most primitive, the pinnate most advanced and the costapalmate intermediate. Ontogenetic leaf sequences in seedlings indicate that the pinnate form could have been derived from the costapalmate or directly from the palmate type. Persistent, broad and green reins are primitive while the ephemeral and colourless ones are advanced. The hastula of the palmate leaves could be an excrescence as Eames considered it or the remnant of the ventral lobe of an ancestral peltate lamina. The shedding of a large part of the laminal tissue as haut in Phoenix is interpreted as a trend towards specialisation of the intercostal lamina as the sole photosynthetic area of the leaf.
Fossil flora from the Himalayan foot-hills of Darjeeling District, West Bengal and its palaeoecological and phytogeographical significance
Authors: Antal J.S. , Awasthi N.
Published: September 2022

An assemblage of plant megafossils comprising leaf-impressions, fruits and culm-impression recovered from the Lower-Middle Siwalik sediments near Oodlabari, Darjeeling District, West Bengal (India) has been described. It consists of 32 species of dicots and one species of monocots (Bamboo) belonging to 32 genera of 22 families. Out of them 11 genera viz., Mitrephora, Casearia, Alsodeia, Pterospermum, Grewia, Nothopagia, Combretum, Vernonia, Alstonia, Callicarpa and Macaranga are new to the Siwalik flora. An analysis of the floral assemblage with respect to the distribution pattern of modern equivalent taxa reveals the presence of three types of elements, viz., (i) evergreen (60.61%). (ii) evergreen to deciduous (18.18%) and (iii) moist-deciduous (21.21%), which indicate the prevalence of warm and humid climate in the region during the deposition of Siwalik sediments. It is also interesting to mention that the assemblage is dominated by 19 Indo-Malayan elements revealing a fair exchange of floral elements between the two subcontinents during Miocene.
Some ambiguities in evolution
Authors: Sharma A.K.
Published: September 2022

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Palynological dating of Lower Gondwana sediments in Sattupalli area, Chintalpudi sub-basin, Andhra Pradesh, India
Authors: Srivastava S.C. , Jha Neerja
Published: September 2022

The palynological study of bore-cores GSS-1, GS-1, 2, 3 and 4 from Sattupalli area, Chintalpudi sub-basin, reveals the presence of Talchir, Barakar and Raniganj palynoassemblages. The coal seams and associated sediments present between 74.40 to 152.70 m in bore-core GSS-1, at 99.50 m in GS-1, at 371 m in bore-core GS-2, at 46-74 m in GS-3 and 181-230 m in bore-core GS-4 contain Raniganj palynofloral alongwith early appearance of Early Triassic taxa, viz., Lunatisporites, Klausipollenites, Lundbladispora, Densoisporites, Vitreisporites and Chordasporites. Talchir and Barakar palynofloras have been marked at 402 and 356.51 m in bore-core GSS-1 respectively.
Palynology of middle siwalik sediments (late miocene) from Bagh Rao, Uttar Pradesh
Authors: Sarkar Samir , Bhattacharya A.P. , Singh H.P.
Published: September 2022

A Late Miocene palynofloral assemblage, recovered from the Siwalik sediments exposed at Bagh Rao in Uttar Pradesh has been studied. It contains a variety of spores, pollen grains and algal and fungal remains. Based on palynofloral analysis two distinct palynological zones A and B are established. The presence of Botryococcus. Pediastrum, Zvgnema, Azolla and Nymphea indicates fresh water environment during the deposition of Zone A sediments. Zone B lacks the presence of aquatic elements. However, it shows the abundance of montane elements, viz., Pinus, Podocarpus and Tsuga in addition to the pollen of Poaceae, Asteraceae and Acacia. The sediments of Zone B appear to have been deposited in much drier conditions than that of Zone A. The overall palaeobotanical evidences point out the prevalence of low land rainforests under warm humid climate in the area of investigation.
Diporocolpis: A new type of aperture from the early eocene sediments of Rajasthan, India
Authors: Kar R.K.
Published: September 2022

Three early Eocene pollen types, viz., Piladiporocolpites, Psiladiporocolpites, and Retidiporocolpites having diverse morphological characters but all possessing a characteristic type of aperture called ‘Diporocolpis’ are described from the bore-hole core no K12, drilled by the MECL around Kuchaur-Benia area, Bikaner District, Rajasthan. The ‘Diporocolpis’ type of aperture proposed as a new name is characterized by the presence of two equatorial pores connected by a colpus. In some genera, the margin of aperture is spinose, whereas in others the spines are absent. The exine is variously sculptured or structured.
Palynology of subsurface Palaeocene-Eocene sediments pear Kapurdi, Barmer District, Rajasthan, India
Authors: Tripathi S.K.M.
Published: September 2022

Palynological study on subsurface samples from four Well Sections drilled near Kapurdi, Barmer District, Rajasthan has been carried out. Recorded palynoflora is rich and diversified being represented by dinoflagellate cysts, fungal remains, pteridophytic spores and angiospermic pollen grains and closely resemble those recorded from Palaeocene-Eocene sediments of Kutch and Rajasthan. Most of the palynotaxa present in the assemblage are presently confined to tropical to subtropical areas. Abundance of pteridophytic spores and epiphyllous microthyriaceous fungi in the assemblage indicates that vicinity of the area where investigated sediments were deposited experienced plenty of rainfall. It is also inferred that sediments under study were deposited in a coastal environment.
Status of gymnosperms in the Indian Tertiary flora
Authors: Mehrotra R.C. , Awasthi N.
Published: September 2022

Gymnosperms, the most dominated group of plants during Mesozoic, were meagerly represented in Indian Tertiary flora. The Tertiary gymnosperms occur in the form of petrified woods, cones and leaf impressions, besides pollen referable to the families Podocarpaceae, Araucariaceae and Cycadaceae. Until Late Cretaceous-Early Palaeocene the gymnosperms were widely distributed in the Indian peninsula. However, during Tertiary they declined to such an extent that towards the close of Pliocene Araucariaceae totally disappeared from Indian sub-continent. The podocarpaceae too, is now on the verge of extinction as it occurs in the restricted areas in northeast India and Nilgiri Hills in southern India. The cause of decline of these tropical gymnosperms and advent of the northern temperature members in the Indian subcontinent during Tertiary are discussed.
Permian plant mega- and palyno-fossils from Gondwana-equivalent sediments of Kashmir Valley (in Hindi)
Authors: Maheshwari H.K , Kapoor H.M. , Bajpai Usha
Published: September 2022

While revising the megaflora of the Mamal Formation, we came across some leaf specimens in the Dunpathri Member that seemed to have a carbonified crust. Cellulose acetate pulls of the crust were processed for recovery of the cuticles. No cuticles were recovered but the macerate did contain a few monosaccate, disaccate striate and disaccate non-striate pollen. The pollen, though not well-preserved yet are identifiable up to generic level. The genera include Cordaitina, Potonieisporites, Densipollenites, Striomonosaccites, Scheuringipollenites, Cedripites, Protohaploxypinus, Striatites, Lahirites, Gondwanipollenites, Rhizomaspora, Schizopollis, etc. The composition of the palynofloral, and in particular the presence of Schizopollis, suggests that the Dunpathri Member may be equivalent of the basal part of the Barakar Formation. Except for the presence of the genus Cordaitina, this palynofloral has a typical Gondwanan aspect.
Triassic plants and Pangea
Authors: Dobruskina Ilyina
Published: September 2022

Comparison between conclusions of Palaeobotany and plate tectonics covering the position of Mesozoic continents shows some disagreements. Existing palaeomagnetic reconstructions differ from one another as well as from the picture received on the basis of Palaeobotany. Various palaeomagnetic reconstructions for the Permian and Triassic differ from one another in showing less or more compact Pangea, different width of Tethys Ocean and in the form of relative position of Cathaysia. There are also contradiction between palaeomagnetic reconstructions and palaeontological data.

Palaeobotanical investigations show that in the end of Palaeozoic there were four first order phytochoria in Eurasia with very different composition of floras which suggest high isolation of these phytochoria. In the beginning of Triassic former isolation of floras of different areas disappeared. The floras of Europe, China and Indochina and also North America became quite similar. At this time a new united Laurasian Kingdom had originated.

Distribution of plants in the Mesozoic Era suggests the existence of united continent- Laurasia. The separation of North America from Laurasia took place after Triassic. Nevertheless, united Eurasia existed from the Triassic till now.

Palaeomagnetic reconstructions for the Mesozoic do not reflect changes in the distribution of plants and animals as we see from Triassic. From this point of view all reconstructions showing isolated plates (similar to Paleozoic ones) in the Mesozoic, instead of united Eurasia and the reconstructions showing isolation of Cathaysia from other Eurasia are doubtful. Similarly, the gradual union of isolated plates to united Eurasia during Mesozoic and Cenozoic also seems doubtful.
Vanishing plant wealth of the Valley of Flowers
Authors: Bamola B.K. , Badoni A.K. , Paliwal G.S.
Published: September 2022

The ‘Valley of Flowers’ –a National Park, is located in the upper reaches of the Bhyunder Ganga in the far interior of the Garhwal Himalaya. This Alpine Valley, reputed for a variety of blooming plant species, is now facing an abrupt peril of losing its charm, owing to human encroachment in various ways. The present article attempts to describe its vegetation from the phyto-sociological point of view alongwith the floristics. It is revealed that some of the species reported from this locality during the past 2-3 decades earlier, have been completely eliminated. The greatest danger which the valley is facing stems from the rapidly increasing population of the pernicious weed Persicaria polystachya, Osmunda claytoniana, a tall fern, is also spreading very fast and in due course will definitely prove yet another hazard. It is alarming to note that ‘Himalayan Blue Poppy’ (Meconopsis aculeata) for which the valley has been so famous, can hardly be seen now. Our list includes 330 plant species encountered in this area, alongwith a separate enumeration of plant species which have become rare. Some suggestions have been offered towards restoring the grandeur of this beautiful abode of Nature.
On Euryphyllum Feistmantel and its epidermal features
Authors: Chandra Shaila , Singh K.J.
Published: September 2022

The leaf form genus Euryphyllum Feistmantel 1879 is known by two species, viz., E. whittianum Feistmantel 1879 E. obovatum Maithy 1970 from the Karharbari bed of Giridih Coalfield, India. Both these species are based on the external morphology only. For the first time epidermal features of this leaf are reported from the Early Permian beds of Talchir Coalfield and a new species– E. maithyi has been established. Besides, three specimens assignable to the type species of the genus E. whittianum are also recorded. All the specimens hitherto described and or transferred under this leaf genus have also been re-examined alongwith its possible affinities and affiliation.
On the first appearance of some gymnospermous pollen and GSDP assemblages in the Sub-Angara, Euramerian and Cathaysia provinces
Authors: Shu Ouyang
Published: September 2022

In this paper the appearance of some gymnospermous pollen and GSPD assemblages in the sub-Angara, Euramerian and Cathaysia provinces has been discussed.