bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of earliest Permian flora of India and its equivalents in other Gondwana continents
Authors: Singh Kamal Jeet , Chandra Anil , Chandra Shaila
Published: September 2022

The Talchir Formation occurs at the base of the Indian Gondwana sequence resting directly on the Precambrian basement and is conformably overlain by the coal bearing Damuda Group. It is a treasure trove of plant fossils and holds clue to the origin and subsequent rise of Glossopteris flora. Mega and palynofossils of the Talchir Formation reported from various basins of peninsular India are reviewed in the light of new researches. A comparative study of homotaxial flora from other Gondwana continents indicates uniformity and similarity in plant types at the generic level. The flora reconfirms an Early Permian age equivalent to Asselian-Sakmarian for the Talchir Formation.
Palynology of Vastan lignite (Surat District), Gujarat: its age, palaeoecology and depositional environment
Authors: Mandal J. , Guleria J.S.
Published: September 2022

The paper deals with the palynological investigation of lignite of Vastan lignite mine, located near Surat in Gujarat, western India. A rich and diverse palynoassemblage comprising 71 genera and 82 species of pollen-spores, algal-fungal remains and dinoflagellate cysts has been recovered for the first time from the mine. The study has added to our knowledge the occurrence of one new genus and four new species of angiospermous pollen. The assemblage is dominated by angiospermous pollen and can be distinguished from contemporaneous assemblages by high frequency of polycolpate taxa and scarcity of pteridophytic spores. The assemblage suggests deposition of Vastan lignite during the early Eocene in deltaic conditions under brackish water influence and depicts prevalence of humid tropical climate.
Sequence evolution in the eastern Chhattisgarh Basin: constraints on correlation and stratigraphic analysis
Authors: Patranabis-Deb Sarbani , Chaudhuri Asru K.
Published: September 2022

The Proterozoic succession in the eastern part of the Mesoproterozoic Chhattisgarh Basin comprises two unconformity-bounded sequences. Sequence I represents the Chhattisgarh Supergroup of earlier workers. It overlies rocks of the basement complex with a profound unconformity. Sequence II unconformably overlies Sequnce I, and represents the closing phase of basin evolution during the early Neoproterozoic time. It is unconformably overlain by rocks of the Gondwana Supergroup.

The Lohardi and Gomarda formations at the lower part of the Chandarpur Group of Sequence I comprise an immature succession of conglomerate, sandstone and shale deposited in fan-delta - pro-delta environments, marked by rapid facies changes, variable rates of sediment influx, and uneven rates of subsidence and creation of accommodation space. The Kansapathar Sandstone in the upper part of the Chandarpur Group, by contrast, comprises a sheet of mature arenite deposited in a macrotidal shelf. The immature assemblage is best developed in the eastern part of the basin, and rapidly thins out towards west, where the Kansapathar arenite directly overlies the basement. The Raipur Group provides an excellent example of cyclic sedimentation of red shale and limestone. It comprises three shale-dominated intervals and two carbonate-dominated intervals, organized into multiple shallowing-up cycles. The lower carbonate succession, the Sarangarh Limestone, developed as a shallow water un-rimmed platform and evolved into a deep water ramp, with an extensive thin sheet of black limestone facies. Stromatolites are conspicuously absent in the Sarangarh Limestone. Small stromatolite bioherms appear in the Gunderdehi Shale which overlies the ramp succession, and abundant growth of stromatolite is noted in the upper carbonate succession which evolved as a rimmed platform. A thick ignimbrite horizon in the Churtela Shale attests to major felsic volcanism and termination of the Sequence at ~1000 Ma.

The Kansapathar Sandstone, the black limestone facies of the Sarangarh Limestone, and the Gunderdehi Shale embedded with small stromatolite bioherms can be used as key marker horizons to overcome the problem of intrabasinal correlation. The marker horizons can be traced from the western part to the eastern part of the basin. The stromatolites in the Gunderdehi Shale and in the Saradih Limestone further provide a biostratigraphic frame, subject to detailed morphologic and microstructural analysis, for possible chronostratigraphic classification.
Importance of palaeobiology in Natural History Museums and modern methods of exhibiting fossils
Authors: Patnaik Rajeev
Published: September 2022

Natural History Museums exhibit remains of both present and past organisms and natural objects so that we can understand their origins, evolution and interrelationships. All over the world, palaeobiology has become an integral part of Natural History Museums. Therefore, in order to understand the present day biodiversity, we need to appreciate the biota of the past. All over the world people throng the museums to see dinosaur fossils. Fossils of extinct apes and humans are regarded as equally exciting. The present paper discusses the various modern ways in which we can make the best use of the available display area in a Natural History Museum, so as to create more interest among the general public and to attract scientific research. Like any other display, fossil exhibits have to be theme based and should attract the attention of a wide range of viewers. Displayed fossils should be thoroughly cleaned and glued wherever needed. At least at one place in the museum, one should recreate the sedimentary sequence and show where and how fossils occur in the field, before they are excavated. Reconstructions of two-dimensional and three-dimensional palaeo-habitat of important fauna and flora is essential to help the general public to visualize the past environmental conditions. A gallery should have moveable display boxes and adjustable lighting system. An interactive computer with a floor plan is of immense help to the visitors. A children corner, with toys, zig-zag puzzles, and video films of various fossil plants and animals creates a lot of curiosity among the kids. A Natural History Museum has to be dynamic, its collections and exhibits have to be upgraded and updated regularly. The fossil collections are priceless as they are non-renewable. We should have a systematic pest management scheme to save fossils, murals and models from getting destroyed.
On the species of Kamthisaccites Srivastava & Jha 1986 and Goubinispora Tiwari & Rana 1981 from the Triassic Succession of India
Authors: Vijiya  , Tripathi Archana
Published: September 2022

Two new species, viz. Kamthisaccites ringus and Goubinispora triassica are described herein from the late Early Triassic strata and their range in Indian Peninsula and spatial distribution in Gondwanaland has been discussed.
Frontiers in Palaeobotany: Plant fossils and their role in predicting future climate change
Authors: Spicer Robert A.
Published: September 2022

Palaeobotany has a long history of providing insights into past climates. As the issue of climate change becomes of global concern it is essential that the predictive capabilities of numerical climate models become more precise, accurate and robust with regard to how fundamental aspects of the Earth system might react to future atmospheric compositions, vegetation and ocean dynamics. The only way of testing model capabilities for conditions that depart from those of the present is to retrodict the past, particularly for times when greenhouse gas loadings were as they are now, and as they are likely to be over the next few centuries. This means successfully modelling pre-Quaternary climates. For model validation over land surfaces the most useful proxies in terms of quantification of a range of climate variables are fossil plants. The characteristics of palaeobotanical climate proxies for “deep time” are reviewed and examined. Both nearest living relative and physiognomic techniques are then applied to the Vilui Basin, Russia which represents an ancient (Late Cretaceous) continental interior where models display an inability to replicate conditions revealed by the proxies, and exhibit an inherent conservatism that is likely to underestimate the degree of future change experienced by such regions.
Tertiary vegetation of Europe and its dynamics and climatic signal-new approaches in botany of the past
Authors: Kvacek Zlatko
Published: September 2022

Using new methodologies for assessment of vegetation patterns and climatic proxies from the fossil plant record, considerable progress has been made in reconstructing paleoclimatic development at certain time intervals of the Neogene of Europe. Geobotanical mapping has employed new classification of zonal vegetation based on Integrated Plant Record (IPR) and developed a new technology to follow vegetation (and palaeoclimate) dynamics over large areas at a particular time slice. Improved paleoclimatic methodologies of the co-existence Approach (CA) and the Climate Leaf Analysis Multivariate Program based on dicot leaf physiognomy (CLAMP) produced climatic proxies that provided additional information on the Neogene climate over Europe. The stomatal density studies proved to be another useful tool for palaeoclimatology. New reconstructions of CO2 concentrations based on several Lauraceae and Ginkgo from the mid- Tertiary of Europe showed a positive correlation between higher levels of atmospheric CO2 (pCO2) and warming trends, expressed particularly in the Lower-Middle Miocene (“Miocene Climatic Optimum”).
A new microsieving technique in pollen analysis
Authors: Stephen A. , Anupama K. , Orukaimani G. , Prasad S.
Published: September 2022

A new procedure has been added to the standard pollen preparation protocols to address the issue of microdebris and clay removal to facilitate easier and better microscopic observation and counting. This procedure consists primarily of a technique that uses a 5 µm membrane filter under water pressure to filter out particles < 5 µm and concentrate polliniferous material from core sediments and surface samples. The procedure includes a brief (optional) ultrasound pre-treatment followed by filtration using a membrane microsieve, the innovation highlighted herein. This technique is observed to be efficient in palynomorph retrieval from different kinds of sediment samples - the quantitative efficiency being superior to that of the conventional procedure and comparing favourably with ultrasonic microfiltration. The paper describes the new method, discusses its advantages and provides an illustrative, quantitative and qualitative comparison with the usual method (without microsieving) and recommends its widespread adoption in quantitative palynological studies.
Upper Pennsylvanian lycopsids from interglacial taphoflora of Itararé Group, NE, Paraná Basin, Brazil
Authors: Mune Sandra Eiko , Bernardes-de-Oliveira Mary E.C. , Tewari Rajni
Published: September 2022

The Pennsylvanian strata of the Itararé Group are present on the northeastern border of the Paraná Basin, i.e. northern part of Paraná State towards north of São Paulo. The Pennsylvanian lycopods of the Itararé Group are represented by diverse megafossils, megaspores and microspores. The present study deals with the lycopsid megafossils from the third interglacial level of the paleofloristic succession of the Itararé Group in the northeastern border of the Paraná Basin, i.e. Paranocladus-Ginkgophyllum-Brasilodendron association (PGB as.) recovered from its type locality Volpe ranch, in Monte Mor municipality, SP. The megafossils belong to the taxa Bumbudendron millani, Bumbudendron cf. B. paganzianum, Brasilodendron pedroanum, Brasilodendron sp., Leptophloeum cf. L. sanctae-helenae, and Cyclodendron sp. The diversity and abundance of the megafossils (sometimes forming coal beds in a glacial context) indicates climatic ameliorations of an interglacial phase of the “time Itararé”. They represent pale oecological hydrohygrophyllous communities of a fluviatile-lacustrine depositional environment. The biostratigraphical distribution of these taxa and their association with Paranocladus, Ginkgophyllum and Buriadia suggests a paleofloristic correlation with the Krauselcladus - Asterotheca Phytozone of northwestern Argentinean paleofloristic zonation. The lycophytic megaspores recorded earlier from this level suggest a diachronic correlation with the Permian Talchir and Karharbari associations of Indian Gondwanan flora. Comparison with late Paleozoic lycopsids and associated megaspores of Argentina and India are in consonance with the modern studies aiming to achieve knowledge of Gondwana biostratigraphy in a wider perspective.
New evidence of plant-insect interactions in the Lower Permian from Western Gondwana
Authors: Pinheiro E.R.S. , Tybusch G.P. , Iannuzzi Roberto
Published: September 2022

A new record of insect damages-containing glossopterid leaves is recovered from the Rio da Estiva outcrop, Itaiópolis country, northernmost Santa Catarina State, southern Brazil. The plant fossil-bearing strata are situated, stratigraphically, from the basal to middle part of the Rio Bonito Formation, a unit of the Lower Permian sequence of the Paraná Basin. This plant assemblage is characterized as “pure Glossopteris Flora”, and contains remains of glossopterid leaves (Glossopteris spp. and Gangamopteris sp.), seeds (Samaropsis sp. and Cordaicarpus sp.) and fructification (Ottokaria sp.). We analyzed 102 samples, of which only ten showed evidence of insect damages. Three types of leaf feeding traces are observed: leaf margin feeding traces, hole feeding traces and trench feeding traces. The damages occurred in leaves of Glossopteris sp., Glossopteris communis, Glossopteris occidentalis and Gangamopteris obovata. The evidence of consumption of foliar tissues indicated that glossopterids hosted a functional feeding group of predominantly chewing and sucking type of insects. The differences found in the patterns and frequencies of consumption in different localities of equivalent ages suggested that herbivory was more intensive in some plant communities than in others. Besides this, the present study expanded geographically the distribution of records of plant-insect interactions in “Glossopteris flora” through the central portion of the eastern rim of Paraná Basin.
Cheirophyllum maithyi sp. nov. from the Early Permian of Pench Valley Coalfield, Satpura Gondwana Basin, India
Authors: Pillai S. Suresh Kumar
Published: September 2022

A new species of the genus Cheirophyllum, viz. C. maithyi is described from the Pench East Incline underground project, Pench Valley Coalfield, Satpura Gondwana Basin, Madhya Pradesh. The species is characterized by absence of apical lobes, obtuse apex and ridges and furrows on lamina. Ridges show a number of thin veins.
Palynomorphs of Gondwanic affinities in the Oligo-Miocene sediments of Kargil Molasse Group, Ladakh, India
Authors: Kumar Madhav , Ghosh Amit K. , Ram-Awatar  , Mehrotra R.C.
Published: September 2022

The Kargil Molasse Group of northwest Ladakh Himalaya is divided into Kargil, Tharumsa and Pashkyum formations, composed mainly of sandstone, mudstone, siliceous clay and grey to dark brown carbonaceous shale. Plant fossils recorded in these sequences are represented by angiosperm leaf impressions, pteridophytic spores, gymnosperm and angiosperm pollen grains, algal and fungal remains and gyrogonites of charophytes. The present study deals with reworked palynoflora of Gondwanic affinity of late Permian (Tatarian) and early Triassic (Scythian) age embodied in the l ate Cenozoic sediments of Tharumsa Formation of northwest Himalaya. The occurrence of reworked palynomorphs in the younger sediments is very significant. It can be interpreted that Palaeozoic and Mesozoic Tethyan sediments, deposited along the northern margin of Indian Plate, were transported and eroded and eventually got accumulated in the Tharumsa Formation during the process of orogenesis in this region.
Melissopalynological studies of western part of Almora District, Uttarakhand
Authors: Dixit Swati , Basumatary S.K. , Singh H. , Bera S.K.
Published: September 2022

The study of pollen contents has been carried out from the honey samples procured from the western zone of Almora District, Uttarakhand. A total of ten honey samples were collected of which four were unifloral and two bifloral. Sapindus rarak, Brassica campestris, Salmalia malabaricum, Caesalpinia pulcherrima, Coriandrum sativum, Syzygium cumini and Mimosa pudica are the dominant pollen types observed in the samples. Besides, the other reliable nectar sources were also identified from the study area. The numerous pollen types and their diversity showed that bees travel considerable distance for collecting nectar for honey production.
Palynological record from Chhasra Formation (Early Miocene), Eastern Kutch, Gujarat
Authors: Verma Poonam , Mandal Nivedita , Thakkar Mahesh G. , Rao M.R. , Bajpai Sunil
Published: September 2022

A moderately diverse palynoflora consisting of angiospermous pollen and pteridophytic spores has been recorded from poorly known Chhasra Formation (Early Miocene) exposed in a section near Palasawa in eastern Kutch, Gujarat, western India. Dinoflagellate cysts are absent in the section, whereas the fresh water Centropyxis, a testate amoeba, is recorded. Among the important genera recovered are: Hammenisporis, Khariasporites, Acanthotricolpites, Spinizonocolpites, Spinomonocolpites, Retitrescolpites, Meliapollis, Ctenolophonidites, Palaeomalvaceaepollis, Graminidites and Ericipites. Preliminary qualitative and quantitative assessment reveals the dominance of angiospermous pollen grains over pteridophytic spores, and an overall warm and humid coastal climate with tropical rain forest in a lowland coastal setting. Ongoing work in this newly identified section may reveal greater insights into diversity and significance of the Chhasra palynoflora.
The genus Euryphyllum Feistmantel revisited-Occurrence and diversity in Indian Gondwana
Authors: Saxena Anju , Singh Kamal Jeet , Goswami Shreerup
Published: September 2022

Two species of the genus Euryphyllum, viz. E. whittianum and E. elongatum are described from the Barakar Formation (late Early Permian / late Artinskian to Kungurian) of the Gevra colliery located in the Korba Coalfield, Son-Mahanadi Basin, central India. The paper incorporates the previous and recently published Indian records on Euryphyllum concerning morphology, cuticular studies and the affinities. The critical investigations of the holotype and the duplicate specimens of various species of Euryphyllum demonstrate that asymmetry of the leaves that used to be an important character for generic delineation, could not be considered as a distinguishing feature for this genus. The abundance of papillae in the epidermal cells in E. maithyi reported from the Karharbari Formation, their marked decrease in E. whittianum in the Barakar Formation and their complete absence in the species of the Raniganj Formation, namely E. nautiyalii can be related with variable climatic conditions. These observations further strengthen the viewpoint that climate was cool and dry during Early Permian which changed to warm and humid during Late Permian. The study also advocates independent generic status of Euryphyllum among akin genera, such as Noeggerathiopsis and Rubidgea based on regularity in the arching pattern in the lateral veins.
Plant diversity in the Kamthi Formation of India: A Review
Authors: Joshi Arun , Tewari Rajni , Agnihotri Deepa
Published: September 2022

Plant megafossils recorded from the Kamthi Formation of India have been assessed in the present communication. The formation is mainly exposed in the Mahanadi, Godavari and Wardha basins and has been critically analysed on the basis of its megafloral and palynological contents, and the lithological aspects by earlier workers who variously assigned its age as late Permian, early and late Triassic. An endeavour has been made here to compile all the known plant fossil records from the Kamthi Formation for better understanding of its floral and biostratigraphical significance. Known records of the plant megafossils from the Kamthi Formation reveal dominance of the Glossopteris flora and paucity of the Dicroidium floral elements suggesting a transition between late Permian and early Triassic.
Modern pollen rain deposition pattern in Lashoda Tal, Raebareli District, Uttar Pradesh, India
Authors: Trivedi Anjali , Saxena Anju , Chauhan M.S.
Published: September 2022

The pollen analysis of 10 surface samples from Lashoda Tal (Lake) surroundings, Raebareli District, Uttar Pradesh deals with the pollen rain-vegetation relationship. The investigation reveals the dominance of non-arboreals and relatively low frequencies of arboreals. Acacia nilotica (av.10%), Holoptelea integrifolia (av. 3.9%), Syzygium cumini (av. 2.2%) and Madhuca indica (av. 1.7%) are the major components among the trees, representing av. 18.8% pollen. The rest of the trees, viz. Prosopis juliflora, Terminalia sp., Moringa oleifera, Shorea robusta, etc. which occur commonly are meagre. The under-representation of all these taxa could be inferred to their low pollen production owing entomophilly as well as selective preservation of pollen in the sediments. In all, the trees constitute av. 24.2% fraction of the pollen rain. The representation of grasses, sedges, Cheno/Am, Caryophyllaceae, Brassicaceae, Asteraceae, etc. in the pollen rain substantiates their actual composition in the ground flora, constituting the chunk of av. 71.4%. The frequent encounter of Cerealia and culture pollen taxa depicts the proximity of cultivated land. The study also furnishes information concerning the prominent pollen/spores in the local milieu, which get deposited on the ground along with rains/dews. Their relative abundance assists in ascertaining the specific common pollen/spores in the aerospora relevant to allergic diseases.
Basic reproductive strategies of Glossopterids: supraidioadaptive divergence from the viewpoint of a non-Gondwana Palaeobotanist
Authors: Naugolnykh Serge V.
Published: September 2022

The paper deals with two main tendencies in the reproductive adaptations of the glossopterids (order Glossopteridales Pant, 1982, class Glossopteridopsida Banerjee, 1984). The life conditions in densely inhabited communities compelled the glossopterids to use two considerably different reproductive strategies. The glossopterids with the ovuliferous reproductive organs similar to Scutum Plumstead, i.e the large number of closely related genera, such as Bifariala Prevec et al., Dictyopteridium Feistmantel ex Zeiller, Hirsutum Plumstead, Homevaleia Nishida et al., Lanceolatus Plumstead, Ottokaria Zeiller emend. Pant & Nautiyal, Pluma Plumstead, Plumsteadia (= Cystella) Rigby, Plumsteadiostrobus Chandra & Surange, Venustostrobus Chandra & Surange, etc, were barochorous and produced very many small unwinged seeds. The seeds of that type of glossopterid fructifications fell down due to gravitation nearby the parent plant, after they detached from the reproductive organ. The chance for successful germination was minimal for these plants because of high density of plant population, and it was compensated by large amount of the produced seeds. The plants with the female reproductive organs of the genus Partha Surange & Chandra and similar genera Denkania Surange & Chandra, Lidgettonia Thomas, Rusangea Lacey et al. produced small numbers of relatively large seeds with well–developed wings. These plants were anemochorous. Their seeds were dispersed by wind over long distances, far away from the parent plant, and because of this the chance for successful germination of those plants was much higher. The direct result of this was the reduction of seed numbers on the fructifications of the second type.

Such diversification of reproductive strategies expressed in different styles of propagate dissemination (i.e. type of seed dispersal) was characteristic of glossopterids in all the Gondwana regions. This process agrees well with the concept of supraidioadaptive effects proposed by the present author.
A new occurrence of silicified wood from the Early Cretaceous (Berriasian) Kagbeni Formation of north central Nepal
Authors: Paudayal Khum , Paudel Lalu , Uhl Dieter
Published: September 2022

During recent fieldwork a second occurrence of silicified wood has been discovered from the Early Cretaceous Kagbeni Formation of north central Nepal. The wood exhibits anatomical features which are well in accordance with Araucarioxylon nepalense described from another locality in the Kagbeni Formation near Kagbeni in the Thakkhola Valley in central Nepal. It is a pycnoxylic wood with mostly uniseriate and rarely biseriate bordered pits on radial tracheid walls. According to recent taxonomic opinions this type of wood should not be treated as Araucarioxylon, but as Agathoxylon Hartig. Thus, we propose the name Agathoxylon nepalense comb. nov. for this type of wood. The sandstones of the Kagbeni Formation have been interpreted as delta–deposits, with a major flow direction from the south. This suggests that the wood originated from the northern margin of Gondwana (i.e. the Indian Plate).
Macrofloral assemblage from the Early Permian Barakar Formation of Singrauli Coalfield, Son-Mahanadi Basin, India
Authors: Saxena Anju , Singh Kamal Jeet , Shabbar Husain , Prakash Anand
Published: September 2022

A well preserved macroflora belonging to early Permian (Artinskian) Lower Barakar Formation has been reported for the first time from the Bina Colliery in Singrauli Coalfield, Son–Mahanadi Basin. The floral assemblage mostly represented by leaves belong to two orders Glossopteridales and Cordaitales and three genera, namely Gangamopteris, Glossopteris and cf. Noeggerathiopsis. Many ill–preserved impressions representing scale leaves, seeds, fertile structures, branching axes/roots and stem casts have also been found in this assemblage. The macroflora is completely devoid of the groups Lycopodiales, Sphenophyllales, Filicales, Pinales, Ginkgoales, Equisetales and Cycadales. Their absence signifies that vegetated area might not be adequately cool and humid to facilitate the growth of these shade loving plants.
Reworked Permian palynofossils from Bhuban Formation (Early Miocene) of Tripura, India
Authors: Mandaokar B.D. , Kar Ratan
Published: September 2022

Palynological investigations were carried out from the sediments of Bhuban Formation, Amarpur area, located on the southern part of Tripura. The assemblage consists of a large number of marker pollen/spores of Miocene age, comprising pteridophytic spores, angiosperm and gymnosperm pollen and fungal remains. Besides these, an abundance of reworked Permian palynomorphs of Gondwanan affinity have been recorded which include Acanthotriletes, Jayantisporites, Barakarites, Parasaccites, Plicatipollenites, Densipollenites, Scheuringipollenites, Faunipollenites, Alisporites, Primuspollenites, Klausipollenites, etc. The recovered palynoassemblage is dominated by Parasaccites and subdominated by Plicatipollenites. From bottom to top, the monosaccates appear to decline and the striate and non–striate disaccates become dominant. The Gondwana sediments were eroded, transported and redeposited within the Miocene sediments in a shallow sea adjacent to a densely vegetated land mass. The implications of the reworked Permian palynofossils in the Miocene sediments of Tripura has been discussed.
Dipterocarpaceous macrofossils from Churia Group of Arjun Khola area, western Nepal and their phytogeographical and palaeoclimatical implications
Authors: Prasad M. , Gautam Somlata
Published: September 2022

Investigation of plant megafossils collected from Churia Group of western Nepal revealed the presence of fossil wood, leaves and a fruit of a phytogeographically important genus, Dipterocarpus Gaertn. f. of the family Dipterocarpaceae. These have been described under the form species, Dipterocarpoxylon siwalicus Prakash, Dipterocarpus suraikholaensis Prasad and Pandey, and three new species namely Dipterocarpus nepalensis n. sp., D. miocenicus and D. churiensis. The analysis of present day distribution of extant species of Dipterocarpus comparable to the fossil remains indicates that they do not grow in the sub–himalayan zone of India and Nepal; instead they are presently distributed in the evergreen forests of South–east Asian region (Myanmar, Malaya, Java, Borneo, etc.). This suggests that after rise of Himalaya, drier conditions prevailed so that such species could no longer survive there. Based on the present and past distribution of the comparable extant species of Dipterocarpus, the phytogeography as well as migration of this genus has been discussed. The finding of dipterocarps in the Siwalik sediments of Himalayan foot hills of Nepal suggests that they have migrated from the South–east Asian region during early Miocene and later on became locally extinct due to prevailing of unfavourable condition. An attempt has also been made to categorize the already known species of Dipterocarpoxylon having almost similar anatomical features.
Late Permian palynomorphs from the West Bokaro Coalfield, Damodar Basin, Jharkhand, India
Authors: Murthy Srikanta
Published: September 2022

Palynological studies were carried out for samples collected from the Bokaro River section near Danea area from West Bokaro Coalfield, Damodar Basin. The recovered palynomorphs are characterized by the dominance of monosaccate pollen mainly Densipollenites (D. magnicorpus, D. invisus, D. indicus and D. densus) and subdominance of Faunipollenites spp.–Striatopodocarpites spp. complex. The other stratigraphically significant taxa recorded from this section are Guttulapollenites hannonicus, Crescentipollenites fuscus, Arcuatipollenites (A. pellucidus, A. ovatus and A. damudicus), Alisporites asansolensis, Verticipollenites gibbosus, Striatites rhombicus, Platysaccus densicorpus, Chordasporites sp., Parasaccites (P. perfectus and P. densicorpus) and Horriditriletes sp. On the basis of the total palynocomposition, the studied section has been dated as late Permian in age. This age correlation also gets support from comparative studies with similar palynoassemblages known from other coalfields of Indian Gondwana basins such as Damodar, Satpura, Son–Mahanadi, Rajmahal and Wardha–Godavari basins. The dominance of Cordaites and subdominance of conifers of Glossopterids suggests that the deposition of the sedimentary sequences took under freshwater environment.
Palynostratigraphy and palaeoenvironment of the Permian sediments in Mand Coalfield, Mahanadi Basin, Chhattisgarh, India
Authors: Gautam Saurabh , Das Madhumita , Behera Bhaskar
Published: September 2022

Palynological investigation of 483.00 m deep subsurface Permian sediments of borehole MSK–1, in Sithra–Kurekela Block of Mand Coalfield, revealed four distinct palynoassemblage zones. These palynoassemblages belong to Lower and Upper Barakar (Early Permian), Barren Measures and Raniganj (Late Permian) palynofloras of Indian Gondwana. The oldest Palynoassemblage–I, (Scheuringipollenites barakarensis) recorded between 483.60–309.00 m depths, shows dominance of non–striate bisaccate pollen grains chiefly ― Scheuringipollenites followed by Faunipollenites in association with Indotriradites, Dentatispora, Verrucosispora and Microbaculispora related to Lower Barakar palynoflora. Palynoassemblage–II, (Faunipollenites varius) recorded between 303.40–139.40 m depths, showing the dominance of Faunipollenitesin association with Scheuringipollenites, Striatopodocarpites, Brevitriletes, Horriditriletes and Striamonosaccites, indicates Upper Barakar palynoflora. Palynoassemblage–III, (Densipollenites indicus) recorded between 135.55 to 92.50 m depths, showing the prominence of enveloping monosaccate pollen (Densipollenites) in association with Faunipollenites, Microfoveolatispora, Striatopodocarpites and Verticipollenites, indicates Barren Measures palynoflora. Palynoassemblage–IV, (Densipollenites magnicorpus) recorded between 90.90–27.00 m depths, is characterized by the dominance of striate bisaccate pollen taxa chiefly Striatopodocarpites and Faunipollenites along with Densipollenites, Navalesporites, Distriatites, Hamiapollenites, Crescentipollenites and Guttulapollenites indicating late Permian (Raniganj) age. Raniganj palynoflora has been demarcated in lithologically designated Barren Measures Formation. This is the first report of Late Permian (Raniganj) palynoflora from Sithra–Kurekela area of this coalfield. The age correlation also gets support from comparative studies with similar palynoassemblages known from Indian Gondwana. Palynofloral evidences indicate the prevalence of warm and humid conditions. Dominance of gymnosperms represented by glossopterids, conifers and cordaites along with low percentage of trilete spores (filicopsids and sphenopsids) suggests that the sediments were deposited under fresh to brackish water environment.
River flow reconstruction of the Lohit River Basin, North-east India based on tree-rings of Pinus merkusii (Merkus pine)
Authors: Shah Santosh K. , Singh Rohini , Mehrotra Nivedita , Thomte Lamgisang
Published: September 2022

Dendrochronological analysis of Pinus merkusii (Merkus pine) collected from Mishmi Hills, Arunachal Pradesh, North–east India shows its potential to provide continuous and long–term information about changes in river flow of Lohit River Basin (LRB). A 170 years (1830–1999 C.E.) long regional tree-ring width chronology of Merkus pine was prepared using 80 tree cores. Based on the correlation analysis between tree-ring chronology and river discharge data, the river flow was reconstructed for the month of May from 1846 to 1999 C.E. The reconstruction showed long term low and high flow periods along with extreme drought and pluvial years. Past river flow reconstruction for hydro–climatic variability in this southwest monsoon-dominated region of North–east India requires further notice. Longer tree–ring records along with wider spatio-temporal network of discharge data from Arunachal Pradesh will help to develop better records of river flow reconstructions of the region.
Palaeovegetation and climatic variations in the Parvati Valley, Himachal Pradesh, India since last deglaciation
Authors: Trivedi Anjali , Chauhan M.S. , Sharma Anupam
Published: September 2022

Pollen proxy records from 1.2 m deep sediment profile from Tundabhuj, Parvati Valley (H.P.) reveals that between 15,260 and 13,280 yr BP, the sub–alpine belt supported alpine–scrub vegetation dominated by Betula and thermophillous broad–leaved allies viz. Quercus, Corylus and Carpinus, interspersed with meadows comprising grasses, Asteraceae, Impatiens, etc. under a warm and moderately moist climate. The dry scrubby element, Juniperus occurred in restricted pockets on the sunny mountain slopes. The frequent record of conifers such as Pinus cf. wallichiana, Cedrus, Abies and Picea implies the proximity of the temperate belt to the study site. Around 13,280 to 7,340 yr BP, the considerable expansion of Betula and broad–leaved allies and a simultaneous reduction in Juniperus elucidate the replacement of alpine scrub forests by temperate Betula–broad–leaved forest in response to onset of a relatively warm and more–moist climate. This change occurred by the upward shift of the timber line as reflected by the improvement in the conifers. The climate deteriorated and turned cold and dry around 7,340 to 5,030 yr BP as manifested by the abrupt reduction in the alpine–scrub vegetation and meadow constituents. Subsequently, between 5,030 and 2,000 yr BP this region witnessed a warm and moist climate again as evidenced from moderate expansion in the alpine–scrubs and conifers. Since 2,000 yr BP onwards deterioration in climate is demonstrated by the depletion in Betula and broad–leaved associates and substantial increase in Juniperus and Ephedra.
Cretaceous mammals of India–Stratigraphic distribution, diversity and intercontinental affinities
Authors: V.R. Prasad Guntupalli , Verma Omkar , Sahni Ashok , Khosla Ashu
Published: September 2022

Extensive research carried out on the Cretaceous deposits of Laurasia has revealed an overwhelming presence of eutherian, metatherian and multituberculate groups of mammals in the Cretaceous ecosystems of Northern Hemisphere continents. In contrast, the relatively poorly documented fossil record of Cretaceous mammals from Gondwanan continents is represented by gondwanatherians, dryolestoids, and a few multituberculates and haramiyidans. Until now, no undoubted eutherian mammals have been reported from the Cretaceous strata of the southern continents except for India. In this context, Indian Cretaceous mammals assume great significance for understanding the origin and evolution of these mammals in Gondwana. Currently, the Cretaceous mammals of India include three groups, viz., eutherians, gondwanatherians, and haramiyidans. These three mammalian groups were recovered primarily from the Upper Cretaceous Deccan infra–and inter–trappean beds of peninsular India exposed near Bacharam, Naskal and Rangapur (Telengana), Upparhatti (Karnataka) and Kisalpuri (Madhya Pradesh) villages. Eutheria is by far the most diverse clade comprising three named genera (Deccanolestes, Sahnitherium, Kharmerungulatum) and one unnamed taxon (Eutheria incertae sedis). The gondwanatherians are known by Bharattherium bonapartei and Sudamericidae gen. et sp. indet. The third mammalian group, a possible haramiyidan, is represented by a solitary species Avashishta bacharamensis. Overall, the Cretaceous mammal fauna of India presents a complex biogeographic history with eutherians of Laurasian affinity, pan–Gondwanan gondwanatherians and a possible late surviving haramiyidan. Numerically abundant and speciose Deccanolestes, identified as an adapisoriculid, has been interpreted to have had originated in northward drifting Indian Plate in the Late Cretaceous and dispersed out of India into Africa and Europe over island arc systems (Oman–Kohistan–Dras) and the Ladakh magmatic arc at or near the Cretaceous–Paleogene boundary. A similar dispersal mode has also been visualized for Kharmerungulatum and Eutheria incertae sedis of Laurasian affinities. The close similarity of dental morphology between Madagascan and Indian gondwanatherians attests to the fact that these taxa derived from a common endemic Gondwanan stock had evolved in isolation following the separation of Indo–Madagascar from other Gondwanan continents. Avashishta represents a late Gondwana survivor of a group that had a Pangaean distribution until the Early Cretaceous.
Palaeoflood hydrology of the fluvial continental records of western India: A synthesis
Authors: Chamyal L.S. , Sridhar Alpa
Published: September 2022

Palaeoflood hydrology has emerged as an important tool to infer quantitative and qualitative aspects of ungauged floods based on their physical evidence. Palaeoflood studies in India have largely been undertaken in the rivers of Peninsular India, western India, Ganga plains and the Himalayas to determine the magnitude and age of extreme floods and their connection to variations in the monsoon intensity. Usually, the alluvial domains are unfavourable for the occurrence and preservation of flood deposits and related discharge estimation. However, the alluvial rivers of western India owing to their semi–confined banks comprising late Pleistocene sediments provide an opportunity for investigating both, the high magnitude flood events as well as average flow conditions. In this synthesis we concisely review the recent palaeohydrological studies in western India in terms of flood magnitude, occurrence of extreme events and its relation to the southwest monsoon variability over various time scales. Based on palaeo–fluvial reconstructions, the sedimentation pattern during late Pleistocene appears to be related to changes in channel gradient and the water surface width rather than to discharge variability. On the other hand, the aggradation in channels during early Holocene was largely controlled by the huge sediment influx and the incision that followed was in response to the increase in the discharge and competence of the river flow. The slackwater records from the bedrock channels have revealed that the large magnitude flood events occurred during wet climate phases during the last two millennia. A clustering of high magnitude events at climatic transitions and arid periods during mid–late Holocene has been surmised. Further the flood associated deposits delimited within Quaternary fluvial landforms and channel morphology are vital as these allow quantification of past flood discharges, velocities and stage levels and thus improve the future flood predictions.
3rd Paleoanthropology Field Workshop Narmadapuram, Madhya Pradesh, India
Authors: R. Chauhan Parth , Sukumaran Prabhin
Published: September 2022

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Perception of climate change from the Himalayan ‘cold desert’ Ladakh, India
Authors: Ali Sheikh Nawaz , Singh Rupendra , Morthekai P. , Sharma Anupam , Phartiyal Binita , Quamar M. Firoze , Kumar Rajesh , Arora Prachita
Published: September 2022

Climate change perception survey is a method designed to gain insights on people’s perspectives of the changing climate and recognizing important factors, complexities, and limitations towards a climate-conscious conduct. Such surveys are particularly important in ecologically sensitive transitional climatic zones but logistically difficult terrains, where meteorological data is scarce and minor changes in climatic parameters can have unanticipated consequences for the local ecosystem. The current research is focused on one of such climate-sensitive areas, in the northwestern Himalaya. A binary question-based survey (interview) was conducted in the high-altitude, cold desert region – Ladakh, which covered all the five subdivisions of the union territory. According to the climate perception data, the majority of respondents are aware of climate change or global warming regardless of age, gender, and background. The exponential growth in tourist inflow over the last two decades (attributed to ‘war tourism’) equates with the increasing number of vehicles and is well perceived by the locals. Approximately 86 percent of respondents believe that humans have had a negative impact on the environment. They appear to be quite optimistic about curbing the effects of climate change, with approximately 91 percent willing to participate in mitigation efforts. The results of this study show an overall agreement between people’s perceptions of climate change and the scientific evidence of these changes. These findings are eventually intended to serve as an important parameter in developing adaptation and mitigation strategies in this ecologically sensitive and vulnerable region.
Depositional environments in the White Nile Valley during the last 300,000 years
Authors: Williams Martin A.J. , Snow Michael R. , Self Peter G. , Raven Mark D. , Cowan E. Jun
Published: September 2022

Before regulation, the White Nile contributed 83% of the low water flow to the main Nile and was responsible for maintaining the Nile as a perennial river during times of drought in Ethiopia. Two key unresolved questions relating to the White Nile are:
       (a) When did the White Nile first join the main Nile?
       (b) What type of sediment did the White Nile contribute to the main Nile?
The answer to the first question has important implications for our understanding of hydro–climatic and tectonic events in the Ugandan Lake Plateau. The answer to the second question is essential for correctly interpreting the sedimentary record preserved in the Nile deep sea fan in the eastern Mediterranean. Our work has shown for the first time that the White Nile has been transporting smectite–rich sediments from the time of its probable inception over 240 ka ago and possibly since about 400 ka. Our analysis of the heavy mineral assemblages in White Nile alluvial sediments provides strong support for a source in the Lake Plateau region of Uganda. The White Nile was flowing from Uganda by at least 240 ka and very likely from about 400 ka.
Early specialist orthotic interventions for the lower limb in adult stroke patients: a systematic literature review
Authors: Golding-Day Miriam , Prince Nicholas , Thomas Shirley , Horne Jane , Thomas Liz , Walker Marion
Published: September 2022

Background Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability worldwide, estimated to affect up to 50% of stroke survivors. Many stroke survivors use orthotic splints and braces to help address difficulties with mobility and gait dysfunction both early after the stroke event and longer-term.
Objectives The aim of this systematic review was to identify, synthesise and appraise the evidence on early orthotic involvement for the lower limb following stroke.
Study design Systematic literature review
Methods We conducted a systematic search of electronic databases including: AMED (1985 to present; CINAHL (1982 to present); EMBASE (1980 to present); MEDLINE (1949 to present); PsycINFO (1967 to present). The search took place on 18/10/2019. Included studies evaluated an early orthotic intervention designed to either promote mobility or reduce secondary complications after stroke. Articles were screened for inclusion by two independent reviewers.
Results This review included six articles from one research group in the Netherlands. Methodological quality was considered good in each of the included studies. Limitations include small sample size, restricted descriptions of the intervention and short-term follow-ups.
Conclusion This systematic review suggests that earlier lower limb orthotic interventions can result in improved walking speed and balance, and enhanced ability to perform activities of daily living in the early weeks post-stroke. Future research would benefit from considering wider orthotic and orthotist intervention with larger sample sizes and longer-term outcomes.
Surgical management of the tailor’s bunion deformity: A minimally invasive biplanar corrective approach
Authors: Lapolla James , Cartman Joelaki , Cameron John
Published: September 2022

The tailor's bunion deformity can be very debilitating for patients considering surgical intervention. Here we describe a minimally invasive surgical approach to correcting this deformity utilizing a new intramedullary fixation system within the fifth metatarsal. We are pleased to describe that this implant offers an immense amount of inherent stability and allows for translation of the fifth metatarsal head both dorsally and medially to account for abnormal plantar and/or lateral pressure secondary to the deformity.