bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dominant gymnosperms of the Glossopteris flora
Authors: Pant D.D.
Published: September 2022

The paper presents, new ideas about the Lower Gondwana forests which the author believes were dominated by deciduous gymnospermous trees of Glossopteris and its allied genera. It is suggested that the larger trees of glossopterids may have been 30 to 40 m or more in height and below them grew shorter trees and shrubs of Glossopteris and its allies. The large size of glossopterid trees is suggested by that of tree trunks assigned to Dadoxylon sp. from the Raniganj Stage where Glossopteris is the commonest fossil and the genus Noeggerathiopsis, to which they had been assigned earlier, is a rarity. Such trees could have been supported by horizontally spreading axes or roots at the base of the trunks as suggested by fossil axes or roots around missing trunks reported from the bed of Vaal River in South Africa which too had been assigned to Noeggerathiopsis.

The deciduous glossopterid trees are compared with those of modern Ginkgo biloba. It is suggested that the gradate series of glossopterid leaves with Glossopteris having a midrib and anastomosing laterals at one end of the series followed by leaves of Gangamopteris with anastomosing laterals and no midrib. Rhabdotaenia with a midrib and dichotomising non-anastomosing laterals. Palaeovittaria with a midrib in the lower half and non-anastomosing spreading laterals, in the distal part. Rubidgea without a midrib and spreading arched laterals and Noeggerathiopsis with dichotomising spreading straight veins at the other end may form a series of leaves which may be related to each other. It is considered that Noeggerathiopsis may not be a cordaite.

The morphological nature of the fertiligers of glossopterids are discussed and compared with certain abnormal peduncles of Ginkgo biloba and it is pointed out that 10 per cent of the leaves of this genus show anastomoses and this genus may be allied to Glossopteris. In addition, indubitable evidence in support of the in situ or autochthonous mode of formation of Lower Gondwana coal is also discussed.
On the genera Pantophyllum, Euryphyllum & Kawizophyllum from Karanpura and Bokaro coalfields, India
Authors: Singh Shiv Mohan
Published: September 2022

The paper contains description or a new species or Pantophyllum (P. gidiensis sp. nov.) and further investigations made on a species or Euryphyllum (E. whittianum). The cuticle of Euryphyllum whittianum is a new contribution. Besides, paper also includes two species or genus Kawizophyllum viz. K. dunpathriensis sp. nov. and K. barakarensis sp. nov. Kawizophyllum is a characteristic fossil or Dunpathri Member of the Mamal Formation in Kashmir but now round in South Karanpura Coalfield constitute only record from the peninsula.
Palynostratigraphy and age of the Bhavnagar Lignite, Gujarat, India
Authors: Samant Bandana
Published: September 2022

A good frequency of pollen and spore taxa are recovered during the palynological study of the Bhavnagar Lignite of Gujarat. Pollen assemblage consist of 66 genera and 85 species. Of these, eight genera and 12 species are of pteridophytic spores, one genus of gymnosperms and 57 genera and 74 species of angiosperms. Amongst these, one genus and nine species are described as new. On the basis of abundance, the Bhavnagar palynoassemblage is divided into two cenozones in ascending order as Triplanosporites sinuous Cenozone and Arengapollenites achinatus Cenozone. Palynoflora suggests deposition of this lignite during Early Eocene period under warm humid tropical climatic conditions.
Petrography, genesis and deposition of tertiary coals from Northeastern India
Authors: Misra Basant K.
Published: September 2022

The coalfields of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Nagaland are disposed along a linear belt of overthrusts where the coal-bearing Oligocene (Tikak Parbat Formation, Barail Group) strata are folded and dispersed into a number of thrust slices. Whereas, in Garo, Khasi and Jaintia hills of Meghalaya the coal seams are associated with an almost undisturbed and sub-horizontal Late Palaeocene Sylhet/Tura formations of Jaintia Group.

The coals are bright, non-banded, vitrinite-rich and have moderate to low amounts of liptinite and inertinite macerals. Pyrite and calcite are the dominant associated minerals, besides generally low proportions of clay and quartz. The coals have moderate to very high amounts of fluorescing macerals consisting chiefly of perhydrous vitrinite. liptodetrinite and resinite. Macerals, cutinite, sporinite, suberinite, exsudatinite, alginite and fluorinite are also present. The rank of the coals ranges between high volatile bituminous C and B stages, on the basis of vitrinite reflectance (Garo Hills: 0.54-0.62%: Jaintia Hills: 0.68-0.81 % and Assam: 0.70-0.74%).

The coals from northeastern India were derived essentially from tropical deciduous mangrove-mixed angiospermous forest vegetation. The coals, presumably, originated from autochthonous to hypo-autochthonous eutrophic peat accumulations in lagoons and/or near-shore back swamps in Assam. Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland and in small isolated estuarine back swamps in Meghalaya. The vegetal maller, in general, was subjected mainly to anaerobic biodegradation under neutral to mildly alkaline subaqueous conditions and facilitated the precipitation of early diagenetic pyrite and calcite and in situ release of plant bound minerals in the peal. Seasonal freshwater ponds or lakes developed occasionally on the ancient-peat surfaces hosted the growth of aquatic and water-edge taxa whose remains are present in the coal seams. Especially pteridophytic herbaceous and shrubby vegetation growing in the vicinity of ancient peat swamps appear to be mainly responsible for the presence of structured and detrital inertinites. Occasional burning of the wet peat surfaces has been inferred to be the reason for relatively high inertinite contents in the coals from Meghalaya. It has also been presumed that whenever biodegradation of organic matter was severe the normal supply of vegetal matter fell short to produce a peat layer. instead some minor and major authigenic partings were developed within the pre-existing peal. The variation in the rank and thickness of the coal seams was presumably controlled by the prevailing geothermal gradient and tectonic conditions in different areas.
Plant fossils from bhareli formation of Arunachal Pradesh, North-East Himalaya, India
Authors: Tewari Rajni , Srivastava A.K.
Published: September 2022

Plant fossils collected from Bhareli Formation exposed in Pinjoli Nala section situated on Bhalukpong Bomdila Road section, West Kameng District, Arunachal Pradesh are described. The assemblage is represented by Gangamopteris karharbariensis, Glossopteris communis, G. stenoneura, G. longicaulis, G. indica, G. tenuifolia, G. spatulata, G. taeniensis, G. subtilis, Glossopteris sp. cf, G. decipiens, Glossopteris sp., Noeggerathiopsis hislopii, Samaropsis ganjrensis, seed bearing organ, Vertebraria indica, scale leaf and equisetalean axes. The flora is comparable with the floristics of Lower Barakar Formation of India.
Study of plant megafossils from the tura-formation of Nangwalbibra, Garo Hills, Meghalaya, India
Authors: Mehrotra R.C.
Published: September 2022

Leaf-impressions collected from the Tura Formation (Upper Palaeocene) of Nangwalbibra. Garo Hills. Meghalaya belong to Grewia of Tiliaceae. Atalantia of Rutaceae, Schleichera of Sapindaceae, Mangifera of Anacardiaceae, Terminatia as well as Calycopteris of Combretaceae, Syzygium of Myrtaceae and Chrysophyllum of Sapotaceae. In addition, a few palm leaves of uncertain affinities are also described. The modern comparable forms of the fossils indicate a tropical warm and humid climate in the area during the deposition of the beds.
Interpretation of past climatic changes around Tsokar Lake, Ladakh for the last 33 ka on the basis of chemical data
Authors: Sekar B.
Published: September 2022

Environmental changes during Late Quaternary for Tsokar Lake, Ladakh, J & K have been inferred based on the variations of K, Na, Mg, Fe and Mn, organic and mineral matter and authigenic phosphorus contents in sediments and 14C dates. The climatic conditions around Tsokar Lake, Ladakh has been deduced as dry arid immediately prior to 31·4 ka and alternated from dry arid to brief amelioration of climate till the beginning of Holocene The climate amelioration of Tsokar Lake around 16.8 ka correlates with the end of Philipi interstadial around 16 ka in Greece. The climatic amelioration around the last 10 ka also correlates with the infilling of lake basin of Rajasthan and Southern Ethiopia.
Specifics of tree growth in Lithuania and its dependence on various factors
Authors: Karpavicius Jonas
Published: September 2022

Due to a great diversity of tree stand conditions and climate in Lithuania, the response of tree growth to environmental changes differs considerably across the country. It causes difficulties in compiling long-term series of tree rings based on tree-ring records from sub fossil and archaeological wood through cross-matching of modern woods. It was found that changes in long-term radial growth and the recurrence of biennial growth rhythm are the basic features, which distinguish tree stand conditions in Lithuania.
July-August temperature of central Korea since A.D.1700: Reconstruction from tree rings of Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis)
Authors: Park Won-Kyu , Seo Jeong-Wook , Kim Yojung , Oh Jai-Ho
Published: September 2022

July-August mean temperatures of AD 1657-1998 were reconstructed using two local chronologies of Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis) growing in subalpine regions (1500-1600 m) of Sorak Mountain in the central Korean peninsula. Calibration function for the instrumental period (A.D. 1909-1949) was obtained by using linear regression with the lagged chronology at t-1. The calibration was verified by independent data of A.D. 1953-1995. The reconstruction indicates that the 1700-1730 and 1830-1850 periods were coolest in last 340 years. The warming trend was not found in summer temperature during the 20th century.
A tree ring reconstruction of climatic extreme years since 1427 AD for Western Central Asia
Authors: Esper Jan , Treydte Kerstin , Gartner Holger , Neuwirth Burkhard
Published: September 2022

Analyses of ring width values of 429 trees from twelve Juniperus sites and three mixed sites (Juniperus, Picea, Pinus) of the northwest Karakorum in Pakistan and seven Juniperus sites of the southern Tien Shan in Kirghizia enable the reconstruction of extreme years since AD1427. Extreme growth reactions are classified as (i) event years- reflecting extreme years of individual trees, (ii) site pointer years- reflecting common extreme years within a site, (iii) regional pointer years- reflecting common extreme years within the Karakorum or Tien Shan, and (iv) inter-regional pointer years- reflecting synchronous extreme years between the Karakorum and Tien Shan. A comparison between the Karakorum and Tien Shan results in eight positive inter-regional pointer years (1916, 1804, 1766, 1703, 1577, 1555, 1514, 1431 AD) and 17 negative inter-regional pointer years (1917, 1877, 1871, 1833, 1806, 1802, 1790, 1742, 1669, 1653, 1611, 1605, 1591, 1572, 1495, 1492, 1483 AD). These years are valid for Western Central Asia.

The extreme year reconstructions from the Karakorum and Tien Shan Mountains are dominated by regional pointer years. Regional pointer years result from climatic conditions limiting tree growth independent of site ecology, from the lower, arid, to the upper, humid timberlines, and in different exposures. The seasonal climatic forcing of regional pointer years changes from year-to-year, but temperature variation predominantly limits tree growth. Additional analyses of selected site pointer years, which do not belong to regional pointer years, prove temperature signals from sites near the upper timberline, and precipitation signals from sites near the lower timberlines.
Conference/Symposia/Workshop Reports
Authors: Mehrotra R.C.
Published: September 2022

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Fossil woods from Upper Tertiary sediments of Jammu region (Jammu & Kashmir) North-West India and their significance
Authors: Guleria J.S. , Gupta S.S. , Srivastava R.
Published: September 2022

Petrified dicotyledonous woods are reported for the first time from the Middle Siwalik sediments of Jammu region (Jammu & Kashmir) in the northwestern part of India. The fossil woods resembling modem woods of Dipterocarpus Gaertn.f. (Dipterocarpaceae), Bischofia Blume (Euphorbiaceae), Cassia Linn. and Kingiodendron (Roxb.) Harms (Leguminosae) have been described in detail. Based on the distribution of comparable extant genera and species, prevalence of humid climate and existence of a mixed lowland tropical forest, comprising moist deciduous to evergreen elements, in the area have been deduced. Evidently Bischofia, Dipterocarpus and Kingiodendron existed in the Jammu region during the Late Tertiary time and subsequently shrunk in their distribution due to climatic change. They no longer grow in the area as they require more humid conditions. The occurrence of Dipterocarpus is particularly noteworthy as it extends the limit of Dipterocarpaceae in the geological past as far west as Jammu region in the north-west India. The arboreal C3 forms show that the landscape was well forested.
Taxonomic revision of tricolpate pollen from Indian Tertiary
Authors: Mandal J. , Rao M.R.
Published: September 2022

Tricolpate pollen have been described under 32 genera and 98 species from the Tertiary sediments of India. Some of these genera are either nomenclaturally illegitimate or invalid but still are being used by different palynologists. Moreover, circumscription and the diagnoses of some genera/species are overlapping each other and thus they need a thorough taxonomic revision to make them more useful in stratigraphy. With this objective, holotypes and related specimens of the tricolpate pollen taxa housed at Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany Museum have been restudied and in part photodocumented. Character assessment and reallocation of the remaining taxa have been done on the basis of available literature and illustrations. Each taxon has been evaluated and demarcation of morphological limits have been attempted to make them more useful and applicable for stratigraphy and age correlation. In addition, the distribution of different species has been recorded to know their stratigraphic range.
Occurrence of Glossopteris Flora, Pisdura Nand-Dongargaon Sub-Basin
Authors: Tewari R. , Rajanikanth A.
Published: September 2022

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An interpretation of the palynology and palaeoecology of the Early Miocene Dulte Formation, Mizoram, India
Authors: Mandaokar B.D.
Published: September 2022

A palynological study of the Early Miocene sediments of the Aizawl Basin, Mizoram is presented. The Aizawl Basin is part of the North-East India Dulte Formation (Surma Group: Bhuban Subgroup). The significant elements of the palynoassemblage are: Pteridacidites, Striatriletes, Polypodiisporites and Schizaeoisporites (pteridophytes), Compositoipollenites, Malvacearumpolli, Spinizonocolpites, Bombacacidites, Ctenolophonidites, Polyporina, Polyadopollenites, Graminidites (angiosperms), Cucurbitariaceites, Dicellaesporites and Phragmothyrites (fungi).

The shale contains abundant plant remains and white gastropod shells. The alternation of shale-siltstone, sandstone-claystone and the palynoflora suggest an Early Miocene age for studied sequence. Palaeoecological interpretation based upon recent botanical affinities of the fossil spores and pollen highlights the presence of mangrove, fresh water, swamp and water edge ecological groups. The presence of fungal remains indicates warm and humid climate. The composition of palynological assemblage suggests that Dulte Formation was deposited in deltaic conditions rich in terrigeneous detritus where the fungal elements thrived.
Wood of Dipterocarpus from a new locality of the Champanagar Formation of Tripura, India
Authors: Mehrotra R.C. , Bhattacharya A.
Published: September 2022

A fossil wood, Dipterocarpoxylon bolpurense Ghosh & Roy is described from a new locality, Bisalgarh, situated near Agartala, Tripura. It shows affinities with Dipterocarpus of Dipterocarpaceae and its presence indicates the occurrence of tropical evergreen forest in the vicinity.
Palmoxylon kamalam Rode from Wardha District, Maharashtra
Authors: Datar Kalpana , Patil K.S.
Published: September 2022

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Palynological investigation and environmental interpretation on Akli Formation (Late Palaeocene) from Barmer Basin, western Rajasthan, India
Authors: Tripathi S.K.M. , Singh U.K. , Sisodia M.S.
Published: September 2022

Akli Formation of Barmer Basin, mainly a claystone, shale and lignite sequence, is divided into two members viz.., Thumbli Member and Kapurdi Fuller's earth Member. Palynological studies on samples from the Thumbli Member exposed near Barmer, western Rajasthan were carried out and a rich palynological assemblage constituted by dinoflagellate cysts, fungal remains, pteridophytic spores and angiospermic pollen was recorded from shale and lignite samples. The assemblage is dominated by angiospermic pollen which are assigned to the families Arecaceae, Liliaceae, Oleaceae, Caesalpiniaceae, Rubiaceae, Meliaceae, Myricaceae, Onagraceae and Lamiaceae. Palynotaxa having affinity with Arecaceae are abundant indicating deposition of sediments in coastal environment. Many pteridophytic spores and abundant fungal remains in the assemblage indicate warm and humid climate with high precipitation. Presence of dinoflagellate cysts indicates marine influence.

Most of the families represented in the assemblage are presently confined to tropical to subtropical areas. Considering the high frequency of Nypa/Nypa-like pollen in the assemblage it is inferred that sediments were deposited in an area which was fringed by thick vegetation of mangrove chiefly constituted by Nypa.
Koshalia, an Incertae sedis fossil from the Subathu Formation (Late Ypresian), Himachal Pradesh, India
Authors: Sarkar Samir , Prasad Vandana
Published: September 2022

A new form genus Koshalia has been instituted from the Subathu Formation (Late Ypresian) of Shimla Hills. Himachal Pradesh. This taxon is represented by only one species viz., K. enigmata and possess subsphaerical, multi-layered, shield-shaped thyriothecia. The exact affinity of the recorded fossil is not known, it may probably a fruiting body of some unknown affinity.
Holocene history of vegetation and climate of fresh-water Punlota (Degana) Lake in Eastern Rajasthan, India
Authors: Sharma Chhaya , Srivastava Chanchala , Yadav D.N.
Published: September 2022

Pollen analysis of 2 m deep sedimentary profile from fresh-water Punlota Lake situated at the outskirt of Degana township in district Nagaur (Eastern Rajasthan), has revealed that around 9,000 years BP, the region had predominantly non-arboreal vegetation, depicting arid climatic conditions. Around 4,200 years BP, savannah type-vegetation covered the region demonstrating increase in the frequency of fem as well as fungal spores- indicating warm and moist conditions. Around 3,000 years BP, savannah vegetation witnessed reduction in tree taxa, ferns and grasses with simultaneous increase in Cyperaceae, Chenopodiaceae, etc.: depicting decrease in the warm and moist conditions. Uppermost part of the investigated profile has revealed more or less similar conditions as witnessed in the preceding phase, except for the increase in Poaceae and Caryophyllaceae, reflecting comparatively drier climate.

Simultaneous elemental analysis of the profile reveals that all major (Al, Fe, Ca and Mg) and trace (Mn, Ba, Sr, Pb, Cu, Ni and Zn) elements change in their concentration at the middle of the profile or about 1 m depth from the surface i.e., around 4,200 years BP. Most of these elements abruptly increase by a factor of two or three at this section and maintain relatively higher values up to the surface. Higher elemental abundance above 1 m boundary in the sediment could arise due to accelerated weathering as well as in consequence to the enhancement in the rainfall.

Coupling radiometric data with major change in elemental abundance indicate maximum precipitation around 4,200 years BP, in the region which very well corroborate with the present palynological studies- the first radiocarbon dated Holocene profile from the fresh-water lake in Rajasthan.
The genus Araucarites from Upper Gondwana Succession (Early Cretaceous) of Bairam-Belkher area, district Amravati, Maharashtra and district Betul, Madhya Pradesh
Authors: Srivastava A.K. , Manik S.R. , Patil G.V. , Gawande R.R.
Published: September 2022

The present investigation corroborates with the vegetative counterparts belonging to conifers recovered from the fossiliferous horizons of the Upper Gondwana succession of the Early Cretaceous age. The succession, in addition, to the species of Filicales, Bennettitales, Cycadales and Coniferales, also revealed the rich assemblage of Araucarites, viz., A. cutchensis, A. minutus and Araucarites sp.
Ultrastructure of the pericarp in the fruit of Calophyllum inophyllum Linne (Clusiaceae)
Authors: Bajpai Usha
Published: September 2022

The family Clusiaceae is represented in the Tertiary flora of India by leaves, wood and a solitary fruit. The identification of the fruit with Clusiaceae is suspect. Therefore, the pericarp in the fruits of Calophyllum inophyllum Linne of the family Clusiaceae (= Guttiferae) has been examined under the scanning electron microscope to generate anatomical data that may help in identification of fossil clusiaceous fruits.
Moscvostrobus - a new genus of Carboniferous lycopods from the Moscow Region (Russia)
Authors: Naugolnykh Serge V. , Orlova Olga A.
Published: September 2022

A new taxon of heterosporous lycopsid strobilus, Moscvostrobus mirabile gen. et sp. nov. is described from a clay shale of the Serpukhovian (Namurian, Lower Carboniferous) deposits in the Zaborie quarry, located near the town of Serpukhov, Moscow Region, Russia. The strobilus is preserved in natural connection to the leafy branch, attached to a shoot. The outer surface of the shoot has a thin longitudinal ribbing. Small subtriangular leaves are helically arranged on the shoot. The strobilus has a spherical shape, which is unusual for Carboniferous lycopods. The apex is round and base is wedge-shaped. Three lanceolate sporophylls with acuminate, flexuous tips are clearly seen in the upper part of the strobilus. The edges of the sporophylls are serrate in their upper part. Mega- and microsporangia are irregularly arranged. The microspores are of Lycospora-type. Megaspores are gulate. Moscvostrobus mirabile could be compared to strobili of the Lepidocarpaceae, but exact systematic position of the genus is still problematic.
Calcareous Green Algae from the Umlatdoh Limestone belonging to SheIla Formation (Jaintia Group) of South Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya, India
Authors: Sarma Ajanta , Ghosh Amit K.
Published: September 2022

Thin section analysis of Umlatdoh Limestone belonging to Shella Formation exposed in the southern part of Jaintia Hills yielded well preserved calcareous algae. Detailed taxonomical analyses of the algal forms reveal the existence of udoteacean and halimedacean green algae that includes three species of the genus Ovulites Lamarck belonging to family Udoteaceae. One species of Halimeda Lamouroux belonging to family Halimedaceae also has been described in the present paper. Based on the algal assemblage along with sedimentological and micropalaentological observations interpretations on palaeoenvironment and palaeobathymetry have been made.
Third Proficiency Course on Modern Practices in Petroleum Exploration - A report
Authors: Tripathi S.K.M.
Published: September 2022

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Ediacaran multicellular biota from Krol Group, Lesser Himalaya and its stratigraphic significance-a review
Authors: Mathur V.K.
Published: September 2022

Ediacaran multicellular biota, viz. medusoids - Kimberella cf. quadrata, Beltanella cf. gilesi, Cyclomedusa davidi, Conomedusites lobatus, Tirasiana sp., Medusinites asteroides, Sekwia cf. excentrica, Irridinitus sp. and Beltanelliformis cf. brunsae; frondoids - Charniodiscus cf. arboreus, Pteridinium cf. simplex and Zolotytsia biserialis; annelid – Dickinsonia sp.; ichnofossils - Bilinichnus sp. and metaphytic algae- cf. Proterotaenia montana, has been recorded from the Kauriyala Formation (Upper Krol) of the Krol Group, Lesser Himalaya India. The underlying Jarashi Formation (Middle Krol) has yielded frondoid forms - Pteridinium carolinaense and Charniodiscus cf. arboreus and trace fossil - Harlaniella sp. whereas the Mahi Formation (Lower Krol) has yielded medusoid - Nimbia cf. occlusa. This biota is generally cosmopolitan in nature except Dickinsonia which is restricted to Protogondwana. The Ediacaran biota is preserved at the interface of arenite / siltstone and shale which show ripple marks, rhythmic and lenticular bedding at places suggestive of tidal flat environment.

The present biota is comparable with Ediacaran multicellular biota of Ediacaran (Terminal Neoproterozoic) Period known from Australia, Canada and Russia. The fossiliferous horizons are characterised by dC13 values that vary from +1% to +6% PDB. Similar isotopic signatures have also been described from other Ediacaran fossil bearing horizons from northwestern Canada, Namibia, Australia, China and north Siberia.
Lower Gondwana seeds
Authors: Tiwari S.P.
Published: September 2022

The seeds of Lower Gondwana are found attached, detached, dispersed and mixed with other organs of being detached from the plants, which produced them. Like other plant fossils, seeds are also preserved in a variety of ways depending upon their structure and the conditions that prevailed during the time of deposition. They may be found as petrifaction or occur as impressions, cast and moulds or as carbonized compressions. Generally, seeds are longer than broad but few are broader than long. All these seeds are platyspermic. There are about thirty-two compressed seed genera are known from Lower Gondwana out of which twenty are described with complete structural details. The structural details and pollination of these seeds suggest that during the Palaeozoic time, seeds of at least three major groups of gymnosperms existed in Lower Gondwana countries, viz. Glossopteridales and allies, Cordaitales or Ginkgoales and primitive Coniferales.
Angiospermous fossil fruits/seeds during Tertiary in India
Authors: Agarwal A.
Published: September 2022

A number of fossil fruits/seeds are known from the different Tertiary sediments in India ranging from the Maastrichtian-Danian (Palaeocene) to the Pliocene-Pleistocene. Present account embodies the listing of some well-known fossil fruits/seeds from the Indian Tertiary and an attempt has been made to throw light on their palaeoecological, palaeophytogeographical and the evolutionary significance. Most of the known monocot fossils belong particularly to the family Arecaceae from the Maastrichtian-Danian Deccan Intertrappean beds of India. In the dicots, quite a few fossil fruits/seeds of family Lythraceae are described only from the Maastrichtian-Danian, while the fabaceous fruits/seeds are described in a large number mostly from the Oligocene to Miocene. The families viz., Arecaceae, Burseraceae, Combretaceae, Nyssaceae, Polygonaceae, Rhamnaceae, Rubiaceae and Sapindaceae occur in the Neogene sediments. However, the paucity of fossil fruits/seeds precludes any definite analysis or comments on their palaeobotanical characteristics. Most of the fossil fruits are drupaceous or capsular while fabaceous fruits are lomentum or legume. types. The fibrous nature of mesocarp in Arecaceous fruits suggests their dispersal through water, such plants might be growing in the coastal areas or near the other water bodies. The capsular or the other fruits with thin pericarp might belong to the inland terrestrial zones. Many fruits of uncertain affinities, e.g. Sahniocarpon, Wingospermocarpon, Enigmocarpon and Viracarpon pose interesting questions about the evolution of angiosperms during the Tertiary in India. Further investigations are needed to ascertain the taxonomy of fossil fruits/seeds, to ascribe them to respective families.

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Antiquity and migratory paths of angiosperms in India
Authors: Mehrotra R.C.
Published: September 2022

In India the earliest angiospermous plants are known in the form of pollen/fruit or ?flower from the Lower Cretaceous (Aptian) of Rajmahal flora. Unfortunately, the Lower and Middle Cretaceous records of angiosperms from India are very poor as compared to those in other continents. The definite records of angiosperms started appearing from the Lameta flora considered as Maastrichtian in age. During the Upper Maastrichtian-Danian they became the most dominant element of the flora. An influx of Southeast Asian elements could only be noticed in the beginning of the Neogene. During upheaval of the Himalayas, temperate angiosperms which were growing luxuriantly in the nearby areas of Tibet and Southwest China, invaded the Himalayan part of India under the prevailing favourable conditions.
Observations of ethno-botanical studies in India
Authors: Saini D.C.
Published: September 2022

While going through the ethno-botanical information so far available in the various literature from India, it has been found that there is a wealth of information on wild plants in Indian ancient literature. However, they have yet not received the due attention concerning the data on the useful plants of India as has been accumulated since over 100 years by now. It is pity that the recent publications on ethno botany have shown utter ignorance on the literature published since 1840s to 1950, which has documented substantial information on the useful wild plants of India. Unmindful of the past work, these have been redocumented by the ethno biologists during last 40 years. In the present communication the author has stressed the need for careful scrutiny of literature published earlier while documenting ethnobotanical information. Besides, the methodology involved in the preparation of each product should also be essentially recorded not only for the benefit of the society but also for the adaptation of suitable measures for their sustainable utilization towards the socioeconomic upliftment of the tribal and rural people. It is hoped that the observations given in this paper are made for the betterment of the entire nation including that of tribal communities.
Early agricultural economy in north-eastern Vindhyas: An archaeological perspective
Authors: Pokharia Anil K.
Published: September 2022

The present article seeks to highlight an overall synthesis of information on the pre- and proto-historic agriculture based subsistence economy, in north-eastern Vindhyas. The vast area stretching over the plateau region and alluvial tract in adjacent plain, envelope a large number of early settlements, which reveal the gradually evolving sequences of farming communities from primitive metal-free stages of Neolithic Cultures up to the advanced Iron using Cultures. Excavations at Koldihwa, Mahagara, Malhar in Vindhyan region and Lahuradewa in Ganga Plain have revealed the beginning of agriculture evidenced by a domesticated form of rice (Oryza sativa) during 7th-6th millennia BC. The diverse crop assemblage, includes remains of Near-Eastern, African, Eurasian, Central Asian and Indigenous crops. Collective evidence shows that the double cropping system was followed in the summer and winter seasons during 2200-700 BC. In view of the fully established agricultural system in the region of north-eastern Vindhyas, the cultural relationships of the farming communities have been established with altogether diverse cultures in the distant north-western regions. However, the complex process of the dispersal of winter crops in terms of diffusionary trends is not fully demonstrable in the present state of archaeological knowledge. Future archaeobotanical studies in this region is expected to fill-up gaps in time and space of exploitation of crop plants.
Nidianthus gen. nov. - A Caytonanthus - like pollen organ from the Triassic of Nidpur, M.P., India
Authors: Bhowmik Nupur , Parveen Shabnam
Published: September 2022

Nidianthus indicus gen. et sp. nov. is a synangiate pollen organ represented by more than 30 detached specimens. The compressed synangia were isolated from the Nidpur beds by bulk maceration of the Triassic shale in HF. Each synangium is elongated, radially symmetrical, appearing four-winged with a short axial attachment at base possibly representing ultimate branchlet. The four elongated pollen sacs remain attached at the base of synangium but appearing attached or free in middle and apical regions leaving four gaps at the time of dehiscence. The apical region of each pollen sac is pointed and bent inward towards the centre of synangium. Each pollen sac dehisces by a longitudinal slit along the midline of inner face. The surface of pollen sacs shows longitudinal striations. Some specimens showed a quadrangular abscission scar at the base of synangium. Cuticle of pollen sac wall showed elongated, rectangular to polygonal cells seemingly arranged in longitudinal files. Anticlinal walls thin, obscure, straight or slightly waved. Cells become narrow towards the inner margin. Many cells of pollen sac wall showed median papilla bases and cells near the apical region showed cutinized unicellular hairs. Sometimes, remains of an inner, obscurely cellular, granular membrane possibly representing a tapetal layer could also be seen on inner side of pollen sac wall. Inside each pollen sac is a single mass of pollen-grains. Pollen-grains bisaccate, bladders hemispherical or obovate showing irregular surface reticulum, Nidianthus gen. nov. closely resembles the anther-like pollen organ Caytonanthus of Caytoniales.
What do the petrified woods of the Sriperumbudur Formation indicate?
Authors: Jeyasingh D.E.P.
Published: September 2022

Of the several outcrops of Upper Gondwana exposures along the East Coast of the Indian Peninsula, the Sriperumbudur Formation near Chennai, Tamil Nadu has yielded many well-preserved petrified woods. Extensive anatomical studies were carried out on these woods during the past decade at Tambaram, Chennai. A study of these woods helped to understand the variation in the wood structure. Based on these woods, the diversity of the arborescent palaeoflora was traced in the region during the Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous times. It has also been possible to interpret the climatic conditions that prevailed during the time of deposition through the study of the wood anatomy. The paper discusses some evolutionary trends indicated by the wood studies. A suggestion is made for the taxonomic revision of one of the woods.
A petrified palm wood from the Deccan Intertrappean beds of Malchalma, Medak District, Andhra Pradesh, India
Authors: Patil R.S.
Published: September 2022

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Biostratigraphy and palaeoenvironmental analysis of subsurface Palaeogene sediments in western part of Ahmedabad Block, North Cambay Basin
Authors: Shanmukhappa M. , Uniyal S.N.
Published: September 2022

The western part of Ahmedabad Block is among the thrust areas for hydrocarbon exploration in Cambay Basin. Palynological studies of the Palaeogene sediments of Ahmedabad Block between Detroj and Wasnalava have been carried out to evaluate the palynostratigraphy and infer depositional environment to help in basin modelling for exploration of hydrocarbons. Based on palynofloral association three assemblage zones, viz. Polybrevicolporites cephalus Zone (Palynozone-I), Proxapertites cursus- Polycolpites flavatus Zone (Palynozone-II) and Palmaepollenites kutchensis Zone (Palynozone-III) have been identified. These zones are dated Early, Middle and Late Eocene in age. The sediments corresponding to Olpad Formation (?Palaeocene) exhibited poor palynofloral contents.

The interpretation of depositional environment is based on the absolute pollen frequency and palynofloral associations. In Cambay and Kadi formations the coastal and back mangrove elements are common with sporadic occurrence of marine elements, suggestive of near shore environment of deposition. The overlying Kalol Formation has yielded rich back mangrove floral assemblage along with moderate occurrences of coastal elements and is suggestive of Littoral conditions. The dominance of marine phytoplankton in Tarapur Formation is indicative of shallow marine conditions of deposition.
Fossil leaf-impressions from the Late Tertiary sediments of Mahuadanr Valley, Latehar District, Jharkhand, India
Authors: Singh Sanjai Kumar , Prasad Mahesh
Published: September 2022

Morphotaxonomical study of the leaf impressions collected from the Late Tertiary sediments of Mahuadanr Valley, Jharkhand, India has been done. The comparison of morphological features between the fossils and extant taxa revealed the occurrence of 13 species of 5 dicotyledonous families. On the basis of present assemblage, the palaeoclimate and phytogeography of Mahuadanr area during the Late Tertiary have been deduced. Present distribution of all the modern comparable species of the fossils indicates that these are presently found to grow in the tropical forests of the Himalayan foot hills, central India, south India and adjoining area of the Mahuadanr Valley, suggesting a mixed, mesophytic type of forest was flourishing in and around the fossil locality during the sedimentation. As most of the comparable species are found now-a-days in the vicinity of fossil locality of Mahuadanr it indicates that same flora has continued till now which suggests that there has been no marked climatic change in the area since the Late Tertiary time.
Rehabilitation of abandoned mine sites: connection to bioprospecting of metal tolerant plants and phytoassisted rhizoremediation
Authors: Prasad M.N.V. , Rajkumar Mani , Freitas Helena
Published: September 2022

Contemporary strategies for rehabilitation and remediation of abandoned mine sites and the need for bioprospecting metal tolerant plants have been reviewed with particular emphasis on phytoassisted rhizoremediation. The key processes involved in phytoremediation technology are (i) metal uptake, transport, accumulation and (ii) phytostabilization. Other related applications are: erosion control of mine tailings and metals and use of environmental and industrial crops. Phytoremediation can be in situ, growing, harvesting plants on a contaminated site an aesthetically pleasing process, solar-energy driven, and passive technique. This technique is being used along with or, in some cases, in place of expensive conventional chemical and mechanical cleanup methods. Environmental degradation due to Acid Mine Drainage and role of aquatic macrophytes for its rehabilitation are also presented.
Fossil wood from the Tipam Group of North Hlimen, Mizoram
Authors: Srivastava Gaurav , Mehrotra R.C. , Tiwari P.P.
Published: September 2022

Cynometroxylon holdenii (Gupta) Prakash and Bande (1980) is described for the first time from Builum area situated near North Hlimen, Kolasib District, Mizoram and belongs to the Tipam Group of Late Miocene in age. Its occurrence indicates warm and humid climate in the region during the deposition of the sediments.
Rhizopalmoxylon singulare sp. nov. - coralloid palm roots from the Late Cretaceous Deccan Intertrappean beds of Nawargaon, India
Authors: Bonde S.D. , Chate S.V. , Gamre P.G.
Published: September 2022

Permineralized coralloid aerial palm roots forming a thick compact mantle have been described from the Deccan Intertrappean beds of Nawargaon, Maharashtra, India. A medium sized root exhibits rhizodermis, thick exodermis, thin outer and wide inner cortex; fibers in the inner cortex; air cavities in 3-7 concentric rings in the middle zone of inner cortex; polyarch stele with 12-15 xylem and phloem bundles and sclerenchymatous pith with 1-3 medullary bundles. Morpho-anatomical characters of the root suggest its affinity with coralloid roots probably of Hyphaene dichotoma (White) Furtado and Phoenix sylvestris (L.) Roxb. A combination of details of stelar and cortical region is found to be a better criterion to resolve the natural affinity of permineralized palm roots. Two new combinations of Rhizopalmoxylon, R. angiorhizon and R. macrorhizon are also suggested.
Resolution of fossil monocotyledonous roots to the natural taxa
Authors: Bonde S.D.
Published: September 2022

Monocotyledons possess endogenously originated adventitious roots. Such permineralized roots occur abundantly in the Cretaceous and onward horizons assigned to the artificial genera Rhizopalmoxylon Gothan, Aerorhizos Chitaley, Velamenorhizos Barlinge and Paradkar and Hygrorhizos Trivedi et al.. Fossil roots reported so far have not been described with uniform terminologies which lack precision and delimitations of the tissues. Considering a need to have uniform terminologies in the description of permineralized roots, a system based upon Seubert’s work has been proposed to describe the monocotyledonous roots.
Record of fossil leaves of Ziziphus and Lagerstroemia from Mahuadanr Valley, Jharkhand, India and their ecological implications
Authors: Singh Sanjai Kumar , Prasad Mahesh
Published: September 2022

A study based on the fossil leaf assemblage collected from the Late Tertiary sediments of Mahuadanr Valley revealed the occurrence of two new extant species Ziziphus funiculosa (Rhamnaceae) and Lagerstroemia macrocarpa (Lythraceae) of the Dicotyledon in the area during Late Tertiary Period. Present day distribution of these modem comparable species of the fossils indicates that both the taxa presently distributed in the moist deciduous forests ofthe northeast India, central and south India, which suggests that such type offorest was flourishing in and around the fossil locality during the sedimentation.
Indian Fossil Fungi
Authors: Saxena R.K. , Tripathi S.K.M.
Published: September 2022

The main objective of this publication is to synthesize the available information on Indian fossil fungi published so far. It contains four main parts, Introduction, Terminology, Description and Discussion. The introductory part provides a brief account of diversity of fungal remains through the ages, scope and organization of the publication and classification of fossil fungal spores and fruiting bodies. The Terminology part defines the commonly used terms for describing fungal remains. The Description part provides description of all the fossil fungal taxa known so far from India along with their illustration, locality, age and Indian records. MycoBank number of each genus and species is also provided. Fifteen new species, viz. Dicellaesporites classicus, Dicellaesporites jainii, Dicellaesporites singhii, Foveoletisporonites keralensis, Frasnacritetrus masolensis, Fusiformisporites barmerensis, Inapertisporites chandrae, Inapertisporites karii, Inapertisporites sahii, Kutchiathyrites mehrotrae, Monoporisporites meghalayaensis, Multicellites chandrae, Pluricellaesporites himachalensis, Pluricellaesporites keralensis and Pluricellaesporites mehrotrae and twelve new combinations, viz. Kutchiathyrites perfectus (Kar et al.), Meliolinites tlangsamensis (Kar et al.), Multicellites circularis (Samant and Tapaswi), Multicellites himalayaensis (Gupta), Multicellites jainii (Gupta), Multicellites psilatus (Saxena), Multicellites ramanujamii (Gupta), Multicellites reticulatus (Samant and Tapaswi), Palaeomycites dichotomus (Kar et al.), Palaeomycites excellensus (Kar et al.), Palaeomycites globatus (Sharma et al.) and Palaeomycites minutus (Kar et al.) have been proposed. This part also records informally published fungal remains along with reference to page of their publication, illustration, horizon and age and location of occurrence. The Discussion part includes diagnostic characteristics of fossil fungal spores and fruiting bodies, general remarks on Indian fossil fungal records and stratigraphic and palaeoclimatic interpretations.
Palaeoethnobotanical and palaeoecological investigations based on plant remains from Neolithic-Chalcolithic Tokwa, Uttar Pradesh, India
Authors: Pokharia Anil K. , Srivastava Chanchala , Pal J.N.
Published: September 2022

The investigations of carbonized remains from an ancient site, Tokwa on the confluence of Belan and Adwa rivers in Mirzapur District of Uttar Pradesh, have brought to light the agriculture based subsistence economy during the Neolithic and Chalcolithic cultures. The crop-remains are represented by Oryza sativa, Triticum aestivum, Hordeum vulgare, Lens culinaris, Pisum arvense, Lathyrus sativus, Vigna radiata, Macrotyloma uniflorum, Linum usitatissimum and Brassica juncea. Remains of weeds and wild taxa recovered as an admixture are denotative of the surrounding ground vegetation. The anatomical investigation of wood charcoals revealed the trees of Tectona grandis, Syzygium cf. cumini, Streblus cf. asper, Dalbergia sp., Madhuca indica and Bambusa sp. On the grounds of these remains some consideration has been weighed upon the ecological conditions of the surrounding.
Mid-Holocene vegetation shifts and climate change in the temperate belt of Garhwal Himalaya
Authors: Trivedi Anjali , Kotlia B.S. , Joshi L.M.
Published: September 2022

Pollen analysis of 3.06 m deep sediment core from the temperate lake-Nachiketa Tal, has brought out the vegetation shifts and climatic oscillations in the temperate region of Garhwal Himalaya since Mid-Holocene. The pollen sequence depicts that between 5,304 and 3,912 yr BP the mixed conifer forests dominated by Pinus cf. wallichiana together with Cedrus and Abies occupied most of the landscape under a regime of a cold and dry climate. The record of pollen of aquatic element, Potomogeton and freshwater alga-Botryococcus implies the existence of the lake. The broad-leaved forests mainly constituted of oak (Quercus cf. semecarpifolia) occurred sparsely in the moist and shady situations. Between 3,912 and 2,975 yr BP the mixed conifer forests got transformed into mixed oak-broad-leaved forests as evidenced from the much expansion of Quercus and improvement of its close allies Alnus, Betula, Carpinus, Juglans, Salix, etc. This change in the vegetation pattern suggests that a warm and humid climate prevailed in the region. Around 2,975 to 1,872 yr BP the abrupt decline in Quercus and its broad-leaved associates and a corresponding spurt in Pinus cf. wallichiana reflect the re-establishment of pine dominated conifer forests with reversal of cool and dry climate. Subsequent expansion of Quercus and broad-leaved taxa around 1,872 to 767 yr BP and declining trend of conifers took place with the prevalence of warm and moderately humid climate. The sporadic encounter of Cerealia pollen during this phase indicates that the area was under cereal-based agricultural practice. Since 767 yr BP onwards a warm and less humid climate prevailed than before and consequently relatively less-diversified mixed broad-leaved oak forests continued to thrive in the region, with relatively reduced frequencies of Quercus and other thermophillous broad-leaved elements.
Gymnospermous seeds from the Barakar Formation of Umrer Coalfield, Wardha Basin, Maharashtra
Authors: Tewari Rajni , Mehrotra N.C. , Pillai S. Suresh Kumar , Pandita Sundeep K. , Agnihotri Deepa
Published: September 2022

Platyspermic and radiospermic gymnospermous seeds are documented from the top seam of the Barakar Formation, Makardhokra Open Cast Project, Umrer Coalfield, Nagpur District, Wardha Basin, Maharashtra. A variety of seed types including Cordaicarpus sp., Cordaicarpus zeilleri, Samaropsis feistmantelii, Samaropsis sp., Rotundocarpus ovatus and a new species, viz. Rotundocarpus mucronatus are systematically described. The seeds are largely comparable with those described from the Karharbari Formation of Damodar Basin. Besides adding to the knowledge of the flora of the Wardha Basin, this communication provides information on the occurrence of these seeds for the first time from Makardhokra Open Cast Project, Umrer Coalfield.