bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Palynology of the Northe Karanpura basin, Bihar, India - 5. Palynological assemblage of the bore-core no. K2, Raniganj stage (Upper Permian)
Authors: Kar R.K.
Published: September 2022

The present paper deals with the palynological assemblage of the bore-core no. K2, Raniganj Stage (Upper Permian), located in the top Raniganj Kavendai area, North Karanpura coalfield (Sheet no. 13E/1), Bihar, India. 58 spores-pollen genera have been recovered. Some of the genera, viz. Psilalacinites, Divarireticulates, Striasporis, Altimonoletes, Ghoshiasporites, Mammialetes, Raniganjiasaccites and Gondwanaeaplicates are recorded and seems to be mostly confined to this particular Stage. The assemblage is dominated by the striate bisaccate and monosaccate pollen grains at the base of the core, but the percentage of the monosaccate dwindles down at the upper level and the trilete and the monolete spores take its place. The striate bisaccate is, however, dominant throughout the assemblage. Two palynological zones have been established according to the representation of the various spores-pollen in the count. The present palynological assemblage has also been compared with the other palynological assemblages of the same stage.
Studies in the Glossopteris flora of India - 40. Sphnopteris polymorpha Feistm. (1881) emend. from the barakar stage of South Karanpura coalfield, Bihar, India
Authors: Kulkarni Shaila
Published: September 2022

A large number of impressions of Sphenopteris fronds are described from the Barakar Stage of South Karanpura Coalfield. Their study reveals that Sphenopteris polymorpha Feistm. (1881) and S. hughesi Arber (1905) are one and the same species. S. polymorpha Feistm. is emended and retained on the basis of nomenclatural priority.
Pollen-analytical investigations of some upper Pleistocene samples from Tockalai, Cinnamara, Assam
Authors: Gupta H.P.
Published: September 2022

The paper embodies results of pollen-analytical investigations of six Upper Pleistocene samples from a trench dug near Tockalai experimental Station, Cinnamara, Assam. Out of six samples only two samples (11' & 12' deep) have yielded pollen grains and spores. The pollen-analysis has brought out minor fluctuation in the Assam subtropical hill forest.
The genus Ptilophyllum in India
Authors: Bose M.N. , Kasat M.L.
Published: September 2022

The present study is based on all the Indian specimens of Ptilophyllum Morris described since 1840 and new specimens collected during the last 20 years. The different species have been grouped under the headings "Impressions", "Incrustations" and "Petrifactions ". Under impressions four species, viz. P. acutifolium Morris (1840), P.  cutchense Morris (1840), P. rarinervis (Feistmantel) n. comb. and P. tenerrimum Feistmantel (1877) have been included. All these four species are based on external characters alone. Eight species based on cuticular structure have been described under incrustations. These are P. oldhamii Jacob & Jacob (1954), P. indicum Jacob & Jacob (1954), P. honidum Roy (1963), P. sakrigaliensis Sah (1958), P. distans (Feistmantel) Jacob & Jacob (1954), P. institacallum Bose (1959), P. jabalpurense Jacob & Jacob (1954) and P. gladiatum Bose & Sukh Dev (1958). The remaining species, i.e. P. amarjolense Bose (1953), P. sahnii Gupta & Sharma (1968) and P. nipanica Vishnu-Mittre (1957) are preserved in the form of petrifactions. In these three species, besides the surface characters, the anatomy of the fronds has been studied in detail.
Quaternary vegetational history of ootacamund, Nilgiris, South India, 1. Kakathope and rees corner
Authors: Gupta H.P.
Published: September 2022

The paper incorporates the results of pollen analytical investigations of profiles collected from Kakathope and Rees Comer, Ootacamund in the Nilgiris, South India. The study of these lake sediments has not only brought about the interesting features of the changes in the plant communities but has also reflected upon the climatic cycles during the past. The important aspect of this study concerns the formation and regeneration of shola forest.
The grasslands, as revealed by the pollen diagram from Kakathope, are the pioneer communities. The formation of shola forest commenced through gradual invasion of grasslands about 35-40,000 years B.P., and it gained optimum during 14,000 B.P. The sholas afterward declined giving pace to the grasslands.
The present day patchy distribution of sholas throughout the Nilgiris is due to the destruction of forests. The major and foremost reason affecting regeneration of sholas is climatic factor, although edaphic and biotic factors have also played a considerable role in not permitting the sholas to regenerate.
Sporae dispersae of Jabalpur stage, upper Gondwana, India
Authors: Kumar Pramod
Published: September 2022

The present paper deals with a systematic description of the miospore assemblage recovered out of the Upper Gondwana coals and associated shales from Schora, Hathnapur in district Narsinghpur and Lameta Ghat in district Jabalpur, belonging to the Jabalpur Stage of the Jabalpur Series, represented in the Satpura Coal Basin, Madhya Pradesh, India. The miofloral assemblage consists of 58 genera and 103 species, of which one genus and 44 species are new. Only the new species have been described in detail and have been compared with the comparable known species of the southern and Northern miofloras.
On some microthyriaceous fungi from a tertiary lignite of South India
Authors: Ramanujam C.G.K. , Rao K. Purnachandra
Published: September 2022

The paper deals with some well-preserved remains of fruit bodies of the microthyriaceous fungi recovered from the Upper Tertiary (U. Miocene) Warkalli lignite of Kerala state. Nototllyrites, Callimothallus, Asterina, Eutllyrites and Plochmopeltinites represent the common taxa in the material examined. The following are the species recorded, viz. Notothyrites setiferus, N. airensis, N. denticulatus sp. nov., Callimothallus pertusus, C. raoi sp. nov., Asterina eocenica, Asterotllyrites sp., Euthyrites keralensis sp. nov., and Plochmopeltillites cooksonii sp. novo Numerous germlings of microthyriaceous fungi have also been encountered in the lignite samples. The common occurrence of diverse types of microthyriaceous fungi in the Warkalli deposits clearly points toward the tropical humid climate in Kerala during the Upper Tertiary period. The paper also discusses briefly the geological history of the mierothyriaceous fungi.
Sahniocarpon harrisigen et sp. nov. from the Mohgaonkalan beds of India
Authors: Chitaley S.D. , Patil G.V.
Published: September 2022

The present paper deals with a description of a new petrified fruit from the famous Intertrappean beds of Mohgaonkalan, District Chhindwara, India. The fruit is dicotyledonous pentalocular, septicidal capsule with one elongated triangular seed in each loculus on axile placenta. The seed is anatropous, endospermic showing embryo with axis. The seed coat is characteristically differentiated into three regions. The fruit wall is smooth and parenchymatous with well-developed vascular supply. Affinities are shown with Linaceae though not convincing. Hence this new fruit is named as, Sahniocarpon harrisii gen. et sp. nov.
Chitaleypushpam mohgaoense gen. et sp. nov. from the Deccan intertrappean beds of India
Authors: Paradkar S.A.
Published: September 2022

The paper describes the structure of a new fossil flower preserved in black chert from the Deccan Intertrappean beds of India exposed at Mohgaonkalan. It is 3.5 mm. long and 2.5 mm. broad at the tip and is hermaphrodite, stalked, bracteolate, with one whorl of tubular, valvate perianth, oval in T.S. The lobes of perianth are free only at the tip and not gibbous at the base. The androecium is of seven stamens, not connate, epiphyllous with dorsifixed anthers. Pollen is present in situ, each grain being 18-20 X 12-15 µ, tricolporate, psilate, subprolate, ora ± circular. The gynoecium is superior, not stipitate, ovary five angular, five locular, with axile placentation. Style is short, not differentiated from the simple stigma.

This is the third record of a petrified flower from this famous locality of Mohgaonkalan from where Sahnianthus parijai Shukla and Sahnipushpam shuklai Verma, syn. Sahnipushpam glandulosum Prakash, have been described. The present specimen is compared with these and as the differences are many it is named as Chitaleypushpam mohgaoense gen. et sp. nov. Affinities of the flower are discussed.
Palmocarpon splendidum sp. nov. from the deccan intertrappean beds of mohgaonkalan, chhindwara district, M.P.
Authors: Trivedi B.S. , Chandra R.
Published: September 2022

A fossil fruit, Palmocarpon splendidum sp. novo has been described from Mohgaon Kalan (22°1' N; 79°11' E) the well known locality of the Deccan Intertrappean series, in Chhindwara district of Madhya Pradesh. The palm fruit is well preserved to reveal its anatomical details and has been referred to the form genus Palmocarpon Lesquereux.
Palynology in biostratigraphy and palaeoecology of Indian Lower Gondwana formations
Authors: Bharadwaj D.C.
Published: September 2022

A critical synthesis of the new palynological data from sequences out of six boreholes through the Lower Gondwana Formations in India has enabled palynostratigraphic and palaeoclimatic conclusions of significance viz.,

(1) The Lower Gondwana sedimentation commenced with a glaciation followed by another glacial phase, interpolated with a short interglacial. The older glacial phase constitutes the Talchir Stage, the interglacial represents older Karharbari and the younger glacial phase occurred dur.ing deposition of younger Karharbari Fm followed by a long interglacial encompassing the Barakar, Ironstone Shale and Raniganj Fms. It has been found that homotaxial deposits of the later glacial phase differed in their lithological, palaeobotanical and to some extent palynological characteristics due to differences in their proximity to centres of glaciation.

(2) In the younger part of the sequence, the Panchet Fm appears to have commenced with another cooler phase presumably due to another minor glaciation.

(3) Immediately following the glacial phases, the interglacial commenced with humid climate which gradually or quickly declined.
Studies in the Talchir flora of India - 10. Early and Late Talchir microfloras from the west Bokaro coalfield, Bihar
Authors: Lele K.M.
Published: September 2022

Two miofloral assemblages - one from the base and the other from the top of the Talchir Formation - are described from a single sequence in the Dudhi River, West Bokaro Coalfield. The impoverished nature of the early Talchir assemblage is reflected by very limited number and variety of taxa (8 genera & 14 species) - chiefly Parasaccites, Plicatipollenites and Potonieisporites and some apiculate triletes. Disaccates - especially Striatiti - are strikingly absent. Leiosphaeridia and spicule-like microfossils are significantly associated.

The late Talchir mioflora, on the contrary demonstrates distinct improvement both in diversity and quantity of miospores (14 genera & 29 species). Besides the stronghold of Parasaccites, Plicatipollenites and Potonieisporites, several genera make new appearance, viz., Jayantisporites, Tuberisaccites, Caheniasaccites, Limitisporites and especially all the striate disaccates like Crescentipollenites, Faunipollenites and Striatoparvisaccites gen. nov. A number of species are apparently represented only in the late Talchir. Leiosphaeridia are rare and spicule- like bodies are absent.

In the light of the present study, and from an assessment of the better known Talchir miofloras, it is suggested that not one but two miofloral assemblages of early and late Talchir age respectively - are evident in the Talchir Formation.
Late Palaeozoic and Triassic floras of India and their relation to the floras of Northern and Southern Hemisphere
Authors: Lele K.M.
Published: September 2022

The development, composition and phytogeographical distribution of the northern and southern hemisphere floras horn the Carboniferous to the Triassic times is critically reviewed in the light of more recent knowledge and with particular reference to India and other Gondwana countries. The Lower Carboniferous floras of Gondwanaland, and especially of India, are much impoverished in contrast to the Euramerian Lepidodendropsis flora. It seems more reasonable that the southern flora evolved from pre-existing Devonian stocks on ice-free areas of Gondwanaland whereas the Glossopteris flora arose under the impact of Carbo-Permian glaciation. Most of the so-called Euramerian elements in the Glossopteris flora (e.g. ferns, lycopods) may well be of southern nativity. Several of them are now proved to be distinct; the remaining few, obviously, warrant critical study.

The Gondwana, Angara, Euramerian and Cathaysian floras and their respective palaeoenvironments had attained sharp geobotanical distinction in the Permian. Floral migration or contact between them across the Tethys is discussed. Particular attention is drawn to the phytogeographic significance of the Kashmir site (Gangamopteris beds) in the light of its geotectonic background and the recent findings of several extra-Gondwana (Cathaysian/Angara?) plants. The Kashmir site is here referred to Vakhrameev's " Middle Asiatic floras of uncertain affinity" which also includes the Hazro locality of Turkey. The Middle Asiatic region needs extensive palaeobotanical exploration to understand the nature of the maritime (Tethyan) floras of the various Permian geobotanical provinces.

During the Triassic, the floral picture of the northern hemisphere became almost cosmopolitan following the withdrawl of previous physico-geographic barriers. The southern hemisphere (Gondwana) floras also tended to become more harmonious but their essential distinctiveness was still maintained by the characteristic prevalence of the Dicroidium flora.
A mioflora of Barren Measures age from the Auranga coalfield, Bihar
Authors: Lele K.M. , Srivastava A.K.
Published: September 2022

The present paper describes for the first time a mioflora of Barren Measures age from the Auranga Coalfield. The assemblage (13 genera and 26 species) is dominated by striate-disaccates along with a good amount of Densipollenites. The quantitatively significant genera are Faunipollenites, Densipollenites, Striatites, Verticipollenites, Scheuringipollenites and Lahirites. Two species, Densipollenites brevis and Striatopodocarpites crassistriatus are new.
Additional dinoflagellates and acritarchs from grey shale member of Dalmiapuram formation, South India
Authors: Jain K.P.
Published: September 2022

The present communication is a continuation of two previous reports published by Jain and Subba-raman (1969) and Jain and Taugourdeau-Lantz (1973). Additional palaeophytoplankton taxa described from the present material, alongwith the known ones project a complete picture of dinoflagellate and acritarch assemblage from the Grey Shale Member of Dalmiapuram Formation, South India. Fluctuations in the environment of deposition within the exposed section have been indicated.

The present microplankton assemblage includes 38 genera and 59 distinct species, out of these 13 species are new. The Grey Shale Member has been assigned an Early Albian age.
Lithostratigraphy of the Matanomadh formation Kutch, India
Authors: Saxena R.K.
Published: September 2022

The Matanomadh Formation is the lowermost lithostratigraphic unit of the Tertiary succession of Kutch. The lithostratigraphy of this formation has been discussed in this paper. The formation is divisible into two members, viz., (i) Laterite Member and (ii) Clastic Member. Such a division is purely based on lithology. The Laterite Member conformably overlies the Deccan Trap Formation and is mainly made up of pink, grey and variegated laterites and white kaolinitic clay. This member is unconformably overlain by the Clastic Member. The Clastic Member, on the other hand, consists of sandstones alternated by shales, mottled clay, tuff etc. The upper contact of the Clastic Member with the overlying Naredi Formation is conformable.
Palynology of Bijori formation (Upper Permian) in Satpura Gondwana Basin, India
Authors: Bharadwaj D.C. , Tiwari R.S. , Anand-Prakash
Published: September 2022

Bijori Formation, generally equated to the Raniganj Formation (Upper Permian) of Damodar Basin, contains a striated-disaecate dominant mioflora with abundantly represented Densipollenites and Corisaccites-Guttulapollenites and also some other miospores indicating a Permo-Triassic affinity. In the Lower Gondwana deposits of Indian Peninsula, Densipollenites-rich assemblages are characteristic of the coal-less facies towards the close of Raniganj Formation (Upper Permian). but in Satpura Basin comparable mioflora with some definite younger elements seems to exhibit Lower Triassic influence in the Upper Bijoris. By the discovery of this mioflora. the presence of a distinctive assemblage having a Lower Panchet affinity is indicated towards the top of Bijori Formation. There is, Obviously, a big scope for similar studies in the whole of Satpura Basin.
Palynology of Neogene Sediments around Quilon and Varkala, Kerala Coast, South India 1. Fungal remains
Authors: Jain K.P. , Kar R.K.
Published: September 2022

The Neogene sediments near Padappakkara, Edvai and Varkala have yielded a rich microflora. The present communication deals only with the morphotaxonomy of fungal remains, comprising 17 genera and 19 species. Of these, two genera, viz., Colligerites and Dendromyceliates and four species, viz., Colligerites chowdhryii, Parmathyrites robustus, Dendromyceliates splendus and Dicellaesporites ellipticus are new. The assemblage is dominated by epiphyllous microthyriaceous forms.
Upper Palaeozoic flora of Kashmir Himalaya
Authors: Singh G. , Maithy P.K. , Bose M.N.
Published: September 2022

The paper deals with plant fossils collected from the Upper Palaeozoic rocks of Kashmir Himalaya ranging in age from Upper Devonian to Permian. The distribution of plants, so far collected in the various formations, is as follows:

Aishmuqam Formation (Upper Devonian)- ?Taeniocrada sp. and ?Protolepidodendron sp.

Syringothyris Limestone and Fenestella Shale formations (Lower Carboniferous)- Archaeosigillaria minuta Lejal, Lepidosigillaria cf. quadrata Danze-Corsin, Lepidodendropsis cf. peruviana (Gothan) Jongmans, L. fenestrata Jongmans, Cyclostigma cf. pacifica (Steinmann) Jongmans, Rhacopteris ovata (McCoy) Walkom, Triphyllopteris lecuriana (Meek) Jongmans, Rhodea cf. subpetiolata (Potonie) Gothan and Palmatopteris cf. furcata Potonie.

Nishatbagh and Mamal formations (Lower Permian)-(a) Nishatbagh Formation-Gangamopteris kashmirensis Seward, Glossopteris longicaulis Feistmantel, G. nishatbaghensis sp. nov. and ?Nummulospermum sp. (b) Mamal Formation - Parasphenophyllum thonii var. minor (Sterzel) Asama, Trizygia speciosa Royle, Lobatannularia ensifolia Halle, Rajahia mamalensis sp. nov., Glossopteris intermittens Feistmantel, G. cf. communis Feistmantel, G. cf. feistmantelii Rigby, G. cf. taeniopteroides Feistmantel, G. angustifolia Brongniart, Glossopteris sp., ?Cordaites sp., Ginkgophyllum haydenii (Seward) Maithy,  G. sahnii (Ganju) Maithy and a cone-like organ.

In the Upper Devonian the plant fossils are extremely rare and very badly preserved. The Lower Carboniferous flora shows a remarkable resemblance with the assemblage described from Peru and is in general agreement with the rest of the Lower Carboniferous floras known from other parts of the world. The Permian flora has two distinct elements, one present in the Nishatbagh Formation and the other in the Mamal Formation. The former is dominated by the presence of Gangamopteris, whereas, the latter is dominated by Glossopteris. Moreover, at Mamal there are two genera, viz., Lobatannularia and Rajahia which are typically Cathaysian elements. Some of the species of Glossopteris, too, seem to be distinct from all the species of Glossopteris reported from the Lower Gondwana of Peninsular India.
Palynological Succession of the Lower Gondwana Sediments in Umaria Coalfield, Madhya Pradesh, India
Authors: Srivastava S.C. , Anand-Prakash
Published: September 2022

A palynological investigation of the Lower Gondwana sediments from the Umrar River section and Umaria Coal Mine, Umaria Coalfield has been described. Four miofloral zones have been recognized. The first zone is characterized by the dominance of Callumispora+ Jayantisporites and the second zone is marked by the dominance of Parasaccites and belongs to Lower and Upper Karharbari miofloras respectively. Miofloral Zone-3 has the dominance of Scheuringipollenites, whereas Miofloral Zone-4 shows the overall dominance of striate-disaccate pollen grains representing the Lower and Upper Barakar miofloras in succession.
13th Birbal Sahni Memorial Lecture: Plants Animals and Time
Authors: Chaloner W.G.
Published: September 2022

NA
Triassic plant Megafossils from the Tiki Formation, South Rewa Gondwana Basin, India
Authors: Pal P.K.
Published: September 2022

Plant megafossils are for the first time described from the Tiki Formation. The specimens are from two regions, Janar River Section, near Harai and Son River Section, near Giar, Shahdol District, Madhya Pradesh.

From the Janar River Section Lepidopteris madagascariensis Carpentier, Dicroidium hughesii (Feistmantel) Gothan, D. zuberi (Szajnocha) Archangelsky, D. sp., Xylopteris sp., Sphenobaiera janarensis Pal sp. nov. and Baiera sp. have been described. On the basis of this assemblage an Early Upper Triassic age has been suggested for Janar River beds.

Son River Section, near Giar has yielded Lepidopteris strombergensis (Seward) Townrow, Dicroidium giarensis Pal sp. nov., D. coriaceum (Johnston) Townrow, D. zuberi (Szajnocha) Archangelsky, D. sp. cf. D. odontopteroides (Morris) Gothan, Elatocladus denticulatus Pal sp. nov., E. raoi Pal sp. nov., Pagiophyllum bosei Pal sp. nov., Yabiella indica Pal sp. nov. and Desmiophyllum singhii Pal sp. nov. Beside these, a few impressions of equisetaceous stem, leaf-sheath and nodal diaphragm have also been described. A Late Upper Triassic age has been proposed for the beds exposed in the Son River.
Occurrence of Australian element in the Deccan Intertrappean flora of India
Authors: Bande M.B. , Mehrotra R.C. , Prakash U.
Published: September 2022

Three new fossil woods, viz., Eucalyptus dharmendrae sp. nov., Tristania confertoides sp. nov. and Callistemonoxylon deccanensis gen et sp. nov. resembling the modern Myrtaceous taxa Eucalyptus, Tristania conferta and Callistemon Melaleuca respectively and an infructescence Callistemonites indicus, also resembling Callistemon-Melaleuca, have been described from the Deccan Intertrappean beds of Mandla District, Madhya Pradesh. As all these genera are Australian, their presence in the Deccan Intertrappean flora is phytogeographically important.
Palynological dating of Supra-Barakar formations in Son Valley Graben
Authors: Ram-Awatar
Published: September 2022

The Pali Formation was so far considered to be barren of coal. Recently a one-meter thick coal seam has been reported in the Middle Pali in the subsurface. Palynological analysis of this coal-bearing stratum has revealed the presence of palynotaxa, viz., Densipollenites, Faunipollenites, Striatopodocarpites, Striatites and Scheuringipollenites. Strata supposed to be younger to Pali in the outcrop have yielded the genera- Gondisporites, Densipollenites and Striatopodocarpites. It shows that these beds are of the Late Permian age. At the same time, some taxa, like Lundbladispora, Palyfordiaspora, Guttulapollenites, Satsangisaccites and Nidipollenites are also present in this assemblage giving it a younger aspect, i.e., Early Triassic. It is, therefore, suggested that these sediments were deposited during Permian/Triassic time probably closer to Early Triassic.
Floristic zones in the Mesozoic formations and their relative age
Authors: Sukh-Dev
Published: September 2022

Through a comprehensive analytical study of the Mesozoic flora and synthesis of the available data 12 assemblage zones and a floral succession are established. These assemblage zones also extend into the Early Cretaceous flora in the neighboring countries: Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka. The Gondwana Triassic elements and the European Jurassic-Cretaceous elements in the flora are highlighted. The inter-relationship of the Mesozoic floras of Gondwanaland, European and Asian countries is examined. The relative age of the biozones is worked out on the basis of plant megafossils, palynology, paleontology, stratigraphy and radiometry. It is suggested that the concept of Gondwana be replaced by chronostratigraphic terms, viz., Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous for the Indian Mesozoic sediments.
First record of the genus Culcitites Appert from India and its significance
Authors: Banerji J.
Published: September 2022

The genus Culcitites Appert has been recorded from the Dubrajpur Formation exposed at Khatangi Hill, Bihar. The genus is characterized by bipinnate fronds, deltoid-rhomboidal sterile pinnules and sphenopteroid venation. Fertile pinnules are comparatively small and possess an acroscopic marginal sorus terminating on vein ending, indusium being pouch-like in shape.
Palynology of the Talchir Formation from Betul Coalfield, Satpura Basin, India
Authors: Srivastava S.C. , Anand-Prakash  , Sarate O.S.
Published: September 2022

The palynoflora recovered from the sediments of Talchir Formation of Mura Kuppa area in Betul Coalfield, Satpura Basin is rich in Plicatipollenites, followed by Parasaccites and Virkkipollenites, Potonieisporites and Rugasaccites occur consistently but in low percentages. This palynoflora is closely comparable with the known older palynofloras of the Talchir Formation of India.
Late Maastrichtian-Danian nannoplankton from basal Subathu of Dharampur, Simla Himalaya, India-Palaeogeographic implications
Authors: Jafar Syed A. , Kapoor P.
Published: September 2022

The discovery of Danian calcareous nannoplankton of combined NP3-NP4: Chiasmolithus danicus/Ellipsolithus macellus zones from apparently unproductive Subathu of Dharampur, offers new scope for high resolution dating; reworked nannofloral elements of Late Maastrichtian (Micula mura Zone of low-mid latitudes) demand the fixing of lower age limit of Subathu Formation straddling K/T boundary. This may signify an event permitting the entry of Assam-Arakan sea along the lesser Himalayan rift via Arunachal during Late Maastrichtian.
An early archaeological evidence of plane tree (Platanus Orientalis L.) in Kashmir valley
Authors: Lone Farooq A. , Buth G.M. , Khan Maqsooda
Published: September 2022

An evidence of Platanus orientalis L. (Chinar) in charcoal samples from an archaeological site at Semthan in Kashmir Valley has brought to light the earliest record of this European tree dating back to the early historic period from 500 to 1,000 A.D. The archaeological significance pertaining to its much earlier introduction in Kashmir Valley has been discussed.
Palynological investigation of Arthungal bore-hole, Alleppey District, Kerala
Authors: Rao M.R.
Published: September 2022

Palynological assemblage from the Arthungal bore-hole (Alleppey District, Kerala) consists of 49 genera and 65 species of pteridophytic spores and angiospermous pollen. Dinoflagellate Cysts and fungal remains have also been reported. Liliacidites keralaensis and Jacobipollenites arthungalensis have been established as new species. The palynological succession has been divided into three cenozones, viz., Triangulorites bellus Cenozone, Crassoretitriletes vanraadshooveni Cenozone and Malvacearumpollis bakonyensis Cenozone. Palynological data depict a warm and humid tropical climate with plenty of rainfall during the time of deposition. Palynofossils belonging to lowland, freshwater swamp and water edge, back mangrove and coastal floras have been identified. Palynological succession ranges from Eocene-Early Miocene in age.
Growth and climate relationship in Cedrus deodara from Joshimath, Uttar Pradesh
Authors: Bhattacharya A. , Yadav R.R.
Published: September 2022

Tree-ring analysis of 12 cores of Cedrus deodara collected from Joshimath, Uttar Pradesh has shown clear annual rings with year to year high variability. The statistics of tree ring data exhibits mean sensitivity 0.317, standard deviation 0.33 and first order auto-correlation 0.312 indicating suitability for climatic analysis. Response function analysis reveals that the growth of this tree is inversely related to the maximum temperature of previous summer (July, August and September) and the current summer, but directly related with precipitation of March, April, July and August of the current year.
Possible fossil sporae dispersae of hepaticae and anthocerotales in the fossil records
Authors: Pant D.D. , Singh Rita
Published: September 2022

The paper attempts to find the characters which can distinguish the spores of Hepaticae and Anthocerotales from iso- or micro-spores of pteridophytes and pollen grains of gymnosperms and angiosperms for the identification of possible fossil Sporae dispersae of bryophytes reported from different geological horizons. The problem was approached by looking for characters in fossil spores which are (i) exclusively bryophytic, (ii) prevailingly bryophytic, and (iii) closely matching characters of in situ spores of fossil bryophytes in a first-hand comparison. Our account also takes into consideration the Sporae dispersae which were described or suspected by previous workers as those of bryophytes but which could equally well belong to pteridophytes.
Plant fossil assemblages from the Barakar Formation of Raniganj Coalfield, India
Authors: Srivastava A.K.
Published: September 2022

Morphological and systematic investigation of plant fossils namely Equisetales (Phyllotheca, Lelstotheca, Phyllothecan cone, Trizygia), Filicales (Neomariopteris, Palasthalia gen. nov. showing sterile frond with auriculate base and pecopteroid venation pattern), glossopterids (leaves of Euryphyllum, Gangamopteris, Glossopteris, Palaeovittaria, Gondwanophyllites, Maheshwariphyllum gen. nov. having complete midrib and dichotomizing lateral veins, Parth,, Scutum fructifications), Cordaitales (Noeggerathiopsis, Cordaites), detached seeds of Samaropsis and Cordaicarpus and scale leaves from different seams of Barakar Formation of Raniganj Coalfield are described. The flora of the lower seams (nos. B II-B IV) is comparatively more diversified and shows affinity with the Karharbari flora, whereas the flora of upper seams (nos. B V-B VII) is monotonous in composition in being mostly represented by Glossopteris species. The composition of the flora in relation to evolution and climatic changes suggests lineage towards the development of midrib character in the glossopterid leaves and existence of temperate climate with a change from warm moist to warm dry condition.
Evolutionary trends in the reproductive biology of angiosperms
Authors: Johri B. M.
Published: September 2022

Which embryologic characters are primitive, and which are advanced, has long been a controversial issue? The comparative embryology of angiosperms and gymnosperms does not provide any useful clue. Single embryological characters are not as useful for phylogenetic and evolutionary considerations as are a group of characters. Moreover, some of the characters may be merely adaptive without any evolutionary significance. The numerous variations cause further complication.

This article is devoted to (a) distribution and phylogeny of anther tapetum, (b) affinities of megagametophyte, (c) can the angiosperm embryo sac be derived from the archegonium in gymnosperms?, (d) primitive and advanced embryological features, and (e) embryological features in Magnoliiflorae s.1. and certain Liliiflorae.
Pollen tetrads from Palaeocene sediments of Meghalaya, India: Comments on their morphology, botanical affinity and geological records
Authors: Kumar Madhav
Published: September 2022

The pollen tetrads of Kielmeyerapollenites, Droserapollis, Ericipites and two new genera, viz., Nepenthidites and Pilatetradites are studied under light and scanning electron microscopes. Each genus is tetrahedral, isodiametric and their size is relatively proportional with the size of individual grains in a tetrad. Their exine sculpture reflects that the ektexinal extension between two grains is a persistent character which plays an important role in the stability of the tetrad. Their morphological similarity with extant taxa provides additional information on symmetry, mechanism of tetrad cohesion and botanical affinities.
Contribution to the siwalik flora from Surai Khola sequence, western Nepal and its palaeoecological and phytogeographical implications
Authors: Prasad M. , Awasthi N.
Published: September 2022

A systematic study of plant megafossils comprising mostly leaf-impressions and few fruits from a sequence of the Siwalik sediments of Surai Khola area, Rapti Anchal, western Nepal has revealed 33 taxa belonging to 15 dicotyledonous families, viz., Anonaceae, Flacourtiaceae, Clusiaceae, Rutaceae, Meliaceae, Sapindaceae, Anacardiaceae, Fabaceae, Anisophylleaceae, Myrtaceae, Rubiaceae, Apocynaceae, Ebenaceae, Euphorbiaceae and Moraceae. Amongst them, Goniothalamus, Harpullia, Anisophyllea, Anthocephalus, Diplospora, Chonemorpha and Cleistanthus are new genera to the Indian Tertiary flora. The megafloral assemblage of the Surai Khola sequence, including 21 taxa reported earlier, now comprises 53 taxa of angiosperms. Most of the extant species resembling the fossil taxa are distributed in tropical evergreen to semi-evergreen forests of Western Ghats, northern India, Andaman Islands, Bangladesh, Myanmar and in Southeast Asia which suggest that warm humid climate with higher precipitation prevailed in the area during Middle Miocene-Pliocene. Looking at the floral assemblages of different formations of the Surai Khola sequence, from base to the top sediments belonging to the Lower, Middle and Upper Siwaliks, one may find a gradual shift in the vegetation pattern. The basal sediments of Bankas and Chor Khola formations have preponderance of a lowland mixed mesophytic broad leaved evergreen to semi-evergreen elements. An increase in deciduous elements in the floral composition consequent to the disappearance of dipterocarpus and other significant evergreen taxa is noticed towards the close of Middle Siwalik and the beginning of Upper Siwalik. This change in the vegetation pattern reflects the changes in climatic conditions which are mainly due to northward movement of the Indian Plate and further uplift of Himalaya.
The Pentoxyleae: an overview
Authors: Sharma B.D.
Published: September 2022

The fossil plants of the Group Pentoxyleae collected from the Rajmahal Hills suggest an assemblage of small trees with multimorphic branches, polystelic vasculature and diploxylic bundles in leaves. Microsporophylls are radial, branched and have balloon-shaped microsporangia with monocolpate spores. Ovules originate directly from cone axis. Its relationship has been discussed with different groups of gymnosperms (Medullosales, Cycadales, Bennettitales, Ginkgoales, Coniferales and Gnetales) and angiosperms.
Microscopical study of Qasimia from the Permian of western Henan Province, Central China
Authors: Hongshan Wang , Guanxiu Yang
Published: September 2022

On the basis of characters of vegetation and fertile fronds, the specimens collected from the Pingdingshan Coalfield, western Henan Province, Central China, have been assigned to a new species- Qasimia lanceolata.
Patterns of evolution of Gondwana floras and origin of angiosperms
Authors: Tiwari R.S.
Published: September 2022

Evolution is the montage of patterns and micro-patterns of organism’s lineages woven in any array of harmonized system through time. The gaps or overlappings in patterns appear to exist in this composite picture because of the lack of interconnecting information, or due to our view-point to look at the available information. The only character which defines angiosperms, exclusively and discretely, is the double fertilization; it cannot be found in fossil sate. The conclusion that the flowering plants suddenly upsurged in the Late Cretaceous is based on negative evidences of non-finding of such fossils which must match with the extant forms. The Gondwanaland had been the land of environmental stresses and the Permo-Triassic boundary had witnessed major evolutionary shifts in plant life. The micro-patterns, controlled by genetic material had manifested in the pollen morphology which are recorded in the Late Permian pollen. The molecular data also indicate a long pre-Cretaceous history for angiosperms. This period much before the breaking and drifting of the continents of the Gondwanaland had witnessed the divergence in patterns which record the initiation of the origin of flowering plants, because the monophyletic origin support their several first-appearance on ‘rafting’ islands in isolation.
The significance of a Permian flora from Irian Jaya (West New Guinea) containing elements related to coeval floras of Gondwanaland and Cathaysialand
Authors: Rigby J.F.
Published: September 2022

Previous authors have identified Permian floras from the southern side of Irian Jaya as being related to coeval floras of both Gondwanaland and Cathaysia land. Some of the identifications are revised. Many species of Glossopteris, including G. irianii sp. nov., as well as Vertebraria align the flora with Gondwanaland, whereas Gigantonoclea iriani sp. nov. and Fascipteris aidunae sp. nov. demonstrate a clear connection with Cathaysian floras.  Trizygia speciosa and Pecopteris spp. can occur in both floras. The endemic leaf species, Koraua bartonoi gen. et. sp. nov. is compared with genera from India and southern Africa. The spermophyta required direct land connection with both Gondwanaland and Cathaysialand in order to spread into the area. This is possible using Earth reconstructions based on Earth Expansion Theory, but not using reconstructions based on the Plate Tectonics Theory.
Early Cretaceous flora from central Jilin and northern Liaoning northeast China
Authors: Shaolin Zheng , Wu Zhang
Published: September 2022

The Early Cretaceous sediments widely distributed in the central Jilin and northern Liaoning of Northeast China called as Shahezi Formation contain Ruffordia-Onychiopsis flora. About 100 species belonging to 50 genera are described from these strata. In this article, the authors restudied the flora and described 7 new species- fungi: unnamed fungus, Microthyricites shaheziensis sp. nov.; ferns: Atbyrium dentosum (sp. nov.); Bennettitales: Nilssonipteris latifolia (sp. nov.) N. introvenius (sp. nov.), Nilssoniopteris sp. nov.?; Ginkgoales: Sphenobaiera szeiana (sp. nov.). Juding from the composition and characteristics of the flora, it has been considered that it may belong to the Sibirian-Canadian province phytogeographically. The age of the flora should be considered as Early Cretaceous.
Permian-Triassic Boundary: a tyro's view
Authors: Maheshwari H.K.
Published: September 2022

The major stratigraphic divisions of the Phanerozoic are based on "mass extinction events", a concept that is gradually losing followers. These divisions are called systems, and the boundaries between the different systems are often arbitrarily drawn. In continuous sequences, it is usually possible to clearly draw the system boundaries, but in case of global stratigraphic gaps, as between the Permian and the Triassic, the placement of the system boundary becomes a difficult task. This paper discusses and analyses information available on the Permian-Triassic transition, both in marine and non-marine sequences, and brings out gaps in information. It has been suggested that the system boundaries are not natural boundaries, and hence instead of focusing on a static PTB, that is, on an abrupt change from Permian to Triassic, more emphasis should be placed on the transition from Permian to Triassic which may be referred to as the PTB Interval.
Evolution and comparison of the Gondwana flora and the Cathaysia flora
Authors: Chandra Shaila , Keqin Sun
Published: September 2022

By the Late Palaeozoic, during the Late Carboniferous and Permian, the global vegetation was distinguishable into four main geobotanical provinces: Euramerican, Angara, Gondwana and Cathaysia. The largest of these four provinces was the Gondwana Supercontinent comprising two segments- (i) Western Gondwana consisting of South America and Africa possibly Iran-Afghanistan, and (ii) Eastern Gondwana consisting of Antarctica, Australia and India. The Cathaysia flora is the main flora of the Carboniferous and the Permian mainly distributed in present-day China, Korea, Japan, Laos, Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia. It is generally accepted that a typical Gondwana flora is of Early Permian to Late Triassic in age. India and China are the most important and significant and well-studied regions for Gondwana and Cathaysia floras in Asia. A comparative account of the Gondwana and Cathaysia flora, their origin, development and extinction are reviewed and discussed in the foregoing pages. Mixed floras of Cathaysian and Gondwanian affinities from Qinghai-Xizang Plateau (Tibet) and Kashmir are also reviewed and discussed.
Palynostratigraphy and palynofacies analysis of subsurface Permian sediments in Talcher Coalfield, Orissa
Authors: Tripathi Archana
Published: September 2022

Palynological analysis of subsurface sediments in bore-hole TCC-19 near Chhendipada, Talcher Coalfield, Orissa reveals the presence of a Permian palynoflora both below and above the key marker horizon-a conglomeratic pebble bed. The presence of acritarchs in the assemblage suggests brackish water conditions; the palynofacies analysis indicates low energy lacustrine conditions during the deposition of these sediments.
Permotheca with in situ pollen grains from the Lower Permian of the Urals
Authors: Krassilov Valentin A. , Afonin Sergey A. , Naugolnykh Sergey V.
Published: September 2022

Sporangial heads of the pollen organ Permotheca from the Lower Permian or Tschekarda, the Urals, are described as semisynangiate, with sporangia proximally connate for about one-third to half their length. The sporangial walls are three-layered and vascularized. The pollen grains, studied with LM, SEM and TEM are transitional protomonosaccate-bilobed to protobisaccate, sulcate, with alveolar infrastructure, lamellate nexine, and a tryphine-like surface layer. Chitrid zoosporangia occur in the pollen grains. The similarity to Idanothekion in the sporangial and pollen morphology may indicate phylogenetic relationships.
Gymnospermous woods from the Upper Triassic of northern Chile
Authors: Lutz Alicia I. , Crisafulli Alexandra , Herbst Rafael
Published: September 2022

The anatomical study of three gymnosperm fossil woods from the Upper Triassic La Coipa, La Ternera and Las Breas formations are presented. Prototaxoxylon intertrappeum is a taxacean wood from India characterized by its tertiary thickenings on their secondary tracheids: Protochamaecyparixylon klitzschii  is a cupressaceous wood also present in the Nandanga Formation of South Africa while Protophyllocladoxylon cortaderitaensis is a Protopinaceae member which was already described from the Upper Triassic of Argentina. The present text is the first description of Triassic woods from Chile.
Sedimentological and pollen studies of Lake Priyadarshini, Eastern Antarctica
Authors: Sharma Chhaya , Sinha Rajiv , Chauhan M.S.
Published: September 2022

A shallow sediment core from a freshwater Antarctic Lake-Priyadarshini, in Schirmacher Oasis, Eastern Antarctica has been studied for grain size, mineralogy and pollen assemblage. The silty clayey sediments from the lake bed have a simple clay mineral assemblage consisting of illite and chlorite with dominant quartz and feldspar in clay-size fraction. A low-hydrolyzing, periglacial depositional environment is reflected from this assemblage. The pollen analysis identifies three pollen zones based on the fluctuations in the retrieved palynomorphs which apparently manifest palaeoclimatic oscillations during Holocene.
Leaf impressions from oligocene sediments of Manmao, Tirap District, Arunachal Pradesh, India
Authors: Mehrotra R.C. , Mandaokar B.D.
Published: September 2022

A new fossiliferous locality Manmao has recently been discovered in Tirap District of Arunachal Pradesh. The leaf impressions recorded from the area are considered of Oligocene in age. As no plant megafossil is known from these beds. for the first time three fossil leaf impressions. namely Palmacites sp. of Palmae, Alstonia arunachalensis sp. nov. of Apocynaceae and Dicotylophyllum oligocenicum sp. nov. have been reported from here.
Modern pollen deposition in Mikir hills, Assam
Authors: Bera S.K.
Published: September 2022

In the present investigation eight surface samples collected in a transact from within the forest to open land around Diphu-Lumding areas or Karbi Anglong District (Lat. 25°2' & 26° 1' N: Long. 92°44' & 93°42' E) in Assam were studied with a view to construct pollen spectra from Mikir hills of Assam.
Late holocene vegetation and climate in Dewar Tal area, inner lesser Garhwal Himalaya
Authors: Chauhan M.S. , Sharma Chhaya
Published: September 2022

Pollen analysis of 1.8 m deep sedimentary profile from Dewar Tal situated in the subtropical belt of Garhwal Himalaya has revealed that between 2,500 to 2,300 years BP, open mixed chirpine and oak (Quercus) forests coexisted in the region. the former inhabiting sunny hill slopes and the latter occupying moist valleys under cool and dry climate. Subsequently, between 2,300 to 2.000 years BP these forests expanded in response to the amelioration in climate which probably turned warm and moist. Thereafter, between 2,000 to 1,400 years BP. the climatic condition deteriorated as witnessed by sudden decline in prominent arboreals like chirpine and oak. besides simultaneous improvement in grasses as well as other herbaceous elements. During the period 1400 to 400 years BP, maximum development of oak forests indicates enhancement in the precipitation. resulting in the onset of warm and moist climate in the region. The latter pan of this phase coincides closely with European Medieval Warm Period or Little Climatic Optimum of America. The constructed pollen diagram demonstrates that since 400 years BP (1.550 A.D.) cool and dry climate was restored as evidenced by gradual decline in mixed oak forest along with simultaneous expansion of chirpine forest in the region.
An improved reconstruction of summer temperature at Srinagar, Kashmir since AD 1660, based on tree-ring width and maximum latewood density of Abies pindrow [Royle] Spach
Authors: Hughes Malcolm K.
Published: September 2022

Regional chronologies based on conifer ring width and density variables were developed for the region surrounding the Vale of Kashmir. The effects of age/size trend on the raw data were removed by a more conservative technique than in previous work in this region, in the hope of retaining multidecadal climate variability. A reconstruction of split summer temperature (April through September, excluding July) at Srinagar captured 58% of the variance of the instrumental record (56% in validation). Decadal to multidecadal variability was distributed throughout the reconstructed period, but interannual variability was greater in the first century of the reconstruction than later. In particular, there was a higher concentration of the coolest summers before 1770 than after.
Some interesting plant fossils from the Mesozoic of the Rajmahal Hills, India
Authors: Sharma B.D. , Bohra D.R. , Suthar O.P.
Published: September 2022

Description is given of some interesting plant fossils preserved as petrifactions in the Rajmahal Hills, Jharkhand. These are either new and reponed for the first time or an additional information is given on already known earlier description. The fossil taxa belong to algae, lichen, gymnosperms and angiosperms.