bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A new peltaspermaceous pteridosperm from the Upper Permian of the Russian platform
Authors: Naugolnykh Serge V.
Published: September 2022

The paper focuses on the description of a new species of peltaspermalean pteridosperm Peltaspermopsis polyspermis Naug. sp. nov. The plant remains were collected from the Upper Permian (Tatarian) of northern part of Russia (N. Dvina River Basin). The species is characterized both by reproductive organs (seed bearing discs and their racemose aggregations) and vegetative organs (stems with nodes of seasonal growth interruptions and Pursongia-like lanceolate leaves). The new combination Peltaspermum parvulum (Six tel) Naug. comb. nov. is proposed. General questions concerning Pursongia Zalessky, its taxonomical composition, morphological features and its relationship with Glossopteris are discussed. The species Pursongia amalitzkii Zalessky is described on the base of newly collected material.
Studies in fossil gymnospermous woods Part X: Three new species of Araucarioxylon from Lower Gondwana Strata of Chandrapur District of Maharashtra State, India
Authors: Agashe S.N. , Shashi Kumar M.S.
Published: September 2022

Recent paleobotanical expedition to several Lower Gondwana (Permian) localities occuring in Chandrapur District of Maharashtra has brought to light several well preserved petrified gymnospermous woods. In the present paper three new species of Araucarioxylon i.e., A. aravii sp. nov., A. chandrapurensis sp. nov. & A. shailae sp. nov. are described based on distinct anatomical characters.
Indian Gondwana palynochronology: relationships and chronocalibration
Authors: Tiwari R.S. , Kumar Rajiv
Published: September 2022

The concept of Gondwana Sequence on the Indian Peninsula is discussed from the viewpoint of time, geographical extent and environment. It has been ascertained that Talchir deposition began in the late Asselian (Early Permian) and not during the Permo-Carboniferous. The Karharbari succession is a distinct formation. The Barakar Formation should continue to be placed in the Lower Permian of the bipartite division of the Permian System. The Banspitali Nala section, in the south of Damodar River, Raniganj Coalfield. West Bengal, India, maybe a suitable nonmarine reference section for the Permian-Triassic boundary. To determine the age-ranges of the palynozones through the Gondwana Sequence, there is a need for cross-correlation with sections in the Himalayan region and in other areas of Gondwanaland.
Brachyphyllum liaoningense sp. nov. from the Upper Jurassic of Northeast China
Authors: Deng Shenghui , Shang Ping
Published: September 2022

Fossil conifer twigs and foliage referred to Brachyphyllum liaoningense sp. nov. were collected from the Tuchengzi Formation of Beipiao Basin, Liaoning Province, Northeast China. The leaves are arranged spirally on twigs, with a basal cushion tapering into a small free part. The length of the free part is little less than the width. Stomata exist on both adaxial and abaxial cuticles, but more on the abaxial side. The stomata are rounded or elliptic in form and arranged in longitudinal files in the abaxial cuticle, the epidermal cells between the stomatal files are elongated rectangular or in strip-form. The guard cells are sunken. The subsidiary cells are monocyclic, 5-7 in number, lack encircling cells. A few stomata are scattered on the adaxial cuticle, which are similar to those of the abaxial cuticle except that they have encircling cells. It is presumed that the subsidiary cells of Brachyphyllum show a tendency of increasing in number from Jurassic to the Early Cretaceous.
Seeds, fructifications, bracts and calamitalean axes from the Karanpura and Bokaro Group of coalfields
Authors: Singh Shiv Mohan
Published: September 2022

The paper deals with fructifications of glossopterids (viz. Gonophylloides sp., Scutum sp., Ottokaria sp., & Bokarospermum gen. nov.), seeds (Cordaicarpus), bracts and calamitalean axes found in a detached condition from the Barakar Formation of the Karanpura and Bokaro Group of coalfields. Vertebraria axes were also observed from the Rikba plant bed of North Karanpura Coalfield. These mentioned taxa are only a small part of an extensive and significant flora of Karanpura and Bokaro Group of coalfields.
Amberiwadiacarpon devgarhensis gen. et sp. nov. from Amberiwadi, Sindhudurg District, Maharashtra, India
Authors: Agarwal A. , Ambwani K.
Published: September 2022

A fossil carbonised angiospermous fruit, Amberiwadiacarpon devgarhensis gen. et sp. nov. has been recovered for the first time from the Miocene sediments of Amberiwadi Village (Devgarh Taluk), Sindhudurg District, Maharashtra, India. Based on the morphological characters, the affinities of present fossil fruit have been suggested with the extant pantropical family Rubiaceae and more particularly with the taxa Randia Houst. ex Linn. and Psychotria Linn. of this family.
Long term monitoring of air-borne pollen and fungal spores and their allergenic significance
Authors: Khandelwal Asha
Published: September 2022

The qualitative and quantitative analyses of aerospora at Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany are assessed for the biogenic pollutants of Lucknow atmosphere. The Impaction method was employed for preparing annual pollen and spore calendars over six years (1969-1970, 1970-1971, 1971-1972, 1983-84, 1984-1985, 1985-1986). As many as 61 types of pollen grains and 27 types of fungal spores have been encountered. The maximum numbers of pollen grains were recorded in the year 1985-86 (24383) and minimum in the year 1969-70 (13005), whilst the maximum number of fungal spores encountered were in 1971-72 (22604) and minimum in the year 1969-70 (12771).

It has been visualized that long term pollen/spore monitoring at a particular site provides a strong base for the prediction of aeroallergens as a warning towards the allergenic disorders. The well recognised allergenic pollen and spore of Lucknow area include Argemone mexicana, Amaranthus spinosus, Cannabis sativa, Chenopodium album, Prosopis juliflora, Cyperus rotundus, Ricinus communis, Xanthium strumarium and many species of Aspergillus.
From the Archives: An historical outline of Indian Palaeobotany
Authors: Lakhanpal R.N.
Published: September 2022

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Petrified araucarian remains from Sonajori, Rajmahal Basin, India
Authors: Banerji J. , Jana B.N.
Published: September 2022

Permineralized araucarian ovulate and pollen cones are described here for the first time in close association from Early Cretaceous intertrappean rocks of the Sonajori Locality in the Rajmahal Basin, Jharkhand. These cones were found associated with woods and leafy shoots bearing spirally arranged falcate to oblanceolate leaves. The leaf, in longitudinal section shows epidermis followed by parenchymatous mesophyll and transfusion tissue. Ovulate cones, elliptical-spherical in shape, with spirally attached bracts and ovuliferous scales bearing mostly one and rarely two ovules/seeds per cone scale complex. Cone scale complex is characterised by the presence of "circa" (ligular sulcus). In one specimen, cross-section shows close association of numerous pollen grains with the cone scale complex of the cone indicating the preservation of cone at pollination stage. In another specimen, cross-section shows cone scale with oblong inverted ovule/seed, ovule integument/seed testa with three distinct layers, nucellus free except at chalazal end, shrunken at micropylar region and the presence of an embryonic tissue shows a post fertilisation stage of cone preservation. Anatomical features of these cones indicate various stages of cone maturity. The microsporangiate cone elongated in shape, in tangential view shows microsporophylls as well as circular-oval sporangia in cross-section. Transverse-sections of cone shows a central axis surrounded by numerous elongated narrow sporangia in longitudinal section and rhomboidal tip of the microsporophyll. The microsporophyll shows only parenchymatous tissue in sectional view of distal part: dispersed circular alete pollen grains are found associated with ovulate/seed cone and sterile shoots. Morphological and anatomical features of all the Indian species of araucarian cone described earlier are also critically assessed.
Palynology of the Baratang Formation, Andaman-Nicobar Islands and the significance of reworked palynomorphs
Authors: Mandal J. , Chandra A. , Bhattacharya A.P.
Published: September 2022

Spores-pollen and dinoflagellate cysts data from five sections of the Baratang Formation (Baratang Island) are analysed. The record of stratigraphic potential forms indicates an Early to Late Eocene age for the recovered assemblages. The palynoassemblages from this Formation are also associated with the reworked palynofossils belonging to Permian, Triassic and Jurassic-Cretaceous ages. The reworked taxa dominate over the poorly represented Eocene palynomorphs and have Gondwanic affinity. A comparison of Tertiary palynoflora of Baratang with Assam and Myanmar demonstrate the presence of some palynotaxa in all the areas but common occurrence of significant taxa such as Retitrisyncolpites, Baculimonocolpites and Lanagiopollis (regularis) shows more close relationship between Andaman and Myanmar flora than Assam. The recycled palynomorphs of Gondwanic affinity have provided valuable clue to locate the source and direction of sediments. Various views relating to provenance of reworked palynomorphs have been analysed on the basis of present data which suggest that Chindwin Basin of Myanmar mainly supplied reworked palynomorphs containing sediments. The palynological, palaeocurrent and lithological evidences do not support the origin of reworked elements from Wharton Basin, Assam Basin or autochthonous (Triassic) sediments.
International Conference CSCOP-TSOP 2002- Emerging Concepts in Organic Petrology and Geochemistry, Canada [including Dr Archie G. Douglas Symposium]
Authors: Singh B.D. , Varma Atul K.
Published: September 2022

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Chandra Dutt Pant Award 2002
Authors: Sinha A.K.
Published: September 2022

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From the Archives: Palaeobotanical aspects of Geochronology
Authors: Zeuner Frederick E.
Published: September 2022

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Densoisporites polaznaensis sp. nov. with comments on its relation to Viatcheslavia vorcutensis Zalessky
Authors: Naugolnykh Serge V. , Zavialova Natalia E.
Published: September 2022

A new species of lycopsid microspores, Densoisporites polaznaensis., is described. The spores were extracted from clayey matrix containing stems and phylloids of Viatcheslavia vorcutensis Zalessky, a characteristic lepidophyte of the lowermost Upper Permian (Solikamskian) of the Ural Mountains and Russian Platform. The fossils studied came from the Polazna Locality of the Ufimian (Roadian) age, situated near Perm City, Russia. The spores of D. polaznaensis are 30-69 µm, round to subtriangular, having almost smooth proximal side with clearly visible trilete scar with rays extended to the spore equator. Distal side of the spores has a fine granulate relief, formed by widely spaced distinct granulae. The sporoderm is two-layered; the outer layer consists of numerous interlaced lamellae and the inner layer includes a single lamella. At some sections, in the central region of spores, "laminated zones" were detected in the inner layer. There is a weakly developed cavity in the sporoderm. Viatcheslavia vorcutensis is represented by wide stem fragments (up to 30 cm in diameter). Leaf cushions are present on old lowermost stem parts, but any attached phylloids/sporophylls were not found, the phylloids/sporophylls obviously were shed. Leaf cushions usually are round, with clear scar of leaf attachment and ligular depression on the upper margin of the cushion. Two small areas of parenchymatous tissues (possible parichnos) are occasionally seen. On the basis of cooccurrences and typological extrapolation with related taxa of lycophytes belonging to the family Pleuromeiaceae, it is suggested that microspores of Densoisporites polaznaensis were produced by Viatcheslavia vorcutensis. The palaeoecology of Viatcheslavia vorcutensis interpreted as a halophytic plant is discussed.
A note on the geographic and stratigraphic distribution of Jurinodendron in China
Authors: Feng Zhuo , Li Ping , Shen Guanglong , Wang Jun
Published: September 2022

Cyclostigma. Haughton ex. Heer 1871, which is a homonym of modern botany, should be abandoned. Doweld proposed Jurinodendron Doweld to replace it. This paper shows the geographic and stratigraphic distribution of Jurinodendron in P.R. China, which adds to the current knowledge of the distribution of Jurinodendron Doweld and its significance as a cosmopolitan taxon.
Permian Gondwana megaspores from Wardha Basin, India
Authors: Tewari Rajni , Rajanikanth A. , Jha Neerja
Published: September 2022

A rich megaspore assemblage has been recorded from the Early Permian Barakar Formation of Umrer Coalfield, Wardha Basin. The assemblage is represented by nine genera and thirteen species. Bokarosporites rotundus, Banksisporites indicus, B. utkalensis, Duosporites congoensis, D. irregularis, Duosporites sp., Barakarella pantii, Talchirella trivedii, Jhariatriletes baculosus, two new species - Biharisporites umrerensis and B. waigaoensis besides the taxa Lagenoisporites sp. and Setosisporites hirsutus. The last two are reported for the first time from India Preponderance of trilete and gulate megaspores indicates a dominance of Cryptogams and an association of gulate forms, in particular, suggests lycopsid affinity. The assemblage indicates prevalence of marshy and humid environmental conditions of deposition.
Environmental implications of Gondwana wood studies in India
Authors: Rajanikanth A. , Tewari Rajni
Published: September 2022

A synthesis of fossil gymnospermous woods from various Gondwana basins of India is presented, and characters of growth rings in the secondary wood, particularly tracheidal cell characters, are evaluated for possible palaeoclimatic signals. Permian fossil woods are mostly recorded from the Damuda, Wardha and Pranhita-Godavari basins. Growth rings are common in many of these species and suggest strong seasonality. Triassic woods are poorly known from the South Rewa Gondwana Basin; the paucity of growth rings suggests a lack of marked seasons. Available evidence on Jurassic woods from the Pranhita-Godavari Graben indicates lack of consistency in the growth ring distribution. Early Cretaceous fossil woods recorded from the Damuda, Pranhita-Godavari, East-Coast and Kutch basins mostly show growth rings, which suggest prevalence of distinct seasons. Ecological factors coupled with phenotypic plasticity, i.e., variation with the same genotype as a function of environmental differences (genetic flexibility) probably dictated wood accumulation patterns in Indian Gondwana woods. However, palaeo-latitudinal and palaeo-physiographic constraints influenced habitats, and subsequent taphonomic processes resulted in incomplete understanding of palaeoclimate. In the absence of contemporary meteorological data during Gondwana times on what is now on the Indian continent, fossil woods constitute an important tool for understanding the past impact of climate on tree growth.
New Jurassic protocycadalean ovuliphores and the origins of the Cycadales
Authors: Krassilov Valentin A. , Doludenko Maya P.
Published: September 2022

Ovuliferous spikes with two lateral rows of ovules are described from the Callovian of Georgia. The ovules are large, orthotropous, oblique to the stout rachis, with a scar of subtending bract at the base. They show a relatively thin integument and a bulky nucellus topped by a broad nucellar beak. This find constitutes a new genus Baruligyna gen. nov. closely related to the previously described Semionogyna Krassilov et Bugdaeva from the Lower Cretaceous of Transbaikalia. Both are associated with pteridosperm-like foliage. In the case of Baruligyna, the associated leaves are of a Pachypteris morphotype, bipinnate with thick leathery pinnules similar to the ovules in shape and dimensions. This group of Mesozoic plants is considered as transitional between the Permian callipterids and the Mesozoic cycads indicating the origin of Cycas-type ovuliphores ("macrosporophylls") form planated bracteate strobili.
Palynology of the Lakadong Sandstone (Late Palaeocene) exposed around Bhalukurung, North Cachar Hills, Assam
Authors: Chakraborty Madhabi
Published: September 2022

A rich palynoassemblage is recorded from the carbonaceous shale and coal beds in the Lakadong Sandstone exposed around Bhalukurung on the bank of Kopili River, near Umrongso (North Cachar Hills), Assam. The palynoassemblage comprises 40 genera and 60 species. The significant palynotaxa are Dandotiaspora dilata, D. telonata, Lycopodiumsporites speciosus, Neocouperipollis kutchensis, Matanomadhiasulcites maximus, Spinizonocolpites echinatus, Proxapertiles cursus, Lakiapollis ovatus, Tricolporopollis matanomadhensis and Proteacidites protrudus. The present assemblage has been equated with that of Lycopodiumsporites speciosus Cenozone on the basis of palynofloral similarity. The assemblage has been compared with the known contemporaneous palynoassemblages from northeast India and Kutch to assess similarities and differences between them. The palynoflora indicates tropical, warm humid climate and coastal depositional environment with mangrove swamps. The assemblage indicates an Upper Palaeocene (Thanetion) age.
Cuticular studies on the fossil leaves from Churia (Siwalik) sediments of Arjun Khola Sequence, western Nepal
Authors: Prasad M. , Khare E.G.
Published: September 2022

Two fossil leaf impressions along with their cuticle, collected from Middle Siwalik (Upper Miocene) sediments of Arjun Khola Sequence, about 3 km north-west of Lamhi in Deokhuri District of western Nepal, have been identified on the basis of their morphological and cuticular features. They resemble closely with the modern taxa. Sterculia coccinea Jack. and Diospyros toposia Ham. of the Sterculiaceae and Ebenaceae respectively. The present distribution of the modern equivalent taxa of the fossils and the presence of fungal spores in their cuticle collectively indicate the prevalence of warm humid climate in the area during Upper Miocene.
Remarks on Glutoxylon burmense (Holden) Chowdhury from Lal Mai Hills, Camilla District, Bangladesh
Authors: Kar R.K. , Ambwani K. , Agarwal A. , Saha S.K.
Published: September 2022

A fossil wood resembling the extant wood of Gluta of the family Anacardiaceae is described from the Lal Mai Hills, Comilla District, Bangladesh. The Lal Mai Hills belongs to Dupi Tila Formation and is of Late Miocene in age. The fossil wood closely resembles Gluta in the presence of mostly solitary vessels with tyloses, xylem rays uni to biseriate, apotracheal-paratracheal parenchyma, fibres arranged in radial rows and radial gum canals. The probable cause of extinction of Gluta from the eastern parts of India and Bangladesh has also been discussed.
From the Archives: Botanical perspective on the Quaternary
Authors: Vishnu-Mittre
Published: September 2022

The paper discusses the botanical perspective of the Quaternary research in the light of phenomenal and revolutionary progress ushered in by the oceanic research of deep sea cores and long uninterrupted terrestrial sequences. It is suggested that the botanical parameter should be equipped sufficiently and the dynamic nature of climatic requirements of plant species must be taken into consideration for past inference of environmental syndromes and for its overall applicability so that the consumer disciplines are not misled.
Palaeogene plant fossils of Manipur and their palaeoecological significance
Authors: Guleria J.S , Singh R.K. Hemanta , Mehrotra R.C. , Soibam I. , Kishor Rajkumar
Published: September 2022

The paper describes for the first time some Palaeogene plant fossils from Manipur, Northeast India. The fossils were recovered from the late Eocene and early Oligocene sediments in the vicinity of the boundary of the Disang and Barail Groups of rocks of the Imphal Valley and its adjoining areas. All the fossils belong to Angiosperms and represent monocots and dicots. The assemblage consists of mainly dicotyledonous leaves, two types of palm leaves, a fruiting shoot, a leguminous fruit and a bark. The fossil leaves show a rich morphological diversity and indicate the existence of warm and humid tropical vegetation at the time of deposition.
Palynological analysis of Lower Gondwana sediments exposed along the Umrar River, South Rewa Basin, Madhya Pradesh, India
Authors: Ram-Awatar  , Kumar Madhav , Prakash Neeru
Published: September 2022

The palynflora and other organic content in carbonaceous shales, exposed along Umrar River, District Umaria have been studied. The organic matter comprises rich black debris, biodegraded, amorphous and structured material, mainly composed of land-derived plant fragments, e.g., leaf cuticles, twigs, stem (elements with bordered pits, xylem and phloem tissues) and roots with their various degradational phases. The basal part of the sequence indicates reducing environment of deposition while upper part denotes a slow depositional setting under moderately oxidizing conditions. Two palynozones have been recognized: the basal-most sequence is characterized by the dominance of Callumispora and Jayantisporites, while the younger sequence is dominated by Parasaccites-Plicatipollenites and zonate triletes in association with striate-bisaccate pollen affiliated to the Lower and Upper Karharbari miofloras. Record of Dictyotidium, Muraticava, Leiosphaeridia, Balmeella, Foveofusa and Tetraporina suggests a brackish water regime during deposition of these sediments. The present study deals with the age of spores-pollen assemblages and the characteristics of organic matter in order to assess the depositional environment of lithologically undifferentiated, coal-bearing Early Permian strata of South Rewa Basin, Madhya Pradesh.
Petrified Neogene woods of Tripura
Authors: Mehrotra R.C. , Bhattacharyya A. , Shah Santosh Kumar
Published: September 2022

A large number of fossil woods were collected from three new fossiliferous localities situated in the South Tripura District, India where rocks of the Tipam Group (Late Miocene) are exposed. Three of these woods, namely Bauhinia, Dipterocarpoxylon and Glutoxylon have been described out of which first two are reported for the first time from this region. Their presence indicates the existence of tropical evergreen forests in the South Tripura District during the Late Miocene.
Organic-rich shale in the Palaeoproterozoic Kajrahat Formation, Vindhyan Supergroup, Son Valley: implications and genesis
Authors: Jeevankumar S. , Banerjee S.
Published: September 2022

The paper attempts to interpret the textural attributes of the shelf-originated, organic-rich shale unit of the Kajrahat Formation in the Proterozoic Vindhyan Supergroup. The black shales, alternating with thinly laminated dolomite beds exhibit many textural features, indirectly indicating microbial mat growth on muddy siliciclastics. The microbial mat features are subdivided broadly into three different categories related to growth, destruction and diagenesis of microbial mat. Wavy and crinkly laminated fabric is very characteristic of the shales, thin mud drapes imparting the wavy laminae conspicuous. Pyrite, formed because of anaerobic decay of microbial mat follows the carbonaceous laminae, rather than being disseminated. Cohesive behaviour of the shales is manifested by the folded and contorted nature of the carbonaceous laminae at places. Sticky nature of the microbial mats possibly generated the quartz-silt aggregates and abundant scattered quartz silts within the carbonaceous laminae. The black shale unit of the Kajrahat Formation, thus, appears to have microbial mat origin like many other contemporaneous black shales reported from Precambrian black shales. The occurrence of microbially originated, organic-rich shale suggests curtailment of siliciclastic supply.
A new species of Glandulataenia Pant from the Triassic of Nidpur, M.P., India
Authors: Bhowmik Nupur , Das Neelam
Published: September 2022

The present paper embodies a detailed account of the morphological features of Glandulataenia pantii, a new species of the leaf genus Glandulataenia Pant. It differs from the two earlier described species of Glandulataenia, G. glandulata and G. triassicus in a number of features. Glandulataenia pantii leaf is comparatively smaller in size and narrower in width and has a higher concentration of lateral veins per centimetre. The midrib is distinct and narrower than those of the earlier described species and is persistent up to apex. Between the lateral veins, are dark coloured circular glands, whose frequency varies in basal, middle and apical regions of the leaf. Leaves are amphistomatic, stomata usually restricted to areas in between lateral veins and on the midrib as well as lateral veins. Stomata haplocheilic, irregular to transverse in orientation. Guard cells sunken, each with 4 to 6 undifferentiated subsidiary cells. Cells over midrib elongated, rectangular, narrow usually thin, straight walled. Cells of lamina thin, sinuous walled.
Notes on elements of the Oligocene flora from the Makum Coalfield, Assam, India
Authors: Mehrotra R.C. , Dilcher David L. , Lott Terry A.
Published: September 2022

A new species Daphnogene makumensis sp. nov. (Lauraceae), plus Equisetum sp. both new to the flora, and Mesua antiqua Awasthi et al. are described from the Tikak Parbat Formation of the Makum Coalfield, Assam, India. The formation is considered Late Oligocene in age. The fossil assemblage indicates the existence of tropical evergreen to moist deciduous forest in the region during the Late Oligocene.
Late Holocene vegetation and climate change in Loktak Lake region, Manipur, based on pollen and chemical evidence
Authors: Nautiyal C.M. , Chauhan M.S.
Published: September 2022

The pollen and elemental analyses from a 73 cm deep sediment profile from Loktak Lake region, Manipur have provided insight into the changing vegetation and climatic scenario in the region during the Late Holocene. The investigation has revealed that between 1650 and 600 yr B.P., open vegetation comprising largely grasses and heathland taxa Asteraceae, Chenopodiaceae/Amaranthaceae, etc. with sprinkle of trees viz., Holoptelea, Symplocos, Acacia, etc. occurred in the region adjoining to the lake. The good profusion of ferns, fungal and algal remains as well as presence of aquatics implies that a humid climate prevailed in the region. The low C/N ratio also corroborates such climatic condition. The retrieval of Cerealia and other cultural pollen taxa denotes some sort of agricultural practice in the vicinity of the lake. From 600 yr B.P. to Present the expansion of open vegetation and a contemporary reduction of trees infer the inception of a less humid climate probably owing to reduction in monsoon precipitation. This is also evidenced by a sharp decline in ferns, fungal and aquatic elements. However, the agricultural practice continued with same pace, as before since the culture pollen taxa do not show any distinct alteration.
Early and Late Permian palynoflora from Lower Gondwana sediments of Gundala area, Godavari Graben, Andhra Pradesh, India
Authors: Jha Neerja , Aggarwal Neha
Published: September 2022

Palynological investigations in 377 m deep subsurface sediments of Bore core MLG-28 from Gundala area of Lingala-Koyagudem coal belt, Godavari Graben, Andhra Pradesh have revealed three distinctly identifiable palynoassemblages related to Early Permian (Karharbari and Barakar formations) and Late Permian (Raniganj Formation). Palynoassemblage-I showing dominance of Parasaccites alongwith high percentage of Scheuringipollenites and Callumispora belongs to Upper Karharbari. Palynoassemblage-II having dominance of nonstriate disaccates chiefly Scheuringipollenites indicates Lower Barakar affinity while Palynoassemblages-III characterised by dominance of striate disaccates along with the occurrence of some stratigraphically significant taxa, viz. Kamthisaccites, Lunatisporites, Falcisporites, Hamiapollenites, Guttulapollenites, Lundbladispora and Weylandites indicates the Late Permian (Raniganj) age. Raniganj palynoflora has been demarcated in lithologically designated Barren Measures Formation. This is the first report of Late Permian (Raniganj) palynoflora from Gundala area.
Late Holocene vegetation, climate change and human impact in southwestern Madhya Pradesh, India
Authors: Quamar M.F. , Chauhan M.S.
Published: September 2022

Pollen analysis of a 2 m deep sediment profile from the dried Kachhar Lake, Sehore District, has demonstrated that between 2050 and 1610 yr BP, open Acacia-scrub forest constituted of Acacia cf. nilotica, Grewia, Mitragyna, Sapotaceae flourished in the region under relatively warm and humid climate with moderate monsoon precipitation, than that prevails today. The retrieval of fragmentary charcoals implies the repeated forest fire incidences. The presence of Cerealia and ruderal plant taxa, viz. Cannabis sativa, Cheno/Am, Caryophyllaceae, etc. suggests the agricultural practices in the region. Between 1610 and 600 yr BP, Acacia-scrub forest turned profuse with expansion of Acacia cf. nilotica and other arboreals, viz. Shorea robusta, Terminalia, Grewia and Madhuca indica in response to more-humid climate with the onset of increased monsoon precipitation. Agriculture practice continued with same intensity as before. Since 600 yr BP onwards, the climate changed to less-humid as indicated by decline in Acacia-scrub forest. The decline in Cerealia reflects the low pace of agriculture practice.
Occurrence of the Genus Pachypteris in the Triassic of India
Authors: Pal Pankaj K. , Basu Moumita
Published: September 2022

The leaf genus Pachypteris Brongniart occurs commonly in Mesozoic rocks throughout the world. In India, the genus has hitherto been known only from the Lower Cretaceous strata of Rajmahal, Jabalpur, Bhuj and Pariwar formations. However, a few specimens collected from the Janar River beds of Tiki Formation, in their gross features and cuticular details, evidently represent a new species of the genus. The species, named as Pachypteris hirsuta sp. nov., in addition to its obvious hypostomatic lamina, is characterized by the presence of polygonal trichome bases. Each trichome base is surrounded by a ring of radially elongated cells.

From Janar River beds, species of Lepidopteris, Dicroidium, Xylopteris, Sphenobaiera and Baiera have been described earlier. Pachypteris is a further addition to this assemblage. On the basis of faunal and floral remains, Tiki Formation has been dated as Upper Triassic. Occurrence of Pachypteris is hereby recorded for the first time from Indian Triassic strata.
Palynological studies in the Lower Siwalik sediments of Nahan, Himachal Pradesh, India
Authors: Prasad Mahesh , Khare E.G. , Ambwani K. , Singh Sanjai Kumar
Published: September 2022

The present study highlights for the first time recovery of the Lower Siwalik palynoassemblage comprising algal, fungal, pteridophytic spores, gymnosperms and angiosperm pollen from an exposed section on Nahan-Ponta Saheb Road, Himachal Pradesh. The qualitative and quantitative analysis revealed that the algal and fungal spores are dominated by angiosperms, followed by pteridophytes and gymnosperms. The angiosperms show their maximum percentage in the total assemblage. Algal remains are feeble in number. The important taxa recovered are: Psiloschizosporis microreticulatus sp. nov., Notothyrites sp., Lacrimasporonites barrelicus sp. nov, Lygodiumsporites lakiensis Saxena, Polypodiisporites perverrucatus Nandi, Crassoretitriletes vanraadshooveni Germeraad et al., Todisporites kutchensis Sah & Kar, Pinuspollenites crestus Kar, Araucariacites sp., Podocarpidites ruminatus sp. nov., Palmaepollenites kutchensis Venkatachala & Kar, Palmidites naviculus Kar & Saxena, Palaeomalvaceaepollis mammilatus Kar, Retimonosulcites circularis sp. nov., Retitribrevicolporites nahanensis sp. nov., Ligulifloraedites pilatus Kar, Pseudonothofagidites kutchensis Kar, Meliapollis quadrangularis (Ramanujam) Sah & Kar. On the basis of their affinities with modern equivalents, a humid tropical to subtropical climate has been indicated encompassing some fresh water bodies during the deposition of these sediments in this area. The gymnospermous taxa (cf. Pinus, Podocarpus and Araucaria) were possibly derived from uplands of nearby area.
Further contribution to the knowledge of Chitaleypushpam mohgaoense Paradkar
Authors: Kokate P.S. , Patil G.V. , Upadhye E.V. , Sarate Omprakash S.
Published: September 2022

This paper deals with the investigation of the petrified flower Chitaleypushpam mohgaoense Paradkar and redescribes the flower in as much detail as possible. The present petrified flower was collected from well-known fossiliferous locality Mohgaonkalan, M.P., India, where Deccan Intertrappean beds are exposed. The previous diagnosis of the genus and the species is emended. The additional characters of Chitaleypushpam are especially about structure of carpels. In the present fossil flowers gynoecia are seven carpeled and nine carpeled in Specimen-A and Specimen-B, respectively. Besides this, in cross section the ovary reveals stellate structure. From the above discussion it is clear that present fossil flowers closely resemble Chitaleypushpam mohgaoense Paradkar in many characters and hence are placed under the same genus and species with emended diagnosis.
Occurrence of spore tetrads in the Pali sediments of South Rewa Basin, India and their climatic inference
Authors: Ram-Awatar
Published: September 2022

A group of spore tetrads with variable ornamentations have been recorded during the palynological analysis of subsurface Upper Pali sediments (Early to Middle Triassic), Sohagpur Coalfield, Madhya Pradesh, India. These tetrads are assignable to the form genera-Lundbladispora, Densoisporites, Lapposisporites and Verrucosisporites. It has been observed that these spores were regularly released in unseparated tetrads indicative of failure to complete the normal processes of spore development. This may be due to the anomaly in the temperature responsible for the non-dissolution of the callose wall which holds these spores in the form of tetrads. Occurrence of spore tetrads in certain group of plant community is a positive evidence which suggests that chronic environmental mutagenesis has taken place all over the world during the end Permian ecological crisis.
Variations in Bennettitalean leaves of the Indian Gondwana
Authors: Prakash Neeru , Kumar Madhav
Published: September 2022

The Bennettitales is a group of extinct seed plants characterized by pinnately compound crown of leaves which occur at the top of the stem and resembles cycads. These plants constitute a major portion of the Mesozoic vegetation and have a long geological history. The morphological variations in pinnate leaves exhibit primitive to advanced characters, i.e. simple to pinnately compound leaves with variable shapes, sizes and venation patterns. The interrelationships among various genera of the group have been traced.
A basal Gondwana palynoflora from the glacigene sediments of Tatapani-Ramkola Coalfield, India
Authors: Kar Ratan
Published: September 2022

Palynological studies were undertaken on the sediments of Talchir Formation exposed along a stream cutting in the Tatapani-Ramkola Coalfield, Chhattisgarh State, India. The glacigenic nature of the Talchir Formation is evident, as manifested by the presence of lithified tillites, varves and rafted boulders. The varve clays have yielded a well preserved assemblage rich in radial monosaccates. The assemblage is dominated by Plicatipollenites (26-31%) with a sub-dominance of Parasaccites (8-22%). Potonieisporites, Virkkipollenites, Caheniasaccites and Sahnites are the other important constituents. The recovered palynoflora is characteristic of Plicatipollenites-Parasaccites palynoassemblage, which represents Lower Talchir palynozone and is of early Permian age.
Pennsylvanian megaspores from northeastern border of the Paraná Basin, Brazil: Correlation with Indian Gondwana megaspores
Authors: Mune Sandra Eiko , Tewari Rajni , Bernardes-de-Oliveira Mary E.C.
Published: September 2022

Analysis of sediments from Campinas and Monte Mor, municipalities of the State of São Paulo, Brazil, has revealed the presence of new megaspores in addition to the known taxa. Trilete, alete, azonate and gulate dis persed fossil megaspores were recorded from the lower and middle levels of the Itararé Group from the northeastern border of the Paraná Basin (Lower Pennsylvanian) of Campinas municipality (Upper Bashkirian-Lower Moscovian) and of Monte Mor municipality (Kazimovian). Twenty-four species of megaspores recovered from one or both of these localities have been systematically analyzed and the synonymy of four previously described megaspores has been discussed.

The present study of megaspores from Campinas reveals the presence of the taxa Banksisporites dijkstrae, B. endosporitiferus, B. utkalensis, Biharisporites spinosus, Bokarosporites psilatus, B. rotundus, Duosporites perversus, Duosporites sp. a, Lagenicula horrida, Lagenicula sp., L. nudus, L. rugosus, Lagenoisporites cf. L. hispanicus and Lagenoisporites. sp. The megaspores from Monte Mor includes the taxa Bokarosporites rotundus, Duosporites sp. b, Lagenoisporites nudus, L rugosus and L. cf. L. hispanicus. The taxa Bokarosporites rotundus, B. psilatus, Banksisporites utkalensis, B. endosporitiferus, B. dijkstrae and Biharisporites spinosus are also known from the Permian of India. Banksisporites tenuis previously detected in Campinas and Monte Mor localities is also a species which is shared with India. The presence of these taxa in the Pennsylvanian of the Paraná Basin, Brazil indicates their appearance in the Carboniferous. While all of them persisted up to the Permian, some like Biharisporites spinosus, Banksisporites tenuis and B. utkalensis extend up to Triassic and Early Cretaceous as well. The presence of these megaspores both in India and in Brazil indicates the occurrence of common ancestral heterosporous early land plants. An attempt has been made to inte rpret the palaeogeographic distribution pattern of some of the megaspores which appeared earlier in Brazil as compared to India, suggesting the floral migration from Brazil towards India.
On the Permian permineralized woods of the "Fossil Flora of the Coal Measures of Brazil" (D. White, 1908): taxonomic re-evaluation
Authors: Kurzawe Francine , Iannuzzi Roberto , Merlotti Sheila
Published: September 2022

White published, in 1908, the “Report on the Fossil Flora of the Coal Measures of Brazil”, an important work that became a reference for the study of fossil plants collected mainly from Early Permian sediments of the Paraná Basin. In this work, the author described for the first time a large number of plant fossils collected in the states of Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul, including a few pieces of permineralized wood. This paper presents the first taxonomic reevaluation of the permineralized woods described by D. White, using the samples on which he based his descriptions. Sigillaria (?) muralis White is transferred to the genus Scalaroxylon, due to presence of scalariform pitting on the radial walls of the tracheids, thus forming a new combination Scalaroxylon muralis (White); Araucarioxylon nummularium (White) Maheshwari is transferred to the genus Brachyoxylon, because of the araucarioid character of its radial- wall pits and cross- fields, thus forming a new combination Brachyoxylon nummularium (White); Araucarioxylon meridionale (White) Maheshwari is considered as an dubios taxon due to non- preservation of its cross- field pits. The re-evaluation of the fossils described by White enabled a better understanding of the botanical affinities of the Glossopteris flora from southern Brazil. For the first time, the genus Scaraloxylon is recorded in the Permian; until now it had only been found in the Triassic and Cretaceous of Gondwana.
Stromatolites of the Kaladgi Basin, Karnataka, India: Systematics, biostratigraphy and age implications
Authors: Sharma Mukund , Pandey Santosh K.
Published: September 2022

Systematics of the stromatolites of the Proterozoic Kaladgi Basin is attempted. The main purpose is to document the diversity and distribution of the various stromatolite forms occurring in the Bagalkot Group of the Kaladgi Supergroup. An assemblage of six taxa is recognized from the Bagalkot Group. The forms Asperia digitata (=Yelma digitata), Ephyaltes edingunnensis, Eucapsiphora leakensis, Kussoidella karalundiensis, Pilbaria deverella and Yandilla meekatharrensis are described. These forms are not recorded from any other Proterozoic Sequence of India of the Palaeoproterozoic age. Similar forms are recorded from Africa, Australia, Canada and China. Asperia digitata, a digitate stromatolite, is known from the Proterozoic Sequence of the Palaeoproterozoic age in other parts of the world. Poorly constrained age of the Bagalkot Group of the Kaladgi Supergroup can be ascertained on the basis of the reported assemblage as Late Palaeoproterozoic to Early Mesoproterozoic (Orosirian-Statherian to Calymmian Period).
Devonian thalloid plants (Orestoviaceae) and associated spore tetrads
Authors: Krassilov Valentin , Polevova Svetlana
Published: September 2022

Schuguria Tchirkova-Zalesskaya, 1957 is a cutinized mat-forming thalloid plant similar to Orestovia Ergolskaya, 1936, but differs in the crater-like surface structures interpreted as gamentangial conceptacles. Typical stomata is lacking in Schuguria, while the conducting tissue is relatively feebly developed. It is suggested that Schuguria and Orestovia represent sexual and asexual generations of a nearly isomorphic reproductive cycle. Persistent spore tetrads are abundantly preserved in maceration residue of the mats and adhering to cutinized thalloids. On evidence of association and similar ultrastructure of the cuticle and sporoderm, the tetrads might have been produced by a sporophytic member of the Orestoviaceae. At the same time, they are comparable to the Early Palaeozoic tetrads of putative incipient land plants.
Fungi on the Devonian thalloid plant Schuguria (Orestoviaceae)
Authors: Krassilov Valentin
Published: September 2022

Schuguria, an alga-like thalloid form from the Middle Devonian (Givetian) of the Pavlovsk Quarry, Voronezh Region, European Russia is heavily infested with spore-bearing and conidial structures that occur in the cortex cavities forming pseudothecia and acervuli. The fungal remains are assigned to new teleomorph and anamorph morphotaxa Speirascoma schuguriae gen. et sp. nov. and Setacervula schuguriae gen. et sp. nov., respectively. They supposedly represent an archaic group of ascomycete with a relatively massive helical structure (ascogonium?) in the centrum of the fruiting body. Symbiotic relationships of the Ascophyllum- Mycosphaerella type is suggested for the cutinized thalloids and their associated fungi.
Modern pollen assemblages from teak (Tectona grandis Linn. F.) dominated tropical deciduous forest in southwestern Madhya Pradesh, India
Authors: Quamar M.F. , Chauhan M.S.
Published: September 2022

This paper gives an account on the modern pollen rain–vegetation relationships, based on the pollen analysis of 12 surface samples, 2 samples each collected from the southern, northern, eastern and western flanks of Amjhera Swamp as well as 4 from the mixed tropical deciduous forests dominated by teak (Tectona grandis) in Hoshangabad District, southwestern Madhya Pradesh, India. The pollen assemblages demonstrate the dominance of arboreals (trees and shrubs) over non–arboreals (herbs). Among the tree taxa, Madhuca indica is constantly represented with average pollen frequency of 37.36% in most of the samples which could be attributed to the good preservation of its pollen in the sediments coupled with its high pollen dispersal efficiency. Terminalia (av. 5.1%) is also retrieved steadily. However, Tectona grandis is untraced in the samples despite being an enormous pollen producer and dominant forest component, which could be due to its low pollen dispersal efficiency and differential pollen preservation. Besides, Adina cordifolia, Mitragyna parvifolia, Schleichera oleosa and Emblica officinalis are present with average pollen frequencies of 8.1%, 7.8%, 6.69% and 1.126%, respectively, but only in a few samples. Syzygium, Maytenus, Lagerstroemia, Lannea coromandelica, etc. are also intermittently recovered in almost all the samples, but in varying frequencies (< 0.5%–7.91%) despite their frequent presence in the forest. This erratic display of all these taxa could be inferred to their low pollen productivity, since majority of the tropical trees portray a strong tendency of entomophily. The partial preservation of their pollen in the sediments cannot also be denied. The relatively meagre representation of grasses, sedges, Malvaceae, Xanthium except Tubuliflorae and culture pollen taxa such as Cheno/Am, Caryophyllaceae, Brassicaceae and Cannabis sativa are suggestive of poor herbaceous cover around the swamp and also in the mixed tropical deciduous forest. However, the record of Cerealia and other culture pollen taxa stamps the proximity of cultivated land and human habitation in and around the investigation site. The abundance of trilete fern spore as well as Ceratopteris, monolete fern spore and trilete with perine, though in relatively low values envisages their origin from the local sources as ferns and their allies flourish well in moist and shady habitats.
A fossil wood of Gluta L. (Anacardiaceae) from the Early Eocene sediments of Gujarat, western India
Authors: Shukla Anumeha , Mehrotra R.C. , Guleria J.S.
Published: September 2022

A fossil wood showing resemblance with the modern genus Gluta L. is described from the Rajpardi Lignite Mine of Bharuch District, Gujarat. The age of this mine has been considered as Early Eocene. The modern comparable species of the fossil, Gluta travancorica Bedd., is an evergreen element and presently growing in wet evergreen forests of Western Ghats, India. An account of the present distribution of its modern analogue, along with previously described fossils from the same locality indicates the existence of humid conditions and evergreen forest in and around the fossil locality during the Eocene as compared to arid to semi–arid climate in the area today.
First record of fossil leaves from Siwalik (Upper Miocene) sediments of Mandi District, Himachal Pradesh, India: palaeoclimatic and phytogeographical implications
Authors: Prasad Mahesh , Mohan Lalit , Singh Sanjai Kumar
Published: September 2022

Six fossil leaf impressions comparable with extant taxa, Gynocardia odorata R.Br. (Flacourtiaceae), Millettia pachycarpa Benth. and Cynometra polyandra Roxb. (Fabaceae), Ventilago calyculata Tul. (Rhamnaceae), Terminalia tomentosa (Roxb.) W. & A. (Combretaceae) and Daemonorops calycarpus Mart. (Arecaceae) have been reported for the first time from Siwalik sediments exposed near Sarkaghat in Mandi District of Himachal Pradesh. All species are presently distributed in the tropical evergreen to moist deciduous forests of north-east India and south-east Asia. Their occurrence in the Siwalik sediments suggests that tropical humid climate with high precipitation prevailed in the area during Upper Miocene. The occurrence of palm leaf in the area is of ecologically importance as it indicates a characteristic feature of tropical vegetation where the temperature and humidity remain high throughout the year.