bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phytogeographic evolution of Guttiferae and its bearing on the past climate
Authors: Prakash U.
Published: September 2022

Phytogeographically Guttiferae is an important tropical family with fossil records going back to the Upper Cretaceous. It was widespread during the Tertiary and was known even from Europe and Central United States, which are presently devoid of Guttiferous plants.
Structure of Embryo in the seeds of Engigmocarpon Parijai
Authors: Biradar N.V. , Mahabale T.S.
Published: September 2022

The paper gives an account of the mature embryo, free nuclear endosperm, and the development of an operculum in the seeds of Enigmocarpon parijai Sahni - not reported previously. Only the epistase and hypostase were known before (Sahni, 1934, 1943; Mahabale & Deshpande, 1957).
Revision of Hopeoxylon indicum Navale and Shoreoxylon speciosum Navale from the Cuddalore series near Pondicherry
Authors: Awasthi N.
Published: September 2022

The affinities of Hopeoxylon indicum and Shoreoxylon speciosum, described by Navale (1963) from near Pondicherry, have been revised. These have been found very similar to the woods of Sindora of the family Leguminosae. The diagnosis of Hopeoxylon indicum Navale has been emended and Shoreoxylon speciosum Navale has been placed under Hopeoxylon Navale emend. and named as Hopeoxylon speciosum (Navale) comb. nov. Besides, a new wood also resembling Sindora, collected from the same area, has been described as Hopeoxylon arcotense sp. nov.
Fossil woods of Ougenia and Madhuca from the Tertiary of Assam
Authors: Prakash U. , Tripathi P.P.
Published: September 2022

Ougenia and Madhuca are recorded for the first time from India and abroad. They are known from the Tipam series near Hailakandi in District Cachar of Assam.
Three species of Ptilophyllum from Bansa, Madhya Pradesh
Authors: Sukh-Dev  , Zeba-Bano
Published: September 2022

Ptilophyllum rewaensis n. sp., Ptilophyllum sp. cf. P. horridum Roy and Ptilophyllum sp. are described from the Lower Cretaceous of Bansa, Madhya Pradesh. In addition, a classification based on morphological and epidermal characters of most of the Ptilophyllums known from India and other countries is also prepared. In all 24 species are considered here - Argentina 1 (P. longipinnatum), Egypt 1 (P. khargaense), India 14, Italy 1 (P. triangulare), U.K 3 (P. hirsutum, P. pecten, P. pectinoides) and U.S.S.R. 4 (P. caucasicum, P. okribense, P. sokalense, P. ukrainense).
Compositae versus Gramineae in pollen analysis
Authors: Salgado-Abouriau Maria Lea
Published: September 2022

Three grass pollen minima are shown in the pollen analysis from a fluvio-glacial terrace. Geological and palynological data suggest that the first minimum (12,600 BP) was probably due to very cold climate following deglaciation of the region. The second minimum (12,250-11,900 BP), simultaneous with tree pollen maximum, was probably due to the scarcity of grasses in the adjacent region which was mostly occupied by forest. The third minimum, occurring at the same time as the great increase of Compositae pollen is found at the uppermost level, close to the soil surface, suggesting contamination from modern pollen.

Comparison between modern and old pollen assemblages has shown that the pollen now being deposited present higher Compositae and lower Gramineae pollen frequency than in the past. Geological, palynological and archaeological evidences suggest that this reversion in the pollen dominants was caused by the intense use of the land, specially by the introduction of cattle in the last 400 years. If overgrazing of the grassland can somehow increase the number of Compositae plants, a new method to detect the beginning of cattle raise may be developed.
Palynology of the Matanomadh formation in type area, North Western Kutch, India (Part 1). Systematic description of pteridophytic spores
Authors: Saxena R.K.
Published: September 2022

The present paper deals with the systematic description of the pteridophytic spores recovered from the Matanomadh Formation in its type area, north-western Kutch, India. The palynological assemblage described in this paper is represented by 27 species of pteridophytic spores assigned to 14 dispersed genera. Of these, 4 species are new.
Palaeophthora mohgaonensis Singhai - a fossil fungus from the Deccan Intertrappean beds of Mohgaonkalan, Chhindwara District, M.P., India
Authors: Singhai L.C.
Published: September 2022

The petrified fungus Palaeophthora mohgaonensis Singhai (1975) from the Deccan Intertrappean beds of Mohgaonkalan, Chhindwara District. Madhya Pradesh has been described here in detail. The fungus is intracellular and possesses both vegetative and reproductive parts in situ. Mycelium non-septate. branched and coenocytic. Antheridia narrow, tube-like and bent at the tip. Oogonium nearly spherical and possesses a single oosphere. Comparisons have been made both with the living and fossil forms.
Morphology and affinities of Glossopteris
Authors: Surange K.R. , Chandra Shaila
Published: September 2022

Reproductive organs of glossopterids, viz., Eretmonia, Glossotheca, Kendostrobus, Lidgettonia, Partha, Russangea, Mooia, Rigbya, Denkania, Venustostrobus, Plumsteadiostrobus, Dietyopteridium and Jambadostrobus are briefly described. Their morphology and affinities are discussed. In the Permian of the southern hemisphere atleast two distinct orders of gymnosperms, viz., Pteridospermales and Glossopteridales were dominating the landscape.
Some representatives of Anacardiaceae and Apocynaceae in the Palaeogene floras of Western Kazakhstan, U.S.S.R.
Authors: Vassiljev Igor V.
Published: September 2022

The genera Rhus L. (Anacardiaceae) and Echitonium Ung. (Apocynaceae) are important elements of the Eocene floras of Western Kazakhstan. In the Palaeocene and Oligocene floras they are found more rarely. They refer to xerophilous plant groups of the Mediterranean type. The following species are described: Rhus enbekshiensis sp. nov. (similar to the recent R. coriaria L.), R. minutifolia sp. nov. (similar to the recent R. potentillaefolia Turcz.), Echitonium sophiae O. Web., E. ashczisaicum sp. nov. (similar to the recent species Aganosma marginata G. Don).
Fossil Dictyledonous woods from the Tertiary of Thailand
Authors: Prakash U.
Published: September 2022

Fossil woods of Pahudioxylon sahnii Ghosh & Kazmi, Cynometroxylon parainae-quifolium sp. nov., Millettioxylon indicum Awasthi, Anogeissoxylon thailandicum sp. nov., and Dryoxylon siamensis sp. novo are described here from the north-east region of Thailand. Although their exact age could not be known, it is most likely that they might belong to Upper Tertiary.
Musophyllum Indicum sp. nov. - A leaf impression resembling Banana leaf from the Deccan Intertrapean series, India
Authors: Prakash U. , Bande M.B. , Ambwani K.
Published: September 2022

A fossil leaf closely comparable to the leaf of Musa ornata is described here from the Deccan Intertrappean beds of Mohgaon Kalan. It further adds to the evidence in favour of the presence of banana in India during the Early Eocene times.
The occurrence of Sagenopteris presl in Kutch, India
Authors: Bose M.N. , Banerji J.
Published: September 2022

Fragmentary leaflets of Sagenopteris resembling S. colpodes Harris (1940) are described here. The specimens were recently collected from Kurbi Village in Kutch.
Occurrence of the genus Yabeiella oishi in the Jabalpur Formation
Authors: Sukh-Dev
Published: September 2022

Leaf fragments described earlier by Bose and Sukh-Dev (1960) as Nipaniophyllum hirsutum (Pentoxyleae) from Bansa (Lower Cretaceous) are now identified as leaves of the genus Yabeiella Oishi on finding a better specimen with venation and cuticle. Thus, as had been reported. the Pentoxyleae is not yet found in the Jabalpur Formation.

The diagnosis of the genus Yabeiella is also emended here. The genus resembles most with the leaflets of Stangeria paradoxa (a living Cycad) in venation and some other characters. However, its systematic position is still open.
Two new Dipterocarpaceous woods from the Middle Siwalik of Kalagarh, Bijnor District, India
Authors: Trivedi B.S. , Misra J.P.
Published: September 2022

Two new fossil woods described hue were collected from near Kalagarh, Uttar Pradesh at the foot hills of the Himalayas which are reported to be of Mio-Pliocene age. Both these woods show closest resemblance with the genus Vateria of the family Dipterocarpaceae. However, there are differences between the two and therefore two species of the new genus Vaterioxylon, viz., Vaterioxylon kalagarherzse sp. nov. and Vaterioxylon miocenecum sp. nov. have been created for these woods.
Palaeospiroxylon - A new Gymnospermous wood from Raniganj Coalfield, India
Authors: Prasad M.N.V. , Chandra Shaila
Published: September 2022

Palaeospiroxylon heterocellularis et sp. nov., collected from Bonbahal Colliery, Raniganj Coalfield, West Bengal, India has been described. The salient features of the wood are the presence of secretory cells in the pith, endarch primary xylem, mixed type of tracheid wall pitting, and spiral thickenings in the secondary xylem.
Sporae dispersae of the Barakar sediments from South Karanpura Coalfield, Bihar, India
Authors: Bharadwaj D.C. , Dwivedi Archana
Published: September 2022

Results of a palynological study of some carbonaceous sediments from South Karanpura Coalfield, Bihar based upon 27 samples from l4 coalseams representing most of the coal deposits in this coalfield are presented. The Sporae dispersae have been referred to 52 miospore genera and 123 species. Four spore species, viz., Potonieitriradites angustus, Striatites naditoliensis, Lahirites karanpuraensis and Platysaccus plicatus have been described as new taxa, new names have been given to five species, and 37 new combinations have been proposed. The account includes comprehensive information regarding geological and geographical distribution of each genus treated in the text alongwith a list of its species.
Fossil plants from Sarnu Hill Formation, Barmer Basin, Rajasthan
Authors: Baksi Subhendu Kumar , Naskar Pronab
Published: September 2022

A few fossil plants have been described here for the first time from the Sarnu Hill Formation, Barmer Basin. These are Phlebopteris athgarhensis, Ptilophyllum acutifolium and ?Sphenopteris sp. The age of the formation has also been discussed.
Palynology of Neogene sediments around Quilon and Varkala, Kerala Coast, South India - 2. Spores and pollen grains
Authors: Kar R.K. , Jain K.P.
Published: September 2022

The morphotaxonomy of dispersed spores and pollen grains, recovered from the Miocene sediments around Quilon and Varkala, Kerala Coast, South India, forms the basis of the present article. The palynological assemblage includes 44 genera and 56 species and is dominated by angiospermic pollen having subdominant pteridophytic elements. The occurrence of gymnospermic pollen is very rare.
A new fossil palm from Kondhali, District Nagpur, Maharashtra
Authors: Mahabale T.S. , Kulkarni K.M.
Published: September 2022

A fossil palm wood, Palmoxylon kondhaliensis sp. nov., originally from Deccan Intertrappean beds and collected loose from a nalla near Kondhali Village has been described. The wood belonging to the Reniformia section of Stenzel (1904) has complete bark with marks of slightly elevated leaf scars and vertical cracks.
Aeschynomenoxylon malwaensis sp. nov. from the Deccan Intertrappean beds of India
Authors: Bande M.B.
Published: September 2022

A new species of Aeschynomenoxylon, A. malwaensis, has been described from the Deccan Intertrappean beds exposed near Barawaha in Madhya Pradesh. This is an additional evidence for the occurrence of fossiliferous Intertrappean beds in the Middle Traps which are usually considered to be poor in fossil content.
The cones of Walkomiella australis (Fiest.) Florin
Authors: White Mary E.
Published: September 2022

Male and female cones of Walkomiella australis (Feist.) Florin is described. The large number of microsporangia borne on the scales of the male cones show a closer relationship to the male cone Squamella of the Glossopteridales or to the Cycadales than to the microsporophylls of families of conifers that exist today. They are also distinct from the arrangement found in Early Permian Lebacniaceae, or in the Voltziaceae which followed in the Late Permian, and represent a most interesting evolutionary stage in the Coniferae. Female cones have papery scales with apparently single seeds, resembling the arrangement in Araucariaceae, but they are fundamentally “tuft flowers” and once again distinct from the Lebachiaceae or the Voltziaceae.
Cycadophytic leaves from Jurassic - Lower Cretaceous rocks of India
Authors: Bose M.N. , Banerji J.
Published: September 2022

Under Cycadophytic leaves, various Indian species of Taeniopteris Brongniart, Morrisia Bose, Cycadites Brongniart, Anomozamites Schimper, and Pterophyllum Brongniart have been described here. The study is based on specimens described or figured since 1850 and a large number of specimens collected during the last two decades from the Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous rocks of India.

It has been observed that the genera mentioned above are most abundant in some of the localities of the Rajmahal Hills. They are completely missing in most of the undoubted Lower Cretaceous beds of India. So far only a single species, viz., Pterophyllum princeps Oldham & Morris is known from the Lower Cretaceous beds of Than, Gujarat.
Fossil woods of Anacardiaceae from the Tertiary of West Bengal, India
Authors: Roy S.K. , Ghosh Pradip
Published: September 2022

Four species of fossil woods belonging to the family Anacardiaceae and referable to Buchananioxylon indicum gen. et sp. nov., Dracontomelumoxylon mangiferumoides Ghosh & Roy, Melanorrhoeoxylon garbetaense sp. nov. and Mangiferoxylon assamicum Prakash & Tripathi have been described. The occurrence of fossil woods resembling Buchanania Spreng., Melanorrhoea Wall., and Mangifera L. is described here for the first time from the Tertiary rocks of the Birbhum and Midnapur districts of West Bengal.
Endemic miospore genera in the Lower Gondwana countries
Authors: Kar R.K.
Published: September 2022

The megafossil and miospore assemblages in the different countries of the Lower Gondwana are strikingly similar to each other. Yet all the Gondwana countries, so far palynologically known, have few endemic miospore genera. Some of these genera reported from Australia, Brazil, India, Pakistan, Uruguay, and Zaire have been described. Most of these genera belong to cryptogams and several to gymnosperms. The reason for the endemic nature of these genera has also been discussed.
Cambium in the roots of Ensete superbum (Roxb.) Cheesman
Authors: Mahabale T.S.
Published: September 2022

The paper gives an account of the secondary growth due to cambium noticed in the larger root, of Ensete superbum Cheesman, previously known as Musa superba Roxb., a member of the Musaceae found growing wild on the upper slopes and ravines of the Western Ghats - the Sahyadris.
Dinoflagellate cysts from`'Non-Marine' sediments of Jabalpur Group at Morghat, Madhya Pradesh
Authors: Jain K.P. , Kumar P. , Maheshwari H.K.
Published: September 2022

The Jabalpur Group sediments are so far believed to be of non-marine origin. These sediments have yielded a rich flora comprising both mega- and microfossils. Recently, while working out the palynostratigraphy of the group, some dinoflagellate cysts were found in one of the samples from Morghat, Hoshangabad District, Madhya Pradesh. The dinoflagellate cysts are referable to three genera, viz., Kalyptea, Sentusidinium, and Canningia. One species, i.e. Kalyptea indica, is new.
Tertiary plant Megafossils from the Himalaya - A review
Authors: Awasthi N.
Published: September 2022

The paper presents a critical review of the Tertiary plant megafossils from the Himalayas falling within the Indian territory. The floral assemblages can be conveniently grouped into two: (i) the pre-Siwalik flora, and (ii) the Siwalik flora. The pre-Siwalik Tertiary plants are poorly preserved and comprise monocotyledonous leaf impressions assigned to the genera Sabalites (palm or palm-like leaves) and Poacites (grass-like leaves), and a few dicotyledonous leaves placed under the genus Dicotylophyllum. The Siwalik flora, so far known, consists of both monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous leaf impressions, petrified woods, a few seeds and some freshwater algal remains belonging to Charophyta. The physical conditions around the area of deposition of the plants have been discussed briefly in light of the distribution of their modern equivalents. The scope and the importance of further studies of fossil plants of the Himalayas have been discussed.
Occurrence of the genus Aquilapollenites in the Upper Cretaceous Kallamedu Formation of Vriddhachalam area, Cauvery Basin, Southern India
Authors: Maheshwari H.K. , Jain K.P.
Published: September 2022

The presence of triprojectate pollen in the Upper Cretaceous of the Cauvery Basin is confirmed. The pollen belongs to the species Aquilapollenites bengalensis Baksi & Deb. From comparative palynology, it is deduced that Aquilapollenites yielding bed in Baksi's Bengal Palynological Zone I, i.e. Biswas’ Chara- Ostracod Facies Zone, could not be older than Maestrichtian in age.
Palynology of the Pinjor Formation (Upper Siwalik) Exposed near Chandigarh, India
Authors: Saxena R.K. , Singh H.P.
Published: September 2022

The paper deals with the systematic description and discussion of the palynoflora recovered from the Pinjor Formation near Chandigarh. A total of 19 genera and 23 species have been recovered. Of these, two species are new.

The study of the Pinjor assemblage reveals that the spores and pollen grains may belong to 11 families, viz., Cyatheaceae, Schizaeaceae, Parkeriaceae, Podocarpaceae, Pinaceae, Palmae, Liliaceae, Gramineae, Magnoliaceae, Proteaceae and Oleaceae. The occurrence of reworked Eocene phytoplanktons has been discussed. The significance of the assemblage has also been commented upon.
Twelfth Birbal Sahni Memorial Lecture: What is Palaeobotany For?
Authors: Harris T.M.
Published: September 2022

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Biometric study of Plicatipollenites Lele and Potonieisporites Bhardwaj in the Lower Gondwana formations of the Hutar Coalfield, Bihar, India
Authors: Shukla M.
Published: September 2022

The data on the morphological trends of the Plicatipollenites/Potonieisporites populations worked out from Talchir to Barakar in the Hutar Basin are investigated. These trends are compared with the average picture obtained earlier from the synthesis of five basins. This study reveals that there is a reasonable degree of similarity between the morphological evolutionary trends of the Plicatipollenites/Potonieisporites populations of the Hutar basin and those obtained in the synthesis from the five Lower Gondwana basins by Lele and Shukla.
Microbiota and Catagraphs from the Varikunta area of Cuddapah supergroup
Authors: Mandal J. , Maithy P.K. , Mehdi S.H.
Published: September 2022

Cryptarchs namely Granomarginata, Lophosphaeridium and Protoleiosphaeridium belonging to Sphaeromorphitae and catagraphs - Vesicularites and Conferta - are recorded from the subsurface samples of the Cuddapah Supergroup. The catagraphs are supposed to be formed by the exobiogenic activities of Cyanophyceae and bacteria. No comment on the age could be made on the basis of poor occurrence of biota, as they show wide geological distribution from Late Proterozoic to Devonian.
Palmoxylon siltherensis sp. nov. from the Deccan Intertrappean beds of Mandala District, Madhya Pradesh
Authors: Ambwani K.
Published: September 2022

A fossil palm wood, Palmoxylon siltherensis sp. nov., collected from the Deccan Intertrappean beds of Shahpura near the village Silther in Mandla District has been described. The fossil wood is characterized by the compact ground parenchyma and presence of one metaxylem vessel in the fibrovascular bundles.

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Lelestrobus: A new Microsporangiate organ from the Triassic of Nidpur, India
Authors: Srivastava S.C.
Published: September 2022

Lelestrobus pennatus gen. et sp. nov. is a compact strobilus having spirally arranged quill-like microsporophylls. Each microsporophyll is composed of an expanded base bearing abaxially inserted sporangium, and an attenuated distal portion. A sporangium is ovoid in shape and contains nonstriate-bisaccate pollen grains. This has a close affinity to Coniferales.
Noniasporites, A new Megaspore genus from the Upper Permian of Raniganj Coalfield
Authors: Maheshwari H.K , Bajpai Usha
Published: September 2022

The new type of megaspore recovered from the shale of Kumarpur Sandstone Member of the Raniganj Formation is characterize by the presence of a large number of rill-like exoexinals folds in the inter-rays area. The rill-like folds mask the rays of the trilete mark. Another characteristic feature is the apparent absence of a mesosporium.
Palmoxylon Dilacunosum sp. nov from the Deccan Intertrappean beds of Mandla District, Madhya Pradesh
Authors: Ambwani K.
Published: September 2022

Palmoxylon dilacunosum sp. nov., collected from the Deccan Intertrappean beds of Shahpura near village Silther in Mandla District, Madhya Pradesh is described. It is characterized by the outer and inner distinct lacunar parts in the central vascular zone.
Amarjolia dactylota (Bose) comb. nov., a Bennettitalean bisexual flower from the Rajmahal Hills, India
Authors: Bose M.N. , Banerji J. , Pal P.K.
Published: September 2022

Amarjolia dactylota (Boase) comb. Nov. comprises spirally arranged bracts enclosing a whorl of Microsporophylls and the female receptacle with immature seminiferous and interseminal scales. Microsporophylls in gross features resemble the microsporophylls of Weltricha santalensis (Sitholey & Bose) Bose described by Sitholey and Bose (1971). Flowering being protandrous, the details of seminiferous and interseminal scales are not known.
Rossiella and Bogorovia: Two fossil diatom genera
Authors: Desikachary T.V. , Latha Y. , Ranjitha Devi K.A.
Published: September 2022

The genus Rossiella Desikachary & Maheshwari occurs in the Miocene deposits, both in onshore deposits and in deep-sea cores. Six species of this genus, viz., R. paleacea, R. elongata (Barron) Desikachary comb. nov., R. tatsunokuchiensis, R. praepaleacea, R. moholensis (Schrader) Desikachary comb. Nov. and R. gombosi Desikachary sp. nov. are described and discussed. The authors consider Rossiella and Cussia Schrader as congeneric. Bogorovia Jouse, as typified by B. veniamini, is considered distinct from Rossiella.
Palynological studies of Coal Measures in South Rewa Gondwana Basin and their biostratigraphical significance
Authors: Chandra Anil , Srivastava A.K.
Published: September 2022

Palynological assemblages from Coal Measures (Lower Permian) of four areas, namely Umaria, Birsinghpur Pali, Anuppur and Chirimiri of South Rewa Gondwana Basin, Madhya Pradesh are described. A brief description of the stratigraphy and geology of the relevant sections is given. Available information on some other significant Coal Measures (Barakars) has been taken into consideration for bringing out their palynological characteristics with reference to stratigraphy. Qualitative and quantitative distribution of palynotaxa in various areas reveal that the miofloral assemblages reported here are closer to the Karharbari mioflora. A rich palynofloral assemblage is reported for the first time from Coal Measures of Anuppur.
Neocouperipollis - A new name for Couperipollis Venkatachala & Kar
Authors: Kar R.K. , Kumar Madhav
Published: September 2022

Venkatachala and Kar instituted Couperipollis in 1969 selecting Monosulcites perspinosus Couper (1953) as the type species. Couper did not provide photograph for this species but instead gave a line drawing showing an oval shape, well-developed colpus and spines with a bulbous base and pointed tip. Later workers could not locate this or any other specimen from the slides made by Couper as per his diagram. Location of pollen as per illustration of Couper from other localities of the same formation was also not fruitful and only polyporate forms comparable to extant Asteraceae or Malvaceae could be found Couperipollis recorded from Palaeocene-Eocene of India are monocolpate and spinose and are not related to Asteraceae or Malvaceae, so a new genus, viz., Neocoupenpollis is proposed here to accommodate them.
Palynological study of Sutunga coal seam, jaintia Hills, Meghalaya
Authors: Mandal J.
Published: September 2022

Palynological fossils recovered from Sutunga Colliery, Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya consist of 27 genera and 39 species. Pteridophytic spores and angiospermic pollen are more or less equally represented in the assemblage. The dominant species are Lycopodiumsporites parvireticulsatus, Cyathidites minor, Lygodiumsporites lakiensis, Todisporites kutchensis, Proxapertites microreticulatus, Couperipollis brevispinosus and Tricolpites minutus- A Palaeocene age is attributed to this assemblage.
Palynology of Kamthi Formation from Chelpur Area, Godavari Graben, Andhra Pradesh, India
Authors: Srivastava S.C. , Jha Neerja
Published: September 2022

Palynofossil assemblages recovered from the subsurface sediments of the Chelpur area in the Godavari Graben of Kamthi Formation have been studied. It is deduced that the palynoflora is characterised by the dominance of striate-disaccate pollen. Densipollenites is nearly absent. The palynoflora has been compared with the known Lower Kamthi palynoflora in the Ramagundam area of Godavari Graben and also with Raniganj palynoflora of Damodar Valley coalfields. The recovered palynoflora indicates Late Permian age.
Karharbari: a formation or biozone
Authors: Banerjee Manju
Published: September 2022

In the initial identification of the Karharbari sediment in Giridih Coalfield both litho- and bio- characters of the sediments were emphasized. Later, Karharbari has been considered as lithologically distinct unit, a definite palaeontological zone and both combined as a chronostratigraphic unit in between Talchir and Barakar. Karharbari is quite distinct in lithological composition, heavy mineral assemblage and coal seam characteristics. Stratigraphic delineation is not always distinct but from careful observation, Karharbari is identified as ‘formations’ in some of the basins or considered as basal member of Barakar Formation. Age of Karharbari has been suggested as Upper Sakmarian to Artinskian. The characteristic bioassemblage of Karharbari is more similar to Talchir bioassemblage in mega and palyno-floral compositional pattern. Botrychiopsis, one of the characteristic members of Karharbari bioassemblage and also a dominant member of the Pre-Gondwana Botrychiopsis Flora (Middle Carboniferous-Lower Permian) of South America (Brazil, Argentina) and Australia is not recorded from any other Indian Lower Gondwana horizions so far. Karharbari environmental facies (both climatic and ecological) were initiated during Talchir sedimentation. Terminologies, e.g., Karharbari megafloral assemblage and Karharbari palynofloral assemblage are proposed in the Karharbari biozone. Macroenvironment zone for Talchir- Karharbari and microenvironment zone of Lower Karharbari are recognized considering the environment of deposition. Talchir and Karharbari are considered as a biostratigraphic zone. The continuation of the marine transgressional phase during Karharbari is suggested by the occurrence of brackish water acritarchs.
Vegetational changes and their climatic implications in coal-bearing Gondwana
Authors: Chandra Shaila , Chandra Anil
Published: September 2022

An attempt has been made to decipher the climatic changes during the Lower Gondwana times of India, particularly during the coal forming period. The synthesis has been done mainly on the available data of plant characteristics flora and vegetation. It is observed that the climate was essentially temperate during the Lower Gondwana. The climate was very cold during the sedimentation of Talchir rocks and it has gradually ameliorated in Kharharbari, Barakar, Kulti and Raniganj period with increase in humidity and rain fall, sudden fluctuations of dry and semi-arid conditions were experienced in the deposition of Kulti and Kamthi formations.
Palynological zones and their climatic inference in the coal-bearing Gondwana of peninsular India
Authors: Tiwari R.S. , Tripathi Archana
Published: September 2022

On the basis of relative abundance of morphotype groups through the coal bearing Gondwana Sequence (i.e. Permian) a palynological succession has been reconstructed. Six major compositions have been identified. Palaeoclimatic interpretations have been attempted on the basis of morphographic characters. Eleven such characters have been identified, viz., the overall organization of the saccus, their construction, nature of central body, the structure of the saccus, striations and taeniae and tetrad of spores. Cumulative abundance and sum total of the characters have helped in recognizing eleven climatic ‘Suites’. The palynological inferences reflect two more cooling phases after the extreme cold climate in the Lower Talchir, one in Upper Kharbari and another in the lower part of the Lower Panchet. The palynological composition and morphographic characters also suggest a humid climate instead of arid, both in Kulti as well as Panchet formations.
Palynozonation of Jhuran and Bhuj formations in Kutch Basin
Authors: Maheshwari H.K. , Jana B.N.
Published: September 2022

The palynological assemblage of Jhuran and Bhuj formations of Kutch Basin have many genera in common Araucariacites complex is the dominating group of palynofossils. The assemblage of Bhuj formation differs from that of Jhuran formation in variety of trilete genera and in the frequent occurrence of hilate group (viz., Aequitriradites, Cooksonites, Coptospora, Triporoletes, etc.). The occurrence of hilate group in the assemblages from Jhuran Formation is almost nil. In all, four palynological zones have been recognized, one palynological zone is in Jhuran Formation and the other three zones are in Bhuj Formation. On the basis of palynological data it seems that the Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary lies somewhere in the Upper Member of Jhuran Formation.
Biological evidence for better appreciation of the Indian Gondwana
Authors: Krishna Jai
Published: September 2022

The Gondwana sequences in India are located in intraplate graben or semi graben basins along Narmada-Son-Damodar, Son-Mahanadi and Pranhita-Godavari ancient fracture zones. The basal glacial tillite of these sequences as also their diverse geological similarities, specially the coal-bearing lower part, was well and uniformly understood very widely even beyond the frontiers of India in distant Africa, South America, Australia, Madagascar and Antarctica which are now separated by several thousand kilometers of intervening land, sea or oceanic distances. Obviously, it did not take many years for the Gondwana as a stratigraphic unit of super-order to receive wide acceptance through the length and breadth of the southern hemisphere. With refinement in stratigraphic terminology over the last several decades and growing information about the dissimilarities which were not so evident in the beginning, the usage of the term Gondwana inspite of such a spectacular and sound foundation as stratigraphic unit went into disuse in other Gondwanaland constituents in favour of local names while the term Gondwanaland as a supercontinent became firmly entrenched in global geological literature. Moreover, in view of the multidimensional nature of the Indian Gondwana stratigraphic units, viz., their physical, lithological, climatic, tectonic, stratigraphic, facies floral, faunal and other expressions added often to lack of their precise comprehension and usage in line with modern stratigraphic nomenclature there has crept in lot of misunderstanding, contradictions and confusions. An effort has been made to resolve problems concerning classification, definition, distribution, dating and correlation using biological evidence and geological information from the Indian Gondwana and coeval units.
Extra-peninsular Gondwana basins - stratigraphy and evolution
Authors: Kapoor H.M. , Singh Gopal
Published: September 2022

The stratigraphy and evolution of the plant-bearing horizions of the extra-peninsular region are reviewed and their similarities and differences with typical peninsular Gondwana are discussed to assess the problem of concepts, limits and extension of Gondwana in this region. It is inferred that the Lesser Himalayan sequence represents continuation of the peninsular Gondwana Sequence, while that of Tethyan Himalayan region departs from typical mainland Gondwana in sedimentation, flora and geological set up. Thus the use of the informal stratigraphic term Gondwana Sequence for this belt is not justificable. However, the use of the term in palaeogeographic sense, which is widely used appears to be appropriate; for which the term ‘Peri-Gondwana’ has already been suggested. The evolution of floral beds may be related to the major tectonic events, the imprints of which are well documented in the Tethyan belt.
Sporae-dispersae and correlation of Gondwana sediments in Johilla coalfield, Son Valley Graben, Madhya Pradesh
Authors: Tiwari R.S. , Ram-Awatar
Published: September 2022

The dispersed spores and pollen grains preserved in the sediments exposed along Johilla River Section, Ganjra Nala Section and in three bore-cores, viz., JHL-23, JHL-24, JHL-25, in Johilla Coalfield have been described. The rich miofloral assemblage consists of 58 genera and 126 species, out of which seven species are new on the basis of their morphological characters. These are - Callumispora paliensls, C. saksenae, Osmundacidites baculatus, Dentatispora mammoida, D. reticulata, Gondisporites reticulatus and Lunatisporites paliensis.

On the basis of the composition of spores and pollen grains, it has been concluded that the South Rewa Gondwana Basin shows a broader relationship with equivalent strata in other basins of India. In general, the monosaccate pollen has a better representation in the Talchir as well as Barakar sediments which is suggestive of relatively cooler conditions than those in Damodar Valley. Six palynological zones have been identified on the basis of quantitative analysis.
Fresh water diatoms from Kua Tal, district Nainital, Kumaon Himalaya, Uttar Pradesh
Authors: Khandelwal Asha , Gupta H.P.
Published: September 2022

The present communication embodies the results of diatom analysis from lacustrine sediments of Kua Tal, district Naini Tal, Uttar Pradesh. The study reveals the predominance of Pennales which are represented by about one and a half dozen taxa. However, Centrales are infrequent and represented by two taxa only.
Observations on archaeopyle type in fossil dinoflagellate cyst species Dingodinium Cerviculum Cookson & Eisenack 1958
Authors: Khowaja-Ateequzzaman  , Garg Rahul , Jain K.P.
Published: September 2022

The archaeopyle type in fossil dinoflagellate cyst species Dingodinium cerviculum Cookson & Eisenack 1958 is interpreted based on the study of a rich suite of well-preserved specimens recovered from subsurface Lower Cretaceous sequence of Palar Basin, southern India. These cysts develop disimilar periarchaeopyle and endoarchaeopyle. The periarchaeopyle is intercalary, involving more than one, probably three, anterior intercalary paraplates with free perioperculum. The endoarchaeopyle is combination type involving all the four apical and three anterior intercalary paraplates. The endoperculum is compound and is represented in two parts, an apical part which is simple, polyplacoid and adnate while the other part comprising intercalary paraplates is polyplacoid, free and probably compound. The archaeopyle formula is suggested to be ?2- 3I/(4A) a3I. In view of these observations, the diagnosis of D. cerviculum is emended herein.
Problem of fungal contamination in Precambrian palaeobiology: A cautionary note
Authors: Manoharachari C. , Shukla Manoj , Sharma Mukund
Published: September 2022

The paper deals with the problem of fungal contamination in palaeopalynological preparations specially from the Precambrian sediments. The vegetative and reproductive structures of extant fungal groups show a broad similarity in morphology with the morphotypes described from the Precambrian. The recent fungi when subjected to chemical treatment similar to palynological preparations (maceration) do not show major physical and morphological changes. Nine common fungal genera were selected for this study. It has been observed that they withstand hydrochloric acid and hydrofluoric acid treatment without losing much of their morphocharacters. As these are common in soil profiles, one can easily be misled when they occur amongst macerated residues. This data serves as a cautionary note to all palaeobiologists and specially dealing with Precambrian material, where every new evidence is important in adding to the meagre knowledge.
Floristic, age and stratigraphical position of fossiliferous band in Chitra mine area, Saharjuri Outlier, Deogarh coalfield, Bihar
Authors: Bajpai Usha
Published: September 2022

The Saharjuri Outlier is one of the three coal-bearing areas in the Deogarh Coalfield. There have been doubts about the age and stratigraphical position of these beds. A recent collection of plant megafossils from Chitra Mine Area in the Saharjuri Outlier shows the presence of Gangamopteris maheshwarii sp. nov., Gangamopteris obovata Carruthers, Glossopteris deogarhensis sp. nov. Glossopteris linearis Feistmantel, Glossopteris decipiens Feistmantel, Noeggerathiopsis conspicua Lele & Makada, Noeggerathiopsis saharjuriensis sp. nov, Noeggerathiopsis bihariensis sp. nov., Cordaicarpus sp., Samaropsis sp. and Vertebraria indica Royle, Overall assemblage is characteristically basal Barakar in composition, having close similarity to some of the known assemblages from the Karharbari "Formation"/"Stage" (Noeggerathiopsis - Gangamopteris Assemblage Zone).
Epidermal morphology of Permian Gondwana gymnosperms
Authors: Tewari Rajni
Published: September 2022

A review of cuticular features of species of the glossopterids reveals that most of the species from Karharbari and Barakar formations are hypostomatic while a few species in the Raniganj Formation are amphistomatic. Lateral walls of cells in species from older horizons are mostly straight, whereas, in Raniganj species they are often sinuous. Similarly, surface walls of cells of species of Karharbari Formation are mostly unspecialised, while those of Barakar and Raniganj formations may be papillate or non-papillate, striated or mottled and sometimes with epidermal hairs. In most species the stomata are anomocytic, irregularly oriented and distributed. Rarely, a regular distribution and a definite orientation is seen. In the older horizons the stomata may be dicyclic or partly amphicyclic besides monocyclic, whereas in Raniganj species they are usually monocyclic. Guard cells are mostly sunken in Karharbari species, normal and usually hyaline in Barakar species and sunken and thickened in the species of Raniganj Formation. Subsidiary cells are usually unspecialised in the species of older horizons, whereas in the Raniganj Formation they are usually papillate, invariably overhanging guard cells. No significant trend is observed in other gymnosperms.
Occurrence of Benlightfootia from the Ib-River Coalfield, Orissa
Authors: Singh K.J. , Chandra Shaila
Published: September 2022

Benlightfootia Lacey & Huard-Moine has been reported from the Kamthi Formation of Belpahar area, Ib-River Coalfield, Orissa. It is characterised by non-petiolate, cordate, bifid leaves having a deep apical notch. The venation is open, dichotomous, arising from a single thick vein at the base of the leaf. A new species, B. indica has been proposed.
Plant fossils from Dubrajpur Formation, Bihar and their significance in stratigraphy
Authors: Banerji J.
Published: September 2022

The paper deals with the plant fossils of Dubrajpur Formation exposed at Khatangi Hill in the Rajmahal Basin, Bihar. The assemblage is dominated by cycadophytes, though pteridophytes are quite frequent. Conifers are poorly represented. The genera Onychiopsis, Ctenis, Taeniopteris and Pagiophyllum are recovered for the first time. In view of the present finding, the age of the Khatangi sediments is discussed. The dominance of cycadophytes and poor representation of conifers indicates subtropical to tropical climate prevailing at that time.
Palynology of Langrin Coalfield, South Shillong Plateau, Meghalaya
Authors: Singh R.S.
Published: September 2022

Palynology of Langrin Coalfield, Khasi Hills, Meghalaya is reported here. The spore-pollen assemblage recovered from five coal seams associated with Tura Formation comprises 30 genera and 56 species. Presence of dinoflagellate cysts and fungal remains has also been observed. Five new species viz., Gemmamonocolpites dimorphous, Clavamonocolpites indicus, Spinizonocolpites indicus. S. wodehousei and S. bulbospinosus are described. A quantitative assessment of the assemblages for each seam has been done. Pteridophytic spores dominate in coal seams 1 and 2 but gradually decrease in the upper seams, while angiospermic pollen behave in more or less vice-versa with that of pteridophytic spores. Ecological grouping of palynofossils suggests the occurrence of coastal swamp and brackish-water mangrove communities during the deposition of coal seams. Absence of gymnospermic pollen in the assemblage indicates a flat topography of the basin. Palaeocene age has been assigned to this palynological assemblage.
Some new carbonised woods from Neogene of Kerala coast and their bearing on palaeoclimate
Authors: Awasthi N. , Srivastava Rashmi
Published: September 2022

Carbonised woods resembling extant species of Hydnocarpus (Flacourtiaceae), Anisoptera and Hopea (Dipterocarpaceae) and Payena-Pataquium (Sapotaceae) are recorded from the Neogene sediments of Varkala and Payangadi, Kerala coast. They have been named as Hydnocarpoxylon keralaensis sp. nov., Anisopteroxylon varkalaensis sp. nov., Hopenium payangadiensis sp. nov. and Sapotoxylon prepayena sp. nov., respectively. The modern equivalents of these woods are among the important elements of the tropical evergreen forest of Western Ghats, Burma and Malaysia indicating the prevalence of nearly equable warm climate and excessive humid conditions in the area at the time of their deposition during Mio-Pliocene.
Correlation between pollen spectra and vegetation of Chhota Shigri Glacier in Himachal Pradesh, India
Authors: Bera S.K. , Gupta H.P.
Published: September 2022

Pollen analysis of modern surface samples and glacial deposits, collected from Chhota Shigri Glacier at different altitudes ranging between 3.750 to 5.010 m, has been carried out to understand the pollen/vegetation relationship. The study reflects the predominance of extra-regional arboreals over local non-arboreal taxa.
Floristic composition and distribution of evergreen forests in the Western Ghats, India
Authors: Pascal J.P.
Published: September 2022

After an analysis of the three main climatic gradients governing the Western Ghats region, relationships are established between the climate and the distribution of the evergreen forest types. Some cases of distribution linked to soil are also discussed. The second part deals with the distribution of species in the different evergreen forest types with particular reference to their relative importance and the relative importance of the families. Figures of species richness are compared with results obtained in other tropical rain forests, and areas with high percentage of endemism are considered. The distribution of the species within the forest ecosystem is then studied: distribution in the structural ensembles, relative density and species diversity.
Panandhro lignite from Kutch (Gujarat), India: Petrological nature, genesis, rank and sedimentation
Authors: Misra B.K. , Navale G.K.B.
Published: September 2022

Biopetrological investigation of four lignite seams and associated sediments of Lower Eocene (Ypresian) age from Panandhro Lignite field, district Kutch, Gujarat reveals that the lignite seams, under normal reflected light, are rich in huminite macerals with subordinate amounts of liptinite and inertinite macerals. Associated mineral matter (early diagenetic pyrite, calcite, clay and quartz) are low to moderately high. Under blue light excitation, they have quite high liptinite macerals formed chiefly of liptodetrinite and resinite. Fluorinite is sporadic and exsudatinite is rare. Alginite (Botryococcus and Pleurocapsa) are common to frequent. The rank of the lignite seams and associated sediments varies between R0 max. 0.43 to 0.44 per cent probably in response to persistently low geothermal gradient since Eocene and also shallow depth of burial. The lignite seams were formed mainly from autochthonous mangrove-mixed angiospermous forest vegetation with prolific undergrowths growing under humid tropical climate. Nonperennial herbs and shrubs, especially the pteridophytes, were mostly responsible for the formation of in situ inertinite macerals during dry periods and/or periodic lowering of water table. The peat accumulation for Seam Nos. 1, 2 and 4 took place under highly anaerobic and elevated pH (> 6) conditions of the swamp water which favoured precipitation of high amount of syngenetic pyrite and calcite. With the result vegetal matter were subjected to high microbial degradation and a fair amount of plant-derived mineral matter were released in situ for incorporation in the ancient peat. On the other hand, formation of Seam No.3 was from a peat that accumulated under conditions favourable for vegetal preservation with relatively low pH of the swamp water. Its higher pyrite content is the result of leaching from the overlying highly pyriteous grey shales. It has been presumed that minor parting bands associated with lignite seams were formed in situ from severe degradation of organic matter. The formation of authigenic partings caused splitting of a single basal seam into three separate ones which may be considered as parts of as a single composite seam. The lignite seams were formed in a lagoon from rheotrophic peat swamp near the then existing shore-line; the brackish water influence appears to have been significant.

The petrographic composition suggests that the lignite Seam Nos. 1 and 4 can be utilized better for the manufacture of organic chemicals, and the high amount of pyrite in lignite seams and associated sediments can be used for the production of sulphuric acid or even fertilizers.
Orientation pattern of striations Schizaeoisporites Potonie 1951
Authors: Singh Alpana
Published: September 2022

The objective of this paper is to elucidate characteristic patterns in the emergence and orientation of striations in the genus Schizaeoisporites Potonie 1951 in order to understand the specific characteristic of this genus. This lead to emend the generic diagnosis of the genus to include spores having oblique emergence and orientation of striations. It also necessitated re-description of S. grandiformis Ramanujam 1972 and proposal of two new species- S. proximobliques and S. obliques.
Artificial chemical degradation of some extant cyanobacteria with special reference to Precambrian contaminants- A cautionary note-II
Authors: Shukla Manoj , Misra P.K. , Sharma Mukund
Published: September 2022

The paper is a cautionary note to all Precambrian palaeobiologists, using palaeopalynological techniques for the extraction of microfossils from Precambrian sediments. It deals with problems of contamination in palaeopalynological preparations. The effect of mineralic acids (HCI and HF) on some common cyanobacteria, viz., Microcystis, Nostoc, Oscillatoria, Lyngbya and Scytonema, has been discussed. It has been shown that the extant cyanobacteria after treatment with these mineralic acids show morphological similarities with many Precambrian microfossils. Therefore, there is a need to exercise more vigil while ascertaining the authenticity and affinity of the microfossils recovered through palaeopalynological techniques specially from Precambrian sediments.