bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Algal stromatolites from the krol formation of the Mussoorie syncline, Uttar Pradesh
Authors: Raha P.K.
Published: September 2022

The results of the study of the Algal stromatolites associated with phosphorite occurring in the top most member of the Krol Formation, the Mussoorie Phosphorite Member, which overlies the light grey dolomitic limestones, known as the Upper Krol Limestones, near Mussoorie in the Dehra Dun District of Uttar Pradesh have been recorded in the paper. The types of stromatolites that have so far been recognized from these are: (i) spheroidal or nodular (Oncolithes), (ii) conical cup shaped, (iii) cylindrical columnar branching upwards, (iv) laterally connected columns, (v) cylindrical columnar with detached columns. Excepting the first one which is rounded and without any root, the rest of the structures appear to be varieties of Collenia. The significance of the association of these algal stromatolites on the genesis of the phosphorite and the environment of deposition is obvious as the presence of these stromatolites indicate shallow intertidal to subtidal marine condition.

The oncolites present in this horizon appear to have affinity with the Late Palaeozoic to early Mesozoic forms. The columnar forms have to be defined and named properly for distinguishing them from the Proterozoic ones. The type (iv) form compares very well with the form Malacostroma concentricum (Gurich) reported from the Mississippian of Belgium (Johnson, 1961).
Biostatistical analysis of enigmocarpon fruits
Authors: Patil G.V.
Published: September 2022

150 specimens of Enigmocarpon fruit have been studied for size, thickness of wall, thickness of axis, length and breadth of seeds, to ascertain whether there is a single or more species of Enigmocarpon or whether there are varieties of the same species, Enigmocarpon parijai Sahni. The data was subjected to biostatistical analysis.
Some male fructifications of glossopteridales
Authors: Surange K.R. , Chandra Shaila
Published: September 2022

A long, slender, stalked cylindrical male fructification, described earlier by Surange (1957), has been named here as Kendostrobus cylindricus gen. et sp. nov. 4-5 sporangia are arranged in whorls and these whorls are borne in close spirals on the cone axis. Its monolete, striped spores are named Kendosporites. A new species of Eretmonia, E. ovata, another male fructification, is also described. It is shown that in Eretmonia, as in Glossotheca, the sporangia are carried on the ultimate branches of a dichotomizing branch system.
Palynomorphs from the Panchet group exposed in Sukri river, Auranga coalfield, Bihar
Authors: Banerji J. , Maheshwari H.K
Published: September 2022

Palynomorphs obtained from a Panchet Group Exposure in the Sukri River, near Kaima, Auranga Coalfield, Bihar are assignable to 31 species and 22 genera. One genus and five species are newly instituted. On the whole the palynological assemblage is dominated by striate bisaccate pollen. Non-striate bisaccate pollen and the pteridophytic spores share nearly equal percentage. The assemblage is quite similar to the Lower Triassic palynological assemblage reported earlier from the Maitur Formation exposed in the Nonia Nala, near Asansol, West Bengal. The Panchet beds near Kaima are therefore believed to represent the Maitur Formation.
Algal and Fungal Microfossils from Matanomadh Formation (Palaeocene), Kutch, India
Authors: Kar R.K. , Saxena R.K.
Published: September 2022

Algal and fungal microfossils recovered from the type area of Matanomadh Formation (Palaeocene), in the district of Kutch, Gujarat have been described. The assemblage comprises 20 genera and 27 species. Out of these, 10 genera and 13 species belong to algae and 10 genera and 14 species belong to fungi. Of the algae, Leioplanktona gen. nov. and Matanomadhia gen. nov. are quite common. Amongst the fungi, Phragmothyrites (Edw.) emend., Notothyrites Cook. (1947) and Inapertusporites (v.d. Ham.) Els. (1968) are frequently found.

Microthyriacites Cook. (1947), Callimothallus Dil. (1965), Microthallites Dil. (1965) and Pseudosphaerialites Venk. & Kar (1969b) have been regarded here as junior synonyms of Phragmothyrites (Edw.) emended here.

The present assemblage has been compared with the known algal and fungal assemblages from the Tertiaries of India. It has been inferred on the good percentage of microthyriaceous fungi that during Palaeocene, Matanomadh and the adjacent regions were having a tropical and humid climate favouring a luxuriant vegetation of pteridophytes and angiosperms.
Some Charophytic remains from the Lower Siwalik of Tanakpur, District Nainital
Authors: Lakhanpal R.N. , Kapoor S. , Jain K.P.
Published: September 2022

The present paper deals with some fossil charophytic oogonia (gyrogonites) recovered from the Lower Siwalik beds (Miocene) at Purniagiri, near Tanakpur, District Naini Tal. The fossils have been described under three genera, viz., Charites, Sphaerochara and Raskyaechara, comprising five species of which Charites siwalikus and Raskyaechara purniagiriensis are new.
Revision of some fossil plants from the Karharbari Formation, Giridih Coalfield, Bihar
Authors: Maithy P.K.
Published: September 2022

Revision of the fossil plants described earlier under Schizoneura wardii, cf. Cyclodendron sp. and Sagenopteris (?) stoliczkana from the Karharbari Formation of the Giridih Coalfield has been done on the basis of examination of type specimens. In addition to this a new species of Rubidgea emarginata is reported.
Some fossil plant remains from Ramkola-Tatapani coalfield, Madhya Pradesh
Authors: Bose M.N. , Banerji J. , Maithy P.K.
Published: September 2022

The paper describes some fragmentary plant remains from three different localities in the Ramkola-Tatapani Coalfield region. Out of these, viz., Ledho Nala near Karamdiha Village (Tatapani), Narola Village (Ramkola region) and Ledho Nala 2 miles north-west of Karamdiha Village (Tatapani), only the last locality has yielded Lepidopteris sp. The rest of the localities are characterized by the dominance of Glossopteris. Because of the presence of Lepidopteris in the Ledho Nala 2 miles north-west of Karamdiha the beds there have been assigned a Lower Triassic age. The other two localities are of doubtful age. They may be either of Uppermost Permian or Early Triassic age.
Morphologic reinterpretation of some Dinogymnium species with remarks on palaeogeographic and stratigraphic distribution of the genus
Authors: Jain K.P.
Published: September 2022

The Upper Cretaceous dinoflagellate genus Dinogymnium Evitt et al. (1967) possesses 32 species. Of these, D. curvatum (Vozzhennikova) Lentin & Williams, D. kasachstanicum (Vozzhennikova) Lentin & Williams, D. sibiricum (Vozzhennikova) Lentin & Williams and D. sphaerocephalum (Vozzhenni- kova) Lentin & Williams have been reinterpreted following the generic conception of the genus proposed by Evitt et al. (1967). The palaeogeographic and stratigraphic distribution of Dinogymnium species has been tabulated. It has been concluded that the genus Dinogymnium is cosmopolitan, occurred mostly along 45°N and 45°S latitudes. It flourished best during Campanian-Maestrichtian time though made a humble beginning in Albian-Cenomanian.
Some Lower Triassic plant remains from Asansol region, India
Authors: Banerji J. , Bose M.N.
Published: September 2022

Megafossils collected from north-western branch of Nonia Nala, East of Kumarpur and northern branch of Nonia Nala near "Indigo" factory bridge form the subject matter of this paper. In addition, further observations have been made on the specimens earlier described by Feistmantel (1881) and Satsangi and Shah (1970) from near Maitur, north-western branch of Nonia Nala. From the first locality only ?Dicroidium/Lepidopteris and Podozamites sp. cf. P. lanceolatus Lindley & Hutton have been described. The second locality comprises Schizoneura, a few species of Glossopteris, Macrotaeniopteris sp. and Cordaicarpus sp. From the third locality no fresh collection could be made. Only the earlier described fossils, viz., Pecopteris concinna Presl., Cyclopteris pachyrhachis, Goppert, Taeniopteris sp. cf. T. stenoneuron (Schenk) Pascoe and ?cf. Kendostrobus sp. have been re-examined.
Holocene palynology from Meander lake in the Ganga Valley, District Pratapgarh, U.P.
Authors: Gupta H.P.
Published: September 2022

The pollen analytical investigations of a 3·30 m deep profile from a horse-shoe lake in the Ganga Valley have been carried out. The lake is situated closeby to an archaeological site Sarai-Nahar-Rai in Pratapgarh District. The pollen frequencies were calculated in terms of total land plants and a pollen diagram has been constructed.

In the last 8000 years, there have been four phases of vegetational developments reflecting directly on four brief phases of climate such as Very Arid, Arid, Semi-Arid and Semi-Humid. The abundance of grasses throughout the pollen diagram has revealed the existence of an open savannah forest. The arboreal vegetation is poor and represented by a few scattered trees and shrubs.

The commencement of arable and pastoral economy chiefly based on cereal pollen has been recognized during ca. 4500 b.p. which prospered in the succeeding phases.
Bennettitalean stomata
Authors: Krassilov V.A.
Published: September 2022

Not only the topography, but also the size of stomata is fairly constant in the Bennettitales. Occasional departures from the typical dimensions were probably related to polyploidy. Specialized subsidiary cells, examined with SEM, formed a cupola over the guard cells. The ontogeny of syndetocheilic stomata as deduced from aborted apparatuses was mesogenous-tetralabrate. Distribution of compressed stomata on the margins of stomatal zones suggests higher concentration of a morphogen responsible for positional information near the veins and the direction of positional signals spreading from them. More orderly arrangement of stomata in the median portion of an intercostal zone is attributed to inhibitory action of developing meristemoids, while the differences in stomatal frequencies on the opposite margins of a stomatal zone were probably caused by microshades from the ribbed costae.
Fossil woods from the Lower Siwalik beds of Uttar Pradesh, India
Authors: Prakash U.
Published: September 2022

The present paper deals with a detailed study of the petrified woods belonging to Polyalthia, Anisoptera, Dipterocarpus, Cynometra, Cassia and Diospyros collected from the Lower Siwalik beds of Kalagarh, district Bijnor in Uttar Pradesh. These are Polyalthioxylon indicum sp. nov., Anisopteroxylon kalagarhensis sp. nov., Dipterocarpoxylon parabaudii sp. nov., Cynometroxylon sp. cf. C. indicum Chowdhury & Ghosh, Cassinium borooahii (Prakash) Prakash, and Ebenoxylon miocenicum sp. nov. Present distribution of the modern equivalents of these fossil species indicates a more humid climate in this region during the Lower Siwalik period.
Problems in the Pentoxyleae
Authors: Rao A.R.
Published: September 2022

The morphology, anatomy and affinities of the Pentoxyleae - an incompletely known group of Gymnosperms combining the character of Pteridosperms, Cycadales, Bennettitales and Coniferales are briefly reviewed from certain aspects. The lacunae in our present knowledge of the three petrified plant organ genera which constitute this group are pointed out and discussed. Various suggestions to clear up these lacunae are made for the benefit of the future workers. It is also suggested that a more systematic, well-designed and extensive collection of silicified material from Nipania and subsequent objective and purposeful investigations on them would reveal important morphological and anatomical features which would more accurately define the affinities and systematic position of this group of fossil plants.
Further contribution on Protohistoric Ragi-Eleusine Coracana Gaertn
Authors: Savithri R. , Vishnu-Mittre
Published: September 2022

The paper describes comparative morphology of Neolithic and Harappan carbonized grains identified as Eleusine coracana and of modern Ragi. The morphological details not described earlier are found to be similar in both, thus supporting the identification of carbonized grains to Eleusine coracana.
Palynology of the Matanomadh Formation in type area, North-Western Kutch, India (Part 2). Systematic description of Gymnospermous and Angiospermous pollen grains
Authors: Saxena R.K.
Published: September 2022

The present paper deals with the systematic description of the gymnospermous and angiospermous pollen grains recovered from the Matanomadh Formation (Palaeocene) in type area, north-western Kutch, India. The assemblage described here includes 31 genera and 59 species. The gymnospermous pollen grains are represented by 3 genera and 3 species. Of these, 1 species is new. The angiospermous pollen grains form the most dominant group in the present assemblage and are represented by 28 genera and 56 species. Of these, 1 genus and II species are new. Among the angiosperms, the dicotyledonous pollen grains dominate over those of monocotyledons. Six genera and 16 species belong to the monocotyledons while 22 genera and 40 species belong to the dicotyledons.
Reworked Cretaceous spores and pollen grains from the Matanomadh Formation (Palaeocene), Kutch, India
Authors: Saxena R.K.
Published: September 2022

The present paper records the occurrence of reworked Cretaceous spores and pollen grains from the Matanomadh Formation, Kutch, India. The Matanomadh palynofloral assemblage is distinctly Palaeocene in age. Altogether seven genera of reworked spores and pollen grains were encountered in this assemblage. These are: Concavissimisporites (Delcourt & Sprumont) Delcourt, Dettmann & Hughes (1 species), Impardecispora Venkatachala, Kar & Raza (2 species), Klukisporites Couper (3 species), Boseisporites (Dev) Bharadwaj & Kumar (2 species), Contignisporites Dettmann (2 species), Callialasporites (Dev) Bharadwaj & Kumar (4 species) and Schizosporis Cookson & Dettmann (1 species). These palynomorphs commonly occur in the Cretaceous rocks and do not extend into the Palaeocene. The presence of such palynomorphs in the Matanomadh Formation indicates that part of sediments for Matanomadh sedimentation were provided by the Bhuj Formation (early Cretaceous), which is exposed in close proximity to the area under present study.
A petrified Livistona-like Palm Stem, Palmoxylon Livistonoides sp. nov. from the Deccan Intertrappean beds of India
Authors: Prakash U. , Ambwani K.
Published: September 2022

Palmoxylon livistonoides sp. nov., a fossil palm stem showing close affinities with the extant genus Livistona is described here from the Deccan Intertrappean beds of Nawargaon in Wardha District, Maharashtra.
Twenty-eighth Sir Albert Charles Seward Memorial Lecture: Present trends in Ecology
Authors: Legris P.
Published: September 2022

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Some true and alleged permotriassic conifers of Siberia and Russian platform and their alliance
Authors: Meyen S.V.
Published: September 2022

Twigs Retinosporites ? sibirica and fructifications Tomiostrobus radiatus – Araucarites tomiensis from the Lower Triassic of the Kuznetz basin were tentatively regarded as belonging to the same plants. A. tomiensis and T. radiatus yield microspores (of Aratrisporites type) and megaspores and belong to lepidophytes (Pleuromeiaceae). R. ? sibirica on gross morphological and epidermal features is ascribed to Quadrocladus. Pollen produced by these plants were of the Lueckisporites type. Quadrocladus borealis and corresponding female fructifications Sashinia borealis coming from the Uppermost Permian of the Russian platform are described. Sashinia-plants combine very primitive female fructifications and advanced male fructifications. Taxonomical and phylogenetical corollaries of these findings are discussed. The Lower Triassic flora of Siberia seems to have come from the Subangara area of the Permian.
Sabalocaulon intertrappeum gen. et sp. nov. from the Deccan Intertrappean beds of Madhya Pradesh, India
Authors: Trivedi B.S. , Verma C.L.
Published: September 2022

Petrified fossil axis belonging to sabaloid palms shows distinct epidermis, hypodermis, and central region and is characterized by prominent lacunar ground tissue. Affinities with the known fossils of Palmocaulon and with the living members of Palmae have also been discussed in detail. Anatomical details suggest that it shows close affinity with the basal part of the leaf axis of Sabal of the family Palmae.
On problems of modern palynology
Authors: Zaklinskaja E.D.
Published: September 2022

Application of palynological data with the objective of reconstruction of paleo flora, the stratigraphy and correlation demand a single methodology during the preparation of initial material (the most complete palynocomplexes). It is recommended to look through slides from one macerate and to pay attention not to the number of counted grains but to a number of established palynological species. It is established that the most valid correlation is the species that are found in the study of numerous slides not being merely predominant in the palynoflora.
Plant fossils from the Talchir and coal-bearing Formation of South Rewa Gondwana Basin, India and their Biostratigraphical significance
Authors: Chandra Anil , Srivastava A.K.
Published: September 2022

Plant fossils belonging to the Talchir and coal-bearing formations (Lower Permian) of four areas, namely Umaria, Birsinghpur Pali, Anuppur and Chirimiri of the South Rewa Gondwana Basin are described. The Talchir flora is represented by a few species of Gangamopteris and Noeggerathiopsis, while the megafossils from the coal-bearing formation are represented by various species of Glossopteris, Gangamopteris, Noeggerathiopsis and Vertebraria. A new species of Noeggerathiopsis, N. minor, has been recognized. It has also been observed that the flora of the coal-bearing beds in these areas is characterized by the dominance of Gangamopteris and Noeggerathiopsis. This suggests that these beds of the South Rewa Gondwana Basin are equivalent to the Karharbari ‘Stage’ of Peninsular India.
Palmostroboxylon arengoidum sp. nov.: A fossil Palm Peduncle resembling Arenga from the Deccan Intertrappean beds of Shahpura, Madhya Pradesh
Authors: Ambwani K.
Published: September 2022

A fossil palm peduncle, Palmostroboxylon recovered from the Deccan Intertrappean beds of the village Ghugua in Shahpura, Madhya Pradesh, has been described. The fossil specimen closely compares with the peduncle of the extant genus Arenga, a member of Caryotoidae. It is characterised by the presence of fibrovascular bundles with Lunaria-type sclerenchymatous dorsal sheath, two metaxylem vessels associated with 2-4 protoxylem vessels and fused fibrovascular bundles.
On plant Megafossils from the Late Triassic sediments of the Eastern part of Sichuan Basin, China
Authors: Shuying Duan , Ye Chen
Published: September 2022

The paper deals with the plant remains collected from the Late Triassic sediments in the eastern part of Sichuan Basin, China. These remains include Lobatannularia kaixianensis sp. nov., L. hechuanensis sp. nov., Pseudoctenis hechuanensis sp. nov., Ctenis kasixianensis sp. nov., Lobatannularia chaundianensis (Wang) comb. Nov. and Acthephyllum kaixianensis gen. et sp. nov.
Fossil woods of Lophopetalum and Artocarpus from the Deccan Intertrappean beds of Mandla District, Madhya Pradesh, India
Authors: Mehrotra R.C. , Prakash U. , Bande M.B.
Published: September 2022

Two fossil dicotyledonous woods, viz., Lophopetalumoxylon indicum gen. et sp. nov. from Ghughua near Shahpura and Artocarpoxylon deccanensis sp. nov. from a new locality of Sylthar in Mandla District, Madhya Pradesh have been described. The former closely compares with Lophopetalum littorale Ridley of Celastraceae while the latter shows maximum resemblance with Artocarpus heterophyllus Lamk. Of Moraceae.
Carnoconites Rajmahalensis (Wieland) comb. nov. from the Jurassic of Rajmahal Hills, India
Authors: Bose M.N. , Pal P.K. , Harris T. M.
Published: September 2022

Excepting the mode of preservation, the specimen of Williamsonia(?) rajmahalensis Wieland and those of Carnoconites laxum Srivastava have been found to be similar. Therefore, the specimens described by various authors as Carnoconites laxum Srivastava are being named as Carnoconites rajmahalensis (Wieland) comb. nov.
Thinnfeldia indica Feistmantel and associated plant fossils from Tiruchirapalli District, Tamil Nadu
Authors: Maheshwari H.K.
Published: September 2022

Plant mega and microfossils recovered from the Teraini clay and a tube well near Naicolam, both in Tiruchirapalli District, have been listed. Cuticular features of Thinnfeldia indica Feistmantel have been described in detail and its affinities traced to the cycads. On the basis of the totality of characters, the independent taxonomic status of the genus Thinnfeldia vis-à-vis the genera Dicroidium and Pachypteris is confirmed. Data pertaining to the age of Utatur plant beds are briefly reviewed.
Maheshwariella spinicornuta, a new gymnospermouis seed from the Karharbari Formation
Authors: Maheshwari H.K. , Tewari Rajni
Published: September 2022

Maheshwariella spinicornuta sp. nov. is established for an orthotropus, platyspermic, the bilaterally symmetrical seed having two long tubular expansions (‘horns’) at the micropylar end. The ‘horns’ have characteristic spinate appendages. In this character, this species differs from the type species, viz., M. bicornuta Pant & Nautiyal. On the basis of overall morphology, Cornucarpus (Cordaicarpus) furcate (Surange & Lele) Maithy is transferred to the genus Maheshwariella Certain dispersed seeds are ascribed by Pant and Nautiyal to Buriadia ‘heterophylla’ are found to be indistinguishable from M. bicornuta.
Palynostratigraphy of Subathu Formation (Eocene) in the Banethi-Bagthan area, Sirmaur District, Himachal Pradesh
Authors: Singh H.P. , Sarkar Samir
Published: September 2022

On the basis of the qualitative and quantitative distribution of the recovered palynoflora, five distinct palynological assemblage zones have been recognised within the Subathu Formation in the Banethi-Bagthan area of Himachal Pradesh. In ascending order of stratigraphy the palynological assemblage zones are Todisporites spp. Assemblage Zone, Subathua sahnii Assemblage Zone, Cordosphaeridium inodes Assemblage Zone, Homotryblium spp. Assemblage Zone, and Cleistosphaeridium spp. Assemblage Zone.
Palynology of Kamthi Formation from Ramagundam-Mantheni Area, Godavari Graben, Andhra Pradesh, India
Authors: Bharadwaj D.C. , Srivastava S.C. , Ramanamurthy B.V. , Jha Neerja
Published: September 2022

Palynological study of the Kamthi Formation from the Ramagundam-Mantheni area of Godavari Graben reveals that the palynoflora of Kamthi Formation is uniformly dominated by striate-disaccate (about 50%) and the subdominant groups differ. Thus Lower Member of the Kamthi Formation is characterised by the subdominance of nonstriate-disaccates while Middle Member is characterised by the subdominance of Striasulcites in the older part and Densipollenites in the younger part. The palynoflora is by and large comparable with the Raniganj palynoflora of Damodar Valley except a few differences. The palynoflora in the upper part of the cored Middle Member of Kamthi Formation exhibits close proximity towards Permian-Triassic (Panchet) transition. Obviously, only the Lower and partly Middle members of the Kamthi Formation are homotaxial with Raniganj Formation of Damodar Basin.
Depositional history of the basal Barakar beds - a study from Ramgarh Coalfield, Hazaribagh District, Bihar
Authors: Bhattacharya Asokkumar
Published: September 2022

The rock record of the basal Barakar Formation of the Ramgarh Coalfield, Hazaribagh District, Bihar has been interpreted as an ancient example of the sandur deposit, i.e., a glacial outwash plain deposit having two distinct units as (a) channel facies divisible with riffles and pools, and (b) interchannel bar facies. Each of the facies of the environment in its stratigraphic setup, lithological attributes, sedimentary structural assemblage and palaeocurrent pattern correspond to one in the model.

The lenticular and sheet-like gravelly and pebbly sandstones with crude and sharp parallel stratifications, graded beds and scour and fill structures characterize the bar facies whereas, coarse arkosic sandstones with ripple and megaripple bedding, lenticular to planar cross-beds, and buried megaripple trains characterize the riffles of the channel facies. Gravel lenses at regular intervals have been related to the transverse ribs of the riffle facies. The lenticular sandy shales, siltstones and carbonaceous shales within the basal Barakar beds swings between NW to NNW.

The basal Barakar beds, at the bottommost part maintain a gravel: sand ratio to the order of 40:60; the proportion of sand, however, increases upwards. The gravelly and pebbly sandstone are highly indurated with fresh feldspars in all cases. The gravels are rounded to well rounded with high sphericity values.

Depositional features exhibit an uninterrupted pattern of sedimentation from the glacial Talchir Formation, through the sandur basal Barakar beds to the true fluvial Middle and Upper Barakar beds till the end of the Ironstone Shale Formation. The sandur sedimentation model with channel and bar facies as identified from the basal Barakar beds of Ramgarh Basin has also been presented in a block diagram.
Lower Barakar flora of Raniganj Coalfield and insect/plant relationship
Authors: Srivastava A.K.
Published: September 2022

The Lower Barakar flora of Raniganj Coalfield shows close affinity with the Karharbari flora. The venation pattern of different leaf genera and its evolutionary trends are discussed. Insect wings, insect-affected leaf and stem specimens are recorded. On the available evidences, the insect/plant relationship during the early phase of Glossopteris Flora is discussed.
Volcanism in Gondwanas
Authors: Tripathi C.
Published: September 2022

In India the Lower Permian event is marked by a major volcanic episode in the Himalayan belt and rift faulting in the Peninsula which gave rise to various Gondwana basins. The Lower Cretaceous major volcanic episode represented by the Rajmahal Trap represents the termination of Gondwana sedimentation. Lower Permian volcanism is represented by the Panjal Volcanics in Kashmir Basin and its equivalent, the Volcanics in Spiti-Zanskar Basin and Rotung Volcanics (Abor Volcanics) in Arunachal Pradesh. In Karakarom Basin of Ladakh, volcanism is associated with Changtash and Aqtash formations of Permian age.

The Agglomeratic Slates in Kashmir are supposed to have originated as explosive volcanism in the form of pyroclastic which was followed later by flows of the Panjal Volcanics represented by subaqueous and subaerial tholeiitic basalt with occasional basaltic, andesitic and rhyolitic volcanics. The Agglomeratic slates are divided into two divisions, the Lower Diamicites and the Upper Pyroclastic. At the base of the Pyroclastic division and at the top of the Diamictite division, we get Eurydesma-Deltopecten Fauna of Lower Permian age. It is thus established that volcanism in Kashmir, Spiti-Zanskar and Ladakh is restricted to Lower Permian only. The sills and dykes associated with the underlying sequence in Syringothyris Limestone and Fenestella Shale in Kashmir, in Lipak and Po Formations in Spiti are related to this volcanism.
Reflection on relationship of Tethyan palynoflora
Authors: Tiwari R.S. , Vijaya
Published: September 2022

The Early Carboniferous palynoassemblage from Spiti in Tethyan Himalaya has a restricted comparability with that of Cathaysia, more pronounced relationship with that of Australia and Middle-East while apparent form similarity with the western Tethyan region. During the Permian, few elements are definitely common between Himalaya Tethys zone and the Angara-Cathaysia assemblages but there are strong indications of an influence of Indian palynoflora on Himalayan Tethys belt. Towards western Tethys wedge, the resemblance decreases gradually and new palynotaxa are observed indicating the European affinity. A similar type of relationship among palynofloras of Tethys realm exists during Triassic. The Jurassic palynoassemblage of Tethyan Himalaya region also exhibits greater affinity with those of the Indian Peninsula, although more uniform pattern appears in the assemblages of the globe during the Jurassic. It has been concluded that distinct provinciality existed during Carboniferous, Permian and Triassic times. The Himalayan Tethys belt has some relationship with Cathaysia, Middle East and Western Tethyan region; it has a few elements of its own but main thrust of influence is from the Indian Peninsula. The palynological relationship of a greater Indian Plate is thus indicated up to northern Tibet and narrower Tethys sea could have been the cause of such a qualified reflection.
Palaeocene-Eocene marker pollen from India and tropical Africa
Authors: Venkatachala B.S. , Caratini C. , Tissot C. , Kar R.K.
Published: September 2022

The Palaeocene-Eocene epochs have witnessed a great floral diversification in tropical areas, which is also reflected in the pollen spectra. The important Indian stratigraphical marker taxa have been examined and a comparative study with extant material has provided botanical affinities to some of the taxa. Their comparison with those recorded in Africa leads to reflection on their palaeogeographical distribution. The stratigraphic ranges have been shown in the range chart. Some of the taxa common to India and Africa are: Retistephanocolpites williamsi, Spinizonocolpites spp., Tricolpites reticulatus, Proxapertites spp., Anacolosidites luteoides and Marginipollis spp. A number of Indian, as well as African taxa, are not recorded beyond the terminal Eocene; some of them could have migrated from India to other countries such as Gonystylus (Cryptopolyporites) to Malaysia and Gunnera (Tricolpites reticulatus) to Australia. The relative location and motion of India during these epochs could explain the singularity of the Early Tertiary Indian palynoflora.
Austroannularia gen. nov., an asymmetrical Permian sphenopsid leaf whorl from Gondwanaland
Authors: Rigby J.F.
Published: September 2022

Austroannularia gen. nov. is proposed for species of morphologically asymmetrical sphenopsid leaf whorls similar to those included in the Cathaysian genus Lobatannularia, but lacking the strongly bilobate character of the latter genus. The two species, A. subcircularis sp. nov. from eastern Australia and A. qubuensis from southern Tibet (Xizang) occur in Permian non-marine strata containing typical Gondwana species in the absence of Cathaysian species.
Abundance of spore tetrads in the early Triassic sediments of India and their significance
Authors: Tiwari R.S. , Meena K.L.
Published: September 2022

A number of spore tetrads with variable ornamentation have been observed during the palynological study of Lower Panchet sediments (Early Triassic) of the Raniganj Coalfield. They are either cingulate (ornamented or smooth) or simple verrucose spores, and can be attributed to Lundbladispora, Densoisporites and Verrucosisporites. The abundance of tetrads in the assemblage may be assigned to the diminishing effect of callase due to change in the climate. This perhaps resulted into the non-dissolution of the callose-wall which holds the spores together in a tetrad.
Spontaneous combustion of some Permian coal seams of India: An explanation based on microscopic and physico-chemical properties
Authors: Saxena Rakesh , Navale G.K.B. , Chandra D. , Prasad Y.V.S.
Published: September 2022

Spontaneous combustion of coals is a well-known phenomenon in the coal mines of Raniganj and Jharia coalfields. Although several explanations have been given for this burning problem, yet, no general consensus has reached because of variable laboratory techniques. 1n the present paper, a viable explanation is given for auto-oxidation of coal integrating the microscopic and physico-chemical properties.

Organic petrological investigations of the Permian coal seams reveal vitric and fusovitric petrographic facies corresponding to the Late and Early Permian time, respectively. The characteristic micropetrographic, thermal and chemical properties of the Raniganj coal seams show high to moderate susceptibility to spontaneous combustion. The high amount of the reactive resin/hydrocarbon was found to be closely associated with these coal seams, apart from perhydrous Vitrinite having low rank values. In contrast, the Barakar coal seams show least susceptibility probably because of the absence of reactive resin/hydrocarbon with higher rank values.

Microspectrofluorimetric studies suggest green, yellow and orange varities of reactive resin, hydrocarbons in which green and yellow probably correspond to lipid and terpene fraction, of resins imparting more hydroaromatic and unsaturated aromatic structures to these coal in response to their coalification stage. The strong peak at 1600 ± 50 cm in infrared spectrographs of coal also suggests, the presence of resin content in Raniganj coals which are rich in C =C, C =0 structures. These unsaturated structures play a key role in oxygen-coal reaction leading to the development of an unstable peroxy complex which later through chain mechanism oxidizes the coal while Barakar coals show rigid structural configuration.

The chemical and thermal characteristic vis-a-vis. petrographic composition of these coal seams show conformity in the formation of peroxy complex and its relation with crossing point temperature values. Their crossing point temperature data also suggest conformity in trends with the quantitative distribution of the resin hydrocarbon contents on mmf basis. The endothermic and exothermic peaks and their breakdown steps revealed by differential thermal analysis and derivative thermogravimetric analysis indicate close correspondence with the coal seams of the Raniganj Formation.

Thus, it is presumed that the reactive resin content and expulged hydrocarbons from perhydrous vitrinite and organic matrix filled along the cracks, seem to be the main reactive sites for oxygen reaction in spontaneous combustion.
Spectrofluorimetric study of some resinites from Indian coals and lignites
Authors: Misra B.K. , Saxena Rakesh , Anand-Prakash
Published: September 2022

Spectral fluorescence measurements were carried out on three common resinite types-with greenish-yellow, yellow, and orange fluorescence colours, from the Tertiary (Eocene) lignites of Matanomadh and Panandhro Lignite fields of Kutch and Permian (Lower Gondwana) coals from Raniganj Coalfield. The analysis revealed a distinct shift in their maximum fluorescence intensity (λ max.) towards higher wavelength and increase in red/green (650-500 nm) quotient (Q) corresponding with increase in the age of the deposit. The resinite types from Tertiary lignites show λ max. at500-510 nm for type-I, 520-530 nm for type-2 and 540 nm for type-3 with corresponding Q values of 0.17-0.29,0.38-0.49 and 0.69, respectively. Whereas, the Permian coals have λ max. at 580, 600 and 610 nm and Q values of 0.59, 1.47 and 1.9 respectively for greenish-yellow, yellow, and orange fluorescing resinite types.
History of mangrove vegetation in Paradip and Jambu islands, Orissa for the past 500 years B.P.: A palynological assessment
Authors: Gupta H.P. , Yadav R.R.
Published: September 2022

Modern surface samples from Paradip and Jambu islands, Orissa have provided clues of modern pollen deposition, reconstruction of palaeovegetation and to interpret with greater precision the pollen data recovered from the sediments. Pollen composition of modern surface samples coheres with the type of vegetation growing today within the area of 10 sq km and facilitates the comparison of past vegetation with the modern analogues. Pollen diagram constructed from Paradip profile has revealed the history of mangrove vegetation for the past 500 years B.P., wherein four zones of vegetational developments have been recorded. The decline of mangrove vegetation at the top of the diagram going back to about 35 years B.P. could be correlated with a record date around early nineteen-hundred-sixties, when the construction of Paradip Port came into existence. This feature suggests the excessive human pressure over the surrounding vegetation resulting into the ruthless damages to the mangrove and the same has been depicted in the pollen diagram. The plantation of Casuarina along the coastline in the recent past has also been recorded in the pollen diagram.
Sholas in south Indian montane: Past, present and future
Authors: Gupta H.P.
Published: September 2022

The forest, short to medium-boled attaining a height between 15 to 20 m, constitutes the only tropical montane forest in pockets in the montane region of Nilgiris, Anamalai, Palni and silent Valley, southern India. Palynological studies have revealed that these shola forest communities had been wide spread in the past. They originated through gradual invasion of shrubs, and under trees into the grassland, about 35,000 years BP corresponding in time to the last glaciation in the north and were established about 24,000 years BP. The progressive recession of sholas had started around 7,000 years BP. Both biotic and climatic factors have not only reduced the sholas to its present-day minimal size but have also created conditions under which the community has almost completely stopped regeneration outside the sholas. Degeneration and fast receding trend in the shola communities and expanding grasslands and massive plantation of exotic trees reduced the soil as well as above surface moisture which is not conducive for the sholas. If preventive measures are not taken the sholas in near future would ultimately perish.
Palynology of Rajpardi lignite, Cambay Basin and Gujra Dam and Akri lignite, Kutch Basin
Authors: Kar R.K. , Bhattacharya M.
Published: September 2022

The fossil assemblage consists of 42 species belonging to 38 genera. On the basis of abundance, Rajpardi palynological assemblage has been divided into three cenozones in ascending order: Polygalacidites rhomboidus Cenozone, Inapertusporites kedvesii Cenozone and Arengapollenites achinatus Cenozone. The assemblages recovered from the Gujra Dam Section cutting and Akri lignite have been correlated with Lygodiumsporites lakiensis Cenozone. It has been postulated that the lower part of Rajpardi lignite was deposited above the storm tide zone and the upper level of the lignite was perhaps deposited between equinoctial to storm tide zones.
Symposium on Four Decades of Indian Palaeobotany: an introduction
Authors: Venkatachala B.S.
Published: September 2022

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Marker Assemblage-Zones of spores and pollen species through Gondwana Palaeozoic and Mesozoic sequence in India
Authors: Tiwari R.S. , Tripathi Archana
Published: September 2022

Most of the palynozonation schemes so far proposed for the Gondwana sequence of India are based on quantitative representation of spore-pollen genera. These proposals have limited value for interbasinal correlation. The present synthesis deals with a model for species-based stratigraphy. Palynologically well studied Permian and Triassic sequences in the Damodar Graben and Permian, Triassic and Cretaceous sequences in the adjacent Rajmahal Basin have been taken as key regions to establish the zonation scheme. Based on the FADs and LADs and totality of composition of selected species, twenty Species Assemblage-Zones have been recognised. The reorganisation of this data through computer has also resulted in the identification of thirty Species Acme-Zones.
Palaeoclimatic oscillations since last deglaciation in western Himalaya: a palynological assay
Authors: Sharma Chhaya
Published: September 2022

The paper embodies the palaeovegetational and palaeoclimatic inferences deduced from the pollen analytical study of lake sediments from Khajiar, Rewalsar, Parasram Tal in Himachal Pradesh and Naukuchia Tal, Sat Tal and Tarag Tal in Kumaon Himalaya. Pollen diagrams from Himachal Pradesh (14C dated to past 3,000 yrs or so) mainly cover later part of the post-glacial climatic optimum, depicting two-fold vegetation change, i.e., oak-chirpine mixed forests to chirpine or deodar forests, reflecting the period of maximum and decreasing warmth respectively in the region. Occurrence of cerealia type pollen together with some other associated elements suggests the existence of agricultural practices in the region.

Similarly, the pollen diagrams from Kumaon Himalaya covering several lakes in Naini Tal District, depict vegetation history during Holocene. At Naukuchia Tal, it commences with chirpine woods, subsequently replaced by broad-leaved forests and then once again it reverts back to chirpine forests. Thus the changing palaeovegetation pattern in the area reflects three-fold climatic fluctuations, viz., cold to warm and again cold. Recently constructed four pollen diagrams from Sat Tal and one from Tarag Tal have revealed the dominance of chirpine-oak mixed forests around 1,000 yrs B.P. as is seen today. The vegetation pattern throughout the sequence remains more or less uniform except for the upper part of lithocolumn depicting a slight decline in the arboreal forest components around 500 yrs B.P. or so with simultaneous increase in grasses, sedges and culture pollen which reflect to the anthropogenic activity in this region also.
Tree ring research in India: an overview
Authors: Yadav R.R.
Published: September 2022

Dendroclimatic studies in India were taken up towards the end of 1970. Datable growth rings are found in several tree species growing in many regions of tropical forests where moisture supply acts as the limiting factor at least in some part of the growing period. The tree ring sequences from such areas reflect fluctuation in the level of monsoon. Due to difficulty in gelling sufficient replication of samples from desired species and locality, progress in tree ring analysis of hardwoods has been impeded to a great extent. Amongst the tested species teak (Tectonia grandis), because of its long age and ecological diversity, has become the pivotal species for the reconstruction of precipitation.

A major breakthrough in getting 745 years long chronology of Cedrus deodara growing on moisture stressed site in Uttar Kashi has been achieved. The statistical properties such as low first order autocorrelation (0.150), high mean sensitivity (0.344) and high signal-noise ratio (20.53) point towards its suitability for the reconstruction of climatic factors, especially precipitation. The length of this chronology is not necessarily limited to the life span of living trees. Cross-dating of ring sequences from old trees with those in stumps, logs and sources of older woods from ancient buildings in the Himalayan region would permit the development of longer chronologies. Besides deodar, other conifers such as pines, spruce and fir also have shown enough potential in dendroclimatic studies.
A new seed-bearing leaf from the Permian of China
Authors: Mei-tang Mei , Dilcher David L. , Zhi-hui Wan
Published: September 2022

Seed-bearing leaves of the pterosperms are not common but a few Palaeozoic examples have been useful in understanding the diversity of these plants and their importance in the evolution of several Mesozoic seed plants. Eophyllogonium cathayense gen. et sp. nov. is instituted for recently discovered seed-bearing taeniopteroid leaves from the Permian Leping Formation of China. The seeds are abundant along the margin of the leaves lying in the grooves of the crenulate margin at the terminus of a reticulate network of veins. This new seed fern is compared and contrasted with other seed-bearing Permian age foliage of China. This seed fern may have produced as many as 160 seeds on an individual leaf thus illustrating its extensive potential for seed production. The micropyles are unique structures, appearing as inverted cones extending outward from the distal end of the seed. Many specific features of Eophyllogonium cathayense are discussed.
Podostemaceae-the strange family of aquatic angiosperms
Authors: Mohan Ram H. Y. , Sehgal Anita
Published: September 2022

Podostemaceae is a unique family of aquatic angiosperms. The vegetative body of the podostemads is represented by a thallus resembling that of an alga, lichen or a bryophyte, and lacking the conventional demarcation into stem, leaf and root. The podostemads invariably inhabit gushing mountain streams or falls and generally grow attached to rocks. They lack aerenchyma. Flower buds are initiated while submerged, but flowering and fruit development occurs when the water level subsides and the plants become exposed. Taxonomists believe that podostemads have affinities with Crassulaceae, Saxifragaceae and Hydrostachydaceae. Podostemaceae are termed an embryological family owing to the lack of antipodals, triple fusion, endosperm, the prevalence of single fertilization, and the presence of a pseudo-embryo sac. The wide range of phenotypic plasticity, morphological nature of the thallus as understood by developmental studies using in vitro cultures, and embryological features of the family are discussed. The origin, adaptation and affinities with closely related families have also been examined.
Dipterocarpaceous fossil leaves from Ghish River section in Himalayan foot-hills near Oodlabari, Darjeeling District, West Bengal
Authors: Antal J.S. , Prasad M.
Published: September 2022

The fossil leaves belonging to the extant genera Dipterocarpus Gaertn. and Shorea Roxb. of the family Dipterocarpaceae have been described from the Middle Siwalik sediments exposed in Ghish River near Oodlabari in Darjeeling district, West Bengal. The occurrence of both these genera in the Siwalik sediments is phytogeographically significant and suggests the prevalence of warm humid climate during the deposition of Siwalik sediments in this region.
Fluorescing inertinite macerals in Indian Gondwana coals with remarks on their genesis, terminology and coking potentiality
Authors: Misra B.K. , Singh B.D.
Published: September 2022

The communication documents the presence of fluorescing structured inertinite macerals in the Indian Permian Lower Gondwana coals of Raniganj, Rajmahal and Singrauli Coalfields. However, quantitative assessment of the maceral has been carried out on the coals of Turra seam from Singrauli coalfield. It was observed that some of the semifusinite and fusinite fluoresced with dull reddish-brown to dark brown colour with almost identical intensity and colour as that of the associated perhydrous vitrinite. It seems that gymnospermous plants, chiefly responsible for the formation of Gondwana coals, were highly resinous and the tissues were also selectively impregnated with resins. The resin has an inherent tendency to get readily oxidized on aerial exposure and when such resin impregnated tissues were only partially oxidized, they produce the fluorescing inertinite maceral with well-preserved cellular structure. A critical analysis of published literatures on the reactivities of vitrinite and inertinite macerals in the Indian Gondwana coals during carbonization revealed that there are certain misconceptions not only about their identification but also coking behaviour. These aspects have also been discussed. The study of coals under fluorescence mode seems to hold promise for the proper assessment of reactive inertinite macerals in Indian Permian coals.
Status of taphonomical studies in India: A review
Authors: Sahni Ashok , Jolly Asit
Published: September 2022

Taphonomy, a sub-branch of palaeontology, is defined as the study of the sequence of events beginning with the death of an organism and its subsequent deposition and fossilization. The present paper outlines important areas in which the work has been done on this subject and also attempts to review the Indian contributions.

The conditions of the burial and the preservation of nests and eggshell fragments of dinosaurs provide ample for taphonomic analysis. There is a need for experimental study on dispersal, disintegration, preservation and diagenesis of organic fossils. In puts from sedimentology are essential and only an interdisciplinary effort can result in any success to build the postmortem history of plants and animals.