bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On Sporogonites Halle: A morphologic, taxonomic and phylogenetic appraisal
Authors: Bharadwaj D.C.
Published: September 2022

All the information regarding Sporogonites Halle, available from descriptions and illustrations by various authors has been analyzed, evaluated, and synthesized to arrive at a composite picture of the plant. It has been concluded that Sporogonites is the earliest known bryophyte which had a hygrophyllous, liverwort-like, gametophytic (?) thallus bearing a large number of sporophytic (?) stalks (setae) terminating into obovoid or clavate capsules with an upper, continuous, spore-containing part and a lower, sterile, photosynthetic portion. The structure and organization of the capsule combine features of the two primitive subclasses of Musci but without columella. The presence of lignified vascular tissue in the stalk or the thallus has not been substantiated. An emended diagnosis and a reconstruction based upon the synthesized information have been given for the genus.
Glossopterid leaves from the Early Mesozoic of northern Mexico and Honduras
Authors: Ash Sidney
Published: September 2022

Many years ago Newberry (1876, 1888) reported the occurrence of leaves resembling Glossopteris, the typical Gondwana fossil, in the Late Triassic - Early Jurassic of northwestern Mexico and Honduras. Although, Glossopteris has been previously described a few times from areas like these outside the boundary of Gondwanaland the fossil occurs principally in the Permian and infrequently in the Early Triassic rocks of India and the southern continents, the now separated parts of Gondwanaland. The Glossopteris-like leaf from north-western Mexico is tentatively assigned to Glossopteris and the leaves from Honduras are assigned to Mexiglossa which was previously known only from the middle Jurassic of south-eastern Mexico.
Hilate spores from the Upper Gondwana deposits of Palar basin, Tamil Nadu
Authors: Ramanujam C.G.K. , Varma Y.N.R.
Published: September 2022

Various species of hilate spore genera, viz., Coptospora, Aquitriradites, and Cooksonites from the subsurface Sriperumbudur beds of the Palar Basin have been described. Aequitriradites spinulosus and A. verrucosus are the more commonly encountered taxa. The occurrence of hilate spores and their association with a number of characteristic Lower Cretaceous sporomorphs is indicative of a Lower Cretaceous (Neocomian-Aptian) age for these beds.
Plant remains from the Miocene of Kachchh, Western India
Authors: Lakhanpal R.N. , Guleria J.S.
Published: September 2022

The paper deals with a few impressions of leaves, fruits and seeds belonging to 5 families, 10 genera and 11 species collected from the Khari Series (Aida Stage- Lower Miocene) of Kachchh. They have been described here as Murraya khariensis sp. nov. of Rutaceae, Millettiaa symmetrica sp. nov., M. miocenica sp. nov., Bauhinia kachchhensis sp. nov., Cassia miokachchhensis sp. nov., Leguminocarpon khariensis sp. nov., Leguminophyllum khariensis sp. nov. and Leguminosites khariensis sp. nov. of Leguminosae, Cinnamomum miokachchhensis sp. nov. of Lauraceae, Ficus khariensis sp. nov. of Moraceae and Palmacites khariensis sp. nov. of Palmae. The assemblage suggests moist to dry deciduous vegetation in this area.
Wood of Bauhinia from the Siwalik beds of Uttar Pradesh, India
Authors: Prakash U. , Prasad M.
Published: September 2022

A fossils wood of Bauhinia, Bauhinium palaeomalabaricum sp. nov., is being described from the Lower Siwalik beds of Kalagarh in Pauri Garhwal District. It resembles the modern taxon, Bauhinia malabarica Roxb. which is widely distributed in the deciduous forests of almost all the states of India and Burma. It also grows in the forests of the Siwalik Range.
Characters and homologies of ancient angiosperms as related to their origin
Authors: Ruffle Ludwig
Published: September 2022

Morphogenetics and interpretative morphology of ancient angiosperms, as evidenced by pollen and leaves from the Middle and Lower Cretaceous, are discussed. The similarity of pollen in Chloranthaceae and Austrobaileya shows a close relationship which confirms Meeuse's Anthocorm Theory. The general morphology of Monimiaceae and Piperaceae is investigated to find some morphological peculiarities of their organs concerning their phylogenetic ambiguity. The flowers of Monimiaceae resemble those of Whittleseya and the inflorescences of Piperales (Saururales) resemble some so-called teratologies in modern hybrids of certain Rosaceae. The lack of petals in Neviusia as well as certain inflorescences of Bennettitales needs consideration.
Professor K. M. Gupta (1908-1987)
Authors: Sharma B.D.
Published: September 2022

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Inaugural Address: Concepts, limits and extension of the Indian Gondwana
Authors: Dhoundial D.P.
Published: September 2022

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Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous spore-pollen assemblages in the peninsular India
Authors: Singh H.P. , Venkatachala B.S.
Published: September 2022

The Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous spore-pollen assemblages recovered from the ‘Upper Gondwana’ sediments in the western, central, southern and eastern parts of the country have been reviewed. Palaeontological geological, tectonic and environmental evidences have been used for a reinterpretation of palynological data. Stratigraphically important palynotaxa have been identified. The occurrence of continental Jurassic assemblages has not been considered authentic. The usage of the term ‘Gondwana’ for continental, as well as paralic sediments, has been questioned. The distribution of some significant Gondwanic elements has been highlighted.
Epiphyllous fungi from the Gondwana
Authors: Bajpai Usha , Maheshwari H.K.
Published: September 2022

Epiphyllous fungi belonging to Ascomycetes and Deuteromycetes are recorded. Microthyriaceous germlings have been found on the lower cuticle of a Glossopteris species from the basal Barakar sediments of Saharjuri Outlier. Microthyriaceous stromata have been found on the lower cuticle of Thinnfeldia indica Feistmantel and a leaf apparently of Ctenozamites type, both from Early Cretaceous of Cauvery Basin. Mycelia sterilia have also been recorded on the lower cuticle of Thinnfeldia indica. On the basis of the occurrences of Microthyriaceae, a tropical to subtropical climate is deduced for the Early Cretaceous Period of India.
Handapaphyllum- A new leaf type from the upper permian of Orissa, India
Authors: Chandra Shaila , Singh K.J.
Published: September 2022

A new genus Handapaphyllum is established for fan-shaped, petiolar leaves having symmetrically lobed and dissected lamina with 6-8 dichotomous parallel running veins from the Kamthi Formation of Handapa, Orissa.
Charophyta from the deccan intertrappean beds near Rangapur, Andhra Pradesh, India
Authors: Bhatia S.B. , Riveline Janine , Rana R.S.
Published: September 2022

Two charophytes-Platychara perlala (Peck & Reker) Grambast and Nemegtichara grambosti sp. nov- are described and illustrated from the Deccan Intertrappean beds near Rangapur, district Rangareddi, Andhra Pradesh. The genus Nemegtichara Karczewska & Ziembinska-Tworzydlo, first described from the Palaeogene "White Beds" of the Nemegt Basin in Mongolia and also known from the Cretaceous- Middle Eocene of China is being recorded for the first time from India. The age and palaeobiogeographic implications of the assemblage are also discussed.
Palynology of the subsurface mesozoic sediments in Rajmahal basin, Bihar
Authors: Tripathi Archana , Tiwari R.S. , Kumar Pramod
Published: September 2022

Palynological study of Mesozoic sediments (Late Triassic to Late Jurassic/Early Cretaceous) from a bore-hole RJR-2 drilled near Kazigaon Village in Rajmahal Basin has been done and 76 genera and 132 species have been recognised. Of them, one genus and 13 species are new. A check-list along with descriptions of new proposals have been given. The distribution of various species in Rajmahal and Dubrajpur formations is distinct. Palynological succession denotes three identifiable associations of the Late Carnian, Early Norian and Late Jurassic/ Early Cretaceous age.
Evolutionary pattern of striations and taeniae in the India Gondwana saccate pollen
Authors: Vijaya
Published: September 2022

Striations and taeniae are genetically controlled morphographic characters of sporae dispersae. The sequential pattern of evolution in striations through Lower Gondwana has revealed that the earliest Permian is the starting plane for these characters which proliferate to a diversified and complex mosaic, in the subsequent time, culminating in Late Permian. The global occurrence of striations and taeniae in saccate pollen of Permian-Triassic times is an episode of evolution in organisation which appears to attain the fittest situation for exine protection, germination gates, or moisture regulators.
Palyno-dating of Nidpur beds, Son Graben, Madhya Pradesh
Authors: Tiwari R.S. , Ram-Awatar
Published: September 2022

The Nidpur beds, located in Gopad River section near Nidpur Village, Sidhi District, Madhya Pradesh, have proved to be a treasure of plant fossils-mainly fructifications and leaf-structures. The occurrence of Dicroidium rich pteridospermic megaflora provides the basis for dating these beds as Triassic. The present study reveals that the Nidpur beds are bracketed between two faults, as a result of which they escaped the erosion. The other underlying plant beds exposed in Gopad rivers and its tributaries (Mahan River and Sehra Nala) are older than

Nidpur beds as they yielded latest Permian palynoassemblages. Lithologically the Nidpur beds arc classified within the Upper Pali Member, and their palyno assemblage containing Playfordiaspora, Lundbladispora. Densoisporites, Araucariacites, Goubinispora, Klausipollenites, Lunatisporites, Trabeculosporites indicates a Triassic affiliation. The trailing striate-disaccates are the remainie of the Upper Permian flora. On the basis of mega and microfossils it is suggested that they are of the Early Triassic age.
Fossil flora of Gollapalle Formation
Authors: Pandya Neeru , Sukh-Dev
Published: September 2022

The plant megafossil assemblage of Gollapalle Formation, Andhra Pradesh is enriched and updated. The flora is chiefly constituted of Cladophlebis, Sphenopteris, Marattiopsis, Pachypteris, Taeniopteris, Ptillophyllum, Dictyozamites, Pterophyllum, Williamsonia, Bucklandia, Elatocladus, Pagiophyllum, Brachyphyllum and Araucarites. Conifers and cycadophytes are dominant: pteridophytes and pteridosperms are poorly represented. Early Cretaceous age is supported for the Gollapalle flora.
Palynological studies of the Barail Group (Oligocene) in the Type Area, Assam
Authors: Kar R.K.
Published: September 2022

The surface samples from Disang (Eocene), Laisong (Lower Oligocene), Jenam (Middle Oligocene), Renji (Upper Oligocene) and Bhuban (Lower  Miocene) formations exposed along Silchar-Halflong road in the type area in Assam were palynologically investigated. Six samples studied from Disang are placed into Striatriletes microverrucosus Cenozone. Laisong palynological assemblage comprises 30 genera and 28 identifiable species and the entire assemblage is placed into Osmundacidites wellmanii Cenozone. The Jenam assemblage has 49 genera and 42 identifiable species and the assemblage is divisible into: (i) Malayaeaspora costata Cenozoe and (ii) Striatriletes susannae Cenozone. The Renji assemblage constitutes Cyathidites minor Cenozone. The Bhuban assemblage is placed into Pinuispollenites crestus Cenozone. The Disang palynological assemblage is distinguished from Laisong by the high representation of Phragmothyrites eocaenicus and Striatriletes susannae. Laisong is differentiated from Jenam by the dominance of Cyathidites minor, Lygodiumsporites lakiensis, Striatriletes susannae and Striatriletes multicostatus. In Renji Formation, Cyathidites minor reappears in a good percentage but frequency of Polypodiaceaesporites tertiartis, Striatriletes susannae, Striatriletes multicostatus and Osmundacidites wellmanii is considerably reduced. The Bhuban assemblage is distinguished from Renji by the abundance of Pinuspollenites crestus and Podocarpidites kbasiensis.
Tertiary palynology of Kerala Basin - An overview
Authors: Singh H.P. , Rao M.R.
Published: September 2022

In Kerala Basin the Tertiary sedimentary sequence is represented by Quilon and Warkalli formations. Palaeoassociations of upland, lowland, fresh-water, sandy beach and mangrove vegetations have been figured out. Composition of the palynological assemblages indicates the existence of tropical rain forests with a high degree of rainfall. Dinoflagellate cysts and pollen grains of Barringtonia, Rhizophora, Nypa and Calamus suggest deposition under brackish water mangrove swamps. The sandy beach conditions are indicated by Palmidites, Palmaepollenites and Quilonipollenites. Divergent views on the age of Quilon and Warkalli formations have been reconsidered on the basis of new palynological evidences.
Siwalik plant fossils from Surai Khola area, western Nepal
Authors: Awasthi N. , Prasad Mahesh
Published: September 2022

A part of the collection of plant fossils comprising leaf impressions and a seed from the Siwalik sediments of Surai Khola area, south of Dang Valley, has been studied. The leaves have been assigned to 21 species belonging to 19 genera and 13 families of monocotyledons and dicotyledons, viz., Marantaceae, Poaceae (Gramineae), Arecaceae (Palmae), Annonaceae, Flacourtiaceae, Clusiaceae (Guttiferae), Dipterocarpaceae, Anacardiaceae, Fabaceae, (Leguminosae), Combretaceae, Ebenaceae, Myristicaceae and Euphorbiaceae. The assemblage consists of mostly tropical evergreen to semi evergreen elements indicating tropical and warm humid conditions during their deposition. However, gradual changes in the climatic conditions in the area from tropical and humid to tropical and dry towards Upper Siwalik is reflected by the fossil leaves.
Siwalik pollen succession from Surai Khola of western Nepal and its reflection on palaeoecology
Authors: Sarkar Samir
Published: September 2022

A palynological report dealing with the Siwalik Group of sediments from Surai Khola area of western Nepal is presented. The clay samples collected from six different lithological units of Lower Middle and Upper Siwalik provide data for palaeoecological interpretations. Significant elements of the palynoflora are:  Zygnema, Mougeotia, Botryococcus, Striatriletes, Lycopodiumsporites, Monoporopollenites, Malvacerumpollis and Poyadopollenites.Periodic changes in qualitative and quantitative composition of the palynological spectra show that the vegetational succession reflects changing palaeogeographical conditions. A fresh-water swampy environment is interpreted for the older horizons. Algal remains of, Botryococcus, Pediastrum, Zygnema and megaspores of Azolla. etc., provide cogent evidence for this observation. Gradually swampy, conditions seem to have changed to a bottom land habitat. Which is evidenced by the presence of a number of pteridophytic elements, viz., Lycopodium, Polypodium, Schizaea, etc. Palynoassociations depict semi-evergreen vegetational pattern during the time of deposition of the Surai Khola Siwalik sequence in West Nepal.
Late Holocene environment in Coondapur area, Karnataka: Preliminary palynological results
Authors: Tissot Colette
Published: September 2022

Palynological studies of sediments cored between the depths of 145 to 425 cm in Coondapur area, on the west coast of India in Karnataka, produced evidence of continuous existence of a well-developed mangrove forest during the recent past. The pollen spectrum is mainly constituted by mangrove species; their constant representation (always more than 50%) shows stability of the environmental conditions; beside the dominant mangrove pollen, there are also those of the local vegetation. Prevalence of marine influence has been recorded throughout. Hinterland mountain vegetation is poorly represented. Such a palynological assemblage is indicative of a lagoon environment. The almost total disappearance of mangrove vegetation at this site today may not necessarily be due to a drastic change in ecological and hydrological conditions but it is certainly accelerated because of the anthropic pressure: land reclamation, as well as time, honoured practice of cutting wood.
Environmental change and biological diversity: Present, past and future
Authors: Raghubanshi A.S. , Singh J.S.
Published: September 2022

The present paper reviews the current distribution and factors determining the level of biological diversity. Past climate changes causing mass extinctions, lessons drawn from these past events and the impact of future climate change on biological diversity in its broadest sense are also considered. Large scale changes in vegetation zones and composition, over extensive parts of the globe are indicated. Displacement of isotherms due to rise in global temperatures would necessitate very rapid species shifts which may be possible only with human assistance except for plants propagated by spores or dust seeds. Rates of migration and behaviour of the migrating species will determine their range shift capabilities. Differences in migration rates may result in new combinations of species because of dissociation of communities into their component species. Species rigidly associated to a particular set of environmental conditions may well become extinct Characteristics such as large population size, broad geographical distribution and high dispersal potentials will protect species from extinction. Increased pressure from invaders, increased frequency of epidemics and alteration of productivity and species distributions are indicated. Elevated sea water temperatures may badly damage sea flora and fauna as is exemplified by present day El nino effects. Destruction of coastal habitats due to sea level rise may affect birds and fishes using sail marshes, estuaries and islets as breeding ground. Island species will be severely affected both due to reduced area and limitations of latitudinal migration. Changes in precipitation pattern may result in reduced avian and mammalian populations in many parts of the world.
Tertiary coals of Makum Coalfield, Assam, India: Petrography, genesis and sedimentation
Authors: Misra B.K.
Published: September 2022

The two most important coal seams, viz., Seam no. 1 (18 m thick) and Seam no. 3 (6 m thick), of the Tikak Parbat Formation, Barail Group (Oligocene) are overlain by > 2000 m thick sediments of younger age. The coals are bright and non-banded in appearance. They are rich in vitrinite with subordinate amounts of liptinite and inertinite macerals. Early diagenetic pyrite and calcite alongwith clay and quartz are the main associated minerals. Under blue light excitation high amount of fluorescing macerals recorded are formed chiefly by perhydrous Vitrinite, liptodetrinite and resinite. Minor amount of sporinite, cutinite, suberinite and exsudatinite are also present with sporadic occurrence of f1uorinite and alginite. A comparison of Makum coals with the other Tertiary coals of India has also been attempted. The coals have low moisture and ash contents with high volatile matter and calorific value in relation to their rank by reflectivity measurements. The rank of the coal seams (R0 max. 0.72-0.75%) corresponds to high volatile bituminous B stage.

From the biopetrological, palaeobotanical and geological evidences it has been concluded that the coal seams originated mostly from in situ mangrove-mixed angiospermous forest vegetation growing under humid to per-humid tropical climate. The vegetal accumulation took place in a rheotrophic swamp forming in a near-shore lagoon on a lower delta plain. The maceral and mineral associations in the coal seams indicate that the accumulated vegetal matter was mainly subjected to anaerobic microbial degradation under elevated swamp water pH (> 6). This facilitated the precipitation of early diagenetic pyrite, calcite and in situ release of plant-derived minerals in the peat. Under these conditions highly pyriteous and perhydrous coal seams were formed mainly by putrefaction. Whenever microbial degradation of organic matter was severe normal vegetal supply fell short to produce a peat layer, with the result minor and major authigenic partings within the coal seams were formed.
Late Proterozoic organic-walled microfossils from the infrakrol of Solan, Himachal Lesser Himalaya: An additional age constraint in the Krol Belt succession
Authors: Tiwari Meera , Azmi R.J.
Published: September 2022

The cherty nodules of the Infrakrol Formation, exposed at Anjighat near Solan, Himachal Pradesh, contain a diverse and abundant microbiota of organic-walled microfossils (OWMs). These include cyanobacterial filaments, coccoids, large acritarchs and vase-shaped microfossils (VSMs). These forms identified in the organic-walled microfossils assemblage are: Eomycetopsis robusta, Siphonophycus kestron, Eomicrocoleus crassus, Oscillatoriopsis media, Obruchevella aff. parva, Diplococcus-shaped structures, Huroniospora psilata, Palaeoanacystis vulgaris, Sphaerophycus parvum, Leiospheridia sp., 'Form A' and 'Form B' (large acanthomorphic acritarch) and vase-shaped microfossils. Based on these organic-walled microfossils and considering the recently proposed Precambrian (Vendian) and Early Cambrian ages for the overlying Krol and Tal formations respectively, a Late Proterozoic (Possibly Early Vendian) age is concluded for the Infrakrol Formation.
Genesis of Indian Tertiary coals and lignites: a biopetrological and palaeobotanical view point
Authors: Misra B.K.
Published: September 2022

Coal and lignite seams associated with the Tertiary sedimentary sequence of India are bright unbanded (coals) and sparingly banded (lignites) in appearance. They chiefly consist of vitrinite/huminite macerals with subordinate amounts of liptinites and inertinites. Desmocollinite/attrinite and densinite are the main vitrinite/huminite maceral groups. Sclerotinite (fungal remains) and inertodetrinite are the main inertinite macerals in the seams of northeastern States-Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan and Gujarat. Some of the coal and lignite seams of Meghalaya and Gujarat have predominance of structured inertinite macerals (semifusinite and fusinite). Main inorganics associated with the seams are syngenetic pyrite and calcite. Clay and quartz (argillaceous matter) are usually in low proportions except in certain seams of Gujarat and Meghalaya. The seams, under blue light excitation, are characterized by moderate to very high proportion of fluorescing macerals constituted chiefly by perhydrous vitrinite/huminite, liptodetrinite, bituminite and resinite. Other macerals of liptinite group, viz., cutinite, sporinite, suberinite, exsudatinite, alginite (Botryococcus) and fluorinite in order of decreasing abundance, are in subordinate amounts.

The coal and lignite-forming evergreen angiospermous forest vegetation flourishing under humid tropical climate comprised inland, coastal, beach, back mangrove to mangrove plant communities. Herbaceous and shrubby, including aquatic, angiosperms and pteridophytes formed prolific undergrowth. Some of the coal and lignite seams of Meghalaya, Rajasthan and Gujarat have definite marine and brackish water elements.

The Tertiary coal and lignite deposits of India originated from hypo-autochthonous to autochthonous rheotrophic peat accumulating in lagoons or near-shore back swamps in Assam, Nagaland, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan and Gujarat and in small isolated estuarine or estuarine back swamps in Meghalaya. The vegetal matter experienced both aerobic and anaerobic microbial degradation under neutral to mildly alkaline subaqueous conditions. The coalification trends of the ancient peat were influenced more by putrefaction rather than purily by humification. Small and ephemeral fresh water ponds/lakes developed occasionally on peat surface were responsible for the presence of aquatic and water-edge taxa in the seams. Herbaceous and shrubby vegetation, especially pteridophytes, growing in the vicinity of ancient peat swamps were the main source of structured and detrital inertinites. Occasional natural cindering of the peat surface, e.g., in Gujarat and Meghalaya, was responsible for relatively high inertinite contents. Variations in the thickness and rank of coal and lignite seams were controlled by the existing tectonic conditions and geothermal gradients in different areas.

Keywords- Biopetrology, Coal and lignite genesis, Palaeoenvironment, India.
Archaeobotanical remains in ancient cultural and socioeconomical dynamics of the Indian subcontinent
Authors: Saraswat K.S.
Published: September 2022

The paper describes the ancient plant economy in the Indian subcontinent in a chronological framework of cultural development from the earliest Neolithic cultures of primitive village- farming communities to highly advanced Iron Age cultures of Early Historical Period around the beginning of the Christian Era. In an impressive array of archaeobotanical data generated during the last four decades, some of the salient developments include the earliest evidence of west Asian cereal cultivation dated to C. 7,000 B.C., in Neolithic Baluchistan, Pakistan, and the earliest evidence of rice cultivation during sixth millennium B.C. in the Middle Ganga Valley, India. Similarly, other notable developments sifted from the data include the viticulture and cultivation of some garden plants by the Harappans in Punjab and evidences of highly systematised and rational medicinal plants from the Iron Age cultures in Ghaghra Valley of eastern Uttar Pradesh deciphering the meaningful perspective of medicinal history in the Indian archaeological context. Throughout the cultural development from Harappan times to the end of first millennium B.C. the records of crop remain of West Asian, African and indigenous origin from widely scattered sites indicate well-knit trade contacts and socio-economic and cultural integration which kept evolving in new forms during the course of growth and fading of heterogeneous cultural groups in diverse geographical regions. Several new advances in the recovery and analysis of plant remain during the recent past hold out the possibility of obtaining new informations which may drastically change our existing archaeobotanical concepts.
Occurrence of the marker dinoflagellate cyst Apectodinium in Narsapur Well-I, Krishna-Godavari Basin, India
Authors: Garg Rahul , Khowaja-Ateequzzaman  , Jain K.P.
Published: September 2022

The morphology and taxonomy of the two dinoflagellate cyst taxa viz., Fibrocysta variabilis and Fibrocysts sp., described by Mehrotra and Sarjeant (1987) from the subsurface conventional core samples collected at 2703-2706 m (cc10) and 3621-3624 m (cc13) depths of Narsapur Well-1. Krishna-Godavari Basin, are discussed and reassessed. The two species are found to be the junior synonyms of Apectodinium paniculatum (Costa & Downie) Lentin & Williams 1977 and Apectodinium quinquelatum (Williams & Downie) Lentin & Williams 1981, respectively. A few other specimens comparable to A. paniculatum and A. augustum have also been described. The stratigraphic significance of the reported Apectodinium species is discussed. It is suggested that the dinoflagellate cyst assemblage at sample depth 2703-2706 is the latest Paleocene- ?earliest Eocene in age. The occurrence of Apectodinium species in infra-trappean sample at 3621-3624 m depth, dated as Maastrichtian by Mehrotra and Sarjeant (1987), indicates that this level is not older than the Late Palaeocene in age. This creates an anomalous situation because the youngest infra-trappean sediments at 3336-3339 m depth (cc 12), on planktonic formainiferal data, are dated to be latest Maastrichtian. This discrepancy creates doubt over the slide/sample numbering which needs conformation. Palaeoenvironmental significance of Apectodinium is discussed. A restudy of dinoflagellate cyst biostratigraphy of Narsapur Well-1 is recommended.
Dr D.C. Bharadwaj (1923-1995)
Authors: Tiwari R.S.
Published: September 2022

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Himalaya: Geological aspect
Authors: Sinha Anshu K. , Upadhyay Rajeev
Published: September 2022

In the present communication a generalized account of geology of the Himalaya has been discussed. This communication is rather an exercise for a beginning which should not be treated as a research note but a simplified version, taken from different published notes. Himalaya is beautiful but environmentally fragile, youngest mountain belt, prone to ecological unstability, intense seismicity but dotted with diverse mineral wealth of both non-renewable and renewable types. Hence, it is still an enigma to understand the mystery of Himalaya.
Further contributions to the study of the Qubu Flora from southern Xizang (Tibet)
Authors: Xingxue Li , Rigby J.F.
Published: September 2022

The taxonomy of Glossopteris species occurring in the Qubu Formation is reviewed; G. xizangensis is proposed. Samaropsis xizangensis is proposed for seeds found attached to G. xizangensis. An affiliation with the Glossopteris flora of the Mamal Formation, Kashmir appears valid although the number of distinctive species in common is reduced to Glossopteris dingriensis.

Aspects of sporophyte taxa are reviewed in the light of doubts concerning affiliations proposed previously. Additional specimens are needed before problems can be resolved concerning species of Sphenophyllum or Trizygia, Austroannularia, Cladophlebis and Pecopteris. Scale leaf remains have not been named.
Late Miocene discoasters from Sawai Bay Formation, Neill Island, Andaman Sea, India
Authors: Singh Om P. , Jafar Syed A.
Published: September 2022

Twenty one species of discoasters are documented from the East Coast and Nipple Hill sections of Sawai Bay Formation. Discoaster pentaperforatus is proposed as new and three species are described under open nomenclature. Discoaster berggrenii and Discoaster quinqueramus are the most common forms in the assemblage. The calcareous nannofossils assemblage containing critical Discoaster species suggests assignment to Discoaster berggrenii Subzone (CN9A) of Okada and Bukry (1980), corresponding to lower part of Discoaster quinqueramus zone (NN11) of Martini (1971).
Early angiosperms from Lower Cretaceous of Jixi, China and their significance for study of the earliest occurrence of angiosperms in the world
Authors: Sun Ge  , Dilcher D.L.
Published: September 2022

This paper reports the recent study of the earliest known angiosperms in the world found from the Lowe Cretaceous of Jixi, China, and first demonstrates the general information on the oldest known Inflorescences Xingxueina heilongfiangensis Sun et Dilcher (MS) contained in the Jixi early angiosperms. The inflorescences possess numerous pollens in situ, very small, inaperturate and tectate-columellate in exine, and can be compared to those from Valanginian-Hauterivian of Israel studied by Brenner (1995). Based on the comparison and on the marine beds, yielding Valanginian-Hauterivian dinoflagellates, underlying conformably the angiosperm-bearing beds the Jixi angiosperms are considered Hauterivian or Hauterivian-Early Barremian in age. The paper has also discussed the findings of the angiosperm-like or questionable angiosperm material newly from China and previously from Mongolia, proposed there might exist an original centre of angiosperms in East Asia. However, it would not be excluded that there were two original centres (East Asia and Eastern Gondwanaland) where the earliest angiosperms evolved and developed in parallel during the early time of Early Cretaceous.
Occurrence of Late Miocene flora from north-east China
Authors: Gengwu Liu , Haomin Li , Qin Leng
Published: September 2022

A flora containing both plant microfossils and megafossils has been reported from four placer gold wells in Huanan County, Heilongjiang Province of north-east China. Most of the pollen and megafossil plants are in common. Families Fagaceae, Betulaceae and Pinaceae are abundant in this fossil flora which probably implies a mixed conifer and deciduous broad-leaved forest of warm temperate climate. On the basis of associated vertebrate fossils and correlation with equivalent floras a Late Miocene age has been assigned.
Megafloral zonation of Permian-Triassic sequence in the Kamthi Formation, Talcher Coalfield, Orissa
Authors: Pal P.K. , Ghosh A.K.
Published: September 2022

The Kamthi Formation exposed in the west-central part of Talcher Coalfield is divisible into a Lower and an Upper Member. Megafloral assemblage (Assemblage Zone-I) of the Lower Member is dominated by Glossopteris in association with Trizygia, Vertebraria and Pseudoctenis. The Upper Member consists of two distinct sets of lithounits, viz., lower and upper beds. Assemblage Zone-II found in the lower beds of Upper Member is characterised by preponderance of Glossopteris; associated elements are: Cyclodendron, Phyllotheca, Stellotheca, Trizygia, Sphenophyllum, Raniganjia, Schizoneura, Dizeugotheca, Neomariopteris, Damudopteris, Surangephyllum, Handapaphyllum, various glossopterid fructifications, scale leaves, etc. The Assemblage Zone-III also from the lower beds of Upper Member is dominated by Glossopteris; associated elements are equisetaceous stems and Neomariopteris. However, the presence of Lepidopteris and ?Dicroidium distinguishes Assemblage Zone-III. Assemblage Zone-IV from the upper beds of Upper Member is characterised by abundance of Dicroidium, in association with Lepidopteris, Elatocladus, Yabiella and Desmiophyllum. On the basis of megafloral assemblages, it has been derived that Permian-Triassic Boundary (PTB) in the Talcher Coalfield lies somewhere in the lower beds of the Upper Member of Kamthi formation.
Palynological evidence for the Permian-Triassic Boundary in Sohagpur Coalfield, India
Authors: Ram-Awatar
Published: September 2022

Palynological analysis of the Upper Pali sediments exposed along the Chundi River Section has been discussed. The palynotaxa recovered from the above sediments reveal the presence of non-striate disaccate pollen in dominance along with the striate disaccate pollen. Besides, the other significant taxa recorded in the assemblage are Goubinispora, Playfordiaspora, Densoisporites, Lundbladispora, Nidipollenites, Satsangisaccites, Brachysaccus, Foveosporites, Staurosaccites, Todisporites, Converrucosisporites and Kamthisaccites. The overall palynoassemblages (I, II) decipher that the sediments of Chundi River Section have been deposited during Late Permian to Early-Middle Triassic period. Correlation of the palynofloral assemblages suggests that the sediments of the Chundi River Section lie between Nidpur bed and Tiki Formation of the South Rewa Basin.
Palynological recognition of the Karharbari-Barakar Formations in the sub-surface sediments of Wardha Coalfield, Maharashtra, India
Authors: Bhattacharya Ananta Prasad
Published: September 2022

Palynological investigation of coal and associated sediments in two bore-holes MWS-23 and MWS-33 from Wardha Valley Coalfield, Maharashtra has been done. Results indicate the presence of Upper Karharbari and Lower Barakar Formations in the coalfield.
Vegetation and climate in Garhwal Himalaya during Early Holocene: Deoria Tal
Authors: Sharma Chhaya , Gupta Asha
Published: September 2022

Pollen analysis of 1.5 m deep profile from the western flank of Deoria Tal (Profile-II), situated in temperate belt of Garhwal Himalaya has unravelled the vegetation and climate of Early Holocene. The vegetation, traced back to about 6000 years and 14C dated 2710±150 years at 55-65 cm depth, comprised chiefly the Oak dominated forests associated with other broad-leaved taxa such as Betula, Alnus, Rhododendron, Carpinus, Ulmus, etc. Such an arboreal forest composition reflects the warm-temperate humid climate prevalent in the region. A change to cooler climatic conditions is registered between 3500-3600 years B.P., as evidenced by the decline in Oak - the chief component, as well as in other associated broad-leaved elements with a corresponding rise in grasses and sedges. Anthropogenic activities are also recorded during this period, inferred by the first appearance of Cerealia-type pollen and encountered culture pollen. Subsequently, around 1,700 years B.P., the restoration process of Oak forests commenced, thus indicating the amelioration in climatic conditions.
Plant microfossils from the lignite deposit (Eocene) of Barsinghsar in Bikaner District, Rajasthan, India
Authors: Tripathi R.P. , Sharma B.D. , Shrivastava K.L.
Published: September 2022

Plant microfossils from the Eocene lignite sample collected from Barsinghsar near Bikaner, Rajasthan have been described in this paper. The plant microfossils include algal filaments and nets, fungal hyphae and spores, bryophytic thalli and capsules (?), pteridophytic cuticles and spores, cuticles of gymnosperms and various kinds of pollen grains, and cuticles and peculiar fructifications (?) of angiosperms. Palaeoecological conditions during sedimentation of Eocene lignite in Rajasthan have also been discussed.
Diversity of Nypa in the Indian subcontinent: Late Cretaceous to Recent
Authors: Singh R.S.
Published: September 2022

Nypa, a monotypic genus of the family Arecaceae, is restricted to the mangrove ecosystem on the tropical coasts of south-east Asia and Australia. In the Indian subcontinent, it grows in Gangetic delta, Andamans and Sri Lanka. The fossil remains including fruits, roots, cuticles and pollen assigned to this genus are well-documented since Late Cretaceous to Pliocene having pantropical distribution. Fruits cf. Nypa, described under several species on the basis of size and shape variations, are now considered a single species because of wide variations in the living plants. Similarly, the roots and cuticle described show affinity with modern Nypa fruticans. Fossil pollen attributed to the pollen of Nypa is referred to Spinizonocolpites Muller 1968 which is represented by 13 species in India. Out of them, 8 species and two specimens are found to be distinct by virtue of their morphological differences in exine and its sculptural type. Only one fossil species is similar, if not identical, to the pollen of Nypa fruticans; other fossil pollen shows considerable morphological variations but the pollen of extant Nypa does not show such variations. This suggests that Nypa fruticans is a relict species of a large group of early Nypa-complex prevalent in India during Late Cretaceous to Eocene but more diverse during Palaeocene. In the Palaeocene sediments of north-eastern India Spinizonocolpites is an important element both in terms of diversity and preservation and probably the richest record in the world. After Eocene, the fossil pollen records are represented by only one species - S. prominatus showing similarity with the pollen of Nypa fruticans. Thus it seems that the early Nypa-complex may have experimented with the various habitats and due to other successful competitors may have perished except for its living counterpart which occupied only the mangrove habitat.
The plant of Neomariopteris hughesii (Zeiller) Maithy
Authors: Singh K.J. , Chandra Shaila
Published: September 2022

An attempt has been made to reconstruct the plant of Neomariopteris hughesii based on fifty-five hand specimens collected from the Barakar Formation exposed near Brijraj Nagar Railway Station in the Ib-River Coalfield, Orissa. The limitations of this reconstruction have been realised by the authors as the main trunk of the plant and the fertile structures are not recorded from this very location, however, combined evidence put together from other sources as well suggests that this fern plant could be a small tree based on branched stems of considerable length and width rather than a usual prostrate fern habit. An up-to-date list of all the specimens recorded under the genus Neomariopteris and its six species by various workers from different localities and formations or India has also been given.
Palynology and palaeoenvironment of the bhuban formation (early miocene) of Ramrikawn, near Aizawl, Mizoram, India
Authors: Mandaokar B.D.
Published: September 2022

The palynoflora recorded from the Bhuban Formation (Early Miocene) of Ramrikawn near Aizawl, Mizoram is dominated by pteridophytic spores followed by angiospermous and gymnospermous pollen and fungal remains. The assemblage also contains reworked Permian palynofossils. The presence of Striatriletes, Malvacearumpollis, Graminidites, Todisporites, Compositoipollenites, Pteridacidites, Tricolporopollenites, Dangripites and Spinizonocolpites shows diversified plant communities. The palynoflora suggests an Early Miocene age for the studied sequence. The present day distribution of families represented in the assemblage and abundance of fungal remains (Multiicellaesporites, Trichothyrites) indicates tropical-subtropical warm, humid climate. Occurrence of Spinizonocolpites, referable to coastal element Nypa, suggests near shore environment of deposition. The composition of palynoflora indicates the existence of brackish water swamp and prograding delta complex with fresh water influx.
Floral diversity of two fossil sites (Dudhkol & Sitalpur) of rajmahal formation, Bihar, India
Authors: Prakash Neeru
Published: September 2022

The megaflora of two fossil sites, Sitalpur and Dudhkol of Rajmahal Formation have been described. The Sitalpur assemblage includes Equisetites rajmahalensis, Cladophlebis indica, Cladophlebis srivastavae, Coniopteris, Taeniopteris spatulata, Ptilophyllum acutifolium, Pterophyllum medlicottianum, Dictyozamites indica, Dictyozamites sahnii, Elatocladus confertus, Pagiophyllum sp., Brachyphyllum sp. and Araucarites sp. Whereas, the Dudhkol assemblage includes Equisetites rajmahalensis, Todites indicus, Haydenia thyrsopteroides, Ptilophyllum acutifolium and Elatocladus sp. The flora of both these sites are comparable to Dhokuti and Chunkhal floral assemblages of Rajmahal Formation.
Significance of molecular phylogenetic analyses for paleobotanical investigations on the origin of angiosperms
Authors: Doyle James A.
Published: September 2022

Molecular phylogenetic analyses have provided increasing evidence that angiosperms are not related to Gnetales, thus contradicting the anthophyte hypothesis based on morphological cladistic analyses and throwing the question of angiosperm relatives back to paleobotanists. Previous analyses of gene sequences based on a molecular clock conflicted with the fossil record in indicating a Late Palaeozoic or Triassic origin of the angiosperms, but closer examination suggests that these dates were biased by the use of herbaceous taxa with accelerated rates of molecular evolution. Despite uncertainty on angiosperm relatives, analyses of many genes consistently place Amborella, Nymphaeales, Austrobaileya, Trimenia and Illiciales (the ‘ANITA grade') at the base of extant angiosperms, possibly followed by Chloranthaceae. Molecular phylogenies imply that the first crown-group angiosperms had columellar exine structure, suggesting that Hauterivian-Barremian reticulate-columellar monosulcates may be closer to the origin of angiosperms than was thought when granular Magnoliales were believed to be basal. Hauterivian pollen with a verrucate tectum and microspinules is especially similar to Amborella. The ANITA lines and Chloranthaceae have ascidiate carpels sealed by secretion and often exotestal seeds, fitting the abundance of such carpels and seeds in Barremian-Aptian mesofloras. Similarities between Aptian angiosperm leaves and ANITA taxa, such as chloranthoid teeth and variable stomatal structure, also suggest that Early Cretaceous angiosperms were more primitive than previously appreciated. Molecular results may help refine search images for extinct angiosperm relatives, away from Gnetales and toward groups such as Caytonia, Glossopterids, Bennettitales and Corystosperms. Since molecular data place the vesselless taxa Amborella and Nymphaeales at the base of the angiosperms, the presence of vessels is not evidence that gigantopterids are related to angiosperms. The conclusion that columellar structure is ancestral reaffirms the potential of Triassic reticulate-columellar Crinopolles pollen as angiosperm relatives.
Dispersed angiosperm cuticles from a lignitic clay bed, Sindhudurg Formation (Miocene), Maharashtra: an interpretation on taxonomy, biodegradation and environment of deposition
Authors: Tewari R. , Kumar M. , Anand-Prakash  , Shukla M. , Srivastava G.P.
Published: September 2022

A detailed morphotaxonomic study of dispersed leaf cuticles in relation to the effect of various degradational processes have been carried out from a lignitic clay bed exposed at Amberiwadi, Maharashtra. During the investigations, cuticles under various stages of degradation caused mainly by the microbial activity were observed. Such changes have been affected in the foliage dominated organic matter during early stages of diagenesis. These studies also provide an insight into the land plant diversity and help in tracing relationship between well-preserved fossil cuticles and the flora still forming a part of the forests in coastal Maharashtra It is suggested that the deposition of organic matter took place in a shallow niche present over a narrow coastal strip.
New microfossils from the Meso-Neoproterozoic Deoban Limestone, Garhwal Lesser Himalaya, India
Authors: Srivastava Purnima , Kumar S.
Published: September 2022

Forty-five additional microfossils are being described from the Meso-Neoproterozoic Deoban Limestone (Formation). Microfossils are preserved in black bedded chert, occurring as thin lenses and bands intercalated with dolostones. The assemblage comprises both filamentous as well as coccoid forms. The assemblage is dominated by cyanobacterial population along with a number of microfossils belonging to other affinities represented by bacterial, algal, fungal and acritarchean forms. Out of the forty-five forms there are forty-four species belonging to 33 genera and one micro-organism is informally described as Form 'A'. Five taxa are described as new genera.

Additional Deoban forms are as follows:

Cyanobacteria- Archaeoellipsoides minor, A. major, Palaeopleurocapsa sp., Scissilisphaera gradata, Scissilisphaera sp., Coniunctiophycus gaoyuzhuangense, Archaeophycus sp., Gloeodiniopsis lamellosa, Palaeomerismopedia misrai gen. & sp. nov., Siphonophycus septatum, S. robustum, S. solidum, S. typicum, Polytrichoides lineatus, Oscillatoriopsis amadeus, O. obtusa, O. breviconvexa, Rhicnonema antiquum, Nostocomorpha sp., Eomicrocoleus crassus, Cyanonema sp., Palaeolyngbya catenata, Circumvaginalis sp., Obruchevella parva, O. valdaica, O. minor and Glomovertella glomerata.

Incertae sedis- Paleosphaeridium zonale, Germinosphaera sp., Myxococcoides chlorelloides, Myxococcoides stragulescence, Palaeococcus indicus gen. & sp. nov., Dumbellina deobanensis gen. & sp. nov., Maithea indica gen. & sp. nov., Eophycomyces herkoides, Bulgenia septata gen. & sp. nov. and Form 'A'.

Acritarchs- cf. Cymatiosphaeroides sp., Micrhystridium sp ., Favosphaeridium favosum, Trachysphaeridium sp., Leiosphaeridia crassa, L. jacutica, Caudosphaera sp. and cf. Ovulum saccatum.

The Deoban Microfossil Assemblage is characterised by dominance of mat building cyanobacterial population, exhibiting evolutionary conservatism. Extensive size variation from specimens of less than one micron to 265 microns in case of coccoids and from less than one micron to 48 microns among filamentous forms indicate the most favourable preservational conditions for silicification of the biota.

There are a number of forms, which show some resemblance with extant chlorophycean, bacterial and rhodophycean forms. Presence of large sized sphaeromorphs ranging in diameter from 105 to 265 µm and rare occurrence of acanthomorph or spinose acritarch (represented by Micrhystridium sp.) and small-sized, moderately developed spirally coiled filaments of Obruchevella support a pre-Vendian age to the Deoban microfossil assemblage.