bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Some remarks on the glossopterids, and stratigraphical distribution of their fructifications during the Permian on Gondwana Supercontinent
Authors: Bajpai Usha
Published: September 2022

The paper summarises information available about different organs of the glossopterid group of plants. It has been found that various reconstructions proposed for the glossopterid plant and derivation of its phylogenetic relationships on the basis of cladistic analyses are yet to be validated. The relationship between the families Dictyopteridiumaceae and Eretmoniaceae is discussed. Distribution of various genera of glossopterid fructifications in the Permian of the Gondwana Supercontinent has been tabulated.
Palaeocene Rhodophycean Algae from the Ninniyur Formation of the Cauvery Basin, southern India
Authors: Misra P.K. , Kishore S. , Jauhri A.K. , Chowdhury A.
Published: September 2022

The sediments of the Ninniyur Formation, Ariyalur are characterised by exceptionally rich assemblages of algae, of which the coralline algae constitute a major component. The present paper documents 32 species of coralline algae, distributed among eleven genera and five unnamed members of sub-family Melobesioideae, from the algal beds of this formation from Ninniyur and the neighbouring areas. An attempt is made to discuss the depositional environment, using actualistic interpretation of the ecological data on the recovered red algae and the associated fossils in conjunction with information on geological aspects gathered from the existing literature. Based on these, it is inferred that the deposits of the Ninniyur Formation were laid down in a transgressing sea within the neritic zone marked by deposition of biogenic accumulations.
Pollen analytical study of late-Holocene sediments from Trans-Yamuna segment of Western Doon valley of Northwest Himalaya
Authors: Chauhan M.S. , Rajagopalan G. , Sah M.P. , Philip G. , Virdi N.S.
Published: September 2022

A trench across a Quaternary fault in a berm was dug out at Sirmuri Tal in the Trans- Yamuna segment of Western Doon valley in Himachal Pradesh. Pollen analytical investigation of 4.90 m deep trench profile from Sirmuri Tal has shown that between 2800 to l800 years BP, mixed open vegetation comprising chiefly grasses, sedges, Cheno/Am, Artemisia and Ranunculaceae together with sparsely distributed trees viz., Emblica officinalis, Shorea robusta, Holoptelea, Mallotus, Grewia, Meliaceae, etc. grew in the region under dry climatic regime. The lake did exist, but it was small in dimension as indicated by the meagre presence of aquatic taxa such as Typha and Potamogeton. Subsequently, between 1800 to 400 years BP, mixed deciduous forests were established as reflected by the improvement in Emblica officinalis, Mallows, Grewia, etc. as well as invasion of Terminalia, Adina cordifolia,  Acacia and Syzygium in the region. The overall increased diversity in the forest floristics signifies that the moist climatic condition prevailed in the region during this period. Lake became wider in expanse as implied by the improved frequencies of Potamogeton and Typha and first encounter of Dinoflagellate cysts in good number. Since 400 years BP and onwards, the climate deteriorated as evidenced from the decline in the vegetation cover. The lake transformed into a swamp as evidenced by the increase in sedges and Chen/Am and a simultaneous decline in aquatic vegetation. The excessively high frequencies of Pinus pollen denote its transportation by wind and water from nearby subtropical belt where chirpine forests occur luxuriantly.
Reinterpretation of an extinct taxon Sporangioceros nipanica Sharma et al. from the Rajmahal Hills, India
Authors: Sharma B.D. , Bohra D.R. , Suthar O.P.
Published: September 2022

Morphology of an elongated, cylindrical, oval, or ovate, coenocytic plant fossil resembling sporogonium of Notothylas is reinterpreted and correlated now with an extant fresh water green alga Characiosiphon Iyengar. In extinct material the wall layer is present but non-cellular and is covered over by a thick mucilaginous sheath. The protoplast is divided into discrete units each with a chloroplast and the nucleus. Zoospores? And zoogametes? liberated through an apical pore. A planospores are also identified. A new name Characiosiphonites nipanica has been suggested for Sporangioceros nipanica and a reconstruction of the fossil plant is attempted.
Palynodating of subsurface coal measures from Mahadoli area, Wardha Valley Coalfield, Maharashtra, India
Authors: Bhattacharya A.P. , Sarate O.S.
Published: September 2022

Two palynoassemblages have been recorded from the Permian Sequence of Mahadoli area (Borehole WM-14), Wardha Valley Coalfield, Maharashtra. The older palynoassemblage A is Scheuringipollenites dominant while the younger palynoassemblage B is characterized by Parasaccites-Densipollenites along with striate bisaccates, Falcisporites and Satsangisaccites. Correlation with palynoassemblages of other coaliferous basins of India and the age of subsurface sediments have been discussed.
Some biodeteriorating air-borne fungi in and around Lucknow, India
Authors: Khandelwal Asha , Tewary Rashmi , Misra Lily , Saxena Rashmi
Published: September 2022

The paper presents the result of qualitative and quantitative analyses of mycoflora in the air of Lucknow city and adjoining areas. Burkard slide sampler and Andersen two-stage volumetric samplers were employed for air sampling at forty places of Lucknow at different times of the year from January 1997 to February 1998. As many as thirty-five types of fungal spores and twenty-nine types of fungal colonies were registered.

It has been envisaged that certain fungi such as Alternaria, Aspergillus, Chaetomium, Cladosporium, Curvularia, Diplodia, Epicoccum, Fusarium, Nigrospora, Penicillium. Rhizopus, Torula, Trichoderma, Trichothecium, etc., prevalent in the air are associated with the biodeterioration of cultural properties.
Ocimum pollen grains from the Subathu Formation (Late Ypresian) of Shimla Hills, Himachal Pradesh, India
Authors: Sarkar Samir , Prasad Vandana
Published: September 2022

NA
Science of establishing identity - Past, present and future
Authors: Pandit M.W. , Singh Lalji
Published: September 2022

NA
A Triassic palynoflora from Pali Formation, South Rewa Gondwana Basin, Madhya Pradesh, India
Authors: Ram-Awatar
Published: September 2022

The palynofloral assemblage, comprising 33 genera with 45 species, is recorded from the Upper Member of Pali Formation, exposed along Son-Chundi River Section in Shahdol District, M.P. The significant palynotaxa identified are-Densoisporites playfordii, Brachysaccus ovalis, Falcisporites stabilis. Krempipollenites vistitus, Tikisporites balmei, Lundbladispora brevicula, Chordasporites sp., Staurosaccites marginalis, Satsangisaccites nidpurensis, Samaropollenites speciosus and Goubinispora morondavensis. In comparison with known Triassic palynoassemblages of Peninsular India, the Son-Chundi palynoassemblage is assigned an Early to Middle Triassic. Stratigraphic relationships between the Pali and Tiki formations are also discussed.
Fossil flora of the Chui Hill, Jabalpur Formation, Satpura Basin, Madhya Pradesh, India
Authors: Prakash Neeru
Published: September 2022

Diversed types of fossil leaf impressions have been collected in abundance on reddish-pinkish clay from the Chui Hill, Jabalpur Formation of Satpura Basin. The flora has dominance of conifers followed by bennettitales and pteridophytes, e.g., Elatocladus jabalpurensis, Elatocladus sp., Brachyphyllum jabalpurensis sp. nov., Pagiophyllum chawadensis, Araucarites minutes, Satpuria sehoraensis, Taeniopteris spatulata, Ptilophyllum cutchense and Anomozamites sp. These taxa are commonly found in Early Cretaceous floral assemblages of India. The floral assemblage is compared with other contemporaneous deposits of Satpura and South Rewa basins.
Unisexual flowers from the Deccan Intertrappean Bed of Madhya Pradesh, India
Authors: Kar R.K. , Ambwani K. , Sahni A. , Sharma P.
Published: September 2022

Unisexual flowers are described for the first time from the Deccan Intertrappean Bed of MohgaonKalan, Chhindwara District, Madhya Pradesh, India. The female flower viz., Flosfemina intertrappea is sessile with perianth and unilocular, superior ovary with many ovules. The male flower viz., Flosvirulis deccanensis has six perianth parts and six pairs of anther lobes reflecting six stamens. The anthers contain tricolporate, anguloaperturate, laevigate pollen.
Early Holocene pollen data from Mikir Hills, Assam, India
Authors: Sera S.K.
Published: September 2022

The pollen analytical studies of a 1.5 m deep soil profile (12210±110 years BP at 80 cm level) from Kaki Forest Division in Mikir Hills of Assam have been carried out. The pollen investigation of surface samples was made to understand the pollen/vegetation relationship in the forest. However, the study of surface samples does not fully cohere with the present day set up of vegetation. Palynological studies of the sediment profile indicate that since the last 15,000 years there have been three stages of vegetational developments followed by a reducing environment at the beginning (150-120 cm) reflecting directly on brief phases of climate such as arid, semi-arid and warm and humid. The abundance of grasses both cultivated as well as wild throughout the pollen diagram has revealed the existence of an open savanna forest for a long period. The arboreal vegetation is represented by mixed tropical and subtropical trees and shrubs. Both monolete and trilete ferns are well documented in the assemblage. Occurrence of some degraded pollen and spores indicate the biodegradation of microbiota as evidenced by the presence of fungal spores and hyphae in almost all the sediments.

The low occurrence of extra regional plant taxa like Pinus, Picea, Abies, Larix, Betula and Alnus in the sediments is indicative of long distance transportation of pollen from high elevation.
Callaiosphaeridium scabratum sp. nov. - A new dinoflagellate cyst species from Early Turonian of the Cauvery Basin, India
Authors: Ateequzzaman Khowaja , Garg Rahul
Published: September 2022

A new dinoflagellate cyst species Callaiosphaeridium scabratum, is discovered from the Kulakkalnattam Sandstone Member of the Garudamangalam Formation exposed in the Cauvery Basin, southern India. This striking new species, characterised by a scabrate wall and distally open short and broad tubular paracingular processes, will add greatly to the ability to correlate Lower Turonian strata in the region.
Addition to the Mesozoic flora of the Rajmahal Hills, Jharkhand, India
Authors: Sharma B.D. , Suthar O.P. , Bohra D.R.
Published: September 2022

Anatomy is described of three new organ genera-stem, petiole and leaflet of petrified cycadean plants. In addition, information about a bisexual bennettitalean fructification is given and free nucelli of conifer seeds are recorded. Comparison and critical remarks are given on the fossil plants included in this paper.
Non-geniculate coralline algae from the Uttatur Group (Early Cretaceous), south India
Authors: Misra P.K. , Jauhri A.K. , Singh S.K. , Kishore S. , Rajanikanth A.
Published: September 2022

The present paper records 8 species of non-geniculate coralline algae from the Early Cretaceous of the Uttatur Group, Tiruchirapalli District, Tamil Nadu, south India. Of these, six species are distributed among three genera of the corallinaceae family: three species belong to Amphiroa, one species is assigned to Lithothamnion and two species are placed with Lithophyllum. Two species are referable to Sporolithon of Sporolithaceae. Taxonomic differentiation is based on growth form, cell fusions and nature of conceptacle pore.

The species of Amphiroa are recorded for the first time from the study area while Amphiroa kaskaella is recorded for the first time from India. Amphiroa foliacea and A. guatemalense are documented for the first time from the Uttatur Group (Cretaceous) of the Cauvery Basin. The algal association suggests depositional environments ranging from shallower to deeper parts of sea. The abundance of coralline algae indicates reefal environment.
Additional features of Aristolochioxylon prakashii Kulkarni & Patil from Nawargaon Intertrappeans, Maharashtra
Authors: Datar Kalpana , Patil K.S.
Published: September 2022

The present paper deals with the additional characters of Aristolochioxylon prakashii Kulkarni and Patil recovered from Nawargaon Intertrappeans, district Wardha, Maharashtra. It is characterised in having complete cortex, less primary xylem poles and intact parenchymatous pith. This is the second report of occurrence of family Aristolochiaceae from Deccan Intertrappean beds of Wardha District.
Morelletpora (a dasycladacean alga) from the Fulra Limestone Formation of the south western Kachchh
Authors: Humane Sumedh K. , Kundal P.
Published: September 2022

The carbonates of the Fulra Limestone Formation (Late Middle Eocene) revealed the presence of Morelletpora sp. from southwestern Kachchh, India. Earlier the genus Morelletpora was reported from the Khairabad Limestone (Ranikot beds) of the Nammal Gorge, Salt Range (Punjab, Pakistan). This dasycladacean alga has been recovered for the first time from the marine limestones of the Jadwa Stream section of south western Kachchh. The presence of dasycladacean alga, Morelletpora suggests that this carbonate shelf of the Fulra Limestone Formation was deposited at very shallow marine water.
Fossil leaf impressions from Siwalik sediments of Himalayan foot hills of Uttaranchal, India and their significance
Authors: Shashi S.M. Pandey , Tripathi P.P.
Published: September 2022

Morphotaxonomical study of well-preserved angiospermous leaf impressions collected from Siwalik sediments of Purniyagiri near Tanakpur, Uttaranchal records five species viz., Mitrephora siwalika Antal & Awasthi, Sterculia tertiara sp. nov., Millettia purniyagiriensis sp. nov., Cynometra siwalika Awasthi & Prasad and Chonemorpha miocenica Prasad & Awasthi. These species compare with the extant taxa Mitrephora maingayi (Anonaceae), Sterculia ensifolia (Sterculiaceae), Millettia auriculata, Cynometra polyandra (Fabaceae) and Chonemorpha macrophylla (Apocynaceae) respectively. The habit, habitat and the present day distribution of the comparable extant taxa indicate that tropical evergreen forest was flourishing under warm humid climate in the area during the Siwalik times as compared to mixed deciduous forest there at present.
The Early Holocene vegetation and climate in Naradu Glacier Valley of Kinnaur District, Himachal Pradesh
Authors: Bhattacharyya A. , Ranhotra P.S. , Ganjoo R.K , Koul M.N.
Published: September 2022

The pollen record recovered from a 2.5 m thick glacio-lacustrine deposit at 4,125 m a.m.s.1 in the Naradu Glacier Valley, Kinnaur District reveals the Early Holocene vegetation and climatic history of the region for about 1,650 years. The high percentage of pollen of extra local elements, both conifers and broad-leaved taxa along with good amount pollen of local trees, shrubs and herbs indicate that tree line ecotone zone might have been closer to the site due to improved climatic conditions compared to present. This is attributed to the effect of the strengthening of SW monsoon in India. However, an increase in local steppe elements around 10,640 yrs B.P. (12,720 Cal yrs B.P.) and 8,990 yrs B.P. (10,190 Cal yrs B.P.) suggests that the climate was comparatively less moist. This phase around 12,720 Cal yrs B.P. could possibly be linked to the Younger Dryas, a well-known global event.
Reconstruction of past climate of Indian subcontinent for the last 40 ka BP based on multi proxy data and correlation with global data-a review
Authors: Sekar B.
Published: September 2022

The contribution attempts to reconstruct the past climate of different regions of the Indian subcontinent for the last 40 ka before present (BP) on the basis of 14C dating, chemical analysis, pollen analytical studies and carbon isotope analysis(Î´13C). A correlation of data from India with other global sites is also attempted. Review of the published data shows heterogeneous climatic conditions in different parts of India. The climate in highland regions of India especially in Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir (J & K) and neighbouring areas was alternating from dry arid to brief ameliorations during the last 31.4 ka BP (Beyond Calibration Range (BCR)). The climate in the Gangetic plain, representing humid and subtropical climate zone, was alternating from warm humid to cool humid primarily due to changes in SW monsoon in the region during the last 40.0 ka BP (BCR). The climate in arid zones in western India especially Rajasthan and parts of Gujarat was predominantly arid with a brief wet and humid climate during the above period. In semi-arid zone in Nilgiris and Palni Hill regions of south India the climate was alternating from moist humid to dry arid phase. One of the tropical wet and dry climatic zones of India namely Orissa was experiencing predominantly wet and occasional dry climate. The beginning of the Holocene warming and onset of humid phase was suggested in several climatic regions of India during 11.4-7.6 ka Cal BP. Amelioration of climate was observed in different regions during 2.0 ka Cal BP as well as during the present time. It is inferred from several proxy data from diversified climatic and geographical region.
Platyspermic seeds from the Early Permian of Parana Basin, Brazil
Authors: Bernardes-De-Oliveira M.E. , De Castro-Fernandes M.E. , Tewari Rajni , Ricardi-Branco F.
Published: September 2022

This paper results from a taxonomic study of platyspermic seeds from taphofloristic assemblage of the "Toca do Indio Ranch", belonging to the upper portion of the Itarare Subgroup, Municipality of Cerquilho (SP) and a revision of material collected by Millan (1977) from the same area which is deposited in the National Museum of Rio de Janeiro. The assemblage comprises the Transitional Taphoflora (A-B) or the Gangamopteris-Rubidgea-Stephanophyllites association from the type-locality of Northeastern Parana Basin. This taphoflora is Early Permian (Asselian- Early Sakmarian) in age and records the beginning of the colonization of the Parana Basin by the proto-glossopterid and gangamopterid elements of the Glossopteris flora. It is, probably, correlated to the Argentinean "Lubeckense A" Floristic Stage or even a little older. The platyspermic seeds are assigned to the genera Samaropsis and Cordaicarpus. The assemblage is diversified and includes the taxa Cordaicarpus brasilianus n. sp., Samaropsis dolianitii Millan, S. rigbyi Millan, S. tietensis Millan, S cerquilhensis (Millan) comb. nov., S moreirana (White) Millan, S. goraiensis Surange & Lele, S. rugata sp. nov. and S rohnii sp.nov. The record of S. moreirana (White) Millan in the present study is the oldest from the Parana Basin and S. goraiensis Surange & Lele is recognized for the first time outside India. The wide variety of detached seeds reflect the diversification of the gymnosperms in this assemblage, putatively related to the last interglacial event of the Lower Gondwana glaciation in the Parana Basin. Biostratigraphic correlation based on seeds is not possible due to apparent endemic nature of the assemblage and further work in this field is required.
Permian megaspores from Godavari Graben, India: Present Status
Authors: Tewari Rajni , Jha Neerja
Published: September 2022

A survey of megaspore studies from Permian of Ramagundam, Chelpur, Mailaram, Rampuram, Gundala and Kachinapalli areas of Godavari Graben, Andhra Pradesh indicates their qualitative and quantitative richness during the Late Permian. Out of seventy-nine megaspore taxa recorded from Indian Lower Gondwana, twenty-three are represented in this graben. Presence of Biharisporites sparsus in the Raniganj Formation of Kachinapalli area is particularly significant because it was previously recorded from Triassic and thus indicates an early appearance of Triassic taxon in Godavari Graben in Late Permian. Additionally, the survey also records a higher (eighteen) number of megaspore taxa in the Raniganj Formation. A distinct evolutionary trend is observed since exosporia of megaspores from the Barakar Formation are simple and those of the Raniganj Formation are complex and more diversified.
Palaeontology: In search of an identity in the 21st Century
Authors: Sahni Ashok
Published: September 2022

This article tries to examine how the study of palaeontology can be made more effective and visible at a time when the country faces several other acute problems of resources limitation and natural hazard mitigation. It looks at the subject in a larger planetary framework especially with regard to the origin of life, extinction, climatic fluctuations, as a tool for oil and mineral fuel exploration and above all, as a contributing factor in identified thrust areas of Indian geology.
Early land plant developments: Global progress and Indian priorities
Authors: Singh Kamal Jeet
Published: September 2022

This review paper is primarily aimed to furnish a general account on the origin, evolution, radiation and the proliferation of early land plants on the earth. The story of the emergence of the plant life on the land and its subsequent development during Silurian and Devonian times has been narrated as per Edwards and Selden’s (1993) theory of gradual colonization, which shows that the land plants established themselves involving four stages of continuous growth and the diversification. The paper demonstrates how the simplest land forms (Cooksonia, rhyniophytes) in the middle Silurian have given risen too much evolved progymnosperms (Archaeopteris) during the late Devonian within a span of 48 million years of time (from 423-375 ma). An account of the records of land plants from their earliest occurrences in the Ordovician to the end of Lochkovian in the Lower Devonian has been provided to show the current status of such studies on the global platform. The palaeo-phytogeography concerning spores and megafossils from Llanvirn (middle Ordovician) to Lochkovian (Lower Devonian) has also been depicted on the base maps of the globe.
Indian fossil monocotyledons: Current Status, Recent Developments and Future Directions
Authors: Bonde S.D.
Published: September 2022

The megafossil records of monocotyledons assigned to Upper Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) onward from India have been reviewed along with their possible resemblances with the extant members to have a meaningful taxonomic and phylogenetic relationship. The early record of angiosperm megafossils assigned to the dicotyledons is from the Lower Cretaceous horizon of Rajmahal Hills, Bihar (now Jharkhand). A thorough search for the monocotyledons is yet to be made from these beds. The Deccan Intertrappean beds which belong to Maastrichtian (Upper Cretaceous) - Palaeocene age, are very rich in angiosperms comprising both dicotyledons and monocotyledons preserved especially in the form of permineralizations. The later epochs or series, however, are rich in compressions and impressions. The monocotyledonous flora is dominated mainly by palms (Family-Arecaceae) followed by the families of Scitamineae, Poaceae, Cyperaceae and Araceae.

In order to understand the early monocotyledonous diversification future work is to be concentrated in the Rajmahal Intertrappeans and contemporary horizons belonging to the Lower Cretaceous Period. Thorough search for entire herbaceous elements, woody juvenile and arborescent members (palms, pandans, aroids, liliales, grasses, Cyperaceae, etc.), reconstructions of entire plants based upon organic occurrences and associations in addition to the isolated reproductive and vegetative organs of taxonomic significance is to be given priority. In depth knowledge of morphology and anatomy of comparable extant flora is required for their phylogenetic assessments.
Aerobiology: Aspects and Prospects
Authors: Khandelwal Asha
Published: September 2022

Aerobiology is the study of all biologically significant materials that are transported in the atmosphere. Air-borne bioparticles are either beneficial or hazardous, affecting the health and economic prosperity of man on one hand and serving as bio-indicators on the other. Aerobiology has been used as a discipline and as well as a tool for other disciplines such as medicine (allergology - both human & animal diseases, immunology, occupational hygiene), agriculture (plant pathology, pest management, arthropod dispersal), forestry & gene ecology, meteorology, climatology, biometeorology, microbiology, biodeterioration, indoor air quality, air pollution, industrial aerobiology, cultural heritage, palaeobotany, etc. Aerobiologists should encourage closer collaboration among various disciplines in order to achieve a more meaningful outcome.
Coal Petrology - A shifting role from coal utilization to fuel exploration
Authors: Singh Alpana , Singh B.D.
Published: September 2022

Coal petrology deals with the study of microscopically recognizable remains of vegetal source matter, termed 'macerals', which for convenience are classified and categorized into three main groups- vitrinite (O2-rich), liptinite (H2-rich) and inertinite (C-rich). Each maceral being specific in its origin, evolution and environmental conditions during genesis has tremendous interpretative value. Vitrinite-rich coals form in anaerobic (wet-reducing) condition, whereas aerobic (dry-oxidative) condition results into the formation of inertinite-rich coals. Macerals of the liptinite group originate in acidic-wet conditions of swamp. Optical properties (reflectance and fluorescence) and quantitative estimations of coal micro-constituents overall reflect the chemical properties and thus help in various interpretations. The studies are convincingly utilized to predict the suitability of coal for specific economic and industrial purposes. Currently, the petrological investigations are being utilized to interpret the potentiality of coal for methane that originates during the time and pressure induced diagenetic and catagenetic stages of coal formation.
Comparative study of bone micro-architecture of some mammalian bones
Authors: Mishra Sanjay , Konthe Tate Melissa L.
Published: September 2022

In the present study, a comparison has been made on the size of osteon and Haversian canal from bone specimen of seven mammalian species (rat, rabbit, cat, dog, monkey, adult man and cow) with two extinct specimens from primitive land animals (Diadectes and Iguanodon). Furthermore, relationship between size or weight of animal with respect to the size of its osteon and Haversian canal has been explored by applying allometric scaling laws to the micro architecture data. The results indicate that in general, osteon and Haversian canal size increases with increasing body weight however, the relative size of the osteon and Haversian canal decreases per unit body weight, i.e. rat osteons are larger relative to human and dinosaurian osteon. Interestingly, the ratio of osteon to Haversian canal diameters were in the range of 4 to 6 for all the animals (excluding rat) investigated in the present study including the dinosaurs. This suggests firstly, a close resemblance of extinct bone micro-architecture to mammals and secondly that osteon and Haversian canal sizes were optimised for efficient transport of nutrients and metabolites from the animal body to the bone cells. It may be explained by the concept that outside the optimum ranges an increase in osteon diameter actually reduces the efficiency of transportation of nutrients and waste products.
A brief account of Cenozoic (Tertiary) flora of India: its development, significance and future considerations
Authors: Guleria J.S.
Published: September 2022

The paper is based on megafossil records of which the angiosperms provide the bulk of data and are represented by various plant parts such as roots, woods, leaves, fruits, flowers, etc. The modern flora of India is one of the richest and diverse floras of the world. The roots of extant flora of India can be traced back to base of the Palaeocene or just below the K/Pg boundary. The development or history of primarily Cenozoic flora in India can be divided into three periods, viz., (i) Pre-Sahni Period (1782-1920), (ii) Prof. Sahni's Period (1920-1949) and (iii) Post-Sahni Period (1950 onwards). The first period can be called as the age of colonial or pioneer explorers. It was a period when Cenozoic plant fossils were largely collected as curios and were purely viewed with a geological bias. The second period was the most momentous period in the history of Indian Palaeobotany in general and Cenozoic Palaeobotany in particular. It began with the return of Prof. Birbal Sahni in 1920 from Cambridge, when he took stock of the existing position of Palaeobotany in India and eventually laid the foundation of Indian Palaeobotany. During the third period, Indian Palaeobotany made far reaching progress in all spheres. A large amount of data was accumulated and synthesized for the proper evaluation of the Cenozoic flora. However, many problems are still to be tackled and neglected aspects of the flora need to be looked into to get fuller picture of the Cenozoic flora.
On the evolution of Angiosperms in the Himalayan region: A summary
Authors: Guleria J.S.
Published: September 2022

The paper summarises the evolution of angiosperms in different zones of Himalaya. The Himalayan Cenozoic flora has been divided age-wise as Palaeogene and Neogene flora. The Himalayan Palaeogene flora is largely a continuation of tropical peninsular flora of India. The early Miocene flora of Lesser Himalaya is also moist tropical. However, temperate plants started appearing during Miocene in the Higher Himalaya and their occurrence in Plio-Pleistocene flora of Kashmir reflect uplift of the Himalaya. The sub-Himalayan flora indicates existence of warm humid conditions in this belt which became drier by the end of Pliocene. The northern floral elements appeared to have invaded India all along the Himalayan belt. Since its birth the Himalaya has played a significant role in the immigration of plants from the adjoining regions, i.e. east, west and north, thereby enriching the Indian flora. The development of the Cenozoic flora of the Himalayan region is an expression of changing patterns of geography, topography and climate.
Existence of the genus Shorea in the Himalayan foot-hills of India since 5600 year B.P.
Authors: Prasad Mahesh , Khare E.G. , Agarwal A.
Published: September 2022

Fossil woods collected in situ for the first time from the Holocene sediments of Purniyagiri area near Tanakpur, Champawat District, Uttarakhand have been studied in detail. The anatomical features like, medium to large vessels, broad, heterogeneous rays and presence of gum canals in concentric rings and vasicentric tracheids indicate its affinity with the modern woods of Shorea Roxb. of the family Dipterocarpaceae. The presence of fossil wood of this taxon in the Holocene sediments is phytogeographically important.
Palaeovegetation and palaeoclimate during middle Late Palaeolithic age of Lingnan area, China
Authors: Jianhua Jin , Wenbo Liao
Published: September 2022

The fossil spore-pollen recovered from middle Late Palaeolithic age (i.e. late Middle Pleistocene to Late Pleistocene) of Lingnan area of China are mainly distributed in the Pearl River Mouth Basin, Pearl River Delta, Shenzhen, Zhanjiang, Leizhou Peninsula and Hainan Island. As revealed by the fossil spore-pollen, the vegetation of Lingnan area during the late Middle Pleistocene to Late Pleistocene comprised mainly of subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest, evergreen and deciduous broad-leaved mixed forest, and coniferous forest. During the early Late Pleistocene, the area experienced transgression of sea, and climate became hot leading to the development, of mangrove vegetation in the littoral area. On recession of sea, near the end of Late Pleistocene, climate became cooler and drier and the mangrove forest diminished significantly. Thus, the above mentioned luxuriant vegetation and subtropical climate in middle Late palaeolithic age suggests existence of favourable conditions for early Homo sapiens activities in the Lingnan area.
Experimental reconstruction of large-scale summer monsoon drought over India and the Tibetan Plateau using tree rings from 'High Asia'
Authors: Cook Edward R. , Krusic Paul J.
Published: September 2022

We investigate the use of a network of 194 tree-ring chronologies from the “High Asia” region of the Himalaya, Karakoram, Tien Shan, and Tibetan Plateau for the reconstruction of large-scale summer monsoon drought variability over India and the Tibetan Plateau. This experiment was carried out to see if the High Asia tree-ring network contains large-scale information related to the north-south climate gradient over this region, which is known to be associated with the development of the Indian summer monsoon. The climate field chosen for experimental reconstruction was a 735-point grid of self-calibrated Palmer Drought Severity Indics (PDSI) calculated from CRU TS 2.1 gridded temperature and precipitation data. This PDSI grid was reconstructed for the summer monsoon season from a subset of tree-ring chronologies covering the period 1600-1989 using a reduced-space multivariate regression method, and both calibration and verification tests indicate that the reconstructions contain significant hindcast skill in substantial sub-regions of the grid, especially over India. Principal components analysis carried out on the almost 400 years of data over the complete grid indicates that the leading spatial mode or EOF of summer monsoon PDSI expresses a dominant north-south alternation in drought and wetness between India and the Tibetan Plateau, a leading mode also present in the instrumental data. Wavelet analysis of the time series expression of this leading EOF also reveals a very stable 40-60 year pattern of multidecadal variability in it. This time scale of variability appears to be related to slowly changing tropical ocean sea surface temperatures. Together, these results validate the use of a geographically restricted set of tree-ring chronologies over High Asia for the reconstruction of large-scale summer monsoon variability over India and the Tibetan Plateau.
Five useful techniques for analysing palynological data
Authors: Jaramillo Carlos
Published: September 2022

Palynologists often produce large quantitative data sets that can seldom be matched by other types of paleontological data. Although palynological data are subject to study by analytical techniques to answer questions regarding evolution, paleoclimate, and biogeography, the use of palynological data has often been qualitative, thus limiting their interpretation. Here, five techniques that can be used with palynological data are presented. These deal with diversity (number of species, evenness, diversity indices, and abundance distribution models), comparing similarities among samples, building a composite section, constructing species ranges, and estimating edge effects. The code necessary to perform these techniques has been included using R for Statistical Computing. R is an open-source and powerful statistical software available freely to anyone worldwide.
Pollen identification multimedia software: a microtaxonomic palaeobotanical research tool
Authors: Vasanthy G. , Grard P.
Published: September 2022

The utility of the graphically pollen identifiable software as a capacity building, microtaxonomic palaeobotanical research tool is briefly described. The software accompanying a user manual (a booklet) enables many levels of users to learn palynology “at the click of a mouse”. The rationale and operation of the pollen identification system like the parent software IDAO is based on the principle of co-efficient of similarity and character weighting (vide Gower, 1971; Grard, 2000). A total of 145 selected genera belonging to 60 dicot and 2 monocot families have been listed. Out of selected genera, 14 are mangroves and most of the remaining genera come from the evergreen forests of Western Ghats. The vector drawings of weighted 136 pollen character states (in 30 character-interfaces) are also provided. The two major parts of this application, the Graphical Pollen Identification System and the Results are explained. A plate with the pollen digital images of 24 pollen types exemplifies palyno-diversity providing clues for parent-plant determination.
Permineralized fungal remains in the fossil wood of Barringtonia from the Deccan Intertrappean sediments of Yavatmal District, Maharashtra, India
Authors: Srivastava Rashmi , Kapgate D.K. , Chatterjee Shantanu
Published: September 2022

Fungal infection (parasitism and saprophytism) in the fossil flora of Deccan Intertrappean sediments is well documented from Chhindwara, Dindori, Mandla, Nagpur and Seoni areas of central India. In the present communication, a well preserved dicotyledonous fossil wood showing resemblance with the extant genus Barringtonia Forster & G. Forster of the family Lecythidaceae is recorded for the first time from the Yavatmal District, Maharashtra. The anatomical study of wood reveals that it is endogenously infected with saprophytic fungus Epicoccum Link. ex Schlecht and fungal conidia are profusely distributed in the vessels of the fossil wood. Very fine, ill preserved mycelium is also seen at places. Presence of the genus Barringtonia, as well as fungus Epicoccum is indicative of warm and humid conditions in the area during the time of deposition of intertrappean sediments.
Plant fossils from Dafla Formation, West Kameng District, Arunachal Pradesh
Authors: Srivastava Rashmi , Mehrotra R.C.
Published: September 2022

Dicotyledonous leaf impressions collected from the Dafla Formation (=Lower Siwalik) of Arunachal Pradesh are described in the present communication. The fossils belong to Middle-Upper Miocene in age and comprise of seven genera belonging to six families, namely, Tabernaemontana precoronaria Prasad (Apocynaceae), Salacia miocenica sp. nov. (Celastraceae), Millettia koilabasensis Prasad (Fabaceae), Actinodaphne palaeomalabarica sp. nov. and Litsea preglabrata sp. nov. (Lauraceae), Memecylon arunachalensis sp. nov. (Melastomataceae) and Randia miowallichii Prasad (Rubiaceae). In addition, Dicotylophyllum breyniodes sp. nov., a dicotyledonous leaf of uncertain affinities, is also reported. The distribution of modern counterparts of the fossils indicates tropical vegetation suggesting warm and humid climate during the deposition of the sediments.
New coniferous foliage shoot from the Lower Gondwana beds of India
Authors: Srivastava A.K. , Agnihotri Deepa
Published: September 2022

The morphological and cuticular features of new sterile, branched coniferous foliage shoot, Walkomiella sahnii sp. nov. collected from the carbonaceous shale samples of Karharbari Formation, Rajhara Colliery of Daltonganj Coalfield, Jharkhand State are described. New species is characterized by homomorphic leaves showing rhomboidal shape, acuminate apex, broad base, uninerved; cuticle is differentiated into thick abaxial and thin adaxial surfaces and stomata are irregularly distributed only on adaxial surface. Fertile structures are not known. Specimen represents the first report of Walkomiella as coalified compression in Lower Gondwana sediments of India. Earlier records of W. indica Surange & Singh 1951 and Walkomiella sp. are based on dispersed cuticles of leaf and seed bearing shoot recovered through maceration of samples.
Contemporary taxonomic perspectives of fossil Coralline Red Algae: their possible origin and evolution
Authors: Ghosh Amit K. , Sarkar Suman
Published: September 2022

Studies done by various phycologists have brought about remarkable changes in the present-day coralline algal taxonomy. The taxonomy of fossil coralline red algae also has been under the process of continuous revision and modification since 1993. Prior to 1993 it was believed that several diagnostic characters used in recent coralline red algae were unpreservable in fossil forms. Palaeoalgologists have now understood the value of unification of taxonomy, for extant and fossil corallines to accurately interpret the phylogeny, palaeoecology and palaeobiogeography. Phylogenetically, the corallines are very important as they represent a major evolutionary line within the red algae as evidenced by anatomical studies on recent forms as well as various studies on gene sequence analysis. The present contribution deals with the remarkable changes that have taken place since 1993 in the taxonomic aspects of fossil coralline algae and the modern trends of research in this context. Presently, an attempt has been made to establish the possible origin and evolution of coralline red algae.
Recognition of algal rich facies from the Umlatdoh Limestone of Shella Formation, Jaintia Group, Meghalaya
Authors: Sarkar Suman , Ghosh Amit K. , Kumar Madhav
Published: September 2022

The carbonate rocks of the Shella Formation (Middle Eocene) belonging to the Jaintia Group in the Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya are represented by two sandstone units in alternation with three limestone units, viz. Lakadong Limestone, Umlatdoh Limestone and Prang Limestone respectively in chronological order. Umlatdoh Limestone, the middle limestone unit of Shella Formation is conformably underlain by the Lakadong Sandstone and overlain by Narpuh Sandstone. Samples from the Umlatdoh Limestone were collected from the outcrop on the Jowai-Badarpur Road, about 1 km southwest of Lumshnong. Calcareous algae have been recovered from four samples and two distinct facies have been recognized. One of the facies is dominated by non-geniculate coralline red algae and benthic foraminifera. The non-geniculate corallines are represented by Lithothamnion and Mesophyllum (Family Hapalidiaceae), Lithoporella (Family Corallinaceae) and Sporolithon (Family Sporolithaceae). The other facies is rich in calcareous green algae along with benthic foraminifera. The green algal genera belong to families Dasycladaceae, Udoteaceae and Halimedaceae. Previously, a green algal assemblage was recorded from the Umlatdoh Limestone Member of Shella Formation exposed in the low lying hills between Sutnga and Litang valleys of Jaintia Hills. However, this is the first report on the occurrence of non-geniculate coralline red algae from the Umlatdoh Limestone Member of the Shella Formation. Based on the algal-foraminiferal assemblages, interpretation has been made on the palaeoenvironment and palaeobathymetry.
Palynostratigraphic considerations on the Pennsylvanian interglacial microflora from Monte Mor (SP), Itararé Group, NE, Paraná Basin (Brazil) and its diachronic correlations with Indian Gondwana microflora
Authors: Jha Neerja , Mune Sandra Eiko , Bernardes-de-Oliveira Mary E.C. , Mehrotra N.C.
Published: September 2022

In the present communication the palynological contents of the Monte Mor taphoflora has been restudi ed in surface samples from the upper and lower levels of the coal beds from this type-locality and its Interval palynozone position has been reinterpreted and revised.

Four palynological Interval zones were recognized from the Upper Palaeozoic Brazilian Paraná Basin by Souza (2000, 2006) and Souza & Marques-Toigo (2001, 2003, 2005), where Monte Mor microflora was placed in the lowermost Ahrensisporites cristatus Interval Zone (tentatively Late Bashkirian to Kazimovian). On the basis of presence of Crucisaccites monoletus, Divarisaccus spp., Faunipollenites (=Protohaploxypinus) amplus, Faunipollenites sp., Scheuringipollenites maximus, Platysaccus sp. and Scheuringipollenites maximus in the recovered microflora it is suggested that Monte Mor palynoflora belongs to Crucisaccites monoletus Interval Zone, which is contrary to the earlier studies which indicated that the Monte Mor palynoassemblage belongs to Ahrensisporites cristatus Interval Zone.
Priority of Glossopteris cordatifolia Feistmantel 1890 over G. feistmantelii Rigby 1964, occurring in the Permian of India
Authors: Rigby J.G.
Published: September 2022

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Pollen rain deposition pattern in tropical deciduous Sal (Shorea robusta Gaertn.) forest in Shahdol District, Madhya Pradesh, India
Authors: Chauhan M.S. , Quamar M.F.
Published: September 2022

The pollen rain–vegetation relationship study, based on pollen analysis of 6 surface samples from tropical deciduous Sal (Shorea robusta Gaertn.) forest at Khanaudi, Shahdol District reveals the relatively lower frequencies of arboreal taxa in contrast to non–arboreal taxa. Among the arboreals, Shorea robusta, a dominant forest constituent, is not represented appropriately in the pollen–rain and encountered with av. 2% pollen only in the sediments. The under–representation of Shorea robusta pollen, despite being high pollen producer, could be attributed to its poor preservation in the sediments as well as low dispersal efficiency. On the other hand, the consistent presence of Madhuca indica, a common associate of Sal, and Sapotaceae with high frequencies of average 19% and 6%, respectively corresponds more or less with their frequent presence in the forest coupled with good preservation of their pollen in the sediments. However, a large number of other associates of Sal, viz. Terminalia, Lagerstroemia, Emblica officinalis, Syzygium, Holoptelea, Sterculia, etc. occurring appreciably in the forest, denote sporadic presence with av. 10% pollen only owing to their low pollen productivity, since they are entomogamous. Thus, av. 39% arboreal pollen including av. 37% trees and av. 2% shrubs, though scanty, represent the modern Sal forest in the region. The abundance of pollen of grasses, sedges, Tubuliflorae, etc. corresponds with their composition in the ground flora. The consistently moderate frequencies of Cerealia and Cheno/Am coupled with sporadic pollen of Artemisia, Cannabis sativa and Caryophyllaceae indicate the proximity of cultivated land.
Modern pollen and vegetation relationship in the teak deciduous forest in Sehore District, Madhya Pradesh
Authors: Verma Poonam , Rao M.R.
Published: September 2022

Pollen analyses of 19 surface soil and mud samples in and around Kusumelli Swamp near Shahganj, Sehore District of Madhya Pradesh were carried out to understand modern pollen and vegetation relationship in the dry deciduous teak dominated forest region. The palynological assemblage demonstrates pervasiveness of non–arboreal (herbs) forms in comparison to arboreal (trees and shrubs) taxa. Maximum arboreal pollen are recorded in forest floor (average 37%) in comparison to lake floor sediments (average 33%) followed by forest vicinity mud (average 29%) and forest edge open area (average 24%). The most common constituent of modern forest floristic, i.e. teak (80–90%) is recorded by average of 1% in lake, forest and adjoining floor sediments. The other members such as Madhuca indica (average 2.1%), Syzygium sp. (average 1.6%), Terminalia sp. (average 1.4%), Butea monosperma (average 1%), Embilica officinalis (average 0.7%), Diospyros sp. and Lannea grandis (average 0.6%) are also recorded in low frequencies. This discrepancy in the pollen deposition pattern is possibly due to their low pollen production and partial preservation in sediments. Stumpy pollen frequency of Sal (average 0.4%) recovered in open area and lake floor sediments could be ascribed to its anemophilous mode of pollination and transportation through low turbulent winds and water from nearby area. However, better representation of Holoptelea (average 4.4%) and Buchanania lanza (average 3.8%) in all sediment samples can be substantiated through their huge pollen production and higher dispersal efficiency. In addition, non–arboreal representatives such as Asteraceae (Tubuliflorae and Liguliflorae), Caryophyllaceae, Malvaceae, Brassicaceae, Chenopodiaceae/Amaranthaceae and Cannabinaceae, etc. more or less reflect actual composition of the ground flora. The comparative database generated on pollen–vegetation spectra will serve a modern pollen analogue for factual appraisal of fossil pollen successions deposited during Quaternary Period in the region.