021376   Nilay Govind;Tewari R;Pillai S S K;Joshi A (NO, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, 53, University Road, Lucknow-226 007, Email: rajni.tewari@gmail.com) : IGMIS- a computer-aided information system on Indian Gondwana megaspores. Curr Sci 2014, 106(3), 434-9.

The Indian Gondwana Megaspore Information System (IGMIS) is an information system developed for storage and retrieval of Indian Gondwana megaspore (female reproductive unit of early land plants) records in a selective manner. At present, it provides information on 45 genera and 159 species recorded from Palaeozoic and Mesozoic sediments of India. The use of the database is to store and organize information on Indian Gondwana megaspores accrued over the past 70 years. This information system is a significant step towards ensuring safety and accessibility of the data on the dispersed Indian fossil megaspores, besides providing accessibility for handling the information in future, including new and emerging types of data format. Each record has a unique code number for further reference. Addition, deletion, modification and search facility are provided by this software. Additionally, search can be performed in terms of different morphotaxonomical characteristics (single or combination of characters). The program is useful for a quick and classified megaspore search on datagrid, especially of the published information on fossil mega-spores and their horizontal and vertical distribution in India. The program and associated database are capable of computer-aided identification of Indian Gondwana megaspores and help avoid assigning multiple/different genera or species to the same category. Here we report our attempt to digitize and provide an updated knowledge on various aspects of Indian Gondwana megaspores, including their morphotaxonomical characters, distribution and photodocumen-tation in an information system.

4 illus, 3 tables, 21 ref

017177   Rajendran P (History Dep, Kerala Univ, Karaivattom-695 581, Email: drprajendran@yahoo.co.in) : Lion figurine with non-acheulian lower palaeolithic implements. Curr Sci 2012, 102(9), 1260-1.

^ssc3 illus, 23 ref

016067   Shrivastava G;Mehrotra R C (NO, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, 53 Univ Road, Lucknow-226 007, Email: gaurav_jan10@yahoo.co.in) : The oldest fossil of Semecarpus L.f. from the makum coalfield, Assam, India and comments on its origin. Curr Sci 2012, 102(3), 398-400.

2 illus, 24 ref

015160   Kumar S;Srivastava D K;Ahmad S (Centre of Advanced Study in Geology, Lucknow Univ, Lucknow-226 007, Email: surendra100@hotmail.com) : Five-armed body fossil fom the ediacaran Jodphur sandstone, Marwar supergroup, Western Rajasthan, India: a possible precursor of phylum echinodermata. Curr Sci 2012, 102(1), 24-6.

3 illus, 1 table, 15 ref

013934   Pandey B;Pathak D B;Jaitly A K;Jai Krishna; Venkateshwarlu M (Geology Dep, Banaras Hindu Univ, Varanasi-221 005) : Record of tethyan gastropod genus Astrohelix Szabo, 1984 from late Bajocian (middle jurassic) of Kachchh, Western India. Indian J Geosci 2012, 66(1), 65-8.

Presents the first record and illustrate the planispiral gastropod genus Astrohelix Szabo, 1984 through its species Astrohelix (Bifidobasis) cf. hourcqui (Delpey, 1948) from the Late Bajocian (Middle Jurassic) sediments of Kachchh Mainland, western India.

3 illus, 1 table, 31 ref

012901   Bobade M B;Dhande R S;Dhore M M (Botany Dep, Shri Shivaji College, Akot; District-444 101) : Further contribution in the knowledge of a fossil fruit, Sahniocarpon, from Deccan intertrappean beds of Mohgaonkalan, Madhya Pradesh India. Biosci Biotechnol Res Communs 2011, 4(2), 205-7.

The present petrified capsular fruit Sahniocarpon has been described from Mohgaon-halan (22°1' N; 79° 11' E), the well known fossiliferous locality of Deccan -Infertrappean series, in Chhinwada district, Madhya Pradesh, India. The fossil fruit is pentacarpellary syncarpous in T.S., though two carpels are seen in L.S., in present specimen. It is tapering at apical and basal ends and broad in middle. Fruit is about 4.62 nun long and 2-3.84 mm broad and shows stalk like structure at the base with septicidal dehiscence. Pericarp or fruit wall is smooth, without any scale or hairs.L. S. of fruit shows two locales each with singles elongated seed separated by single septum. Embryo and endosperm are not preserved well. The present fossil fruit is being different from all known fossil capsular fruits and not satisfactorily resembling modem fruit, but shows similarity with reported fossil fruit Sahniocarpon hence a new species of genus Sahniocarpon is created as Sahniocarpon ganeshii. Sp.Nov.

1 table, 9 ref

011799   Mehrotra N C;Shanmukhappa M;Babu R;Madhav Kumar;Singh A;Singh B D;Kapoor P N (NO, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, 53, Univ Road, Lucknow-226 007, Email: mehrotrabsip@rediffmail.com) : Development of palynology in fossil fuel exploration in India with emphasis on recent significant contributions from Western-offshore, Krishna-Godavari Basin and frontier areas. Proc Indian Natn Sci Acad 2012, 78(3), 457-73.

Summarized account of developments in palynological studies and their application in fossil fuel exploration in various petroliferous basins of India is presented here. The high resolution biostratigraphic, palaeogeographic and palaeoenvironmenlal delineations, sequence biostratigraphy and source rock evaluation studies have greatly helped in developing geological models for exploration. Precise age determination through dinoflagellate cyst study and palynofacies modeling has proved extremely useful in delimiting potential facies for the exploration. Further, high impact fossil fuel exploration related palynological researches have been strengthened at Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd. (ONGC) and Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany (BSIP) in past several years. The updated informations from Krishna-Godavari and Western Offshore basins are of much significance. A recent research from BSIP showing first record of Type I matured liptinite organic matter from Late Neoproterozoic sediments is of much value, since it has shown the prospects of hydrocarbon exploration in Neoproterozoic sediments of Rajasthan and other similar prospective basins in India. Recent findings of acritarchs and algae suggesting a Cryogenian to Ediacaran age for the pre-Tertiary Sequence of Ganga Basin, point towards an extension of Marwar Super Group sediments. Organic matter maturation studies indicate possibility of hydrocarbons in Ganga Basin. Potential areas in frontier basins have also been identified for extending such researches. A brief account of organic petrological studies performed on solid fossil fuel at BSIP, that can be utilized for source rock evaluation, has also been provided.

10 illus, 2 tables, 48 ref

011798   Bajpai S;Prasad G V R;Prasad V;Jai Krishna; Sarkar A (Earth Sciences Dep, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee-247 667, Email: sunilbajpai2001@yahoo.com) : Recent advanced on phanerozoic biodiversity, bioevents and climate in India. Proc Indian Natn Sci Acad 2012, 78(3), 445-55.

In the present write up, a synthesis of the research done in the last four years in vertebrate palaeontology, palynology, ammonoid biostratigraphy and stable isotope geochemistry is presented. SB and GVR discuss the issues relating to Cretaceous-Palaeogene (K-Pg) boundary bioevents in India and their linkage to Deccan volcanism, Jurassic and Cretaceous diversity of dinosaurs and elasmobranchs-origin and evolution of archaic mammals of Cretaceous - Early Eocene age during the northward flight of India, their biogeographic relationships, evolution of whales and Neogene mammals. In a related discussion, VP discusses on the time of origin of grass family Poaceae and rice tribe Oryzeae based on the analysis of late Cretaceous dinosaur coprolites and sediments bioevents at the K-Pg boundary in Um Sohryngkew River section in Mcghalaya, NE India and the effects of environmental stress from Deccan volcanism on Palaeogene flora presently restricted to Western Ghats, the role of dinoflagellates in dating the highly diversified mammal-bearing levels within the Vastan lignite mine, and the presence of dipterocarp angiosperm trees in the Early Eocene of India and thus supporting the "out of India Dispersal" hypothesis for this group of plants. JK presents a comprehensive picture on the refined Triassic and Jurassic ammonoid biozonation in the Himalayan and western Indian regions, respectively, sequence stratigraphic framework of Mesozoic marine sequences of India, and the relationship between major tectonic events of the Indian ocean and sea level changes. AS discusses the relevance of isotopic studies across Permo-Triassic boundary and Eocene/Oligocene boundary in understanding the extinction of plants and the role of silicate weathering in the Himalaya, respectively, forced regressive event in the Palaeogene of the Himalayan foreland basin linked to the early phases of Himalayan uplift, development of palaeosols with the expansion of C4 vegetation in Ganga-Brahmaputra delta plain during the last glacial maximum (LGM), and different episodes of monsoon intensification that coincide with major pulses in the Himalayan uplift based on hydrogen isotopic studies of Quaternary Siwalik palaeosols.

94 ref

006449   Srivastava G;Mehrotra R C;Bauer H (NO, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, 53 Univ Road, Lucknow-226 007, Email: gaurav_jan10@yahoo.co.in) : Palm leaves from the late oligocene sediments of Makum coalfield, Assam, India. J Earth Syst Sci 2012, 121(3), 747-54.

Two new palm leaf impressions, cf. Iguanura wallichiana and Palmacites makumensis sp. nov. are described from the Makum Coalfield, Tinsukia District, Assam. They belong to the Tikak Parbat Formation being considered as Late Oligocene (Chattian 28-23 Myr) in age. Their presence, along with the other known fossil records indicates that CMMT (cold month mean temperature) was not less than 18°C with plenty of rainfall, in the region during the period of deposition.

6 illus, 56 ref

006448   Sharma M;Shukla Y (NO, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, 53 Univ Road, Lucknow-226 007, Email: mukundsharma@bsip.res.in) : Occurrence of helically coiled microfossil Obruchevella in the Owk shale of the Kurnool group and its significance. J Earth Syst Sci 2012, 121(3), 755-68.

Reports occurrence of helically coiled microfossil Obruchevella Reitlinger from the Owk Shale of the Kurnool Group from the peninsular India. The age of the Kurnool Group is poorly constrained due to the absence of direct radiometric dating and meager palaeobiological data. Occurrence of Obruchevella is considered as a typical Vendian marker genus recorded mostly from close to the Precambrian-Cambrian boundary successions. Hence, the present assemblage is important to ascertain the age of the basin. In the Owk Shale, four species of Obruchevella, viz., 0, delicata, O. parva, O. minor and 0. valdaica are recorded as organic walled microfossils. Among them O. valdaica is the largest in terms of size parameters. On the global scale, the recovered species occur in the Late Neoproterozoic to Early Cambrian sediments. Therefore, the occurrence of microfossil Obruchevella in the Owk Shale and known burrow structures in the Narji Limestone suggest Ediacaran age close to the Cambrian for the Kurnool Basin and challenges the recently assigned Mesoproterozoic age of the basin.

5 illus, 2 tables, 65 ref

003399   Srivastava R;Saxena R K;Srivastava G (NO, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, 59 University Road, Lucknow-226 007, Email: rashmi_bsip@yahoo.com) : Pterospermumocarpon, a new malvalean fruit from the Sindhudurg Formation (Miocene) of Maharashtra, India, and its phytogeographical significance. J Earth Syst Sci 2012, 121(1), 183-93.

Pterospermumocarpon (Type: P. kalviwadiensis), a new morphogenus of fossil fruits showing resemblance with fruits of extant Pterospermum Schreb. (Malvaceae s.l.), is described from the Sindhudurg Formation (Miocene) at the Kalviwadi Village, Sindhudurg District, Maharashtra, India. Diagnostic feature of the fossil taxon is the dehiscent pentalocular capsule with five distinct sutures and imprints of winged seedlike structures in the locules. Recent modifications in the systematics of the Malvales, their fossil record, and the distribution and migration of Pterospermum and other malvalean taxa in the context of the Indian subcontinent are discussed.

3 illus, 2 tables, 88 ref

003398   Jose E;Usha P T A (Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology Dep, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy-680 651, Email: ushapta2003@yahoo.co.in) : Interaction of Coccinia indica with glibenclamide in alloxan induced diabetic rats. Indian J vet Res 2011, 20(1), 1-7.

Interactive effect of ethanolic extract of Coccinia indica leaves with glibenclamide (oral hypoglycemic agent) on hypoglycaemic, hypolipidemic and antioxidant effect in alloxan induced diabetic rats was studied. The diabetic rats were administered with C. indica leaf extract at the dose of 100, 150 and 200 mg/kg body weight in combination with glibenclamide at the rate of 0.125 mg/kg. Blood glucose, serum cholesterol and triglyceride were estimated at 15 days intervals and liver glycogen, reduced glutathione and lipid peroxides in tissues at the end of the experiment. All the treatment groups showed significant lowering of blood glucose after 45 days of treatment when compared to the diabetic control. Serum cholesterol and triglycerides also returned to normal levels after 45 days of treatment. Reduced glutathione and lipid peroxide levels were also comparable with that of normal control at the end of the treatment. None of the treatment group showed any severe hypoglycaemia or other toxic effects and the combination of C. indica at the rate of 200 mg/kg with glibenclamide produced the most significant antidiabetic effect. The results suggested that interaction of C. indica with glibenclamide can produce significant hypoglycaemic, hypolipidemic and antioxidant effect in diabetic rats and can be used safely in the treatment of diabetes.

1 table, 13 ref

003397   Jha N;Basava Chary M;Aggarwal N (NO, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, 53 University Road, Lucknow-226 007, Email: neha_264840@yahoo.co.in) : Permian-Triassic palynostratigraphy in Mailaram area, Godavari Graben, Andhra Pradesh, India. J Earth Syst Sci 2012, 121(5), 1287-1303.

Entire 606 m-thick sedimentary sequence in borecore MCP-7 from Chintalapudi area, Chintalapudi sub-basin has been lithologically designated as Kamthi Formation. However, the palynological investigation revealed five distinct palynoassemblages, which essentially fall under two groups, one group (Palynoassemblage-I, II and III) having dominance of striate disaccates along with presence of some stratigraphically significant taxa, belongs to Late Permian (Raniganj) palynoflora, while the other group (Palynoassemblages IV and V) shows sharp decline in percentage of characteristic taxa of first group, i.e., striate disaccates, and consequent rise or dominance of taeniate and cingulate cavate spores, belongs to Early Triassic (Panchet) palynoflora. Palynoassemblage-I, II and III (Group I) are characterized by dominance of striate disaccates chiefly, Striatopodocarpites spp. and Faunipollenites spp. Along with presence of rare but stratigraphically significant taxa, viz., Gondisporites raniganjensis, Falcisporites nuthaliensis, Klausipollenites schaubergeri, Chordasporites sp., Striomonosaccites, ovatus, Crescentipollenites multistriatus, Verticipollenites debiles, Strotersporites crassiletus, Guttulapollenites hannonicus, G. gondwanensis, Hamiapollenites insolitus, Corisaccites alutus, Lunatisporites ovatus, Weylandites spp. and Vitreisporites pallidus. Palynoassemblage-I is distinguished by significant presence of Densipollenites spp. while Palynoassemblage-II shows significant presence of Crescentipollenites spp. and Palynoassemblage-III differs from the above two assemblages in having significant presence of Guttulapollenites hannonicus. Palynoassemblage-IV (Group II) is characterized by high percentage of taeniate disaccates chiefly Lunatisporites spp., while Palynoassemblage-V (Group II) is characterized by cingulate-cavate trilete spores chiefly, Lundbladispora spp. and Densoisporites spp. Striate disaccates show a sharp decline in these two assemblages. In Chintalapudi area Late Permian and Early Triassic palynoflora has been recorded for the first time indicating existence of Raniganj and Panchet sediments as well. The study further supports the earlier studies of Jha and Srivastava (1996) that Kamthi Formation represents Early Triassic (=Panchet Formation) overlying Raniganj equivalent sediments with a gradational contact.

6 illus, 5 tables, 56 ref

003396   Jha N;Aggarwal N (NO, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, 53 University Road, Lucknow-226 007, Email: neha_264840@yahoo.co.in) : Permian-Triassic palynostratigraphy in Mailaram area, Godavari Graben, Andhra Pradesh, India. J Earth Syst Sci 2012, 121(5), 1257-85.

2 illus, 2 tables, 65 ref

001318   Pokharia A K (NO, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, 53 University Road, Lucknow-226 007, Email: pokharia.anil@gmail.com) : Palaeoethnobotany at Lahuradewa: a contribution to the 2nd millennium BC agriculture of the Ganga plain, India. Curr Sci 2012, 101(12), 1569-78.

Carbonized remains from archaeological sites can provide clues that are crucial for understanding and characterizing subsistence strategies during Dark Ages. Analysis of floated samples collected from the archaeological site at Lahuradewa, in the Ganga Plain, has provided data which can be useful in understanding the exploitation of economically important plants by the ancient settlers as dietary preferences during ca. 2000-1500 BC. The crop remains encountered are represented by the grains and seeds of rice, barley, species of wheat, jowar-millet, kodon-millet, chickpea, lentil, fieldpea, grasspea, horsegram, green-gram, cowpea, fenugreek, linseed, sesame, Indian mustard and cotton. In addition, there is evidence for fruits of jujube, anwala and phalsa which may have been gathered by the ancient settlers for consumption. This communication also includes an account of some weeds and other wild taxa, which turned up as an admixture with the above economically important remains and are denotative of the surrounding ground vegetation.

4 illus, 2 tables, 57 ref

000237   Sarkar J (NO, , , Email: jaimini_dhane@hotmail.com) : Presence of early pleistocene acheulian hominins in South India. Curr Sci 2011, 101(8), 1003-5.

2 illus, 9 ref

000236   Joshi A;Tiwari N (NO, DPC Institute of Management Studies, Dwarka, New Delhi-110 075, Email: archanajoshi11@gmail.com) : Sex ratio in India - embarrassing to be honest. Curr Sci 2011, 101(8), 1006.

2 illus, 1 table, 22 ref

023293   Pal T;Sankar M S;Bhattacharya A;De C (Petrology Div, Andaman and Nicobar, Op: WSA, Eastern Region, Geological Survey of India, Kolkata-700 091, Email: mssankars@yahoo.com) : Misleading 'turtle rock' from pelagic sediments of Andaman ophiolite. Curr Sci 2011, 101(7), 847-8.

3 illus, 10 ref

021162   Agarwal K K;Sharma A;Jahan N;Chandra Prakash; Agarwal A (Centre of Advanced Study in Geology, Lucknow Univ, Lucknow-226 007, Email: kamalagarwal73@gmail.com) : Occurrence of pseudotachylites in the vicinity of south Almora thrust zone, Kumaun lesser himalaya. Curr Sci 2011, 101(3), 431-4.

Thin veins of pseudotachylites are observed within the South Almora Thrust (SAT) zone of the Almora crystallines, Kiimaun Lesser Himalaya. The SAT zone presents a relatively wide variety of mylonite types. Within this zone thin, dark-coloured veins of pseudotachylites are found. Folded veins of irregular thickness are also observed. The pseudotachylites are formed by rapid crystallization of melts. Intense deformation and friction-related heating is generated during the thrust sheet movement, which is responsible for producing the melts. Small amount of melts generated during the frictional heating cool rapidly in association of the wall rock and form thin veins, which have sharp boundaries (or folded) within the wall rock. Quartz, K-feldspar and plagioclase occur as porphy-roclasts in the host rocks.

4 illus, 26 ref

020054   Surendra Prasad;De C (NO, Geological Survey of India Northeastern Region, Sylla Building, Shillong-793 003, Email: sprahul107@rediffmail.com) : Records of lower cambrian (upper tommotian-atdabanian) life in the Marwar supergroup of Rajasthan: their palaeoenvironment, palaeobiography and significance in Pc-C boundary delineation. Indian J Geosci 2012, 66(2-3), 119-32.

Nagaur Group, the youngest horizon of Marwar Supergroup of Rajasthan, preserves polyphyletic body fossils and taxonomically diverse trace fossil assemblage. Twelve ichnoforms (Cruziana fasciculata, Cruziana salomonis, Cruziana cantabrica, Rusophycus isp., Diplichnites isp., Monomorphichnus lineatus, Dimorphichnus isp., Nereites isp., Planolites montanus, Spongeliomorpha isp., Biformites isp., Skolithos isp.), belonging to ichnozone III of Crimes (1987) have been identified. Many of the ichnogenus/species are reported for the first time in the area such as Nereites isp., Spongeliomorpha isp., Biformites isp., C. fasciculata, C. salomonis, C. cantabrica; M. lineatus and P. montanus. Majority of the traces are attributed to trilobite such as Cruziana (trilobite furrowing trace), Diplichnites (trilobite walking trace), Monomorphichnus (trilobite grazing trace), Rusophycus (trilobite resting trace) and Dimorphichnus (trilobite feeding trace). Non-trilobite traces are represented by Planolites montanus (worm burrow), Nereites (worm or gastropod feeding trace), Biformites (dwelling worm burrow), Skolithos (vertical dwelling burrow) and Spongeliomorpha (deposit-feeding trace of worms). Tommotian trilobites and earliest molluscs, the trace producers that harboured in shallow marine shelf niche with moderate energy conditions, are recorded for the first time in peninsular India. An Upper Tommotian- Atdabanian (Lower Cambrian) age is assigned to the Nagaur Group. Considering the presence of Ediacarans and simple worm burrows Planolites serpens in the underlying Jodhpur Group, the Pc-C boundary is delineated palaeontologically through Bilara Group. This is the first ever palaeontological delineation of Pc-C boundary in peninsular India.

2 illus, 1 table, 34 ref

020053   De C;Surendra Prasad (NO, , 11-Ujjal Park, Vrahmapur, Kolkata-700 096, Email: chirananda@rediffmail.com) : Ediacaran fossil assemblage from sonia formation, Jodhpur group, Rajasthan. Indian J Geosci 2012, 66(2-3), 93-118.

Signatures of an array of crown group of primitive metazoan life in the form of a sizeable assemblage of Ediacaran biota have been recorded in the biomats of the Sonia Formation (Artiya Kalan section) of Jodhpur Group (lowermost unit), Marwar Supergroup of Rajasthan. The present Ediacaran assemblage is monophyletic (Coelenterata) and represented by medusoids belonging to Cyclozoa (monaxonic heteropolar symmetry of infinitely high order) Ediacaria sp., Beltanelliformis sp., Cyclomedusa plana, Nimbia occlusa, Nimbia dniesteri, Paliella petalliformis and Kaisalia mensae; Inordozoa (combined concentric and radial symmetry) Irridinitus multiradiatus; Scyphozoa (4- and 6- fold symmetry), Marsonia artiyansis and Hexagonal form (6-fold symmetry) and Trilobozoa (3-fold symmetry) Anfesta stankovskii and Stauridinia crucicula. These are associated with simple worm burrows Planolites serpens. The present biotic forms fix an Ediacaran age (635-542 Ma) for the Jodhpur Group. The present medusoids constitute the first ever finding of soft-bodied Ediacaran assemblage from Rajasthan and second to Vindhyans of central India within peninsular Proterozoic basins. It extends the palaeobiogeographic range of the Ediacaran biota to western India earning a place for Rajasthan in the world palaeo-zoogeographic map of Ediacarans. Anew Ediacaran-Tommotian palaeogeographic reconstruction is presented to explain spatial occurrences of all marine Proterozoic-Cambrian basins of India. The Ediacaran biota, their styles of preservation and associated biomats, current- and wave- generated sedimentary structures and mud cracks indicate a palaeoenvironment typical of shallow shelf with muddy substrate above the storm wave base. The biomats provided life-saving oxygen mask and food supply to the benthic Ediacarans, while shallow oxygenated circulatory sea water sustained their life cycles. The present biota, like that of Vindhyans, permits intercontinental correlation with the Blueflower and Risky formations of Sekwi Brook of Mackenzie Mountains, Risky Formation of Corn Creek of Wernecke Mountains, Upper Miette Group of British Columbia and Upper Schwarzrand Subgroup of the Nama Group of southern Namibia. In national level, it is co-relatable with the Lakheri-Sirbu Formation of Vindhyans of Madhya Pradesh and Krol Group of Lesser Himalaya. The Marwar Ediacaran fossil assemblage shows substantial taxonomic diversity and coexistence of Cyclozoans, Inordozoans, Scyphozoans and Trilobozoans and indicates parallelism of different lineages conforming to the established evolutionary pathway of primitive soft-bodied Coelenterates. Significantly, it includes a number of unassigned medusoids with 6-fold radial symmetry and represents second occurrence of hexagonal Scyphozoans in the world after Pomona of Russian Platform as a distinct clad.

4 illus, 2 tables, 95 ref

013238   Achyuthan H (Geology Dep, Anna Univ, Chennai-600 025) : Holocene sea level and palaeoenvironmental changes along the east coast, Tamil Nadu. Indian J Geomorph 2011, 16(1-2), 79-96.

5 illus, 7 tables, 50 ref

011991   Tiwari S P;Chauhan D K (Sahni Palaeobotany Laboratory, Botany Dep, Allahabad Univ, Allahabad-211 002, Email: sptiwariau@yahoo.co.in) : Ancient DNA: the molecular evidence of the evolutionary past. Bioherald 2012, 2(1), 19-24.

Ancient DNA (aDNA) or fossil DNA provide an important tool to the evolutionary biologists to trace the phylogenetic history of taxa. The study of ancient DNA directly helps in the understanding of evolutionary changes in the past by rendering molecular evidences thereof. This revolutionary study started in the last quarter of the twentieth century, since then the aDNAs have been extracted from 125-130 million years old Jurassic period Dinosaurs, 135 million years old weevil, 40 million years old fossil insects, 25 million years old termites and beetles, 17 million years old Magnolia leaf, 17-20 million years old Taxodium, 38,000-70,000 years old Neanderthals, 40,000 years old mammoths, and 13,000 years old Smilodon. The fossil DNAs have also been extracted from flightless birds (which became extinct about 1,000 years ago), Quagga (which became extinct about 100 years ago), and several other plant and animal remains. However, the full sequencing of aDNAs was worked out in Neanderthals. The genetic diversity of mitochondrial DNA in Neanderthal is about 38,000-70,000 years old. This communication provides an overview on the study of ancient DNA and its influence on the genetic changes in populations over time and space to construct better evolutionary history of past and present biological diversity.

2 illus, 36 ref

013941   Shukla A;Mehrotra R C;Guleria J S (Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, 53 Road Univ, Lucknow, Email: anu_bsip@yahoo.co.in) : Cocos sahnii Kaul: a Cocos nucifera L.- like fruit from the early eocene rainforest of Rajasthan, western India. J Biosci, Bangalore 2012, 37(4), 769-76.

Cocos sahnii Kaul, a fossil palm fruit, is validated and described from the Fuller's earth deposits of Kapurdi village of Rajasthan considered as Early Eocene in age. The fossil best resembles the genus Cocos, particularly Cocos nucifera L., which is now a common coastal element thriving in highly moist conditions. The recovery of this coconut-like fruit, along with earlier described evergreen taxa from the same formation, suggests the existence of typical tropical, warm and humid coastal conditions during the depositional period. The present arid to semi-arid climatic conditions occurring in Rajasthan indicate drastic climate change in the region during the Cenozoic. The possible time for the onset of aridity in the region which caused the total eradication of semi-evergreen to evergreen forests is discussed, as well as the palaeobiogeography of coconuts.

4 illus, 2 tables, 60 ref

007980   Dixit S;Bera S K (NO, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, 53 Road Univ, Lucknow-226 007, Email: swatidixit26@gmail.com) : Mid-holocene vegetation and climatic variability in tropical deciduous sal (Shorea robusta) forest of lower Brahmaputra valley, Assam. J Geol Soc India 2011, 77(5), 419-32.

One 2.5 m lacustrine sedimentary profile dated back to 6340 years BP from Deosila swamp under Rangjuli Reserve forest of Assam, Northeast India has been pollen analyzed for tracing past vegetation vis a vis climate variability since mid-Holocene. The pollen diagram has deciphered that during 6340 to 2970 years BP, tropical tree savannah type of vegetation grew in the region chiefly constituted of grasses interspersed with scattered trees of Salmalia, Dillenia, Emblica, Meliaceae along with sporadic presence of Artocarpus chaplasha, Symplocos, Ilex, Schima and Shorea robusta under relatively less cool and dry climatic condition with a little ameliorating trend at the upper column. The vegetation scenario implies poor growth of arboreals due to harsh abiotic dynamics causing changes in drainage system. Subsequently during 2970 to 1510 years BP, tropical mixed deciduous forest succeeded tree savannah with invasion of Shorea robusta, Lagerstroemia, Lannea, Semecarpus and Acacia under warm and humid climate. The gradual enrichment of organic soil might have been conducive for better growth of both deciduous and semi evergreen arboreals as found today. However, during 1510 to 540 years BP, the forest groves became more strengthened resulting establishment of tropical deciduous Sal forest. Steady increment of Shorea robusta along with Lannea, Lagerstroemia, Terminalia, Sapotaceae, Albizia and Adina was observed probably due to influence of active SW monsoon under increased warm and humid climatic regime. This is well substantiated by the consistent occurrence of marshy and aquatic taxa along with ferns and fungal remains. Finally during 540 years BP onward the reduced forest floristics have obviously been envisaged the change in climate which turned to warm and relatively dry probably attributable to the weak monsoon rainfall. The acceleration in human settlement during this phase is evidenced by Cerealia and by the increase of Melastoma, Ziziphus and Areca catechu implying forest clearance.

7 illus, 25 ref

006860   Gupta A;Das D P (Palaeontology Div, central Headquarters, Geological Survey of India, Kyd Street, Kolkata-700 016, Email: abir.gupta@hotmail.com) : Report of lystrosaurus cf. curvatus and L. cf. declivis from the early triassic panchet formation, Damodar valley, West Bengal, India and its implication. Indian J Geosci 2011, 65(2), 119-30.

In India, fossils of Lystrosaurus, a therapsid dicynodont genus, is known to occur only in the Early Triassic Panchet Formation of Raniganj Coalfield, Damodar Valley, West Bengal. The Panchet Lystrosaurus assemblage reported so far was dominated by L. murrayi and was unrepresented by L. curvatus and L. declivis. Recently, three crania, each occluded with its mandible, have been collected from the Panchet Formation. Comparative studies of the non-metric features and metric variables of the three crania reveal that two of these resemble L. curvatus and the third one is comparable with L. declivis. L. cf. curvatus described here is diagnosed by smoothly curved sagittal facial skull profile, lesser degree of snout deflection (<65°) and relatively narrower skull roof across the prefrontals and between the orbital margins in comparison to L. murrayi, L. maccaigi and L. declivis. The new find establishes that the three valid, diagnosable species of Lystrosaurus namely, L. murrayi, L. declivis and L. curvatus recognised in the Early Triassic of South Africa also existed in India and permits a better correlation of the Panchet Formation with the Katberg Formation and the upper part of the underlying Balfour Formation of the Karoo Basin of South Africa.

12 illus, 3 tables, 49 ref

005704   Sahay V K (NO, Maheshwari Mining Pvt. Ltd., Ramesh Nagar, New Delhi-110 015, Email: vinay.sahay@geologist.com) : Lower palaeogene palynology of western India: palaeoclimatic, palaeoecological and palaeogeographical implications. Indian J Geosci 2011, 65(3), 189-94.

Analysis of palynofossils from Panandhro, Lakhpat, Surat and Akli of western India provides deeper insights into the palaeoclimate, palaeoecology and palaeogeography prevailing therein during the Late Palaeocene and Early Eocene. This work is a synthesis of available data to bring out a regional picture. During the Lower Palaeogene tropical to sub-tropical, warm and humid climate with ample rainfall prevailed in these regions as indicated by the presence of Osmundaceae, Lycopodiaceae, Aracaceae, Bombacaceae, Concolvolaceae, Ctenolophonaceae, Gunneraceae, Olacaceae, Proteceae, Rhizophoraceae, Sapindaceae, Sapotaceae, Sonneratiaceae, Agavaceae, Palmae, Proteaceae, Caesalpiniaceae, Anacardiaceae, Sapotaceae, Juglandaceae, Moraceae, Polypodiaceae, Schizaeaceae, and Cyatheaceae families. Palaeoecology data suggest common occurrence of the freshwater swamp and water edge, forest, montane and mangrove (brackish water) floras in the region, whereas the palaeogeographical data suggest encroachment of sea in western India between Late Palaeocene and Early Eocene. Correlation of the palyno-ecological members of the studied regions suggests that low land members were present only in Panandhro and Lakhpat region.

3 illus, 2 tables, 11 ref

005703   Prasad S;De C (Palaeontology Div, Western Region, Geological Survey of India, 15-16 Jhalana Dungri, Jaipur-302 004) : Maiden palaeontological delineation of Pc-C boundary from peninsular proterozoic basin of Rajsthan, India. Indian J Geosci 2011, 65(3), 243-4.

1 illus, 8 ref

005702   De C;Prasad S (Palaeontology Div, Western Region, Geological Survey of India, 15-16 Jhalana Dungri, Jaipur-302 004) : Discovery of Vendian ediacaran fossil assemblage from the Marwar supergroup, Rajasthan, India. Indian J Geosci 2011, 65(3), 241-2.

1 illus, 4 ref

003569   Tiwari R P;Rajkonwar C;Lalchawimawii;Malsawma P L J;Ralte V Z;Patel S J (Geology Dep, Mizoram University, Aizawl-796 001, Email: rptmzu@rediffmail.com) : Trace fossils from Bhuban formation, Surma group (Lower to middle miocene) of Mizoram India and their palaeoenvironmental significance. J Earth Syst Sci 2011, 120(6), 1127-43.

A detailed ichnological study performed on the Bhuban Formation, Surma Group (Lower to Middle Miocene) of Mizoram, India reveals the occurrence of rich and diverse trace fossils. These have been collected from the two localities in Aizawl, i.e., Bawngkawn and Ropaiabawk, where sandstone-shale sequence is well exposed. Total 20 ichnospecies of 14 ichnogenera have been identified which include Arenicolites isp., Cochlichnus anguineus, Helminthopsis abeli, Laevicyclus mongraensis, Ophiomorpha borneensis, Palaeophycus tubularis, Palaeophycus heberti, Palaeophycus sulcatus, Palaeophycus alternatus, Pholeus abomasoformis, Pholeus bifurcatus, Planolites beverleyensis, Planolites annularis, Polykladichnus irregularis, Rhizocorallium isp., Skolithos linearis, Taenidium satanassi, Teichichnus rectus, Thalassinoides horizontalis and Thalassinoides paradoxicus. Ethologically these ichnogenera display dwelling and feeding activities of the infaunal organisms. Arenicolites, Ophiomorpha, Polykladichnus and Skolithos are the members of the Skolithos ichnofacies while Palaeophycus, Planolites, Rhizocorallium and Thalassinoides are the members of the Cruziana ichnofacies. The presence of Skolithos ichnofacies indicates sandy shifting substrate and high energy conditions in foreshore zone while the Cruziana ichnofacies indicate unconsolidated, poorly sorted soft substrate and low energy condition in the shoreface/offshore zone. These ichnogenera indicate foreshore to shoreface-offshore zone of shallow marine environment for the deposition of the rocks of the Bhuban Formation of Mizoram.

2 illus, 82 ref

003568   Srivastava A K;Agnihotri D (NO, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaecobotany, 53, University Road, Lucknow-226 007, Email: ashwinisrivastava@hotmail.com) : Upper Permian plant fossil assemblage of Bijori formation: a case study of Glossopteris flora beynd the limit of Raniganj formation. J Geol Soc India 2010, 76(1), 47-62.

Plant fossils collected from the Bijori Formation of Satpura Gondwana Basin are described in detail from the type locality as well as from other exposures. The assemblage is dominated by glossopterid remains with few specimens of pteridophyte of Glossopteris flora viz. Santhalea bansloiensis, Neomariopteris sp., Trizygia speciosa and 20 species of Glossopteris viz., G angustifolia, G searsoliensis, G tenuifolia, G surangei, G kamthiensis, G utkalensis, G syaldiensis, G sp. cf G zeilleri, G stricta, G bosei, G intermittens, G stenoneura, G gopadensis, G wilkinsonii, G ret(fera, G conspicua, G mohudaensis, 9- browniana, G communis, G indica, Vertebra ria indica, dispersed seeds of Cordaicarpusªtype and equisetalean axes with or without nodes and internodes. Bijori bed is correlated with the Raniganj Formation of Damodar Basin but present study indicates that floristically it is distinct. Plant fossils of Raniganj are represented by large size species of Glossopteris with fair representation of arthrophytes and ferns where as, Bijori Formation contains narrow shaped small sized species of Glossopteris and shows poor record of pteridophytes. It has been observed that the assemblage of Bijori is comparable with the plant fossil assemblages of non-coaliferous beds of Kamthi and Pachhwara Formations of Mahanadi, Wardha and Rajmahal Basins which are also considered younger than Raniganj Formation. The occurrence of different types of plant fossils beyond the limit of coal-bearing Raniganj Formation in Bijori, Kamthi and Pachhwara Formations signifies the c1osing chapter of Permian Glossopteris flora in Peninsular India with the continuation of some forms in the lower Triassic beds. The non- existence of Dicroidium-pinnule in present assemblage rules out its faithful association with the Triassic flora.

4 illus, 1 table, 60 ref

003567   Punekar J;Saraswati P K (Earth Sciences Dep, IIT Bombay, Mumbai-400 076, Email: pratul@iitb.ac.in) : Age of the Vastan Lignite in context of some oldest cenozoic fossil mammals from India. J Geol Soc India 2010, 76(1), 63-8.

A highly diverse assemblage of mammal and other continental vertebrate fossils is reported in recent years from Vastan lignite mine (21 °2547 N 73°0730 E). Its importance in testing palaeobiogeographic hypothesis of mammalian dispersal in to or out of India has necessitated a definite age of the sequence. Nummulites burdigalensis is the only age diagnostic foraminifer in the section. This species is widespread in the Indian sedimentary basins and used to mark Early Eocene strata. In the present study two subspecies of Nummulites burdigalensis, viz., Nummulites burdigalensis burdigalensis and Nummulites burdigalensis kuepperi, are distinguished which led to further biostratigraphic refinement. Their concurrence in the section implies basal Cuisian age and shallow benthic zone SBZ 10 (most likely the lower part). The examination of this species from Kutch indicates the occurrence of evolutionarily advanced subspecies Nummulites burdigalensis cantabricus of middle Cuisian age (SBZ 11). Contrary to some recent reports, the study rules out the occurrence of N. globulus or any other Ilerdian foraminifer from the mine section.

2 illus, 1 table, 18 ref

002303   Saraswat R;Deopujari A;Nigam R;Heniriques P J (Micropaleontology Laboratory, National Institute of Oceanography, Goa-403 004, Email: rsaraswat@nio.org) : Relationship between abundance and morphology of benthic foraminifera Epistominella exigua: paleoclimatic implications. J Geol Soc India 2011, 77(2), 190-6.

The relationship between abundance (relative as well as absolute abundance) and morphology (size of the shell, number of chambers and proloculus size) of benthic foraminifera Epistominella exigua has been studied in a core to understand the influence of changing environmental conditions on its morphology and distribution. A total of 50 samples from the top 100 cm section of a gravity core collected from the southern Bay of Bengal Fan were used. The changes in abundance of E. exigua match well with variation in average proloculus size of E. exigua. An opposite relationship however, is observed between the abundance and size of E. exigua shells. The higher abundance corresponds with smaller E. exigua shells. Similarly, the increased E. exigua abundance matches with a decrease in the number of chambers. The increased abundance of E. exigua shows favourable conditions for its growth and survival. Thus the study indicates that during favourable conditions, while the number of chambers in the shells and the size of the shells of E. exigua decreases, more number of specimens have a larger proloculus. Since asexual reproduction results in megalospheric specimens with larger proloculus, smaller size and less number of chambers, it is inferred that E. exigua prefers an asexual mode of reproduction during favorable conditions. The findings can be used to apply morphological characteristics of E. exigua as a proxy to infer past climatic conditions.

5 illus, 33 ref

001531   Sonar M A;Badve R M (NO, Government Institute of Science, Nipat Niranjan Nagar, Caves Road, Aurangabad-431 004, Email: drmohansonar@gmail.com) : Fossil catenicellid bryozoans from the holocene of the West Coast of Maharashtra. J Geol Soc India 2010, 76(3), 283-8.

Two species of fossil Catenicellid Bryozoa are described from Holocene sediments of the west coast of Maharashtra. Catenicella nagaonensis is reported as new species and the other Catenicella conteii (Audouin) has a cosmopolitan distribution. Catenicellid bryozoans withstand high current action and they are reported elsewhere from current-dominated settings. Along the West coast in certain localities such as Akshi, Nagaon, Chikhla, Sion and Revdanda these species occur in moderate percentage. Their occurrence suggests prevalence of fairly high current speed in the past. C. conteii is a typical tropical to warm water species occurring in the depth range of 18-25 m, indicating a shallow water origin for the shell limestones and black plastic muds.

3 illus, 21 ref

001530   Mukherjee D (Palaeontology Div 1, 15 A&B Kyd Street, Geological Survey of India, Kolkata-700 016, Email: debahuti.mukherjeegsi@gmail.com) : New record of plectoidothyris from the middle jurassic sequence of Jaislamer basin, Western India: implications on the easterly brachiopod migrations. J Geol Soc India 2010, 76(3), 267-74.

The Bathonian sediments of the Jaisalmer Basin, India host a terebratulide brachiopod Plectoidothyris which has been previously known from the Bajocian rocks of the Boreal Province. The sharp and prominent plication of the anterior commissure and increased length of costae separates the Jaisalmer specimens from other known species of the genus and the population represents an endemic species - Plectoidothyris jaisalmerensis. The population was only cursorily described earlier lacking in details of precise stratigraphic control and was wrongly assigned to a different genus. The present study is based on a large number of specimens from different localities with precise stratigraphic data, coupled with this some recent findings of time-diagnostic ammonites have helped determine the Plectoidothyris jaisalmerensis duration in the Jaisalmer Basin as the Late Bathonian. Presence of lower Jurassic Boreal brachiopod genera in the Middle Jurassic rocks of Ethiopian and Indo - Madagascan biogeographic provinces has been noticed earlier whereto Plectoidothyris is a new addition while it is also the first report of the genus from the Jurassic of India. The brachiopod migrations from the north to south of the Tethys provide evidences for opening of shallow water routes in the Tethyan seaway and are probably indicative of warmer water conditions in the Indo-Madagascan and African areas during the Middle Jurassic.

5 illus, 37 ref

001529   Mehrotra R C;Bera S K;Basumatary S K; Srivastava G (Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, 53 Road Univ, Lucknow-226 007, Email: rcmehrotra@yahoo.com) : Fossil wood from the middle-late miocene sediments of Dhemaji and Lakhimpur districts of Assam, India and its palaeoecological and palaeophytogeographical implications. J Earth Syst Sci 2011, 120(4), 681-701.

In order to reconstruct the palaeoclimate, a number of fossil wood pieces were collected and investigated from two new fossil localities situated in the Dhemaji and Lakhimpur districts of Assam. They belong to the Tipam Group considered to be of Middle-Late Miocene in age and show affinities with Gluta (Anacardiaceae), Bischofia (Euphorbiaceae), Bauhinia, Cynometra, Copaifera-Detarium-Sindora, Millettia-Pongamia, and Afzelia-Intsia (Fabaceae). The flora also records a new species of Bauhinia named Bauhinia miocenica sp. nov. The assemblage indicates a warm and humid climate in the region during the deposition of the sediments. The occurrence of some southeast Asian elements in the fossil flora indicates that an exchange of floral elements took place between India and southeast Asia during the Miocene.

10 illus, 2 tables, 101 ref

001528   Jha N;Aggarwal N (Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, 53 Road Univ, Lucknow-226 007, Email: neerajajha@yahoo.co.uk) : Palynological correlation of caol-bearing horizons in Gundala area, Godavari Graben, India. J Earth Syst Sci 2011, 120(4), 663-79.

The distributional pattern of various palynotaxa in the coal bearing sediments recovered from six borecores (MLG-23, MLG-24, MLG-28, SGK-2, SGK-3 and SGK-4) in Gundala area of Godavari Graben has suggested occurrence of five distinct palynoassemblages: Palynoassemblage-A marked in borecore MLG-23 shows dominance of monosaccates chiefly Parasaccites along with Plicatipollenites, Cahenia-saccites, Divarisaccus, and Potonieisporites, represents Talchir palynoflora; Palynoassemblage-B characterized by dominance of radial monosaccates chiefly Parasaccites along with trilete taxa Callumispora in borecores MLG-23 and MLG-24, corresponds to Lower Karharbari palynoflora; Palynoassemblage-C distinguished in borecores MLG-24, MLG-28, SGK-2, SGK-3 and SGK-4 is marked by dominance of radial monosaccates mainly Parasaccites along with nonstriate disaccate Scheuringipollenites, represents Upper Karharbari palynoflora; Palynoassemblage-D in borecores MLG-23, MLG-24 and MLG-28 demarcated by dominance of nonstriate disaccates chiefly Scheuringipollenites, Ibisporites along with sub-dominance of few striate disaccates, viz., Faunipollenites, Striatopodocarpites, Crescentipollenites and Striatites signifies Barakar palynoflora; the youngest, Palynoassemblage-E identified in borecores MLG-24 and MLG-28 shows dominance of striate disaccates, viz., Striatopodocarpites and Faunipollenites in conjunction with Strotersporites, Crescentipollenites, Hamiapollenites, Corisaccites, Weylandites and Falcisporites. This palynoassemblage also shows the appearance of some stratigraphically significant paly-nomorphs, viz., Lunatisporites, Lundbladispora, Playfordiaspora, Klausipollenites, Kamthisaccites, Gut-tulapollenites and Crustaesporites symbolizing Late Permian Raniganj palynoflora. Almost a complete palynological succession from Talchir to Raniganj has been demarcated in Lower Gondwana succession of Gundala area.

2 illus, 7 tables, 30 ref

001527   Bera M K;Bhattacharya K;Sarkar A;Samanta A; Kishor Kumar;Sahni A (Geology & Geophysics Dep, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur-721 302, Email: anindya@gg.iitkgp.ernet.in) : Oxygen isotope analysis of bone and tooth enamel phosphate from paleogene sediments: experimental techniques and initial results. J Geol Soc India 2010, 76(3), 275-82.

Oxygen isotope composition (δ¹⁸O) of fossil bone and tooth enamel phosphate (bioapatite) is an important tool for estimating the isotopic composition of past environmental water. Lack of analytical facility was a hindrance for studying such bioapatites in spite of large number of fossil materials reported from various geological ages in India. We have established in our laboratory, based on available methods, the chemical procedure for extraction of very small amount (<60>1000 μg) PO<4>3^-3 from bioapatite and on-line mass spectrometric measurement of its δ¹⁸O composition by high temperature (<126>1450 °C) pyrolysis. The achieved precision is <126>± 0.3%₀ similar to obtained elsewhere, with interlaboratory calibration showing excellent agreement of standard phosphates. Inferred δ¹⁸O values of environmental water, based on the analysis of teeth and bones of sharks, fish and terrestrial mammals from the Paleogene successions of the northwest sub-Himalayan and the Peninsular India show strong correspondence with animal habitats. The freshwater δ¹⁸O values are much depleted having range similar to modern monsoon precipitation. However, owing to our small dataset it is not possible at this stage to infer about the existence of monsoon over the Indian sub-continent during the Eocene-Oligocene time.

4 illus, 2 tables, 43 ref

000435   Chauhan M S;Quamar M F (NO, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, Lucknow-226 007, Email: mschauhan_2000@yahoo.com) : Vegetation and climate change in Southeastern Madhya Pradesh during late holocene, based on pollen evidence. J Geol Soc India 2010, 76(2), 143-50.

Pollen analysis of 2 m deep sediment core from Kiktiha swamp, Shahdol district has revealed that between 1600 and 700 yr BP, tropical deciduous Sal forests comprising Shorea robusta (Sal), Madhuca indica, Terminalia, Lagerstroemia, Aegle marmelos flourished in the region under a warm and moist climate. Between 700 and 300 yr BP the deciduous Sal forests were succeeded by mixed deciduous forests, which turned sparse and less diversified, reflecting a relatively less moist climate attributed to the weak SW monsoon. The unfavourable climate also adversely affected the agricultural practice as evidenced from the diminution of Cerealia and other culture taxa. Since 300 yr BP onwards the modern deciduous Sal forests were re-established with the timely arrival of active SW monsoon. The increase in Cerealia and culture taxa indicates agricultural prosperity.

4 illus, 1 table, 15 ref

025895   Pokharia A K;Kharakwal J S;Rawat R S;Osada T; Nautiyal C M;Srivastava A (Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, 53 Road Univ, Lucknow-226 007, Email: pokharia.anil@gmail.com) : Archaeobotany and archaeology at kanmer, a harappan site in Kachchh, Gujarat: evidence for adaptation in response to climatic variability. Curr Sci 2011, 100(12), 1833-46.

Understanding the interplay between subsistence strategies and settlement patterns is fundamental for elucidation of past economical and cultural changes. Gujarat, on the periphery of the Harappan universe, has distinct regional traditions, including material culture displaying an independent style with the local indigenous hunter and food-gathering communities. Long traditions of the Harappan influence are documented at a number of sites, whose material culture and town planning are similar to those of the Indus Valley Civilization. Thus, Gujarat stands as an important region for understanding larger spheres of interaction during the Harappan period. Two agricultural strategies can be identified at Kanmer, one is based on rabi crops on which the Harappan Civilization was founded, and the second by the addition of kharif crops. This article presents the constant but more gradual change seen in the subsistence system and at the same time supports hypotheses concerning Harappan subsistence in the northwestern region on one hand, and the potential for new subsistence models, particularly in Gujarat, on the other.

5 illus, 4 tables, 71 ref

024838   Ranhotra P S;Kar R (Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, 53 Road Univ, Lucknow-226 007, Email: ratankar@yahoo.com ) : Palynological study of glacio-geomorphic features and its relevance to quaternary palaeoclimate and glacial history. Curr Sci 2011, 100(5), 641-7.

Palynological studies have provided a good overview of the palaeovegetational and palaeoclimatic scenario of the Indian subcontinent. However, little has been explored in this regard from the glaciated sites of the Himalayan region. In recent years, some palynological data have been generated from a few glaciated sites of Western Himalaya and it has been found that other than palaeoclimatic reconstruction, spores-pollen can be used as an important parameter to know the possible extent of the glaciers during Late Quaternary. Glacier dynamics plays an important role in carving and consequent modification of the various geomorphic features, which are the characteristic of various stages of glacial fluctuations. Because the distribution of spores-pollen of the type vegetation is ubiquitous, collection of subsurface sediments from the depositional geomorphic features, for palynological study as well as dating, is important to get the chronological history of various glacial stages.

5 illus, 1 table, 21 ref

024837   Gupta A (NO, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, 53 University Road, Lucknow-226 007) : European Cryptothallus mirabilis v. Malmb. matured in India-its morphological and LM & SEM palynological studies, with comments on utility for modern and fossil studies. Curr Sci 2010, 99(8), 1116-20.

The communication provides an account of the Scottish Cryptothallus mirabilis - a unique, non-chlorophyllous thalloid bryophyte which grows hidden underneath the ground layer. The studied plants were immature during collection, but have successfully matured in India under the artificial conditions. Plants show unbranched-branched fleshy thalli and enlarged calyptra which protects the sporophyte. Palynological studies has shown that spores remain adherent in their tetrad after maturity, crytopolar type, showing irregularly reticulate sculpturing at exposed surface (i.e. distal), which under SEM exhibits double ornamentation. This taxon is widely distributed but the extent of distribution is not certain due to subterranean habit. The present study will be useful in both modern and fossil studies.

2 illus 31 ref

023663   Verma P;Rao M R (Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, 53 Road Univ, Lucknow-226 007, Email: rao.mr2008@gmail.com ) : Climatic fluctuations during holocene in kusumelli swamp, central narmada valley, India. Curr Sci 2010, 99(11), 1516-18.

^ssc2 illus, 21 ref

023662   Singh S;Kar R;Khandelwal A (NO, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, 53, Road Univ, Lucknow-226 007, Email: spsp2226@yahoo.co.in) : Impact of modern pollen rain studies from south and little Andaman Islands, India, to interpret present and past vegetation. Curr Sci 2010, 99(9), 1251-6.

Studies on modern pollen deposition are important for understanding the relationship between pollen assemblages and the vegetation from which they are derived. In the present study, 30 surface samples collected from different sites of South and Little Andaman Islands were palynologically analysed to determine the composition of pollen deposited on the surface sediments. Samples from South Andaman Island reveal an overall dominance of core mangrove pollen, which is compatible with the present-day vegetation in the area. The Little Andaman pollen record shows a dominance of peripheral mangroves from inhabitated areas and reflects the degradation of core mangroves due to anthropogenic activities.

1 illus. 16 ref

023661   Milankumar Sharma K;Patnaik R (Centre of Advance Study in Geology, Panjab Univ, Chandigarh-160 014) : Coprolites from the lower miocene baripada beds of Orissa. Curr Sci 2010, 99(6), 804-08.

Coprolites or fossilized faecal matter occur rarely and are considered to be good indicators of diet of ancient animals and depositional environments. Reports here several coprolites from the Lower Miocene Bari-pada Beds in Mayurbhanj District, Orissa. Most of the coprolites that we collected are characterized by their teardrop, ovoid, cylindrical and spindle shapes. The sizes and shapes of these coprolites combined with fish teeth inclusion in some of them strongly point towards a crocodilian source.

3 illus, 44 ref

023660   Humane S K;Bokade P R;Humane S S;Wankhade A S (Postgraduate Geology Dep, Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur Univ, R.B.D. Laxminarayan Campus, Law College Square, Nagpur-440 001, Email: sumedh.humane@gmail.com) : Trophic status and ecological studies of the azbazari lake, Nagpur, Maharashtra, based on sedimentary diatoms. Curr Sci 2010, 99(6), 816-22.

The fossil diatoms and geochemistry of the lake water and sediments of Ambazari Lake, Nagpur were studied. The diatoms assemblages with the characteristics of different salinity regimes and pH have been identified and grouped from the bottom (unit I) to the top (unit III) of the core. Units I-III indicate that the diatom assemblages existed in the distant past. Whereas unit IV (sediments of the grab and top of the core) represents diatoms assemblages from recent time. The diatoms and sedimentary phosphate from the core suggest that the Ambazari Lake was alkaline to circum-neutral and oligotrophic during the past few decades and has transformed to eutrophic conditions in the present time.

8 illus, 3 tables, 11 ref

024776   Gaitan Vaz G (NO, Operations East Coast II, Marine Wing, Geological Survey of India, 41, Kirlampudi Layout, Visakhapatnam-530 017) : Age of relict coral reef from the continental shelf off Karaikal, Bay of Bengal : evidence of last Glacial maximum. Curr Sci 2000, 79(2), 228-30.

Coral Acropora sp. collected from the relict coral reef at -125 m depth off Karaikal, Bay of Bengal yielded a radiocarbon age of 18390 ± 220 yr BP. The depth of occurrence of relict coral reef and its age attest to the lowest sea-level position of the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). It is inferred that in the eastern continental shelf of India, the sea-level rose at the rate of 4.61 m/kyr, since the LGM until about 11000 yr BP.

25 ref

023667   Shukla J K;Chauhan A;Kasera P K;Mohammed S; Chawan D D (Laboratory of Plant Ecology, Department of Botany, Jai Narain Vyas University, Jodhpur-342 001) : Seed variability in Prosopis cineraria collected from different localities of Indian desert. Sci Cult 2000, 66(3-4), 163-4.

^ssc15 ref

023666   Sarkar S (NO, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, 53, University Road, Lucknow-226 007) : Occurrence of algal zygospore Debarya (Zygnemataceae) from miocene rocks of western Nepal. Sci Cult 2000, 66(3-4), 157-8.

^ssc

020327   Tewari V C (NO, Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehra Dun-248 001) : Vendotaenids : earliest megascopic multicellular algae on earch. Geosci J 1999, 20(1), 77-85.

Vendotaenids are the oldest multicellular megascopic brown algae recorded in the early history of evolution of plant life on planet Earth. The morphological characteristics of Vendotaenids, its global distribution, genetic, biochemical, isotopic and palaeoecological aspects have been described. The Vendotaenids are quite significant in understanding the evolution of uni to multicellular algae on Earth. Possible occurrence of stromatolites and algae on Mars is also discussed.

29 ref