019092   Prasad G V R;Sahni A (PG Department of Geology, University of Jammu, Jammu-180 006) : Were there size constraints on biotic exchanges during the northward drift of the Indian plate?. Proc Indian Natn Sci Acad-Pt A 1999, 65(3), 377-96.

Contrary to the geophysical data, which envisaged a long period (about 100 Ma) of physical isolation for the Indian subcontinent during its northward journey, the palaeontological data from the Upper Cretaceous continental sequences (Deccan infra - and inter - trapean) of peninsular India unequivocally demonstrate the nonendemic nature of the biota with close biogeographic links to the southern as well as northern hemisphere continents. The Myobatrachinae frogs, pelomedusid turtles, titanosaurid and abelisaurid dinosaurs, and Sudamericidae mammals exhibit distinct Gondwanan relationships. In marked contrast, the pelobatid and discoglossid frogs, anguid lizards, alligatorid crocodiles, palaeoryctid mammals, ostracodes, and charophytes indicate Laurasian connection. The Gondwanan taxa have been considered as representing and immigration event before 80 Ma (time of separation of Madasascar from India) and possibly between 85-90 Ma that facilitated the exchange of fauna between South America and Indo-Madagascar via Antarctica and kerguelen Plateau. As far as the Laurasian connection is concerned, it has been shown that the size of organisms has a significant control on the biotic exchanges between the Indian subcontinent and the Laurasian landmasses. Only small-sized taxa could participate in the northern biotic interchanges through filter corridor/sweepstakes mode of dispersal involving the trans-Himalayan Arc,

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019091   Dhopte A M;Suradkar A T (NO, P.G. Institute, Dr. PDKV, Akola) : Physiological responses of soybean to foliar sprays of hormones and nutrients in relation to fertilizer economy. Ann Pl Physiol 1998, 12(2), 136-43.

Field experiment has been conducted during kharif 1995-96 on soybean in RBD to study the effect of hormones (GA & NAA; 20 ppm) and nutrients (KH2PO4, KNO3, ZnSO4 & (NH4)2NO3; 0.5% each) sprayed alone and in combination with half recommended dose of fertilizer as against full recommended (30 N 75 P kg/ha) as control. Various contrasting comparisons were made within twelve treatments. Studies revealed that half dose of fertilizer reduced yield by 8.21% over full dose by reducing stomatal index, but it did not have any effect on RWC, LAR & NAR. The DMP, Chlorophyll and root nodule number remained unaffected. It reduced seed number (13.4%), pod number (26.8%). Within hormones, NAA was more effective than GA for most of the traits. A combination of NAA + ZnSO4 and NAA + KNO3 yielded highest by 9% over full recommended dose under 1/2 dose of fertilizer. It can be concluded that half dose of fertilizer can be saved with foliar nutrition and hormones applied in combination with cost effectiveness. The B:C ratio of these treatments was 1.52. The NAA sprays being cheaper than GA can be recommended either with ZnSO4, KNO3, ZnSO4 & (NH4)2NO3 for maximum returns (22 g/ha) as against full recommended dose (20 g/ha) with similar cost effectiveness.

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019090   Chatterjee S;Scotese C R (NO, Museum of Texas Tech University, Box 43191, Lubbock, TX 79409-3191) : Breakup of gondwana and the evolution and biogegraphy of the Indian plate. Proc Indian Natn Sci Acad-Pt A 1999, 65(3), 397-425.

Palaeopositions of India after is breakup from Gondwana and its subsequent northward journey during the Mesozoic and Early Palaeogene pose many plate tectonics and palaeobiogeographic riddles. Most reconstructions show peninsular India separating from Gondwana, and remaining an island continent for more than 100 million years until it collided with Asia. However, the lack of endemism among Indian Cretaceous terrestrial vertebrates is clearly inconsistent with the island continent hypothesis. A new model for the tectonic evolution of the Indian plate from its Pangean origin to the present day is proposed that is well constrained by geological and geophysical evidence. In this model, a previously unrecognized land area, called Greater Somalia, occupied the position between eastern Arabia and northwestern India. During the Late Jurassic, India rifted away from Greater Somalia. Throughout most of the Cretaceous India was separated from the rest of Gondwana but in the latest Cretaceous it reestablished contact with Africa through Greater Somalia. India maintained contact until the Eocene Period when it collieded with Asia. Based on this plate tectonic model, 14 new paleogeographic maps are presented showing the evolution of the Indian plate from its Pangean origin to its final union with Asia. An area cladogram identifies the 11 nodes of hierarchial tectonic evolution of the Indian plate during the last 250 million years.

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019089   Bonaparte J F (Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales, , Conicet Avda A Gallardo 471-1405 Buenos Aires) : Tetrapod faunas from south America and India : a palaeobiogeographic interpretation. Proc Indian Natn Sci Acad-Pt A 1999, 65(3), 427-37.

Faunal relationships of the continental tetrapods of India and South America are the results of the presence of the "Gondwanian Cretaceous Fauna" on most of the Gondwanian continents, and whose identify persisted until the Late Cretaceous. With that objective, the Late Cretaceous families from India are briefly reviewed. Six families of gondwanian tetrapods are recognized in India: Boidae, Pelomedusidae, Ablisauridae. Titanosauridae, Nodosauridae and Sudamericidae, along with three families of Laurasian origin : pelobatidae, Discoglossidae, and Palaeoryctidae. The resulting analysis suggest that 66% of the Cretaceous families of Late Cretaceous tetrapods from India are present in South America. It is recognized that the marine barrier between Madagascar - India and Mainland Africa probably did not prevent the faunal flux between such landmasses. The supposed affinities of the Morrison and Tendaguru dinosaurs faunas are discussed. It is concluded that tha Late Jurassic fauna of Tendaguru would represent the first sample of the Gondwanian fauna, resulting from the palaeobiogeographical isolation between Laurasia and Gondwana, possibly established in the Early Jurassic.

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019088   Bandyopadhyay S (Geological Studies Unit, Indian Statistical Institute, 203 B T Road, Calcutta-700 035) : Gondwana vertebrate faunas of India. Proc Indian Natn Sci Acad-Pt A 1999, 65(3), 285-313.

Gondwana vertebrate faunas of India are less well known compared to their contemporary plant assemblage. The fossils, known from several localities of Permian, Triassic and Jurassic age show significant close relationships with those found in other parts of world, both from erstwhile Laurasia and Gondwana. A survey shows that they are the representative of worldwide vertebrate faunas that lived across the far reaches of the great Pangaean supercontinent. Nine vertebrate faunal horizons have been recorded in the Indian Gondwana. In addition, there are several isolated localities represented by solitary members. Some of the vertebrates have long been known, but others have come to light within recent years. A reassessment of the already known animals together with the new discoveries in India as well as in other parts of the world brings out many aspects of palaeobiogeography, palaeoclimate as well as stratigraphic correlation. The Gondwana vertebrates clearly show that India was in an integral part of Pangaea from Permian to the end of middle Jurassic.

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019087   Rich T H;Vickers-Rich P (Museum of Victoria, , PO Box 666 E, Melbourne, Vicotria-3001) : Palaeobiogeographic implications of early Cretaceous Australian placental mammals. Proc Indian Natn Sci Acad-Pt A 1999, 65(3), 315-27.

Placental mammals orginated in Asia in the Early Cretaceous and first reached the Gondwana continents about the end of the Cretaceous. A few tiny jaws of what appear to be placental mammals found in the Early Cretaceous of Australia suggest a radically different intepretation foreshadowed by Lillegraven et al namely that placentals may have arisen anywhere on, the earth's dry surface.

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018224   Valdiya K S;Rajagopalan G;Nanda A C;Suresh G C;Upendra T (NO, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Jakkur, Bangalore-560 064) : Neotectonic lake and vertebrate fossils in Hemavati catchment, Hassan district, Karnataka. J Geol Soc India 2000, 55(3), 229-37.

Neotectonic reactivation of an ancient shear zone as active faults in the upper catchment of the Hemavati River caused ponding of a petty stream, resulting in the formation of a more than 10 km long lake. Carbonaceous clay and mud characterized by abundant calcareous concretions including rhizocretions represent the lake that originated nearly 14 kg ago and dried up about 1300 yr B.P. In the upper 2-m sequence of the lake sediments were found remains of vertebrate animals which lived near the swamp in the terrain experiencing conditions of increasing dryness in the environment. The fragmentary nature of the fossils does not allow generic identification of the animals belonging to the Family Bovidae.

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018223   Antal J S;Prasad M;Khare E G (NO, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, 53 University Road, Lucknow-226 007) : In situ fossil wood of dipterocarpus gaertn, in Himalayan foot-hills of Darjeeling district, West Bengal, India. Biol Memo 1999, 25(1), 25-8.

A fossil wood showing close resemblance with modern Dipterocarpus gracilis of the family Dipterocarpaceae has been recorded from the Middle Siwalik sediments of Ghish River section near Oodlabari in Darjeeling District, West Bengal, India. This is the first record of a dipterocarpaceous wood in the Siwalik sediments of Darjeeling District, West Bengal. The extant species is a typical evergreen taxon confined to the Malayan region. The presence of this taxon in the Siwalik sediments of West Bengal is phytogeographically significant and suggests the prevalence of warm humid climate during deposition of the Siwalik sedimens in this region.

014942   Prasad V;Sarkar S (NO, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, 53 University Road, Lucknow-226 007) : Palaeoenvironmental significance of Botryococcus (chlorococcales) in the Subathu formation of Jammu and Kashmir, India. Curr Sci 2000, 78(6), 682-5.

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013997   Verma B C;Mishra V P;Mishra A;Uttam Kumar (NO, Geological Survey of India, Lucknow-226 024) : Discovery of early quarternary vertebrate fossils beneath the Ganga river bed at Bhagalpur, Bihar; their age and biostratigraphic implications. J Palaeont Soc India 1998, 43, 35-40.

Major breakthrough has been made in unravelling the prehistoric biotic life and its age in the Gangetic plain with the discovery of a large number of vertebrate fossils in excavations for a bridge over the Ganga river at Bhagalpur in Bihar. The fossil material was recovered from a depth of 33 to 52 m below the present river bed and represents and extinct fauna which inhabited the area before the advent of the Great Ice Age. The faunal assemblage consisting forms like Elephas hysudricus, Stegodon insignis, Equus sp. cf. E. sivalensis, Hexaprotodon sp. cf. H. sivalensis, etc. has Pinjorian affinity and indicate Lower Pleistocene age.

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013996   Srivastava S C;Jha N (NO, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, Lucknow-226 007) : Palynology of lower Gondwana sediments in the Bhopalpalli area, Godavari graben. J Palaeont Soc India 1998, 43, 41-8.

Palynoflora recovered from 360 m thick sequence of bore core GJ-6 from Bhopalpalli area of Mulug coal belt is divided into three distinct palynoassemblages. Assemblage-1 dominated by Scheuringipollenites shows Lower Barakar (Early Permian) affinity. Occurrence of some taxa viz., Vitreisporites, Falcisporites, Lunatisporites, Corisaccites, Guttulapollenites, Gondisporites, Verticipollenites, Hindipollenites, Densipollenites and Weylandites along with dominance of striate disaccates in Assemblages II and III indicate Raniganj (Late Permian) affinity. High incidence of Parasaccites alongwith striate disaccates in Assemblage III suggests that the climate towards the end of the Permian time tended to become colder. This evidence supports the contention of a third glacial phase during the Late Permian/Early Triassic (Panchet Stage).

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013995   Sharma M;Shukla M (NO, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, 53, University Road, Lucknow-226 007) : Microstructure and microfabric studies of palaeoproterozoic small digitate stromatolites (ministromatolites) from the vempalle formation, Cuddapah supergroup, India. J Palaeont Soc India 1998, 43, 89-100.

Small digitate stromatolites (5-20 mm long) are present in carbonate units of the lower parts of the Vempalle Formation (Papaghani Group) of the Cuddapah Supergroup in Kadiri region, Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh. The stromatolites are columnar and generally branched, slightly dendritic or umbellate, often without wall structure, and are mostly silicified (secondary silicification). Two origins for the distinctive microstructure and microfabric have been discussed. The stromatolites have been interpreted as having a biogenic origin in which the microstructure of the stromatolite corresponds to the regular banded type. The microstructure is composed of dark lamellae of microbial mat and coarser light lamellae representing less pigmented portions of the microbial mats and consisting largely of precipitated carbonate minerals. Densely pigmented lamellae are microcrenuate. The fabric consists of almost parallel radial fibres that intersect the light and dark lamellae. Alternatively, the growth of radial fabric may be attributed entirely to chemogenic processes resulting from radial growth formed at an early stage of stromatolite formation. These stromatolites are considered to be formed in a peritidal environment in a shallowing upward sequence as represented by intraformational brecciated carbonate laminae and underlying oolites. This association may be one of the reasons for their smaller size....

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013994   Rachna Raj;Chamyal L S (Department of Geology, M.S. University of Baroda, Baroda-390 002) : Microfauna from a middle holocene terrace, lower Mahi valley, Western India. J Palaeont Soc India 1998, 43, 59-71.

Unpaired valley fill terraces, provide data set in support of the evolution of the Lower Mahi valley. The sediments of the Kothiyakhad section comprising alternate units of muds/clays and silty-sands have yielded a good population of foraminiferids and fresh water ostracods, indicating their deposition in an estuarine environment. A total of 25 genera of foraminiferids from the mud units and 3 genera of ostracods from the silty-sand units have been identified. The Kothiyakhad section has been considered to be one of the type sections for Mid to Late Holocene palaeoenvironmental changes in western India.

013993   Pant C C;Goswami P K (Department of Geology, Kumaun University, Nainital-263 002) : Lithofacies analysis of the lariakantha quartzite and its implication on the genesis of the Blaini formation, Kumaun lesser himalaya. J Palaeont Soc India 1998, 43, 23-34.

Lariakantha Quartzite Member of the Blaini Formation around Nainital region comprises mainly fine to coarse grained quartz arenite with subordinate siltstone, shale and pebbly sandstone. Four major lithofacies are identified and assigned to specific depositional environments. These are fine to medium grained cross-bedded quartz wacke interbedded with silty shale (Lithofacies A), cross-bedded pebbly quartz arenite (Lithofacies B), massive to parallel laminated quartz arenite (Lithofacies C), ripple cross-laminated quartz arenite interbedded with silty shale (Lithofacies D). The vertical and lateral association of the lithofacies and dispersal pattern of these rocks suggest that the Lariakantha Quartzite represents of progradational sequence. The sedimentation took place in high energy environments; storm dominated lower to middle shoreface (Lithofacies A), subtidal longshore bars (Lithofacies B), tide-wave dominated beachface (Lithofacies D) and intertidal mixed flat and tidal channel environment (Lithofacies D).

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013992   Maithy P K (NO, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, Lucknow-226 007) : Morphotaxonomic re-evaluation of gangamopteris(?) buriadica Feistmantel. J Palaeont Soc India 1998, 43, 85-8.

Re-examination of the specimens of Gangamoptris (?) buriadica Feistmantel reported from Karharbari Formation of the Giridih Coalfield suggests that its inclusion in the genus Gangamopteris is doubtful. In its venation pattern, the form seems closely akin to Noeggerathiopsis Feistmantel, but it differs in the presence of interconnections between the erect, spreading veins forming elongate-narrow meshes. Considering this, a new generic name Karharbariphyllum is proposed to accommodate the leaves with mixed morphologicalcharacters of Noeggerathiopsis and Gangamopteris.

013991   Jauhri A K (Department of Geology, University of Lucknow, Lucknow) : Miscellanea Pfender, 1935 (foraminiferida) from the south Shilong region, N.E. India. J Palaeont Soc India 1998, 43, 73-83.

Miscellanea assemblage in the Shillong region shows presence of some species (they are referable to M. yvettae Leppig and M. juliettae Leppig reported previously from the Wester Tethys - Spain, France, Yugoslavia and Turkey) besides the generotype, M. miscella (d'Archiac & Haime) common in the Middle East and the Eastern Tethyan area. The occurrence of the European species in the studied area is found to correspond to the Glomalveolina primaeva and G. levis zones (Thanetian) of the Mediterranean region and predates the appearance of M. miscella which occurs in the Shillong succession at a younger stratigraphic level corresponding to the Alveolina vredenburgi zone (Early Ilerdian). The report extends the distribution of the early Miscellanea species from Europe and discusses the biostratigraphical significance of the early as well as the younger species of the genus. An attempt is also made to point out the relevance of their distribution to the effectiveness of ecological barrier which led to the separation of western Tethyan faunas from those of eastern Tethys in the Ilerdian.

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013990   Jain S (Department of Geology, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur-302 004) : On some new discoveries of subfamily bullatimorphitinae from the lower chari formation of Kachchh, western India. J Palaeont Soc India 1998, 43, 107-18.

New Microconch species of B. (B.) densicostatum is described and illustrated from the Lower Chari Formation in the Jumara Dome, Kachchh, western India. Other occurrences of the species of subfamily Bullatimorphitinae in Kachchh are also discussed and a brief biostratigraphic review of the Patcham Formation in the Jumara Dome is provided.

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013989   Hussain S M (Department of Geology, University of Madras, A.C. College Campus, Madras-600 025) : Recent benthic ostracoda from the Gulf of Mannar, off tuticorin, southeast coast of India. J Palaeont Soc India 1998, 43, 1-22.

Systematic study of South Indian east coast Ostracoda was made, based on 48 bottom sediment samples collected over a year from the inner shelf off Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu. A total of 43 species belonging to 34 genera were identified and described. Of these 43 species, 2 belong to Platycopina while the rest are Podocopina. Seven species are recorded for the first time from the Indian waters. Overall, the fauna shows a close similarity to other ostracod assemblages of the Indo-Pacific region. From the occurrence of a greater number of carapaces than open valves, a relatively faster rate of sedimentation is assumed for the study area.

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013988   Garg R;Singh S K;Mandwal N (NO, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, 53, University Road, Lucknow-226 007) : New species of the marker chrysalidinid foraminifer riyadhella from the upper jurassic of Jaisalmer, Western India. J Palaeont Soc India 1998, 43, 101-6.

New species Riyadhella redmondi is created to accommodate the youngest species in the lineage of marker Middle-Late Jurassic chrysalidinid foraminiferal genus Riyadhella Redmond (1965) recovered from the Rupsi Shale of Jaisalmer, western India. Kimmeridgian age has been assigned to the new species in view of its association with age-diagnostic ammonite assemblage of Torquatisphinctes-Pachysphincte.

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013987   Biswas S;Sonakia A (Palaeontology Division, Geological Survey of India, Nagpur-440 006) : Femur of bird from the upper pleistocene deposits of the son valley in central India. J Palaeont Soc India 1998, 43, 119-20.

Left femur of a bird comparable to that of vulture is recorded from the alluvial deposits of the Son Valley in Central India. The specimen has been found in association with mammalian fossils of the Late Pleistocene age.

013986   Bhargava O N;Bassi U K (NO, , 529, Sector 18-B, Chandigarh) : Proterozoic stromatolitic reefs: possible examples from the Himachal Himalaya. J Palaeont Soc India 1998, 43, 49-58.

Proterozoic stromatolite carbonate bodies in the Himachal Himalaya form relief and show evidences of wave-resistant structure and early cementation. The microfacies present include boundstone, rudstone, packstone, grainstone (rare) grapestone (rare) and mudstone. These attributes are comparable with those of Phanerozoic Reefs. Future work should document the distribution, size, shape, microfacies and microbiotas of these stromatolite bodies.

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004465   Kulkarni K G;Borkar V D (NO, Agharkar Research Institute, G G Agarkar Road, Pune-411 004) : Record of a nesting burrow from the Badhaura formation (Permian), Rajasthan. Curr Sci 1999, 77(5), 641-2.

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003341   Vijaya (NO, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, 53, University Road, Lucknow-226 007) : Benchmark permian-triassic Palyno-events in peninsular India and northwest Tethys Himalaya. J Palaeont Soc India 1997, 42, 117-26.

This contribution provides a synthesis of the recent knowledge about Late Palaeozoic and Early Mesozoic palynological events, primarily in terrestrial sequences on peninsular India and their comparison with correlative Tethyan Himalaya sequences. A detailed evaluation of spore-pollen changes suggests that a continuous continental vegetation influence is represented in the marine domain. Interest in the two regions is aroused by the recognition of similar. Palyno-events, and the identification of the Striatopodocarpites-Crescentipollenites (SC) and Striatopodocarpites-Krem-pipollenites (SK) palynozones, which are characteristic of the transition of Permian-Triassic boundary on Indian peninsula, and which have also been found in the Shal-Shal section of the Niti area, and the Lingti Hill section of Spiti area in Tethys Himalaya. This benchmark event confirms a pronounced encroachment of Indian Gondwana vegetation on to the sourthern region of Tethyan deposits during Late Palaeozoic-Early Mesozoic time. The Tethys Himalayan sequences which cross the Late Palaeozoic-Early Mesozoic transition, are significant for several sedimentary and tectonic cycles as well as other events, but this particular palynostratigraphic event is significant because of the ability to correlate it to terrestrail deposits.

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003340   Vibhuti Rai;Singh A K;Mridul Kumar;Gautam R (Geology Department, Lucknow University, Lucknow-226 007) : Discovery of trace fossils from the Tons valley section of Dharagad Group (?mesoproterozoic), Inner Sedimentary Belt, Lesser Himalaya, India. J Palaeont Soc India 1997, 42, 71-80.

Tracefossil discovery is being made from a siliciclastic sequence, which is interbedded with the Dharagad Group of Inner Sedimentary Belt of the Lessar Himalaya. The report carries significance as major modifications need to be made to the stratigraphy to accommodate these discoveries. The ichno-assemblage includes Skolithos, ? Fucusopsis, a tri-radially symmetrical impression and three indeterminate forms. A ?brachiopod/bivalve impression was also found. The assemblage indicates a late Vendian to early Cambrian age for the horizon yielding trace fossils. A possible geological evolution of the area is also presented.

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003339   Tripathi A;Vijaya (NO, Birbal Sahni Institute of Plalaeobotany, 53, University Road, Lucknow-226 007) : Biostratigraphic age-determination of Sriperumbudur formation in borehole PBSD-1, Palar Basin, Tamil Nadu : a reassessment. J Palaeont Soc India 1997, 42, 101-15.

In Oragadam sub-basin of Polar basin, palynostratigraphic study in Borehole PBSD-1 has been taken-up to determine the biostratigraphic age for the sediaments grouped as Sriperumbudur Formation, and underlying Talchir Formation. Palynoassemblages recovered between the depths 26.00 to 526.50 m contains dominance of Callialasporites-Araucariacites with onset of Callialasporites at 539.00 m depth. FAD of Cicatricosisporites australieneses, C. ludbrookiae at 248.00 m depth deciphers a precise placement in the Mesozoic palynosequence, i.e., at the older level in Micrfocachryidites antarcticus zone of Indian peninsula, and Cicatricosisporites australiensis zone in Australia which extends from Tithonian-Valanginian in age. Prominence of radial monosaccate pollen (Plicatipollenites, Parasaccites) between 314.50 to 256.30 m suggests reworking of Talchir sediments in Borehole PBSD-1, with a mixed palynocomposition of Permian and Jurassic-Cretaceous palynotaxa between 475.30-539.00m.

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003338   Tiwari R P;Barman G;Satsangi P P (Department of Geology, Pachhunga University College, North-Eastern Hill University, Aizawl-796 001) : Miocene carbs from Mizoram, India. J Palaeont Soc India 1997, 42, 127-32.

Four genera and five species of decapod crustacea viz. Calappa protopustulosa Noetling, Ebalia tuberculata Noetling, Ebalia spinosa n. sp., Typilobus granulosus Stoliczka and Xantho sp. are being reported for the first time from the Upper Bhuban Formation of the Surma Group, Mizoram. Based upon the crabs and associated molluscs and foraminifers, the Upper Bhuban Formation has been assigned the Lower Miocene (Aquitanian-Burdigalian to Burdigalian) age.

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003337   Pal P K;Ghosh A K;Sannigrahi A (Palaeobotany and Palynology Section, Department of Botany, Burdwan University, Burdwan-713 104) : Megaspores from the Panchet formation of east Bokaro Coalfield, India. J Palaeont Soc India 1997, 42, 61-9.

Megaspores from the Panchet Formation of Lugu Hill have been described for the first time. The assemblage recovered from the Lugu Hill beds of East Bokaro Coalfield in Bihar qualitatively comprises Banksisporites tenuis (Dijkstra) Dettmann, B. dettmannae Banerji, Kumaran & Maheshwari, B. gondwanensis Maheshwari & Banerji, Biharsporites luguensis n. sp., Verrutriletes jurwaensis n. sp., M. Talchirella pantii n.sp., Pantiella bharadwajii Maheshwari & Banerji, Maiturisporites indicus Maheshwari & Banerji, M. endosporiferus n.sp., M. bokaroensis n.sp.and Umiaspora granulosa n.sp. Quantitatively the genus Banksisporities is the most predominant form. A comparison with known megaspore assemblages reveals that Panchet Formation exposed in the Lugu Hill of East Bokaro Coalfield appears to be of late Early Triassic age.

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003336   Kumar S;Srivastava P (Department of Geology, University of Lucknow, Lucknow, U.P.) : Note on the carbonaceous megafossils from the Neoproterozoic Bhander Group, Maihar area, Madhya Pradesh. J Palaeont Soc India 1997, 42, 141-6.

Records for the first time the carbonaceous megafossils Chuaria circularis Walcott, Tawuia delensis Hofmann and unnamed filamentous, thread-like ribbons from the shales of the Bhander Limestone and Sirbu Shale formations of the Neoproterozoic Bhander Group (Upper Vindhyan). On this basis, the upper age limit of the Vindhyan Supergroup in the Maihar area is considered ca. 700 Ma.

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003335   Kotlia B S;Mathur P D (Department of Geology, Kumaun University, Naintal-263 002) : Lower vertebrate fauna from the Upper Siwaliks of Surai Khola, Dang Valley, Western Nepal. J Palaeont Soc India 1997, 42, 169-74.

Upper Siwaliks of Surai Khola (West Nepal) have yielded a lower vertebrate assemblage which is represented by four types of pharyngeal teeth of fishes and two types of reptilian teeth. About 500 specimens were recoverde from the fossiliferous horizon which has earlier been palaeomagnetically dated as ca. 4.2ma. Vertebrate fauna of the Surai Khola is similar to that earlier reported from the Tatrot/Pinjor Siwalik succession of India.

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003334   Jyotsana Rai (NO, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, 53, University Road, Lucknow-226 007) : Scanning-electron microscopic studies of the late middle eocene (Bartonian) calcareous nannofossils from the Kutch Basin, Western India. J Palaeont Soc India 1997, 42, 147-67.

This is the first detailed documentation of nannofloral taxa under scanning electron microscope from the Kutch basin. Over a hundred taxa are recorded from the Harudi Formation in the type area and from the Fulra Limestone Formation both under LM and SEM (Rai, 1988). The assemblage belongs to the NP 17 Discoaster saipanensis zone of Martini, 1971 emended Rai, 1988 to incorporate Upper part of NP 16 Discoaster tani nidifer zone with FAD of cosmopolitan D. saipanensis denoting its lower boundary, in the absence of marker chiasmoliths. It is also carrelatable partly with the CP 14 Reticulofenestra umbilica zone of Okada and Bukry 1980 and contains part of both P 13 Orbulinoides beckmanni and P 14 Trunocorotaloides rohri planktic foraminiferal zones. The assemblage which does not show reworking, is typical of the nearshore, shallow marine and warm water environment. The forms appearing extremely well preserved under lightmicroscope, show heavy calcitic secondary overgrowth under scanning electron microscope due to tropical arid climate. Based on field observations and critical survey of the existing literature on the Kutch Tertiaries overlying the Deccan Traps, a Bartonian transgressive event is postulated to account for about 80 meter ± 10 meter sequence comprising Shale, Marl and Bioclastic Limestone sequence in ascending order up to the Fulra Limestone Formation in the Kutch Basin. The controversial Shale and lower part of Marl unit lacking suitable biotope...

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003333   Jain S;Pandey D K (Department of Geology, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur - 4) : Revision of the age of heteromorph ammonite Parapatoceras from Kachchh, western India. J Palaeont Soc India 1997, 42, 133-9.

Deals with the stratigraphic position of the heteromorph ammonite Parapatoceras Spath in the Jurassics of Kachchh, western India. The previous record of Ancyloceras calloviense Morris by Waagen (1875) and later refigured by Spath (1924, 1927-33) as Parapatoceras cf. calloviense (Morris) has now been considered as junior synonym of Parapatoceras distans (Baugier & Sauze). In the present work, two species of Parapatoceras Spath, i.e., Parapatoceras tuberculatum (Baugier & Sauze) and Parapatoceras distans (Baugier & Sauze) are described and illustrated. Parapatoceras distans (Baugier & Sauze) is here reported to range from? Middle-Upper Bathonian to Middle Callovian.

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003332   Bhattacharjee D (Marine Wing, Geoligical Survey of India, Calcutta) : "Pteropod preservation spike" and its significance in the Andaman sea. J Palaeont Soc India 1997, 42, 49-60.

Rich occurrence of pteropod is noted in some gravity cores collected between 525 m and 1259m water depth around the Narcondam Island in the Andaman Sea. Eighteen species of pteroped belonging to eight genera are identified and studied in detail from top to bottom of the gravity cores. They belong to three families of two suborders namely Pseudothecosomata and Euthecosamata under the order Thecosomata. A considerable variation in abundance of pteropod and their assemblages along the core length marks the area. Their abundance is moderate in the upper part and remarkably high in the lower part of the cores. An acme zone of pteropod is established at about 90-120 b.s.f. High diversity of pteropod taxa and their good preservation in the acme zone points to variation in the carbonate chemistry of the sea water during the late Quaternary time. Two distinct assemblages of pteropods are recognised in the studied cores that occur above and below the acme zone. The upper assemblage is dominated by Limacina inflata, Limacina bulimoides, Creseis virgula, Clio convexa, Cavolinia inflexa, while the lower one comprises mainly Limacina trochiformis, Creseis acicula , Clio pyramidata, Peraclis reticulata. The acme zone corresponds to the pteropod preservation spike of the Tropical Belt all over the world. Analogous observation is reported from the Equatorial Pacific and the Atlantic Oceans. This study additionally determines the aragonite compensation depth (ACD) in the part of the Andaman...

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003331   Bhargava O N (NO, , 529, Sector 18-B, Chandigarh-160 018) : Carbonate build-ups in the Himalaya : their age, microfacies and palaeoenvironment. J Palaeont Soc India 1997, 42, 19-33.

In the Himalaya, the carbonate build-ups are known from Middle-Late Riphean (Shali, Larji, Calczones, Baxa Group, stromatolitic knolls reefs on platform), Vendian (Basantpur Kunihar Formation of the Simla Group, foreslope-flank facies, Krol E, palaeoestuary, low energy carbonate tidal flats), Early Cambrian (Koti Dhaman Formation, Tal Group, stromatolitic build-ups of sub-littoral lagoon), middle Cambrian (Kunzam Las, Formation, Haimanta Group, algal build-ups, restricted platform to shallow lagoon), Ordovician - Middle Silurian (Takche Formation, Sanugba Group, coral - stromatoporiod, fringing reef)?. Tournaisian (Lipak Formation, Kanawar Group, coral - algal build-ups, restricted platform to? foreslope), Visean (non-carbonate flattened Fenestella build-ups in the Po Formation, Kanawar Group, mid-shelf), Middle Norian (Hangrang Formation, Lilang Group, knolls on platform), ? Reaetic-Lias (Kioto Formation, Lilang Group, knolls on platform). All the build-ups are succeeded by clastic sequences along unconformity, save the Hangrang Formation which is conformably followed by the clastic Alaror Formation.

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003330   Badva R M;Sonar M A (NO, Agharkar Research Institute, Agarkar Road, Pune-411 004) : Some fossil neocheilostomine Bryozoans from the holocene of the West Coast of Maharashtra and Goa. J Palaeont Soc India 1997, 42, 35-48.

Eleven species of neocheilostomine Bryozoa are described from the Holocene rocks of the West Coast of Maharashtra and Goa, India. Scrupocellaria raigadensis is a new species, and the remaining ten species are reported for the first time in these rocks. The bryozoan fauna is dominantly tropical to subtropical, warm water and indicates normal salinities. In both shell limestone and plastic muds cellariiform zoarial type dominates and is represented mainly by four speices: Scrupocellaria maderensis, Nellia tenella, Poricellaria ratoniensis, and the cyclostome Crisia elongata. All of these species are considered to be shallow water forms tolerant of a wide range of salinities (33%%). As regards provincial relations, Thalamoporella hamata, Poricellaria ratoniensis, Scrupocellaria ferox and Caberia transversa have Indo-Pacific affinities; while Cellaria punctata, Scrupocellaria diadema and S. maderensis are Atlantic elements. Thalamotreptos reversa has a discontinuous record from eastern Gulf coast of Mexico to Sri Lanka; and Thalamoporella falcifera has been known dominantly from Atlantic and the Indian Oceans.

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003329   Arun Kumar;Saxena R K (Palynology Laboratory, K D M Institute of Petroleum Exploration, Oil and Natural Gas Corporat, Dehra Dun-248 195) : High resolution neogene dinoflagellate cyst biostratigraphy and calcareous nanaoplankton biochronostratigraphy of the Krishna-Godavari Basin. J Palaeont Soc India 1997, 42, 81-100.

Since the discovery of hydrocarbons in the Neogene sediments of G-1 and Ravva structures, these sediments have become one of the prime targets for oil exploration in the Krishna-Godavari basin situated on the east coast of Peninsular India. The Neogene environmental set up encompasses marginal marine, shelf and bathyal environment including early Miocene delta complexes. Erosion and recycling of sediments is a common geological phenomenon under such a set up. The lithostratigraphic units of Neogene sediments include Rajahmundry Sandstone, Narsapur Claystone, Ravva Formation and Godavari Clay. These formations are facies variants and are partial equivalents in time. Because of varying lithofacies and biofacies, biochronostratigraphy based on a single group of microfossils may not provide any meaningful subdivision of the rock column for regional correlation. Secondly, zonal boundaries provided by a certain group of microfossils does not correlate with the interpreted events of seismic stratigraphy. A 2315 m thick section of an offshore well G-2-D in the northeastern part of the basin has been studied for its dinoflagellate cysts and calcareous nannoplankton. Nine bio-events in the early Miocene and nine in the Late Miocene to the Pliocene sedmients are recognized on the basis of Last Appearance Datums (LADs) of dinoflagellate cysts. These events are correlated with events of planktic foraminifera and calcareous nannoplankton biochrono-zones.

002285   Sharma M;Shukla M (NO, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, 53, University Road, Lucknow-226 007) : Carbonaceous megaremains from the neoproterozoic Owk Shales Formation of the Kurnool group, Andhra Pradesh, India. Curr Sci 1999, 76(9), 1247-51.

Assemblage of carbonaceous compression and impressions recorded from the Owk Shales Formation (OSF) of the Kurnool group include, Chuarid (Chuaria circularis), Tawuid (Tawuia sp.), Ellypsophysid, Moranid and Beltinid remains. The presence of Chuaria-Tawuia assemblage provides strong evidence of correlation with the assemblage of Rew and Bhander groups of Vindhyan Supergroup and to some extent with the Halkal Formation of the Bhima Group. Chuaria-Tawuia assemblage is being considered as a potential biostratigraphic marker. Reports varied groups of carbonaceous compressiom and impressions from the OSF of the Kurnool Group. On the basis of the present fossil assemblage, the OSF is considered to be of the Neoproterozoic age.

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024617   Vagyani B A;Magdum S M (NO, Shivaji University, Kolhapur-416 004) : Morrisia rajmahalensis (Feistmantel) Bose and Banerji from Prakasam district (Andhra Pradesh). Geophytology 1998, 28(1-2), 143-4.

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024616   Sharma P (NO, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, Lucknow-226 007) : On the presence of late palaeocene in the subsurface of Bikaner district, Rajasthan. Geophytology 1998, 28(1-2), 51-5.

Palynological investigation of bore hole (BH 125) drilled around Bikaner, Rajasthan has revealed that the assemblage at the basal part of the bore core (181.4-117.3m) comprises Dandotiaspora dilata, Lycopodiumsporites speciosus, Matanomadhiasulcites maximus and many species of polycolpate pollen. On this basis, a Late Palaeocene age has been ascribed to the assemblage which was hitherto not postulated.

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024615   Samant B (Department of Geology, Law College Campus, Nagpur University, Nagpur-440 001) : Fungal remains from the Bhavnagar Lignite, Gujarat. Geophytology 1998, 28(1-2), 11-18.

Ten genera and 16 species of fungal spores and three genera and four species of fruiting bodies have been recovered from the Bhavnagar lignite deposits of Gujarat. Out of these eight species are new. The fungal population suggests a humid, tropical climate and deltaic depositional environment.

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024614   Patil K S;Datar K (NO, Smt. Kasturbai Walchand College, Sangli) : Fossil polypodiaceous rhizome Thayeriorhizomoxylon chandraii gen. et sp. nov. from Deccan Intertrappean beds of Wardha district, Maharashtra. Geophytology 1998, 28(1-2), 77-83.

Thayeriorhizomoxylon chandraii gen. et sp. nov. a fossil polypodiaceous rhizome showing close affinity with the genus Thayeria of the family Polypodiaceous has been described here from the Deccan Intertrappean beds of Nawargaon located in Arvi Tehsil of Wardha district. This is the first polypodiaceous rhizome to be described from Deccan Intertrappean exposures of India.

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024613   Meena K L (NO, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, Lucknow-226 007) : Palynodating of sub-surface late Permian sediments in bore-hole RPA-2, Palashban Sector, Raniganj coalfield, West Bengal, India. Geophytology 1998, 28(1-2), 145-8.

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024612   Maheshwari H K;Jana B N (NO, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, Lucknow-226 001) : Nomenclatural note on Aequitriradites Delcourt and Sprumont 1955, a genus of mesozoic palynofossils. Geophytology 1998, 28(1-2), 139-41.

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024611   Bandyopadhyay S (NO, Botanical Survey of India, P O Botanic Garden, Howrah-711 103) : Miscellaneous notes on Bauhinia L. (Leguminosae Caesalpinioideae II. J Econ Taxon Bot 2001, 25(1), 10-12.

Existing typification of Bauhinia Roxb. var. reniformis Royle ex Baker (= B. malabarica Roxb.) and B. wallichii Macbr. has been reviewed. Discussion has been made regarding the occurrence of B. scandens L., B. semla Wund. and B. stipularis Korth. in Bihar, Karnataka and Meghalaya respectively. Some more information have been given on B. ornata Kurz subsp. mizoramensis Bandy. et al. Furthermore, it has been pointed out that the name B. ruficarpa Desv. will get priority over B. phoenicea Heyne ex Wight and Arn. if they turn out to be conspecific.

024610   Acharya M (NO, Vinay Khand 3/97, Gomti Nagar, Lucknow-226 010, ) : Early eocene palynofossils from subsurface of Mannargudi Area, Tamil Nadu, India. Geophytology 1998, 28(1-2), 19-20.

Palynofossils obtained from B.H. No. MII 128 drilled by the MECL at Mannargudi Area, Tamil Nadu are dominant in angiospermic pollen and the pteridophytic spores are rare in the assemblage. The common species are: Piladiporocolpites caratinii, Matanomadhiasulcites maximus, Ctenolophonidites costatus, Pellicieroipollis langenheimii, Retitribrevicolporites matanomadhensis, Tricolporopilites robustus, Meliapollis ramanujamii, Meliapollis navalei, and Lygodiumsporites lakiensis. The assemblage favours an Early Eocene age for the sediments.

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023415   Tamboli R A;Vagyani B A (Department of Botany, Balwant College, Vita-415 311) : On the occurrence of fossil tectona leaf from Aundh, district - Satara, Maharashtra. Adv Pl Sci 2001, 14(1), 209-10.

Gives an account of fossil leaf impression found in the calcareous tufaceous deposit found near Aundh in Satara district of Maharashtra. The locality belongs to Sub-Recent-Late Plaeistocene period. Several leaf impressions are exposed. A specimen closely agrees with the characters to Tectona grandis L. is described.

023414   Mehrotra R C (NO, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, 53 University Road, Lucknow-226 007) : Two new fossil fruits from oligocene sediments of Makum Coalfield, Assam, India. Curr Sci 2000, 79(10), 1482-3.

Two new fossil fruits belonging to Sterculia of Sterculiaceae and Barringtonia of Lecythidaceae are described from the Oligocene sediments of Makum Coalfield, Assam, India. These fruits are reported for the first time not only from the Oligocene of Assam but from the Tertiary of India. Their presence supports the view that evergreen to littoral and swamp forests existed there during the time of deposition.

023413   Bajpai S;Thewissen J G M (Department of Earth Sciences, University of Roorkee, Roorkee-247 667) : New, diminutive eocene whale from Kachchh (Gujarat, India) and it implications for locomotor evolution of cetaceans. Curr Sci 2000, 79(10), 1478-82.

Recent paleontological field work in the middle Eocene Harudi Formation of Kachchh (western India) has yielded a partial skeleton of a new species of Eocene cetaceans, here named Kutchicetus minimus. The new species represents a new genus in the family Remingtonocetidae and is smaller than any other Eocene whale. The skeleton includes teeth, skull fragments, limb bones and a relatively complete vertebral column. Vertebral proportions indicate that the vertebral column of the new cetacean functioned in different ways from any other known Eocene or Recent cetacean. It suggests that the mobility of the back may have approximated that of otters.

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021491   Bagai K K (Anthropological Survey of India, Southern Regional Centre, , 2963, Gokulam Road, Mysore-570 002) : Further fossil evidence of earliest ethnic Indian from Madhya Pradesh : palaeonthropological imperatives 2001. Proc Indian Sci Congr Ass - Pt IV, Sect-I 1999, (NULL), 14-18(abstr).

018259   Narayana A C;Priju C P;Chakrabarti A (Department of Marine Geology and Geophysics, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Lakeside Campus, Kochi-682 016) : Identification of a palaeodelta near the mouth of Periyar river in central Kerala. J Geol Soc India 2001, 57(6), 545-7.

Geomorphologic studies along the coastal tract between Thrissur in the north and Kollam (Quilon) in the south, reveals several morphometric units that have a bearing on the Neogene evolution of this region. Of particular interest is the existence of a palaeodelta in the coastal zone.

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017092   Srinivasan M S;Sinha D K (Department of Geology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-221 005) : Ocean circulation in the tropical Indo-Pacific during early Pliocene (5.6-4.2 Ma). Paleobiogeographic and isotopic evidence. Proc Indian Acad Sci-Earth Planet Sci 2000, 109(3), 315-28.

Study reveals that the late Neogene planktic foraminiferal data from the eastern and western sides of the Indonesian Seaway are very similar. The only distinct inter-ocean difference however is the absence of Pulleniatina spectabilis from the Indian Ocean. This species makes its first evolutionary appearance in the Equatorial Pacific at about 5.6 Ma (Early Gilbert reversed) and ranges up to 4.2 Ma (Top Cochiti subchron). The complete absence of Pulleniatina spectabilis from the Indian Ocean is attributed to blocking of westward flow of tropical waters of the Pacific to the Indian Ocean resulting in a major change in ocean circulation in the tropical Pacific and Indian oceans during 5.6 to 4.2 Ma. In order to understand the nature of this blockage, isotopic depth ranking of selected planktic foraminifera was carriede out which reveals that the Indonesian Seaway became an effective biogeographic barrier to deep dwelling planktic foraminifera and thus it may be interpreted that the shallow sills that mark the Seaway in modern times were present as early as 5.6 Ma. The distribution of Pulleniatina spectabilis throughout the Equatiorial Pacific reveals that Modern Equatorial Pacific Under current (Cromwell Current) flowing towards east at a depth of 200-300 m (which is also the depth habitat of Pulleniatina spectabilis) was present at the beginning of the Pliocene (5.6 Ma).

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