016534   Srivastava D K (Palabontology Div, Northern Region, Geological Survey of India, Aliganj, Lucknow-226 024) : A new species of Cassiduloid echinoid Gongrochanus kier, 1962 from the late cretaceous (maastrichtian) rocks of the Ariyalur area, Tamil Nadu India. J Palaeont Soc India 2003, 48, 59-64.

A new species of the echinoid genus Gongrochanus Kier, 1962, i.e. G. ariyalurensis has been recorded and described from the Late Cretaceous rocks of Tamil Nadu, India. The new species is characterised by having interpetaloid angle minimum between plates I & V and maximum between petals I & II and IV & V besides anteriorly excentric peristome. This study also confirms that the echinoid genus Stigmatopygus d' Orbigny. 1856 does not occur in India.

1 illus, 2 pl, 25 ref

016533   Sharma V;Ram M P (Geology Dep, Univ of Delhi, delhi-110 007, ) : Early to middle miocene radiolarian assemblages and biostratigraphy, Andaman Islands, Northeast Indian Ocean. J Palaeont Soc India 2003, 48, 1-39.

Neogene sedimentary sequences of the Andaman and Nicobar islands in the Northeast Indian Ocean, which are largely composed of deep marine facies, contain rich microfossil assemblages. The radiolarian assemblages in the sequences are comparable in abundance and diversity to those found in low latitude deep sea drill cores. In this work, radiolaria from six stratigraphic sections in the Andaman islands have been documented. The assemblages range from early to middle Miocene and are assigned to Stichocorys wolffii Zone and Calocycletta (Calocyclissima) costata Zone. Ten radiolarian events have been identified. These events have been compared with those observed by other investigators in low latitude sediments from Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Ocean. The succession of events in different biostratigraphic zones show good agreement in almost all the sites except in the east central Pacific. Brief taxonomic notes and illustrations of all the reported taxa are presented.

11 illus, 4 pl, 32 ref

016532   Patil K S;Datar K (Smt K W Coll, , Sangli-416 416) : A fossil pandanceous stem Pandanaceoxylon kulkarnii gen et. sp. nov. from deccan intertrappean beds of Wardha district, Maharashtra. Geophytology 2002, 32(1-2), 61-71.

Pandanaceaxylon kulkarni gen. et sp, nov., a fossil slem showing close affinity with the genus Pgndanus of the family Pandanaceac has been described from Ihe Dcccan Intertrappean beds of Nawargaon in Wardha District, Maharashtra. This is the first record of pandanaceous stem from the Deccan Intertrappean exposures of India.

2 pl, 83 illus, 17 ref

016531   Nigam R;Saraswat R;Mazumder A (Geological Oceanography Div, Nat Inst of Oceanography, Dona Paula-403 004, Goa) : Life spans of planktonic forminifers: new insight through sediment traps. J Palaeont Soc India 2003, 48, 129-33.

Determining life spans of planktonic foraminifera is vital in view of their increasing use for palaeoclimatic studies. Till date all the estimates about life spans of planktonic foraminifers are based on the extrapolations of growth rates obtained in culture experiments and range from a few days to a few weeks, varying widely. Proposes the use of sediment trap technique to get much better estimates of life spans of planktonic foraminifers. On the basis of sediment trap results, hypothesizes that in general the life spans of planktonic foraminiferal species are of the order of few months instead of few days to few weeks, as reported earlier.

3 illus, 20 ref

016530   Mehrotra R C;Pande N;Ralimongla (Birbal Sahni Inst of Palaeobotany, , 53 Univ Road, Lucknow-226 007, Email: remehrotra@yahoo.com) : Two fossil woods from miocene sediments of changki, Mokokchung district, Nagaland. Geophytology 2002, 32(1-2), 79-82.

Two fossil woods Pahudioxylon sahnii and Lagerstroemioxylon eoflosreginum resembling extant genera Afzelia-Intisatia and Lagersiroemia are described from Changki Formation of Nagaland.

1 pl, 18 ref

016529   Mandaokar B D;Mehrotra R C;Mazumdar B I (Birbal Sahni Inst of Palaeobotany, , 53 Univ road, Lucknow-226 007) : Fossil woods from middle miocene sediments of Karimgani, Assam, India. Geophytology 2002, 32(1-2), 119-21.

^ssc1 pl, 3 ref

016528   Lokho K;Venkatachalapathy R;Raju D S N (Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, , Dehra Dun-248 001) : Uvigerinids and associated foraminifera: Their value as direct evidence for shelf and deep marine paleoenvironments during upper disang of Nagaland, Eastern Himalaya and its implications in hydrocarbon exploration. Indian J Petrol Geol 2004, 13(1), 79-96.

Published data on the stratigraphy of the Disang Group of Nagaland suggested a geosynclinal and/or deep marine set-up but direct evidences like foraminifera and other paleontological and sedimentological data have not been documented so far. New data on Uvigerinids, smaller benthic foraminifera from the south-central part of Nagaland, planktonic foraminifera and published data from outcrops/deep wells from the western and northern part suggests: 1 Inner shelf fades at Tehai Reu, Lotsu village sections and changpang well in the western part based on reported occurrence of Pellatispira, Nummulites and Discocyclina. 2) Middle to outer shelf set-up by an association of larger benthic and planktic foraminifera and some Uvigerinids (U. cf. jacksonensis) from a locality of Heina Reu Section. 3) Lower part of upper bathyal set-up supported by dominant Uvigerina facies consisting U. cocoaensis, U. continuosa, U. eocaena, U. glabrans, U. jacksonensis, U. longa, U. moravia, U. steyeriand U. vicksburgensislrom the localities of Pfutsero I, II, Chobama and Leshemi. If the fossiliferous foraminifera from the layer reported from the western part are not transported by turbidity current, one may infer a shelf-shelf margin-slope set-up within western to central part of Nagaland. The morphological features of some cosmopolitan "species" of Uvigerinids and their dominance in central Nagaland suggests an anoxic set-up with at least in part connected at times to Tethyan Sea. Disang black shales are generally considered by some geologists to be a good source rock for Hydrocarbon exploration. There are still many virgin areas in Nagaland to attract professionals as well as young stratigraphers/geologists in respect of documentation of litho bio- and paleoenvironmental models within specific geological time frame.

5 illus, 1 table, 2 pl, 25 ref

016527   Lokho K;Raju D S N;Kumar G;Venkatachalapathy R (Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, , Dehra Dun-248 001) : Stratigraphic tables for Northeast basins of India: With brief notes compiled by D.S.N. Raju. Indian J Petrol Geol 2004, 13(1), 1-7.

Two Stratigraphic tables covering the time span of the Cretaceous and Cenozoic of Northeastern basins of India-including the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Tripura and Mizoram are compiled and presented to provide an overview and framework of the succession which may be a basis for future research.

1 illus, 2 tables, 20 ref

016526   Kumar S;Srivastava P (Geology Dep, Univ of Lucknow, Lucknow) : Carbonaceous megafossils from the neoproterozoic bhnder group, Central India. J Palaeont Soc India 2003, 48, 139-54.

Ten carbonaceous megafossils representing seven species belonging to six genera are described and three megafossils are informally described from the Neoproterozic Bhander Group. These are Cliuaria circularis Walcott, Chuaria dulniensis sp nov., Tawuia dalensis Hofmann, Chambalia minor Kumar, cf. Phascolites symmetricus Duan et Du, Bhanderia maiharensis gen. & sp. nov., cf. Lanceoforma sp. Walter et at., Form A, Form B and Form C. Out of these, one is a new genera and one is a new species, and three are unnamed forms. The fossils are reported from the shales belonging to the Bhander Limestone and Sirbu Shale of the Bhander Group exposed around Maihar township, Satna district, Madhya Pradesh. Chuaria is the most abundant form and recorded both in the Bhander Limestone and Sirbu Shale, but Tawuia is very rare, recorded only in the Bhander Limestone. A new species Chuaria dulniensis is erected to describe a form much similar in appearance to Chuaria circularis but having an additional ring around circular to elliptical carbonaceous body. This additional morphological feature appears to be an evolutionary modification in Chuaria. Bhanderia is erected to describe a broad ring-like body. A genetic relationship is suggested between Chuaria dulniensis, Chuaria circularis and Bhanderia. All the forms have algal affinity. The forms described informally as Form A and Form B have filamentous morphology with beads and Form C has a ribbon like morphology.

7 illus, 1 table, 48 ref, 3 pl

016525   Khosla A et al (Centres of Advanced Studies in Geology, , 14 Panjab Univ) : First dinosaur remains from the cenomanian-turonian nimar sandstone (Bagh Beds), District Dhar, Madhya Pradesh, India. J Palaeont Soc India 2003, 48, 115-27.

Sauropod remains are recorded for the first time from the lower and upper parts of the Late Cretaceous (Cenomanian-Turonian) Nimar Sandstone representing fresh water and intertidal environments of deposition respectively. The Nimar sandstone is the lowermost member of the Bagh beds of district Dhar, Madhya Pradesh. The material includes limb elements and numerous fragmentary bones belonging at least to two individuals. The specimens are referred here to Sauropoda, but lower-level comparisons are not yet possible. The Bagh dinosaurs are the earliest Cretaceous dinosaurs known from India. The sauropod bones are found in two different settings within the Nimar Sandstone: a fluvial and an intertidal palaeoenvironments.

7 illus, 1 table, 3 pl

016524   Jauhri A K;Mandaokar B D;Mehrotra R C;Tiwari R P;Singh A P (Geology Dep, Univ of Lucknow, Lucknow) : Corals and foraminifera from the miocene (Upper Bhuban formation) of Mizoram, India. J Palaeont Soc India 2003, 48, 135-8.

Reports the results of a preliminary study on the invertebrate fossil assemblage occuring in a carbonate bed of early-middle Miocene age sandwiched in a thick siliciclastic sequence of coastal deposits referable to the Upper Bhuban Formation in Mizoram. The assemblage includes some rare elements of corals, echinoids and foraminifiera not so far reported from the study area. Despite the limited number of specimens, these taxa are identifiable and significant in biostratigraphic and palaeoecologic interpretation of the sedimentary succession.

2 illus, 18 ref

016523   Garg R;teequzzaman K;Krishna J;Jain K P (Birbal Sahni Inst of Palaeobotany, , 53, Univ Road, Lucknow-226 007) : Biostratigraphic potential of dinoflagellate cysts recovered from the late jurassic ammonites of the Tethys Himalaya, India. J Palaeont Soc India 2003, 48, 41-58.

In-situ index ammonites from the Upper Jurassic successions of the Tethys Himalaya were processed for the recovery of dinoflagellate"cysts. Tithonian ammonites, Kossmatia, Paraboliceras and Virgatosphinctes yielded rich dinocyst assemblages while moderate assemblages were recovered from Uhligites, Blanfordiceras, Hildoglochiceras and Pterolytoceras. The assemblage, comprising 52 species, includes long- ranging but characteristic Late Jurassic taxa. Species considered stratigraphically significant in the Tethys Himalayan Upper Jurassic successions include Aldorfia dictyota, Broomea ramosa, B. simplex, Chlamydophorella wallala, Cribroperidinium perforans, Ellipsoidictium cinctum, Endoscrinium granulatum, Gonyaulacysta jurassica, Nannoceratopsis pellucida, Omatia montgomeryi, Productodinium chenii, and Nummus similis (acritarch). The predominance of Indo-Pacific taxa is conspicuous in the assemblages. Correspondence of the dinoflagellate cyst assemblages with ammonite zonations and possible calibration of the Omatia mon???tgomeryi Zone in Tethys Himalaya, Australia and Papua New Guinea Late Jurassic sequences is discussed. A firm correlation of Hildoglochiceras Zone (late Lower Tithonian) is established with Omatia montgomeryi Zone.

4 illus, 5 pl, 33 ref

016522   Aswal H S;Uniyal S N;Singh K (Palynology Laboratory, KDMIPE, ONGC, Dehradun) : Dinoflagellate cyst biochronostratigraphy and third order sequences in Assam shelf, India. Indian J Petrol Geol 2004, 13(1), 61-78.

A comprehensive account of dinoflagellate cyst biochronostratigraphy and IIIrd order sequences in Assam shelf sediments is presented. Seventeen dinoflagellate cyst interval zones ranging in age from Thanetian (Paleocene) to Serravalinian (Middle Miocene) have been instituted. Based on globally established biochronohorizons, bio and chronostratigraphy of Late Paleocene - Middle Miocene have been established. Nineteen third order sequences have been identified. Species diversity and absolute pollen frequency have formed the basis for identification of relative coastal on-laps and Nineteen T/R cycles. Two hiatuses of varying duration representing - Thanetian (Late Paleocene) and Bartonian (Middle Eocene) to Serravallian (Middle Miocene) have been recognized. The data have been synthesized after studying approx. 800 core and cutting samples from thirteen representative wells along Naga thrust from Rajmai-A in the NE to Rajaphe-A in the SW.

4 illus, 2 tables, 9 ref

016521   Ambwani K;Kar R K;Srivastava R;Dutta D (Birbal Sahni Inst of Palaeobotany, , 53 Univ Road, Lucknow-226 007) : Occurrence of urticaceous fruit from the deccan intertrappean beds of Mohgaon Kalan, Chhindwara district, Madhya Pradesh. Geophytology 2002, 32(1-2), 29-33.

Reports the occurrence of an achene-type of fossil fruit belonging to the family Urticaceae from the Decran Intertrappean beds of Mohgaon Kalan, Chhindwara District. Madhya Pradesh. A single specimen in cross section shows anatomical details of the fruit exhibiting hispidate nature of exocarp. The multicellular bristles with broad prismatic cells while endocarp layer is two to three cells thick. The seed bears two cotyledons. The affinities of the fossil fruit are assessed with Boehmeria Jacq. of the family Urticaceae.

1 pl, 33 ref

015538   Vasanthy G;Cornet B;Pocock S A J (NO, Institut Francais, P.B. 33, Pondicherry-605 001) : Evolution of proangiosperms during late triassic pre-cretaceous pollen trends towards mono- and dicotyledonous taxa diversification. Geophytology 2003, 33(1-2), 99-113.

The Late Triassic angiospermid palynomorphs (mostly from the Chinle Formation, Arizona and the Richmond Basin, Virginia, USA), Equisetosporites chinleanus Daugh., Cornetipollis reticulata Pocock & Vasanthy and the Crinopolles group (Cornet, 1989) have pollen characteristics that provide clues to the existence of pre-Cretaceous proangiosperms. Equisetosporites chinleanus and Cornetipollis reticulata are inaperturate, banded, tectum discontinuous in furrows, columellate; bands are psilate and nexine 3-layered with an intermediate lamellate transitional layer in Equisetosporites whereas bands are scalariformly reticulate, and nexine is uni-/bi- layered, and non-lamellate in Cornetipollis. Mono-, Di, Tri-, and Zona- Crinopollis: Proximally reticulate, distinctly columellate, distally foveoreticulate a foveolateapitted, exhibiting diminution of columellae and footlayer. "Apertures" distal, (sub-) equatorial or distal or/and lateral. Monocrinopollis: monosulc(ul)ate (2 compound sulc(ul)i), pontoperculum narrow; Dicrinopollis: bisulc(ul)ate with wide detachable operculum; Tricrinopollis: trisulc(ul)ate, sulc(ul)i independent, one distal sulcu(lu)s flanked by a pair of equatorial or lateral sulc(ul)i, ±parallel to the distal sulcus; Zonacrinopollis anasulcatus: zonasulcu(lu)s dividing the grain into 2 subequatorial halves. Pentecrinopollis traversei: sculpture clavate, with 5 distal aperturoid thinnings, finely reticulate proximally between the clavae. Palycolpopollis magnificus: zonasulculate to spiraperturate, coarsely reticulate. Columellae supported coarse/fine reticulum and scalariform reticulum in the Crinopolles group and Cornetipollis respectively are assertive of their angiospermid nature; uniformly thickened endexine in some taxa of the Crinopolles may be indicative of the less evolved nature of sulc(ul)ate apertures and also of a desiccation minimizing adaptation during the arid Triassic Period.

2 tables, 39 ref

015537   Srivastava R N;Srivastava A K;Singh K N; Redcliffe R P (Geological Survey of India, , N.R., Lucknow) : Sedimentation and depositional environment of the Chopan porcellanite formation, Semri group, Vindhyan supergroup in parts of Sonbhadra district, Uttar Pradesh. J Palaeont Soc India 2003, 48(4), 167-79.

The Chopan Porcellanite Formation of the Semri Group (Vindhyan Supergroup) represents submarine and terrestrial volcaniclastic and volcanogenic epiclastic sediments. These sediments were deposited in a tidal flat region of the Vindhyan Epicontinental Sea. Fissure and vent types of silicic volcanic eruptions (both submarine and terrestrial types) erupted periodically and resulted in the deposition of these sediments by means of the tidal and turbidity currents, which were operating side by side near the continental platform region to give rise to quiet (stable) and agitated (unstable) depositional cycles, preserved in the lithocolumns of the Chopan Porcellanite Formation, and essentially represents a mixed provenance. The study of the primary sedimentary structures, bedding features and lithologic association, supplemented by the grain size and heavy mineral studies confirm the findings.

12 illus, 5 tables, 29 ref

015536   Srivastava R;Guleria J S (NO, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, Lucknow-226 007) : Fossil wood of Anacardiaceae from the deccan intertrappean sediments of Betul district, Madhya Pradesh, India. Geophytology 2003, 33(1-2), 53-6.

A fossil dicotyledonous wood showing resemblance with the wood of extant genus Lannea A. Rich. belonging to family Anacardiaceae has been reported from Betul district, Madhya Pradesh. Dicotyledonous woods have not so far been reported from Betul. The wood was recovered from a Ghat Section about 4 km short of Multai on Betul - Multai road. Until now Lannea has been recorded from the Oligocene and Miocene sediments of Assam and West Bengal. Present reports pushes antiquity of the genus to Maastrichtian-Danian.

1 illus, 19 ref

015535   Sharma M (NO, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, 53 University Road, Lucknow-226 007, Email: mukundsharma@bsip.res.in) : Age of Vindhyans - palaeobiological evidence: A paradigm shift. J Palaeont Soc India 2003, 48(4), 191-214.

The appearance of metaphyte and metazoan remains is well established in the Terminal Proterozoic strata worldwide. Recent discoveries of megascopic remains (carbonaceous remains, small shelly fossils, sponge spicules, triploblastic animal trace fossils and microstromatolite) in the Vindhyan sediments almost changed the evolutionary clock. New radiometric dates of various horizons of Vindhyans also challenged the established perception of the metaphytic and metazoan evolution in time and space. Collectively, the radiometric datings and palaeobiological remains necessitate an objective review to assess the evolutionary paradigm shifts. Along with the earlier similar exercises (Sharma et al, 1992 and Venkatachala et al, 1996), in the present exercise, 13 reports published between 1990-2000 describing 40 megascopic entities are evaluated. The paradigm shift, based on recent discoveries, is apparent and does not call for any major change in the metaphyte-metazoan evolutionary understanding.

2 illus, 2 tables, 160 ref

015534   Sharma M (NO, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, Lucknow-226 007) : Biodiversity in Indian proterozoic basins. Geophytology 2003, 33(1-2), 87-98.

A comprehensive precis based on published fossil records from Indian Proterozoic basins is presented with a comparative status of the global record. Review of various fossils found in Proterozoic sediments suggest the biodivesity in planktic and benthic realms but show ecological conservatism as nearly all the forms are found in marine depositional environment indicating a possible preservation bias. Proterozoic biodiversity is restricted in the sense that diversified animal life arose only in Terminal Proterozoic and record of fungal elements is inconclusive. Since no terrestrial forms (land forms) are recorded in the sediments, it is presumed that they did not evolve in Proterozoic.

139 ref

015533   Moitra A K (Geological Survey of India, , Hyderabad) : Stromatolite biostratigraphy in the Chhattisgarh basin and possible correlation with the Vindhyan basin. J Palaeont Soc India 2003, 48(4), 215-23.

Correlation of stromatolite-bearing beds is difficult due to restricted vertical span and scanty exposures, separated by vast tracts of soil cover/alluvium in the Chattsigarh Basin. The geological set up is used for biostratigraphic correlation in this tectonically undisturbed area. The lower biozone of the Chhatisgarh Basin is comparable to the assemblage of stromatolites in the Semri Group of the Vindhyan Basin where an assemblage of Kussiella, Conophyton and Colonnella have been observed and given an early Riphean to Mid-Riphean status. In the Chhattisgarh Basin, in addition, three groups, namely, Anabaria, Baicalia and Tungussia are seen where Anabaria is characteristic of the Mid-Riphean age. The Inzeria-Gymnosolen combination of the Chhattisgarh basin in its upper biozone is also seen in the upper part of the Bhander Group of the Vindhyan Supergroup along with the Baicalia-Tungussia combination, suggesting Upper Riphean to Vendian age.

2 illus, 4 tables, 15 ref, 2 p

015532   Kishore S (Botany Dep, Lucknow Univ, Lucknow-226 007) : Palaeocene green algae (Dasycladaceae and Udoteaceae) from Cauvery basin, India. Geophytology 2003, 33(1-2), 39-46.

Seven species belonging to family Dasycladaceae and Udoteaceae of the Class Chlorophyceae are described from Ninniyur Formation, South India. Four species i.e. Griphoporella sp. Salpingoporella annulata Carozzi, Halimeda nana Pia, and Ovulites arabica Massieux are reported for the first time from Indian succession. Two species, Neomeris pfenderae Konishi & Epis and Neomeris plagenensis Deloffre, though known from other localities of India, are recorded from this formation for the first time. Palaeogeographic and palaeoecological significances of the algal assessmblages are discussed.

1 illus, 19 ref

015531   Kar R K;Mohabey D M;Srivastava R (NO, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, Lucknow-226 007) : Angiospermous fossil woods from the lameta formation (Maastrichtian), Maharashtra, India. Geophytology 2003, 33(1-2), 21-7.

Angiospermous fossil woods viz., Euphorioxylon indicum and Barringtonioxyon deccanese are described for the first time from the Lameta Formation (Maastrichtian) of Nand-Dongargaon inland basin in Nagpur district, Maharashtra. The report is probably the oldest record of structurally preserved dicot woods from India. The earliest angiospermic woods were hitherto described from Deccan Intertrappean beds of central India. The present woods are commonly found in the Deccan Intertrappeans and other Tertiary localities of India. The comparable forms e.g. Euphoria and Barringtonia of family Lecythidaceae are present in extant flora of India.

1 illus, 36 ref

015530   Jana B N (NO, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, Lucknow-226 007) : Diversity in the lower cretaceous flora of Dhrangadhra formation, Gujarat. Geophytology 2003, 33(1-2), 81-5.

Dhrangadhra Formation (Lower Cretaceous) is exposed in different parts of Surendranagar and Rajkot districts of Gujarat. The palaeobotanical investigations have revealed the presence of fairly rich mega- and microfloral assemblages. The occurrence of characteristic Wealden elements such as, Gleichenia nordensldokioldii, Onychiopsis psilotoides, Weichselia reticulata, Cladophlebis kathiawarensis and presence of Cicatricosisporites cooksonii. Appendicisporites sp., Impardecispora sp., Aequitriradites sp., Microcachryidites sp. in the mioflora support the Lower Cretaceous age for Dhrangadhra Formation.

2 illus, 40 ref

015529   Gupta S;Jain K C;Srivastava V C;Mehrotra R D (Geological Survey of India, , Lucknow) : Depositional environment and tectonism during the sedimentation of the semri and kaimur groups of rocks, vindhyan basin. J Palaeont Soc India 2003, 48(4), 181-90.

The studies suggest a depositional environment, wherein a recurrent sea level fluctuation continued throughout the entire period of sedimentation in response to tectonism, due to which the southern marginal parts of the Vindhyan Basin were uplifted corresponding to periodic pulsating tectonism, instead of a gradual periodic sinking and subsiding basin part passu deposition under a uninformly shallow marine environment. The water body continued to move northwards transgressing the Bundelkhund basement rocks under the influence of tectonism and sediment fill, leading to northward shifting of the southern strand line and successive overlapping of younger formational units in the northern parts of the basin.

6 illus, 1 table, 15 ref

015528   Bhattacharyya A P;Srivastava A K (NO, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, Lucknow-226 007) : Palaeobotanical investigation of Permian sediments of Darjeeling area, North-East Himalaya, India. Geophytology 2003, 33(1-2), 73-9.

Permian sediments exposed in Kalijhora, Raktikhola and Bamonpokharia areas of Darjeeling district, West Bengal have yielded a well preserved mio- and megafloral assemblages. The miospores are represented by the species of Parasaccites, Striatopodocarpites, Faunipollenites, Crescentipollenites, Alisporites, Densipollenites, Cuneatisporites, Scheuringipollenites, Paravesicaspora, Ibisporites, Striatites, Chordasporites, Rhizomaspora, Inaperturopollenites, Microfoveolatispora and ? Botryococcus colony. The fragmentary leaf specimens of Glossopteris spp. and a number of horizontally and vertically preserved Vertebraria-axes comprise the megaplant fossils record from Kalijhora stream section. The mioflora is comparable with the assemblage of Raniganj Formation of peninsular Gondwana.

2 illus, 3 tables, 15 ref

015527   Bhatt D K (Geological Survey of India, , Jaipur-302 004) : On the report of the small shelly fossils and brachiopoda from the vindhyan strata. J Palaeont Soc India 2003, 48(4), 225-9.

The Vindhyan Supergroup forms a basic reference sequnce for a host of Proterozoic basins in India and has a well-established stratigraphic position in the Meso-Neoproterozoic based on numerous investigations on its carbonaceous microfossils, stromatolites and geochronological data. Report of age-specific small shelly fossils (SSF) and brachiopods from the Vindhyan strata of the Semri Group by implication puts the major part of the Vindhyan succession in Palaeozoic. It, therefore, became essential to critically examine the veracity of the claim in or to sort onut the controversy resulting onut of the report. A team of geologists from Geological Survey of India followed by a joint invesitgation team of the Vindhyan workshop (University of Lucknow, 19-20 March, 1999) studied all aspects of fauna as well as field setting. The results obtained by both the teams were similar, in so far the non-biogenic nature of the reported fossils was concerned. The teams also brought out grave inaccuracies in regard to field observations as contained in the fossil report. A redeeming feature of the entire exercise, at the end, is the the emergence of an unequivocal inference that the great Vindhyan succession of Peninsular India remains tied to the Meso-Neoproterozoic time slot and continues to form reference for Proterozoic sequences in the Indian Peninsula as before.

10 ref

013520   Prakash N;Kumar M (NO, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, 53, University Road, Lucknow-226 007) : Occurrence of ginkgo Linn. in early cretaceous deposits of south rewa basin, Madhya Pradesh. Curr Sci 2004, 87(11), 1512-15.

2 illus, 21 ref

013519   Mishra P K;Rajanikanth A;Jauhri A K;Kishore S;Singh S K (Botany Dep, Lucknow University, Lucknow-226 007) : Albian limestone building algae of Cauvery Basin, South India. Curr Sci 2004, 87(11), 1516-18.

2 illus, 1 table, 31 ref

004405   Kotlia B S;Sanwal J (Dept of Geol, The Durham Kumaun Univ, Nainital 263 002) : Fauna and palaeoenvironment of a late quaternary fluvio-lacustrine basin in central kumaun Himalaya. Curr Sci 2004, 87(9-10), 1295-9.

In recent years, vertebrate faunas recovered from the Late Quaternary lake deposits have become increasingly important, especially for phylogenetic relationship, evolutionary patern, comparison with the Recent counterparts, palaeoecology and palaeoenvironment. The Late Quaternary fauna from a tectonically formed palaeolake basin at Dulam, Kumaun Central Himalaya have been described. The age of the fossil horizon is estimated as ca. 30 ka BP. Murids and other faunal elements have been recovered from the Kumaun Himalaya. The large mammals are represented only by Bovidae, whereas the small ones are dominated by murid rodents. The bones have greater frequency compared to the teeth. Based on the faunal components, four palaeocommunities are proposed. The savanna grassland community is represented by the large mammals, the lacustrine community by Cyprinidae fishes, ostracods and freshwater gastropods, the upland community by Soriculus and Mus, and semi-arid bushland community by Golunda and lizards.

2 illus, 1 table, 35ref

003221   Kar R K;Sharma N;Kar R (Birbal Sahni Inst of Palaeobotany, , Lucknow-226 007) : Occurrence of fossil fungi in dinosaur dung and its implication on food habit. Curr Sci 2004, 87(8), 1053-6.

4 illus, 28 ref

000205   Roy K;Basu S;Nayak D;Lahiri S (Chemical Sciences Division, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, 1/AF, Bidhannagar, Kolkata 700 064) : Multielemental uptake by thiosemicarbazide incorporated amberlite IRC-50 using tracer packet technique. Indian J Chem-Sect A 2004, 43(6), 1152-55.

Irradiation of thick cobalt target with ¹⁶O, ⁷Li and ¹²C beams consecutively produces carrier-free radiotracers of ⁶¹Cu, ^62.63Zn, ^71.72As, and ⁷³Se which are of nutritional importance and are closely related in the periodic table. A gold target irradicated with medium energy ⁷Li, and ¹²C produces ¹⁹⁷Hg, ^199,200,201Pb, ²⁰⁴Bi, and ^204,205Po, which are heavy as well as toxic in the environment. A new term, `Tracer Packet' has been coined for such systems. The uptake of these elements has been studied using a chelating resin, thosemicarbazide incorporated amberlite IRC-50.

2 illus, 10 ref

009071   Whiso K;Tiwari B N;Bajpai S;Cooper L N; Thewissen J G M (Geology Dep, Nagaland Univ, Kohima-797 002) : Fossil mammal from marine eocene strata (Jaintia group) of the Mikir hills, Assam, Northeastern India. J Palaeont Soc India 2009, 54(1), 111-4.

Reports the occurrence of a mammalian lumbar vertebra and several associated fish teeth from Dillai Parbat, in the southeastern part of the Mikir Hills of Assam, in northeastern India. The specimens were recovered from a shallow marine limestone unit of upper middle Eocene age (40-37 Ma). The vertebra is tentatively described as that of an archaeocete cetacean. This is the first report of Eocene vertebrates from the northeastern part of India, and it significantly expands the geographical distribution of Eocene marine mammals of India. Further fieldwork is required to assess the potential of this new locality.

1 plate, 3 illus, 26 ref

009070   Vijaya (NO, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, 53, University Road, Lucknow-226 007, Email: bsip_vijaya@yahoo.co.in) : Gymnosperm pollen genus Callialasporites Dev Emend. Mahewhwari 1974 in the mesozoic succession of India. J Palaeont Soc India 2009, 54(1), 81-96.

The gymnosperm pollen genus Callialasporites Dev emend. Maheshwari (1974) exhibits much variation in the exinal features. In India, the first appearance of this taxon is indicated by the occurrence of C. turbatus, C. microvelatus or C. dampieri species in Rhaetian - Hettangian transition. However, this genus attains abundance in the Middle Jurassic and continues upto the Lower Cretaceous on the Indian peninsula, as well as else where in the Gondwana region. During this time span, much morphological diversity has led to the erection of many species to the genus. This apparent complexity, and the stratigraphic significance of the species are investigated in this paper. Among the twenty nine species that have been erected, only nine are considered to be sufficiently distinct to be used for dating and correlating rock successions.

1 illus, 2 tables, 43 ref

009069   Tripathi A (NO, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, Lucknow-226 007) : Palynology of the Brahmani river section, Talcher coalefield, Orissa, India. J Palaeont Soc India 2009, 54(2), 179-87.

The Talcher Coalfield, Orissa, is the type area for the Early Permian Talchir Formation. However, there is little palaeontological evidence for its age. Palynofossils from the rocks exposed on the left bank of the Brahmani River downstream of Sarang Village indicate Mesozoic age affiliation. The occurrence of Contignisporites multimuratus, Klukisporites lacunus, Leptolepidites rimatus, Murospora florida, Ruffordiaspora australiensis, Santhalisporites bulbosus, and Todisporites minor etc., indicates a Late Jurassic/Early Cretaceous age.

4 illus, 4 tables, 17 ref

009068   Srivastava D K;Mooi R;Jain R L (Geology Dep, Centre of Advanced Study, Lucknow Univ, Lucknow-226 007) : Clypeasteroid echinoid genus Echinocyamus from the Gaj formation (Middle miocene) of Kathiawar, Gujarat, India. J Palaeont Soc India 2009, 54(1), 97-102.

For the first time, the fibulariid clypeasteroid echinoid genus Echinocyamus van Phelsum, 1774 is recorded and described from the sediments of the Gaj Formation (middle Miocene) exposed in Kathiawar, Gujarat, India. Reassignment of one of the three fibulariid species found in the Gaj Formation, Mortonia lowraliensis, to Echinocyamus lowraliensis results in one new combination. We provide comments on the morphology and distributions of these three species, as well as on a reputed Cretaceous record of Echinocyamus from India.

2 illus, 1 table, 29 ref

009067   Srivastava D K;Kulshreshtha S K (Geology Dep, Centre of Advanced Study, Lucknow Univ, Lucknow-226 007, Email: sirdkdr@rediffmail.com) : New record of a schizasterid (Echinodea) from the khuiala formation, Jaisalmer district, Rajasthan, India. J Palaeont Soc India 2009, 54(2), 229-32.

The schizasterid echinoid genus Hypselaster Clark, 1917 is recorded, for the first time, from the sediments of the Khuiala Formation (early Eocene) exposed near Sanu, Jaisalmer district, Rajasthan, India. The specimens are placed in a new species characterised by its large, oval test with weak frontal sinus; posteriorly eccentric ethmolytic apical system with two gonopores; anteriorly eccentric kidney-shaped peristome; long, petaloid anterior petals and very short posterior petals; longitudinally oval periproct at the posterior truncation and perforate, crenulated tubercles.

1 illus, 1 plate, 23 ref

009066   Shome S;Bardhan S (NO, Geological Survey of India, 15 KYD Street, Kolkata-700 016, Email: s_bardhan01@co.uk) : New late tithonian ammonite assemblage from Kutchh, western India. J Palaeont Soc India 2009, 54(1), 1-18.

Kutch was previously believed to be impoverished in the Late Jurassic ammonite diversity. Recent intensive sampling yielded several new records of genera of different taxonomic affinities. Results of this research are presented here, based on the description of Corongoceras cf. lotenoense, C. sp. A; Himalayites sp., Durangites cf. heilprini, D. sp. A and D. sp. B; Tithopeltoceras lakhaparense, Blanfordiceras sp. A and Pterolytoceras sutile. Additionally, we also present a systematic revision of Micracanthoceras Spatb.,1925, Aulacosphinctes Uhlig, 1910 and Umiaites Spath, 1931. All previously described Kutch species of Micracanthoceras have been found to belong to the type species, M. micrcanthus. Umiaites. Previously known as endemic only to Kutch, it appears to be the macroconch of the better known Promt-eras Burckhardt, 1919. Kutch thus, appears to be taxonomically more diverse than previously assumed during the Late Tithonian.

5 illus, 96 ref

009065   Sharma R;Khosla A (Earth Sciences Dep, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee-247 667, Email: khosla100@yahoo.co.in) : Early palaeocene ostracoda from the cretaceous-tertiary (K-T) deccan intertrappean sequence at Jhilmili, district Chhindwara, Central India. J Palaeont Soc India 2009, 54(2), 197-208.

A taxonomically diverse ostracod fauna was recovered from a unique, recently discovered section of the Deccan intertrappean deposits at Jhilmili in central India (District Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh), on the eastern fringe of the main Deccan volcanic province. This predominantly freshwater ostracod fauna was found in association with the recently described earliest Paleocene (Pla) planktic foraminifer assemblage that allows a precise link between the marine and terrestrial faunal records in the Deccan volcanic province. The Jhilmili ostracod fauna comprises seventeen species pertaining to twelve genera. Although bulk of the Jhilmili ostracod fauna (17 spp.) represents freshwater, lacustrine taxa, one abundant species (Neocyprideis raoi), indicates incursions of brackish/marine water from a nearby seaway. Furthermore, the striking similarity of these Palaeocene-aged freshwater ostracods from Jhilmili to latest Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) faunas known from several widely separated localities across the Deccan province, indicates limited influence of the Deccan volcanism, at least qualitatively, on contemporary freshwater aquatic ecosystems. Finally, the Jhilmili ostracod fauna shows that the extensive endemism encountered among the Indian Maastrichtian freshwater ostracods continued into the early Palaeocene, consistent with geophysical models that suggest an oceanically isolated Indian plate during Maastrichtian-Palaeocene.

2 illus, 3 plate, 65 ref

009064   Sendino C;Darrell J (Palaeontology Dep, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London Sw7 5BD (UK), Email: c.sendino-lara@nhm.ac.uk) : History of conulariid research. J Palaeont Soc India 2009, 54(2), 121-33.

Conulariids have been studied for more than two centuries and during that time they have been classified variously as molluscs, cnidarians or members of an extinct phylum. They have been studied by several different research schools, including the Czech, Swedish, German, Brazilian, North American and Chinese schools. Some important palaeontologists who studied conulariids were Joachim Barrande (1799-1883), Guido Sandberger (1821-1869), Gustaf Lindstrom (1829-1901), Karl Alfred Ritter von Zittel (1839-1904), Gerhard Holm (1853-1926), Jan Vratislav Zelizko (1874-1938) and Bedfich Boucek (1904-1975). A history of conulariid research, from 1793 to the present day, is presented here. Four main stages are recognized.

8 illus, 1 table, 248 ref

009063   Rana S S;Nigam R (Micropaleontology Laboratory, Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula, Goa-403 004, Email: ranasan@gmail.com) : Cyclicity in late holocene monsoonal changes from the western Bay of Bengal: foraminiferal approach. J Palaeont Soc India 2009, 54(2), 165-70.

Benthic foraminiferal characteristics, including abundance of total benthic foraminifera, angular asymmetrical benthic foraminifera, Uvigerina sp. and Bulimina marginata, have been studied in a piston core (exihibiting <126>700 years record as per AMS dating) collected from the region off central east coast of India. Six prominent peaks have been noted in the down core variation in all of these parameters. Based on the already well established inverse relationship between angular asymmetrical benthic foraminifera and monsoon precipitation from the region off west coast of India, it is inferred that the six prominent episodes of variations as noted in the core, indicate changes in monsoon intensity in this region. Based on the spectral analysis, a periodicity of 200±50 years has also been inferred in the monsoonal changes.

4 illus, 36 ref

009062   Prasad B;Phor L (Geology Div, KDM Institute of Petroleum Exploration, Oil & Natural Gas Corporation, Dehradun-248 195, Email: bijaiprasad@indiatimes.com) : Palynostratigraphy of the subsurface gondwana and post-gondwana mesozoics of the cauvery basin, India. J Palaeont Soc India 2009, 54(1), 41-71.

Detailed palynostratigraphic studies on the newly discovered subsurface Pre-Cretaceous and Cretaceous sediments of the Cauvery Basin have been undertaken to identifiy the Gondwana and post-Gondwana Mesozoic sediments, with their precise age and depositional environment. Palynofossil assemblages recovered from the key wells in Tanjore Subbasin revealed the presence of distinctive Lower Gondwana succession in PD-B well. Other wells, viz. JK-A and PD-A, recorded marker latest Jurassic-Early Cretaceous marine palynofossils in their basal sediments, indicating the absence of characteristic Gondwana sediments. An appraisal of tectono-sedimentary and biostratigraphic data has indicated that the purported Upper Gondwana successions (Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous) of Indian Gondwanic grabens and East Coast pericratonic basins were deposited in their own distinctive depositional set-up after a long Jurassic unconformity, and are quite different from the Permo-Triassic Gondwana. Deposition of these sediments in both the areas is observed to be closely related with the opening of the Bay of Bengal due to break-up of Indian Plate from the East Gondwanaland during Tithonian and invariably represent the post-Gondwana Mesozoic successions. The Lower Gondwana palynoflora of PD-B well is marked by abundant monosaccates, viz. Parasaccites, Virkkipollenites and Divarisaccus, besides other marker Early Permian forms. It resembles Upper Talchir palynoflora, and provides conclusive palynological evidence about the presence of distinctive Gondwana succession below the post-Gondwana Mesozoic sequence in Cauvery Basin, now named as the "Pundi Shale". The basal subsurface post-Gondwana Mesozoic lithounit of the Cauvery Basin, viz. Andimadam Formation, recorded marker Tithonian-Neocomian dinoflagellate cysts and spore-pollen in its lower part and Aptian-Early Albian forms in upper part, suggesting above age and shallow marine depositional environment. The Sivaganga Formation, till now classed into the Upper Gondwana, also recorded marine latest Jurassic-Early Cretaceous palyno and invertebrate fossils, and thus excluded from the Gondwana sequence. Newly acquired microfossil and sedimentological data suggest that the above post-Gondwana units belong to the rift phase of the pericratonic Cauvery Basin, and deposited over the sensu-stricto Gondwana after a long gap of ca 135Ma. The succeeding Lower Cretaceous Sattapadi Shale, with Late Albian-Cenomanian to Early Turonian marine palynoflora, corresponds with the initiation of passive-margin phase. Sediments of the Bhuvanagiri, Kudavasal and Nannilam formations are respectively marked by Coniacian, Santonian and Campanian palynofloras, and represent the younger Cretaceous passive-margin sequence in the Cauvery Basin.

11 illus, 68 ref

009061   Mondal S;Das S;Mallick S;Adhikary E (Geological Sciences Dep, Jadavpur Univ, Kolkata-700 032, Email: subhronil_m@rediffmail.com) : Miocene shark teeth assemblages and ancillary fish taxa from Baripada, Orissa: taxonomic revision and a global palaeobiogeographic overview. J Palaeont Soc India 2009, 54(2), 135-52.

New assemblages of fossil fish remains have been collected from the Miocene marine beds of Baripada, Orissa, along the river Burhabalang. Although several authors previously described various taxa from the same locality, little was known about their stratigraphic distribution. Present work includes a detailed systematic study, based on numerous specimens along with the establishment of regional stratigraphy and depositional environment. Five new species of sharks are reported here. Among them Isurus desori, Carcharhinus aff. balochenisis and Carcharhinus aff. perseus are described for the first time from the Indian subcontinent; whereas Isurus oxyrinchus and Galeocerdo cuvieri were not previously reported from Baripada. The state-of-the-art of the Miocene shark assemblages of the world has been reevaluated in the light of new data. The most diverse shark teeth assemblage has been found to be in Baripada. Diversity patterns have been studied. The species-level faunal correlation using Jaccard similarity coefficient method suggests the persistence of endemism among the major bio-provinces during the early Miocene and reasons for this have been explored.

4 illus, 5 tables, 48 ref

009060   Mazumder B I;Tiwari R P (Geology Dep, Karimganj College, Karimganj-788 710, Email: bimazumdr@rediffmail.com) : Meiocardia (Bivalvia: glossidae) from the Kanchanpur bed, district Hailakandi, Assam. J Palaeont Soc India 2009, 54(2), 153-8.

This paper provides the systematic palaeontology of the marine veneroid bivalves belonging to the genus Meiocardia (family: Glossidae) from the upper part of the Bhuban Formation, Surma Group, Assam. Six species of the genus Meiocardia are described and figured, out of which three are new: Meiocardia elongata, M. kanchanpurensis and M. sp. Occurrence of Meiocardia only in this bed at Kanchanpur reflects selective preservation that might have resulted from unusual diagenetic conditions rather than restricted stratigraphic and geographic ranges.

1 illus, 20 ref

009059   Malarkodi N;Fayazudeen P J;Mallikarjuna U B (Geology Dep, Bangalore Univ, Bangalore-560 056, Email: malargeo@rediffmail.com) : Palaeoecological significance of turritelline dominated gastropod assemblage from the infratrappean beds of the Rajahmundry area, Andhra Pradesh. J Palaeont Soc India 2009, 54(2), 159-64.

A molluscan fauna dominated principally by the large Turritelline (referred to as Turritella Lamarck, 1799) gastropods occurs in thick Infratrappean beds of Doddukuru along with Volutomorpha (Gabb, 1877) and bivalves such as Venericardia (Lamarck, 1801), Cardium (Linnaeus, 1758), Glycymeris (Da Costa, 1778) and Tellina (Linne, 1758). They are found in the Soma quarry near Gowripatnam and also in the Tadapudi canal section where blocks of sandy limestone (Infratrappean beds) dredged from the bottom of a canal, contain abundant Turritellines. High density of Turritellines indicates shallow shelf environment with well-oxygenated conditions below wave base. This is the first report of such an assemblage from the Infratrappean beds of east coast of India; their palaeogeographic and palaeoecological significance is also discussed.

2 plate, 1 illus, 29 ref

009058   Maheswari U;Achyuthan H;Gandhi S;Mohammed H (Geology Dep, Anna Univ, Chennai-600 025, Email: hachyuthan@yahoo.com) : Foraminifera and ostracods: signatures for middle holocene palaeoenvironmental change, Muttu Kadu, Chennai, India. J Palaeont Soc India 2009, 54(1), 19-26.

Numerous investigations have shown that foraminifera and ostracods leave a fossil record in estuarine and tidal sediments that are well suited for paleoenvironmental data collection and coastal zone monitoring ecosystems. In this study, a sediment core (<126>130 cm thick) was collected from Muttukadu, along the southeast coast of Chennai. This sediment core has been examined for foraminiferal and ostracods faunal assemblages. The sediment core has been dated to mid-Holocene age using radiocarbon method. The radiocarbon dates range in age from 3145 to 3475 yrs BP. 19 foraminifer and 8 ostracod species were identified. The following species of foraminifera such as Ammonia beccarii, Ammonia tepida, Elphidium indicum, and ostracods such as Hemikrithe, Tanella gracilis and Paijenborchellina sp., are abundant. It was observed that fresh water juvenile forms of ostracods and less saline foraminifer species are abundant in the upper layers; while in the lower layers of the sediment core, marine forms of foraminifera and brackish ostracod forms are dominant. Statistical data on foraminifer assemblage reveals a positive correlation and increase in the abundance of A. tepida with depth. The positive relation between the brackish ostracod species with depth could also be related to common habitat conditions such as increase in salinity and temperature conditions. Thus, the down core variations of the total number of foraminifera and ostracods correlate well with each other indicating shifts in the salinity and temperature conditions since the mid-Holocene period.

5 illus, 9 ref

009057   Kundal P;Mude S N (PG Dep of Geology, RTM Nagpur Univ, Law College Square, Nagpur-440 001, Email: ppk_kundal@rediffmail.com) : Mongeniculate coralline algae from the early miocene to late holocene sequence of the Porbandar area, Saurashtra, Western India. J Palaeont Soc India 2009, 54(1), 73-80.

The Southeastern coast of Saurashtra, western India, in and around the Porbandar area, exposes sediments of Neogene-Quaternary age. These sediments are classified into: Gaj Formation (early Miocene), Dwarka Formation (early-middle Miocene), Miliolite Formation (early middle-late Pleistocene) and Chaya Formation (late Pleistocene-late Holocene). The limestone is a dominant lithology of all these stratigraphic subdivisions. In the present paper, we describe six nongeniculate coralline algal species, namely Lithophyllum dentatum (Kutzing) Foslie, Lithophyllum incrustans Philippi, Melobesioideae gen. et spec, indet., Mesophyllum curtum Lemoine, Sporolithon statiellense Airoldi and Lithoporella melobesioides Foslie. The coralline algal assemblage indicates that the Dwarka Formation was deposited in marine tropical environment with high energy conditions at depths from intertidal to 60m in tropical water. The Adatiana Member of the Miliolite Formation was deposited under shallow marine tropical environment with moderate to low energy conditions with bathymetry fluctuating between intertidal to 60m in tropical water and the Porbandar Calcarenite Member of the Chaya Formation was deposited under tropical to subtropical marine environment with bathymetry in the range of 40m to 60m having moderate to low energy conditions.

2 illus, 1 table, 36 ref

009056   Kumar S;Pandey S K (Centre of Advanced Study in Geology, Lucknow Univ, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Email: surendra100@hotmail.com) : Occurrence of Arumberia banksi and associated fossils from the Jodhpur sandstone, Marwar supergroup, western Rajasthan. J Palaeont Soc India 2009, 54(2), 171-8.

The paper records the occurrence of Arumberia banksi Glaessner and Walter, Rameshia rampurensis Kumar and Pandey, Aspidella sp., cf. Hiemalora sp. and Beltanelliformis minuta Mcllroy et al. from the Jodhpur Sandstone, Jodhpur - Khatu area, western Rajasthan. Arumberia banksi is a microbial mat structure recorded on the sole and top of the sandstones with a restricted time range with in the Late Neoproterozoic. Another associated microbial mat structure is Rameshia rampurensis. Three body fossils Aspidella sp., cf. Hiemalora sp. and Beltanelliformis minuta are also reported from the Jodhpur Sandstone. The fossil assemblage supports an Ediacaran age to the Jodhpur Sandstone. On the basis of the presence of microbial assemblage and Beltanelliformis minuta, the middle part of the Jodhpur Sandstone is correlated with the Maihar Sandstone of the Bhander Group, Satna district, Madhya Pradesh, which is well exposed in the Central India and represents the youngest horizon of the Vindhyan Supergroup in the Son Valley section. It is suggested that during Ediacaran period the Vindhyan sea was connected with the Marwar sea through the Lesser Himalayan corridor of the Krol Formation.

3 illus, 2 tables, 28 ref

009055   Kumar S (Centre of Advanced Study in Geology, Lucknow Univ, Lucknow, Uttar pradesh, Email: surendra100@hotmail.com) : Controversy concerning 'Cambrian' fossils from the vindhyan sediments: a re-assessment. J Palaeont Soc India 2009, 54(1), 115-17.

In 1998, Azmi created a controversy by announcing the discovery of small shelly fossils and brachiopods of the Cambrian age from the Rohtasgarh Limestone (Rohtas Formation) of the Semri Group (Lower Vindhyans). This discovery did not find much favour with most of the workers. In the mean time, Azmi and his group continued to support the Cambrian age for the Rohtas Formation by extending their work in other areas within the Vindhyan Basin (the Chitrakut area) as well as outside the Vindhyan Basin (the Gangolihat Dolomite) (Azmi et al, 2007). Recently, his discovery became alive again with the publication of a paper by Bengtson et al. (2009), who studied the phosphatic stromatolites of the Tirohan Limestone (= the Rohtas Formation) of the Chitrakut area. Bengtson et al. (2009) discussed the identification of small shelly fossils reported by Azmi et al. (2007) from the Tirohan Limestone and rejected their claim of the Cambrian element in the microfossil assemblage. They also dated the phosphatic stromatolites of the Tirohan Limestone as Palaeoproterozoic. Though Bengtson and his group did not work on any material from the Rohtasgarh Limestone (Rohtas Formation) from where Azmi has originally described brachiopod and small shelly fossils, still Bengtson et al.'s (2009) work helped in resolving the age controversy created by Azmi's (1998) work. The Bengtson et al. (2009) support the traditional age given to the Vindhyan Supergroup. The Semri Group can be bracketed between Palaeoproterozoic and Mesoproterozoic and the Upper Vindhyans can be given the age between Mesoproterozoic and Ediacaran as there is no evidence of any Cambrian fossil within the Vindhyan Basin.

1 illus, 20 ref

009054   Kishore S;Singh A P;Tiwari R P;Jauhri A K; Misra P K (Botany Dep, Lucknow Univ, Lucknow-226 007) : Geniculate coralline algae from the prang formation (Eocene) of the Jaintia hills, Meghalaya, India. J Palaeont Soc India 2009, 54(2), 189-95.

The present paper records eight species of geniculate coralline algae belonging to Corallina, Jania and Arthrocardia from the Prang Formation (middle-late Eocene in the study area) outcropping in the areas around the Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya. All these forms are recorded for the first time from the study area. These forms are associated with non-geniculate coralline algae (Melobesioideae and Mastophoroideae) as well as larger foraminifera. Their tropical nature indicates that the warm shallow water environment existed during deposition of the Prang Formation. It was characterised by hard substrate with high-energy conditions, normal salinity and strong light intensity at depths around 10 m.

2 illus, 31 ref

009053   Gogoi B;Kalita K D;Garg R;Borgohain R (Geology Dep, Sibsagar College, Joysagar, Assam-785 665, Email: bikash.gogoi@gmail.com) : Foraminiferal biostratigraphy and palaeoenvironment of the lakadong limestone of the Mawsynram area, south Shillong plateau, Meghalaya. J Palaeont Soc India 2009, 54(2), 209-24.

Biostratigraphy of the Lakadong Limestone, Mawsynram area in the present work is based on species association of foraminifera. The FAD and LAD of larger benthic foraminifera used for biozoation are Miscellanea juliettae (Leppig, 1988), Miscellanea yvettae (Leppig, 1988), Miscellanea miscella (d' Archiac and & Haime, 1853). On this basis two Taxon Range Zones viz. Miscellanea juliettae Taxon Range Zone and Miscellanea miscella Taxon Range Zone and one Concurrent Range Zone (Miscellanea juliettae - Miscellanea miscella Concurrent Range Zone) have been identified. Data base used for palaeoenvironment interpretation of the Lakadong Limestone is species association of foraminifera of families Pellatispiridae, Nummulitidae, Lepidorbitoididae, Alveolinidae and Discocyclinidae. This suggests a reef complex environment for these limestones where both the back-reef and fore-reef environments were prevalent.

8 illus, 4 palate, 29 ref