009052   Das D P;Bajpai S;Thewissen J G M;Mishra V P (NO, Geological Survey of India, Kolkata-700 016) : Unusual specimen of the eocene whale Remingtonocetus (Cetacea, mammalia) from Kutchh, India. J Palaeont Soc India 2009, 54(2), 225-7.

An unususal specimen skull in tight occlusion with left and right mandibles of the middle Eocene whale Remingtonocetus harudiensis from Kutch, western India, is described. The specimen adds significantly to our knowledge of the skull and mandibular morphology of this important taxon.

1 plate, 8 ref

009051   Bharti S R;Singh A D (Geology Dep, Banaras Hindu Univ, Varanasi-221 005, Email: bharti_sr07@yahoo.com) : Late quaternary record of buliminids from the eastern arabiansea (off Goa) and its significance in palaeoceanographic reconstruction. J Palaeont Soc India 2009, 54(1), 27-40.

Benthic foraminiferal assemblages of closely spaced samples of a 9.65 m long sediment core retrieved from 1230 m water depth off Goa were analysed both qualitatively and quantitatively. The buliminid group, which is considered to be sensitive to ocean bottom environment represents a quantitatively most important component of the benthic population in the examined samples. All eight recorded species constituting the buliminid group are briefly described and illustrated. The down-core distribution pattern of total buliminids shows major fluctuations on millennial scale in the last 70 kyr. Based on the modern ecological data of buliminid taxa encountered in this investigation, it is suggested that the temporal variation in buliminids is associated with the variation in surface primary productivity and dissolved oxygen level. However, sensitive response of individual taxa to changes in theses oceanographic parameters is variable.

3 illus, 85 ref

009050   Bajpai S;Kapur V V;Thewissen J G M (Earth Science Dep, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee-247 667, Email: sunilfes@iitr.ernet.in) : Creodont and condylarth from the cambay shale (Early eocene, <126>55-54 MA), Vastan lignite mine, Gujarat, western India. J Palaeont Soc India 2009, 54(1), 103-9.

Describes two new mammalian taxa from the basal Eocene Cambay Shale deposits of the Vastan Lignite Mine, Gujarat, western India. One of these, a hyaenodontid creodont, pertains to a new taxon based on several dentaries (Indohyaenodon raoi n. gen. & n. sp.), and the other is an unnamed condylarth, possibly an arctocyonid, with a tribosphenic, bunodont upper molar morphology. The new finds augment the diversity of the Vastan mammal fauna significantly.

2 plate, 2 tables, 46 ref

020800   Zhichen S;Weiming W;Fei H (NO, Nanjing Inst of Geol and Palaeont Chin Acad of Sci, Nanjing 21008, China, Email: wmwang@jlonline.com) : Occurrence of Jiangsupollis from the upper cretaceous of North Eastern India and its significance. Palaeobotanist 2005, 54(1-3), 79-85.

Jiangsupollis striatus was widely distributed in the Upper Creataceous of southern China. Some species assignable to this genus were also reported from eastern part of India, which indicate that unknown parent plants of the pollen grains were also growing in India and geographically there was certain connection between southern China and eastern India in the Late Creataceous for migration. This also reveals the fact that the taxa Aquilapollenites and Integricorpus which is morphologically identical to Jiangsupollis species in eastern India might have migrated from Asian Plate rather than northern African Plate at that time.

2 illus, 2 plates, 32 ref

020799   Venkatachala B S;Mandaokar B D;Kar R K (16 East Canal Rd, Dehra Dun, Uttaranchal-286 001) : Further observation on Meyeripollis Baksi & Venkatachala, 1970. Palaeobotanist 2004, 53(1-3), 169-72.

^ssc1 plate, 12 ref

020798   Trivedi G K (NO, Birbal Sahni Inst of Palaeobotany, 53 University Road, Lucknow-226 007) : New names for two angiospermous pollen grains from the tertiary sediments of Assam, India. Palaeobotanist 2005, 54(1-3), 121.

^ssc5 ref

020797   Tewari R;Rajanikanth A;Jha N (Birbal Sahni Inst of Palaeobotany, 53 Univ Rd, Lucknow-226 007) : Permian Gondwana megaspores from Wardha basin,India. Palaeobotanist 2004, 53(1-3), 35-50.

A rich megaspore assemblage has been recorded from the Early Permian Barakar Formation Umrer Coalfield, Wardha Basin. The assemblage is represented by nine genera and thirteen species : Bokarosporites rotundus, Banksisporites indicus, B. utkalensis, Duosporites congoensis, D. irregularis, Duosporites sp.,Barakrella pantii, Talchirella trivedii, Jhariatriletes baculosus, two new species-Biharisporites umrerensis and B. waigaoensis besides the taxa Lagenoisporites sp. and Setosisporites hirsutus. The last two are reported for the first time from India. Preponderance of trilete and gulate megaspores indicates a dominance of Cryptogams and an association of gulate forms. in particular, suggests lycopsid affinity. The assemblage indicates prevalence of marshy and humid environmental condition of deposition.

1 illus, 54 ref

020796   Srivastava C (Birbal Sahni Inst of Palaeobotany, 53 Univ Rd, Lucknow-226 007) : Wood remains from Ahichchhatra, district Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh (ca. 475 B.C. to A.D. 1280). Palaeobotanist 2004, 53(1-3), 161-8.

Anatomical investigation of wood remains from an ancient mound at Ahichchhatra in Bareilly District of Uttar Pradesh along with their archaeological significance has been reported. The wood charcoals are the only botanical finds described from this ancient site. The studies have brought to light the exploitaton of locally available timbers by the ancient settlers from the surounding Sal forests in this region of Ganga-Yamuna Doab, from late Painted Grey Ware and Northern Black Polished Ware periods up to Historical levels (approximately from ca. 475 B.C. to A.D. 1280). The taxa recoverd viz., Shorea robusta (Sal), Terminalia tomentosa (Laurel), Dalbergia sissoo (Sheesham), Anogeissus latifolia (Axle-wood) and Acacia sp. (Babul), indicate prevalence of tropical monsoon climate in the ancient times, similar to the present day conditions.

3 plates, 18 ref

020795   Srivastava A K;Manik S R;Patil G V;Gawande R R (P.G. Dep of Geol, Amravati Univ, Amravati, Maharashtra) : The genus Araucarites from upper Gondwana succession (Early cretaceous) of Bairam Belkher area, district Amravati, Maharashtra and district Betul, Madhya Pradesh. Palaeobotanist 2004, 53(1-3), 91-5.

Investigation corroborates with the vegetative counterparts belonging to conifers recovered from the fossiliferous horizons of the Upper Gondwana succession of the Early Cretaceous age. The succession, in addition, to the species of Filicales, Bennettitales, Cycadales and Coniferales, also revealed the rich assemblage of Araucarites, viz., A. cutchensis, A. minutus and Araucarites sp.

1 illus, 1 plate, 16 ref

020794   Singh K M;Chandra A;Chandra S (NO, Birbal Sahni Inst of Palaeobotany, 53, University Road, Lucknow-226 007, Email: kamaljeet31@hotmail.com) : Evaluation of earliest permian flora of India and its equivalents in other Gondwana continents. Palaeobotanist 2005, 54(1-3), 107-13.

The Talchir Formation occurs at the base of the Indian Gondwana sequence resting directly on the Precambrian basement and is conformably overlain by the coal bearing Damuda Group. It is a treasure trove of plant fossils and holds clue to the origin and subsequent rise of Glossopteris flora. Mega and palynofossils of the Talchir Formation reported from various basins of peninsular India are reviewed in the light ofnew researches. A comparative study of homotaxial flora from other Gondwana continents indicates uniformity and similarity in plant types at the generic level. The flora reconfirms an Early Permian age equivalent to Asselian-Sakmarian for the Talchir Formation.

1 illus, 49 ref

020793   Sharma M;Shukla M (Birbal Sahni Inst of Palaeobotany, 53 Univ Rd, Lucknow-266 007, Email: e-mail: mukund.sharma@rediffmail.com) : A new Archaean stromatolite from the Chitradurga group, Dharwar craton, India and its significance. Palaeobotanist 2004, 53(1-3), 5-16.

Systematics, morphogenesis and depositional environment of a new stromatolite morphotype Batiola indica from the<126> 2.6 Ga old Archaean sediments of the Chitradurga group, Dharwar craton, India has been presented. It has been grouped under family Cryptophytonidae. Its morphological features are attributed to both biotic and environmental factors and considered to have been formed in a tidal regime.

9 illus, 68 ref

020792   Rao M R (Birbal Sahni Inst of Palaeobotany, 53 Univ Rd, Lucknow-226 007, Email: rao_mr_2000@yahoo.com) : Palynological investigation of the Sindhudurg formation (Miocene) exposed at Kalviwadi, Sindhudurg district, Maharashtra, India. Palaeobotanist 2004, 53(1-3), 123-35.

Diversified palynoflora assemblage has been recovered from the Sindhudurg Formation exposed at Kalviwadi, Sindhudurg District, Maharashtra. The palynoflora consists of fungal remains (18 genera and 26 species), pteridophyte spores (5 genera and 5 species) and angiosperm pollen (12 genera and 13 species). Two new species of fossil angiosperm pollen are proposed: Lakiapollis ratnagiriensis and Tricolporopollis sindhudurgensis. A quantitative analysis of the spores and pollen recoverd shows a dominance of fungal remains is a conspicuous feature of the assemblage. The palynomorphs in the assemblage has been compared with pollen and spores of modern taxa. The distribution of the families represented by the fossil assemblage suggests a tropical-subtropical (warm and humid) climate with high rainfall. The depositional environment is interpreted as near shore, coastal with brackish swampy lagoon.

4 illus, 3 plates, 43 ref

020791   Ramanujam C G K (Palaeobotany-Palynology Res Lab. Dep of Bot P.G. Coll of Sci, Osmania Univ, Saifabad, Haryana) : Palms through ages in Southern India. Palaeobotanist 2004, 53(1-3), 1-4.

9 ref

020790   Ram Awatar;Mukhopadhyay A;Adhikari S (Birbal Sahni Institite of Palaeobotany, 53 Univ Rd, Lucknow-226 007, Email: rawatar_2003@yahoo.com) : Palynostratigraphy of sub-surfece Lower Gondwana, Pali sediments, Sohagpur coalfield, M.P., India. Palaeobotanist 2004, 53(1-3), 51-9.

Two palynoassemblages have been identified in B.H. SKM 6, from Mitharuri-Kelmania Sector of Sohagpur Coalfield, M.P. The palynoassemblage I (254.00-163.40m), of Late Early Permian age reveals the dominance of Scheuringipollenites and Faunipollenites in association with Barakrites, Parasaccites, Ibisporites, Rhizomspora, Potonieisporites, Arcuatipollenites, Tiwariasporis and Brevitriletes. The Palynoassemblage II (157.40-77.90 m), contains striate disaccate pollen, viz., Faunipollenites, Striatopodocarpites and Crescentipollenites in prominence. Besides, Arcuatipollenites, Densipollenites, Gondisporites, Distriatites, Striatites, Hamiapollenites, Guttulapollenites, Dicappipollenites and Alisporites have also been recorded, with sporadic occurrence of Goubinispora, <63>Brachysaccus, Trabeculosporites, Densoisporites, Playfordiaspora, Lundbladispora, Satsangisaccites, Krempipollenites, Falcisporites, Nidipollenites and Kamthisaccites wthich suggest a Late Permian age of the assemblage. The significant outcome of the study has been recorded by identifying the Late Permian palynofloral assemblage for the first time in this part of the Sohagpur Coalfield, which is corroborate with the Middle Pali Member of the Pali Formation, in the South Rewa Basin, M.P.

2 illus, 2 plates, 28 ref

020789   Ram Awatar;Madhav Kumar;Neeru Prakash (NO, Birbal Sahni Inst of Palaeobotany, 53 University Road, Lucknow-226 007) : Palynological analysis of lower Gondwana sediments exposed along the Umrar river, South Rewa basin, Madhya Pradesh, India. Palaeobotanist 2005, 54(1-3), 87-97.

The palynflora and other organic content in carbonaceous shales, exposed along Umrar River, District Umaria have been studied. The organic matter comprises rich black debris, biodegraded, amorphous and structured material, mainly composed of land-derived plant fragments, e.g., leaf cuticles, twigs, stem (elements with bordered pits, xylem and phloem tissues) and roots with their various degradational phases. The basal part of the sequence indicates reducing environment of deposition while upper part denotes a slow depositional setting under moderately oxidizing conditions. Two palynozones have been recognized: the basal-most sequence is characterized by the dominance of Callumispora and Jayantisporites, while the younger sequence is dominated by Parasaccites-Plicatipollenites and zonate triletes in association with striate-bisaccate pollen affiliated to the Lower and Upper Karharbari miofloras. Record of Dictyotidium, Muraticava, Leiosphaeridia, Balmeella, Foveofusa and Tetraporina suggests a brackish water regime during deposition of these sediments. Age of spores-pollen assemblages and the characteristics of orgaic matter has been studied in order to assess the depositional environment of lithologically undifferentiated, coal-bearing Early Permian strata of South Rewa Basin, Madhya Pradesh.

34 illus, 34 ref

020788   Rajanikanth A;Tewari R (Birbal Sahni Inst of Palaeobotany, 53 Univ Rd, Lucknow-226 007, Email: arajanikanth@hotmail.com) : (NULL). Palaeobotanist 2004, 53(1-3), 69-81.

Synthesis of fossil gymnospermous woods from various Gondwana basins of India has been presented, and characters of growth rings in the secondary wood, particularly tracheidal cell characters, are evaluated for possible palaeoclimatic signals. Permian fossil woods are mostly recorded from the Damuda, Wardha and Pranhita-Godavari basins. Growth rings are common in many of these species and suggest strong seasonality. Triassic woods are poorly known from the South Rewa Gondwana Basin; the paucity of growth rings suggests a lack of marked seasons. Available evidence on Jurassic woods from the Pranhita-Godavari Graben indicates lack of consistency in the growth ring distribution. Early Cretaceous fossil wood recorded from the Damuda, Pranhita-Godavari, East-Coast and Kutch basins mostly show growth rings, which suggest prevalence of distinct seasons. Ecological factors coupled with phenotypic plasticity, i.e., variation with the same genotype as a function of environmental differences (genetic flexibility) probably dictated wood accumulation patterns in Indian Gondwana woods. However, palaeo-latitudinal and palaeo-physiographic constraints influenced habitats, and subsequent taphonomic processes resulted in incomplete understanding of palaeoclimate. In the absence of contemporary meteorological data during Gondwana times on what is now on the Indian continent, fossil woods constitute an important tool for understanding the past impact of climate on tree growth.

1 illus, 1 table, 137 ref

020787   Prasad M;Khare E G (Birbal Sahni Inst of Palaeobotany, 53 Univ Rd, Lucknow-226 007) : Cuticular studies on the fossil leaves from Churia (Siwalik) sediments of Arjun Khola sequence, Western Nepal. Palaeobotanist 2004, 53(1-3), 105-12.

Two fossil leaf impressions along with their cuticle, collected from Middle Siwalik (Upper Miocene) sediments of Arjun Khola Sequence, about 3 km north-west of Lamhi in Deokhuri District of Western Nepal, have been identified on the basis of their morphological and cuticular features. They resemble closely with the modern taxa. Sterculia coccinea Jack. and Diospyros toposia Ham. of the Sterculiaceae and Ebenaceae respectively. The present distribution of the modern equivalent taxa of the fossils and the presence of fungal spores in their cuticle collectively indicate the prevalence of warm humid climate in the area during Upper Miocene.

2 illus, 2 plates, 51 ref

020786   Neeru Praksh;Rajanikanth A (Birbal Sahni Inst of Palaeobotany, 53 Univ Rd, Lucknow-226 007) : Podocarpoxylon bansaense n.sp. from the Bansa beds, south Rewa , Gondwana basin. Palaeobotanist 2004, 53(1-3), 177-80.

^ssc2 illus, 1 plate, 19 ref

020785   Naugolnykh S V;Zavialova N E (Lab of Paleofloristics Geol Inst, Russian Acad of Sci, Pyzhevksy per.7, Moscow-109017, Russia, Email: naug@geo.tv-sign.ru) : Densoisporites polaznaensis sp. nov.: with comments on its relation to Viatcheslavia Uorcutensis Zalessky. Palaeobotanist 2004, 53(1-3), 21-33.

A new species of lycopsid microspores, Densoisporites polaznaensis, has been described. The spores were extracted from clayey matrix containing stems and phylloids of Viatcheslavia vorcutensis Zalessky, a characteristic lepidophyte of the lowermost Upper Permian (Solikamskian) of the Ural Mountains and Russinan Platform. The fossils studied came from Polazna Locality of the Ufimian (Roadian) age, situated near Perm City, Russia. The spores of D.polaznaensis are 30-69 μm, round to subtriangular, having almost smooth proximal side with clearly visible trilete scar with rays extended to the spore equator. Distal side of the spores has a fine granulate relief, formed by widely spaced distinct granulae. The sporoderm is two-layerd; the outer layer consisits of nimerous interlaced lamellae and the inner layer includes a single lamella. At some sections, in the central region of spores, "laminated zones" were detected in the inner layer. There is a weakly developed cavity in the sporoderm. Viatcheslavia vorcutensis is represented by wide stem fragments (up to 30 cm in diameter). Leaf cushions are present on old lowermost stem parts, but any attached phylloids/sporophylls were not found, the phylloids/sporophylls obviously were shed. Leaf cushions usually are round, with clerar scar of leaf attachment and ligular depression on the upper margin of the cushion. Two small areas of parenchymatous tissues (possible parichnos) are occasionally seen. nces and typological extrapolation with related taxa of lycophytes belonging to the family Pleuromeiaceae, it is suggested that microspores of Densoisporites polaznaensis were porduced by Viatcheslacvia vorcutensis. The palaeoecology of Viatcheslavia vorcutensis interpreted as a halophytic planthas been discussed.

3 illus, 6 plates, 30 ref

020784   Mandaokar B D (NO, Birbal Sahni Inst of Palaeobotany, 53 University Road, Lucknow-226 007) : Age and depositional environment of the Upper Bhuban Formation of Champhai area (Eastern mizo hills) India-A palynological approach. Palaeobotanist 2004, 53(1-3), 143-53.

Palynological analysis of outcropping claystone, shale and alternation of sandstone-siltstone, Upper Bhuban Formation from Champhai, eastern Mizoram, India has been attempted. In all total 47 genera and 60 species are recognised in the assemblage. Of these 8 genera and 11 species are represented by pteridophytic spores and 27 genera and 35 species belong to angiospermic pollen, 6 genera and 6 species to gymnospermous pollen, fungal remains are also encountered. Some significant constituents of the assemblage are Dictyophyllidites, Pteridacidites, Polypodiisporites, Lycopodiumsporites, Compositoipollenites, Polygonacidites, Malvacearumpollis, Hibisceapollenites, Cupuliferoipollenites, Alnipollenites, Engelhardtioidites, Pinuspollenites, Piceaepollenites and Podocarpidites. Quantitative dominance of angiospermous pollen is a conspicuous feature of the assemblage. The recorded palynological assemblage indicates the prevalence of wet semi evergreen type of vegetation with warm and humid tropical-temperate climate with plenty of rainfall during sedimentation. On the basis of comparisen of the present assemblage with the palynoassemblages known from Indian Tertiary sediments. An Upper Miocene age has been assigned to the Tertiary sediments of Champhai area of Mizoram.

5 illus, 44 ref

020783   Madhav Kumar;Saxena R K;Anil Chandra (NO, 53 Univ Rd, Lucknow-226 007) : Dispersed organic matter from Neogene and Pleistocene sediments of site 218 of Deep Sea drilling project leg 22, Bengal fan, Indian ocean. Palaeobotanist 2004, 53(1-3), 155-60.

Dispersed organic matter has been recorded from the Neogene-Pleistocene sediments of site 218 of the Deep Sea Drilling Project Leg 22, Bengal Fan and depositional environment of the studied sequences has been deduced. An attempt has been made to calibrate frequency abundance of organic matter in order to identify variation at various depth levels. Based on the occurrence and frequency of various types of organic matter the borehole section has been divided into lower, middle and upper zones. The lower zone is rich in biodegraded terrestrial organic matter, whereas the upper zone exhibits abunance of structured terrestrial and black debris. Spores and pollen are poorly represented. Recycled Cretaceous palynofossils have been recorded throughout the sequence. The analysis of lithologic and organic matter data indicates that these sediments were deposited in deltaic environment. The begaviour pattern of biodegraded, structured and black debris indicates reducing condition in the lower zone and oxidizing condition in the upper zone.

2 illus, 1 plate, 18 ref

020782   Krassilov V A;Doludenko M P (Inst of Evolution, Univ of Haifa, Mount Carmel, Email: vkrassilov@hotmail.com) : New jurassic protocycadalean ovuliphores and the origins of the Cycadales. Palaeobotanist 2004, 53(1-3), 83-9.

Ovuliferous spikes with two lateral rows of ovules are described from the Callovian of Georgia. The ovules are large, orthotropous, oblique to the stout rachis, with a scar of subtending bract at the base. They show a relatively thin integument and a bulky nucellus topped by a broad nucellar beak. This find constitutes a new genus Baruligyna gen. nov. closely related to the perviously described semionogyna Krassilov et Bugdaeva from the Lower Cretaceous of Transbaikalia. Both are associated with pteridosperm-like foliage. In the case of Baruligyna, the associated leaves are of a Pachypteris morphotype, bipinnate with thick leathery pinnules similar to the ovules in shape and dimensions. This group of Mesozoic plants is considered as transitional between the Permian callipterids and the Mesozoic cycads indicating the origin of Cycas-type ovuliphores ("macrosporophylls") form planated bracteate strobili.

3 plates, 11 ref

020781   Khowaja-Ateequzzaman;Garg R (Birbal Sahni Inst of Palaeobotany, 53 Univ road, Lucknow-226 007, Email: khowaja_ateeq@yahoo.com) : Callaiosphaeridium scabratum sp. nov.-- a new dinoflagellate cyst species from early Turonian of the Cauvery basin, India. Palaeobotanist 2004, 53(1-3), 97-103.

A new dinoflagellate cyst species Callaiosphaeridium scabratum, has been discovered from the Kulakkalnattam sandstone Member of the Garudamangalam Formation exposed in the Cauvery Basin, southern India. This striking new species, characterised by a scabrate wall and distally open short and broad tubular paracingular processes, will add greatly to the ability to correlate Lower Turonian strata in the region.

2 illus, 1 plate, 35 ref

020780   Kar R K;Ambwani K;Agarwal A;Saha S K (Birbal Sahni Inst of Palaeobotany, 53 Univ Rd, Lucknow-226 007) : Remarks on Glutoxylon burmerse (Holden) Chowdhury from Lal Mai Hills, Comilla District, Bangladesh. Palaeobotanist 2004, 53(1-3), 137-41.

A fossil wood resembling the extant wood of Gluta of the family Anacardiaceae has been described from the Lal Mai Hills, Comilla District, Bangladesh. The Lal Mai Hills belongs to Dupi Tila Formation and is of Late Miocene in age. The fossil wood closely resembles Gluta in the presence of mostly solitary vessels with tyloses, xylem rays uni to biseriate, apotracheal-paratracheal parenchyma, fibres arranged in radial rows and radial gum canals. The probable cause of extinction of Gluta from the eastern parts of India and Bangladesh has also been discussed.

1 illus, 1 plate, 16 ref

020779   Jha N (Birbal Sahni Inst of Palaeobotany, 53 Univ Rd, Lucknow-226 007, Email: e-mail: neerjajha@yahoo.co.uk) : Palynological dating of coal bearing sediments from the Bottapagudem area, Chintalpudi sub basin, Andhra Pradesh. Palaeobotanist 2004, 53(1-3), 61-7.

Palynological studies were carried out in bore core MAB-1 from the Bottapagudem area of the Beddadanur Block in Chintalpudi Sub-Basin in order to date and correlate the coal bearing sediments. Three palynological assemblages have been recognised in 220 m thick sedimentary sequence of this bore hole MAB-1. Assemblage I is characterised by dominance of striate disaccates, chiefly Striatopodocarpites and Faunipollenites, along with some stratigraphically significant taxa, viz., Falcisporites, Guttulapollenites, Chordasporites, Osmundacidites, Playfordiaspora, Klausipollenites, Strotesporites and Vitreisporites. Assemblage II is also dominated by striate disaccates, together with Densipollenites and rare occurrences of palynotaxa like Falcisporites, Klausipollenites, Playfordiaspora, Lundbladispora, Chordasporites, Strotersporites, Densoisporites and Lunatisporites. Palynoassemblage III is likewise dominated by striate disaccates, with common occurrence of Crescentipollenites and less frequent Falcisporites, Chordasporites, Klausipollenites and Strotersporites. All three assemblages belong to the Raniganj palynosequence and are of Late Permian age. Raniganj palynoflora has been recorded in lithologically designated Barren Measures sequence between 176-220 m.

6 illus, 20 ref

020778   Guleria J S;Hemanta Singh R K;Mehrotra R C; Soibam I;Rajkumar Kishor (NO, Birbal Sahni Inst of Palaeobotany, 53 University Road, Lucknow-226 007, Email: guleriajs@yahoo.com) : Palaeogene plant fossils of Manipur and their palaeoecological significance. Palaeobotanist 2005, 54(1-3), 61-77.

Palaeogene plant fossils from Manipur, Northeast India has been described for the first time. The fossils were recovered from the late Eocene and early Oligocene sediments in the vicinity of the boundary of the Disang and Barail Groups of rocks of the Imphal Valley and its adjoining areas. All the fossils belong to Angiosperms and represent monocots and dicots. The assemblage consists of mainly dicotyledonous leaves, two types of palm leaves, a fruiting shoot, a leguminous fruit and a bark. The fossil leaves show a rich morphological diversity and indicate the existence of warm and humid tropical vegetation at the time of deposition.

35 illus, 53 ref

020777   Feng Z;LI P;Shen G;Wang J (Dep of Geol, Northwest Univ, Xi'an-710069, PR China) : Geographic and stratigraphic distribution of Jurinodendron in China. Palaeobotanist 2004, 53(1-3), 17-20.

Cyclostigma. Haughton ex. Heer 1871, which is a homonym of modern botany, should be abandoned. Doweld proposed Jurinodendron Doweld to replace it.Geographic and stratigraphic distribution of Jurinodendron in P.R. China has been discussed, which adds to the current knowledge of the distribution of Jurinodendron Doweld and its significance as a cosmopolitan taxon.

2 illus, 38 ref

020776   Chakraborty M (Birbal Sahni Inst of Palaeobotany, 53 Univ Rd, Lucknow-226 007) : Palynology of the Lakadong Sandstone (Late Palaeocene) exposed around Bhalukurung, North Cachar Hills, Assam. Palaeobotanist 2004, 53(1-3), 113-21.

Rich palynoassemblage has been recorded from the carbonaceous shale and coal beds in the Lakadong Sandstone exposed around Bhalukurung on the bank of Kopili River, near Umrongso (North Cachar Hills), Assam. The palynoassemblage comprises 40 genera and 60 species. The significant palynotaxa are Dandotiaspora dilata, D. telonata. Lycopodiumsporites speciosus, Neocouperipollis kutchensis, Matanomadhiasulcites maximus, Spinizonocopites echinatus, Proxapertites cursus. Lakiapollis ovatus, Tricolporopollis matanomadhensis and Proteacidites protrudus. The assemblage has been equated with that of Lycopodiumsporites speciosus Cenozone on the basis of palynofloral similarity. The assemblage has been compared with the known contemporaneous palynoassemblages from northeast India and Kutch to assess similarities and differences between them. The palynoflora indicates tropical, warm humid climate and coastal depositional environment with mangrove swamps. The assemblage indicates an Upper Palaeocene (Thanetion) age.

3 illus, 1 plate, 43 ref

020775   Bijai Prasad;Uniyal S N;Asher R (NO, KDM Inst of Petrol Explor Oil and Nat Gas Corporation Limited, 9 Kaulagarh Road, Dehra Dun-248 195, Email: bijaiprasad@indiatimes.com) : Organic-walled microfossils from the Proterozoic Vindhyan Supergroup of Son Valley, Madhya Pradesh, India. Palaeobotanist 2005, 54(1-3), 13-60.

Well-preserved and diversified organic-walled microfossil assemblages are recorded from the Vindhyan sediments of Son Valley and DMH-A well, in Madhya Pradesh. The microfossils include acritarchs, coccoid and filamentous taxa that suggest a Meso-Neoproterozoic age for the Vindhyan Supergroup which, hitherto, was assigned a Late Paleoproterozoic to Early Palaeozoic age, based on fossil evidences and radiometric datings. The Kajrahat Limestone, within the basal Semri Group, recorded abundant filamentous microfossils, viz. Polythrichoides, Karamia, Arctacellularia and Siphonophycus along with simple unornamented sphaeromorph acritarchs (Leiosphaeridia spp.), suggesting ca. 1500-1450 Ma age of Early Mesoproterozoic. The microfossil assemblage of Deonar Formation also includes the above taxa; however, Satka, Eomicrocystis and acanthomorph acritarchs, Tappania spp., appear within this formation along with abundant polygonomorph acritarchs referable to Octoedryxium. The Deeonar microfossil assemblage resembles the assemblage of Roper Group (northern Asutralia) suggests ca. 1450-1350 Ma age of Early to Middle Mesoproterozoic. The sediments of Kheinjua Subgroup are marked by the appearance of various species of Navifusa, Simia and Pterospermopsimorpha in the Koldaha Shale with overall abundance of Tappania, Satka, Eomicrocystis, Kildinosphaera and Leiosphaeridia.

5 illus, 11 plates, 165 ref

020774   Bajpai U (NO, Birbal Sahni Inst of Palaeobotany, 53 University Road, Lucknow-226 007) : Ultrastructure of the pericarp in the fruit of Calophyllum inophyllum Linne (Clusiaceae). Palaeobotanist 2005, 54(1-3), 115-19.

The family Clusiaceae is represented in the Tertiary flora of India by leaves, wood and solitary fruit. The identification of the fruit with Clusiaceae is suspect. Therefore, the pericarp in the fruits of Calophyllum inophyllum Linne of the family Clusiaceae (= Guttiferae) has been examined under the scanning electron microscope to generate anatomical data that my help in identification of fossil clusiaceous fruits.

4 illus, 24 ref

020773   Ataabadi M M;Djafarian M;Alizadeh J M (Geol Dep Fac of Sci, Univ of Helsinki, P.O. Box 64, FIN-00014 Helsinki, Finland, Email: majid.mirzaie@helsinki.fi) : Occurrence of Aninopteris (Matoniaceae) from the middle Jurassic of East Central Iran. Palaeobotanist 2005, 54(1-3), 99-106.

Aninopteris Givulescu and Popa 1998, a matoniacean fern originally known from the Lower Jurassic deposits of Romania, has been recently reported from the Middle Jurassic coal bearing deposits of Mazino mine, south of Tabas region, east central Iran. This is the second record of this genus, excepting its original occurrence from the Anina region of Romania. Besides the younger age, the Iranian materials differs from the type material in having a higher number of sporangia, and less branched secondary veins. Thus, Aninopteris formosa var. persica var. nov has been proposed for the studied material.

13 illus, 26 ref

020772   Agarwal A;Rajanikant A (Birbal Sahni Inst of Palaeobotany, 53 Univ Rd, Lucknow-226 007) : Podocarpacean wood from the cretaceous of Cauvery basin. Palaeobotanist 2004, 53(1-3), 173-6.

^ssc3 illus, 1 plate, 21 ref

017615   Karlekar S (Geography Dep, Sir Parashurambhau Coll, Pune) : Holocene fossil sedimentary feature of beach and dune origin on Varvade beach, Konkan, Maharashtra. Indian J Geomorph 2003, 8(1-2), 129-34.

Work is based on the study of the fossil sedimentary formation found overlained by the modern sand dune at Varvade on Konkan coast. It seems certain that the fossil ridge has an origin related to paleo beach and dune environment and suggests a higher sea level along the coast in late Holocene. The deposits are found to an inland distance of 100 m and are 3 m thick. There is a close association between the shoreline configuration, backshore relief and the location of the ridge. The width and the length of the ridge were probably controlled by paleo environment. The deposits are better preserved and intact along a limited stretch but elsewhere they appear patchy, modified and partly destroyed.

9 illus, 1 table, 6 ref

016566   Tewari R;Mandaokar B D;Mehrotra R C (NO, Birmal Sahni Inst of Palaeobotany, 53 University Road, Lucknow-226 007, Email: rcmehrotra@yahoo.com) : Fossil cuticles from the oligocene sediments of Northeast India. J appl Biosci 2005, 31(2), 90-104.

Rich and diversified assemblage of the fossil cuticles is described from the Barail sediments of the Makum and Dilli-Jeypore coalfields, Assam and from Champhai, Mizoram. The structural features of the cuticles exhibit a mixture of the mesomorphic and xeromorphic characters in which the former domiates. The study indicates that the climate of the region during the deposition of the Barail sediments was tropical, warm and humid with plenty of rainfall.

2 illus, 3 tables, 32 ref, 3 p

016565   Shevgaonkar R K (NO, , ) : Image restoration in radio astronomy. Ann Indian Natn Acad Engng 2005, 2(Dec), 105-9.

Theory of radio interferometry and apeture synthesis has been presented. The maximum entropy method for restoring and improving the quality of radio images obtained from radio telescope has been discussed. The method ranoun observational artifacts from the images and also improves the restoration.

3 illus, 5 ref

016564   Kumar S;Schidlowski M;Joachimski M M (Dep of Geol, Lucknow Univ, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh) : Carbon isotope stratigraphy of the palaeo-neoproterozoic Vindhyan supergroup, Central India: implications form basin evolution and intrabsinal correlation. J Palaeont Soc India 2005, 50(1), 65-81.

To establish the carbon isotope stratigraphy of the Vindhyan Supergroup fifty two bulk samples of the carbonate rocks were analysed for total carbon content, organic carbon content, δ¹³Corg, δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O. In addition 35 samples were also analysed for δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O. Three regions were selected for sampling viz., Chopan area, Uttar Pradesh, Maihar area, Madhya Pradesh and Kota - Chittorgarh area, Rajasthan. The carbonate content of the rocks varies from 24 to 99% but generally it is more than 70%. The organic carbon is present in very small quantities and is generally less than 0.05%. Over the whole Vindhyan profile δ¹³Corg shows a wide range from -24 to -34%o (PDB). The mean value (-29.0%) for the Semri Group is slightly lower in comparison to the mean value (-26.8%) for the Upper Vindhyan (the Rewa and Bhander Groups). δ¹³Ccarb varies between -5.9 and 4.4%. In the Semri Group, it is around zero per mil with 2% variation to either side. In the Maihar area, δ¹³Ccarb variation for the Bhander Group is bracketed within 2.6 and 4.4%, whereas in Rajasthan it shows a wide range from -5.9 to 3.4%, implying a total spread of about 9%c. The Lakheri Limestone of Rajasthan gives the mean value of δ¹³Ccarb as -5.4%o where as the mean value for the Bhander Limestone of Maihar area is 3.9%o. Thus, both the limestone horizons are not correlatable on the basis of isotope signatures. It is also suggested that the Lakheri Limestone is stratigraphically older than the Bhander Limestone. The negative values for the Lakheri Limestone may indicate colder climate and the sedimentation of this limestone may coincide with Sturtian glaciation. However, the field evidence for the glacial event is yet to be established. δ¹⁸Ocarb values for the entire Vindhyan succession varies quite widely between -2.3 and -15.5%o (PDB). It is concluded that isotopically the successions in the western and eastern parts of the Vindhyan Basin differ considerably. However, the carbon isotope values matches well with the global trend. There is no evidence to suggest that the Precambrian/Cambrian boundary exists within the Vindhyan Supergroup. It appears that the sedimentation in the Vindhyan Basin ceased around ca. 700 Ma. and the Vindhyans are in no way related to the Krol-Tal succession of the Lesser Himalaya.

8 illus, 8 tables, 79 ref

016563   Khosla S C;Kumari M;Darwinflexi A;Jakhar S R; Nagori M L (Dep of Geol, Mohanlal Sukhadia Univ, Udaipur-313 002) : Middle jurassic ostracoda from the northern island belt, Rann of Kachchh, Gujarat, India. J Palaeont Soc India 2005, 50(1), 17-64.

Seventy-four ostracod species from the Middle Jurassic of the Northern Island belt, including Bela, Khadir and Pachchham islands, Rann of Kachchh, Gujarat are described. Twenty-seven species - Citrella belaensis; Cytheropteron micropunctata, Fastigatocythere belaensis, F. elongata, F. flebilis, F. indica, F. jakhari, F. kachchhensis, F. mouwanaensis, F.? pachchhamensis, Galliaecytheridea gujaratensis, G. lodraniensis, Glabellacythere hussaini, Mandawacythere kachchhensis, M. multicostata, Mandelstamia biswasi, M. kachchhensis, Monoceratina mouwanaensis, M. rannensis, Morkhovenicylhereis rectangularis, Neurocythere? kachchhensis, Paracypris kachchliensis, P. mohani, Pseudoperissocytheridea concentrica, Timiriasevia kliadirensis, Trichordis amraparensis, and T. hadibhadangensis-are new. Forty species are assigned to already known taxa and seven species are left in open nomenclature. Based on the distribution of ostracods, five zones are proposed for the Middle Jurassic of the Northern Island Belt. They are, in ascending order: Trichordis hadibhadangensis Assemblage Zone (Bajocian-Bathonian), Cylheropteron micropunctata Assemblage Zone (Bathonian), Progonocythere laeviscula Assemblage Zone (late Bathonian-early Callovian), Fastigatocythere mouwanaensis Assemblage Zone (Callovian), and Majungaella perforata kachchhensis-Galliaecytheridea remote Concurrent Range Zone (middle-late Callovian). The correlation of these beds with those of Mainland Kachchh, the composition, age and palaeozoogeography of the ostracod fauna are also discussed.

7 illus, 4 tables, 67 ref

015595   Chauhan D K;Tiwari S P (Dep of Bot, Univ of Allahabad, Allahabad-211 002) : Fossil history of Ginkgo Linnaeus. Bionature 2005, 25(1-2), 57-67.

Ginkgophytes are an ancient group of plants which are believed to have existed during the Early Permian and are represented today by a single monotypic genus Ginkgo biloba L. Although, there is a rich fossil record of Ginkgo and Ginkgo like leaves but their reproductive structures are relatively rare and this has made our ability to trace the evolutionary history of Ginkgo, a bit difficult. The cladistic analysis suggest that Ginkgoales is a monophyletic group that includes Trichopitys, Polyspermophyllum, Karkenia, Toretzia, Umaltolepis, Yimaia, Grenana and Ginkgo.

4 illus, 36 ref

014600   Salunkhe V S (Dep of Bot, Bharati Vidyapeeth's Matoshri Bayabai Shripatrao Kadam Kanya Mahavidya, Kadegaon-415 304) : Pteridophytic remains from Uttatur plant beds of Tiruchirpalli district, Tamil Nadu. Bioinfolet 2005, 2(4), 286-7.

Deals with morphological studies of the fossil flora of Uttatur Plant beds in Tiruchirpalli district of Tamil Nadu belonging to Early Cretaceous age. Two pteridophytic impressions has been described.

2 illus, 5 ref

014599   Mandaokar B D;Upadhyay R;Mehrotra R C (NO, Birbal Sahni Inst of Palaeobotany 53 Univ Rd, Lucknow-226 007, Email: rcmehrotra@yahoo.com) : Animal remains from the Bhuban formation of the Lunglei district, Mizoram. J Geol Soc India 2005, 65(5), 624.

The occurrence of an annelid and a few molluscan fossils have been reported from the upper Bhuban Formation of a new fossil locality Tlabung, Lunglei District, Mizoram. Their presence indicates low intertidal to very shallow marine conditions in the region during the period of deposition.

^ssc2 illus, 1 table, 16 ref

014598   Gupta S;Bera S;Banerjee M (Dep of Bot, Univ of Calcutta, Kolkata-700 019, Email: manjubanerjeecu@yahoo.co.in) : Paleocene-eocene tropical coastal palynoassemblage from the older cenozoic sediments of Ganga basin with records of recycled microfossils. J Geol Soc India 2005, 65(5), 587-96.

Palynological investigation has been undertaken with the subsurface Cenozoic sediments of Ganga basin to establish biostratigraphy and environment of deposition. Samples from four bore holes viz. Puranpur, Matera, Gandak and Raxaul under study have yielded palynomorphs and other microfossils. Palynoassemblage recovered from the older Cenozoic sediments of the four bore holes has been analyzed to ascertain the age and environment of deposition. Rich palynoassemblage recovered from the Ganga basin sediments compare closely with the palynoassemblages recorded from Paleocene-Eocene sediments of other Tertiary basins in India. Occurrence of triporate 'Normapolles' type pollen grains in the assemblage is additional significant record. The palynoassemblage suggests a predominantly tropical warm humid climate with coastal brackish water influence. In addition, reworked microfossils of early and late Paleozoic, Mesozoic ages have been recovered in the lower Tertiary palynoassemblage.

3 illus, 4 tables, 41 ref

013370   Srivastava A K;Tewari R (NO, Birbal Sahni Inst of Palaeobotany, Lucknow-226 007) : Megaspore assemblage from Pench valley coalfield, Madhya Pradesh, India. Geophytology 2004, 34(1-2), 57-64.

Carbonaceous shale samples of Barakar Formation (Lower Gondwana) collected from different collieries of Rawanwara area of Pencn Valley Coalfield, Satpura Gondwana Basin have yielded a well preserved megaspore assemblage. Morphological and structural studies of megaspores under dry and wet conditions with controlled maceration revealed the presence of following megaspores: Barakarella pantii, Banksisporites utkalensis, Bokarosporites rotundus, Duosporites congoensis, Duosporites multipunctatus, Talchirelia trivedii and Singhisporiles radialis. The distribution of megaspores in the Barakar Formation has been discussed in relation to structural features.

2 plates, 14 ref

013369   Srivastava A K;Manik S R;Gawande R R;Patil G V (Geol Dep, Amravati Univ, Amravati-444 602) : Pteridophytic remains from early cretaceous succession. Geophytology 2004, 34(1-2), 105-14.

Plant megafossils recovered from Upper Gondwana beds belonging to Early Cretaceous succession of Bairam- Belkher area exhibit beautifully preserved sterile and fertile specimens having pteridophytic affinities. The assemblage is represented by Gleichenites, Sphenopteris, Matonidium, Cladophebis, Phlebopteris, Todites and Coniopteris. The emphasis has been given to the morphotaxonomy and comparative distribution of ferns in Early Cretaceous succession of India.

4 plate, 37 ref

013368   Saxena R K;Khare S (NO, Birbal Sahni Inst of Palaeobotany, Lucknow-226007) : Palynological investigation of the Jayamkondacholapuram Well-12, Tiruchirapalli district, Tamil Nadu, India. Geophytology 2004, 34(1-2), 73-93.

A palynofloral assemblage, containing 57 genera and 104 species, has been recorded from the Jayamkondacholapurarm Well-12 in Tiruchirapalli district, Tamil Nadu. The assemblage includes 12 genera and 19 species of pteridophytic spores and 45 genera and 85 species of angiospermous pollen. The present day distribution of these families indicates prevalence of a tropical climate with plenty of rainfall during the sedimentation of the studied stratigraphic sequence. Based on frequency analysis and vertical distribution of the palynofossils, three distinct biozones, viz., Neocouperipollis spp. Cenozone, Triangulorites bellus Cenozone and Trilatiporites sellingii Cenozone have been recognized. Each of these zones can be identified by its characteristic palynofossils. Comparison with known palynoassemblages indicates a Late Palaeocene-Middle Eocene age for the lignite and associated sediments of the Jayamkondacholapuram Well section.

1 illus, 1 table, 77 ref

013367   Neeru Prakash (NO, Birbal Sahni Inst of Palaeobotany, Lucknow-226 007) : Reappraisal of Athgarh flora with remarks on its age. Geophytology 2004, 34(1-2), 101-4.

Mega and microfossil data from the Athgarh Formation in Mahanadi Basin has been evaluated for correlation of fossiliferous beds. The mega plants show the dominance of pteridophytes and conifers and rare occurrence of cycadophytes. The genera Gleichenia, Hausmannia, Phlebopteris, Onychiopsis, Cycadopteris, Brachyphyllum, Pagiophyllum, Araucarites and Elatocladus are important constituent of the flora. The Araucariacites-Callialasporites pollen complex along with megaspores, Murospora, Paxillitriletes and Lamelatrlletes (=in situ spore of Weichselia) are recorded from Athgarh Formation. The comparison and correlation of flora with the floral assemblages of other basins of India show that Athagarh Formation represents an Early Cretaceous sequence in Mahanadi Basin and may be an eastern extension of Bansa Flora of Jabalpur Formation. The environment under which the sediments deposited was fluvio-lacustrine.

29 ref

013366   Guleria J S;Srivastava R;Nanda A C;Sehgal R K (NO, Birbal Sahni Inst of Palaeobotany, 53 University Road, Lucknow-226 007, Email: guleriajs@yahoo.com) : Two fossil woods from the siwalik subgroup of northwestern Himalaya. J Geol Soc India 2005, 66(5), 609-16.

Reports the occurrence of a fossil wood of Terminalia for the first time from the Lower Siwalik Subgroup of Panchkula, Haryana along with a fossil Dipterocarpus wood from further east in the Middle Siwalik Subgroup, exposed south of Dehra Dun, Uttaranchal. These woods indicate the prevalence of moist conditions and existence of tropical lowland vegetation in the western part of Himalayan foot-hills till the Middle Siwalik.

2 illus, 49 ref

013365   Borkar V D;Kulkarni K G;Bhattacharjee S (NO, Agharkar Res Inst, Pune-411 004) : Molluscan fauna from the miocene sediments of Kachchh, Gujarat, India - part 1. oysters. Geophytology 2004, 34(1-2), 1-7.

Four species of oysters collected from the Miocene sediments of the Abdassa Subdivision of Kachchh, Gujarat has been briefly described. Work also includes taxonomic revision of the other oyster species in the light of revised generic definitions. The species are now designated as Hyotissa hyotis, Crassostrea gingensis, Ostrea (Ostrea) angulata, Ostrea (Ostrea) latimarginata, Crassostrea lingua and Crassostrea vestita. All these species are known to occur in Gaj Series of Sind, Pakistan. One species viz., Hyotissa hyotis is also recorded from the Quilon Beds of Kerala, while O. (O.) latimarginata is common with the Miocene rocks of Kathiawar.

2 plates, 11 ref

012154   Tehsin R H (NO, , 106 Panchwati, Udaipur-313 004) : Fauna of Mewar from copper age to iron age. Cheetal 2004, 42(1-2), 35-8.

11 ref

010321   Hemanta Singh R K (NO, , , Email: jupiter_5@indiatimes.com) : Significance of trace fossils from Disang-Barail transition zone, Imphal Valley. Himalayan Geol 2005, 26(2), 323-6.

Trace fossils like Chondrites sp., Skolithos sp. and Thalassinoides sp. are found to occur in the rocks of the Disang and Barail Groups. As trace fossils are facies dependent in their distribution and characteristic of a particular environment, they are used as tools for interpreting the depositional conditions of the Disang-Barail transition sediments of the Imphal Valley with special reference to Thongjaorok Stream section.

2 illus, 12 ref

008923   Sankhyan A R (Anthrop Surv of India, 27, Jawaharlal Nehru Road, Kolkata-700 016, Email: sankhyan51@rediffmail.com) : New fossils of early stone age man from central Narmada valley. Curr Sci 2005, 88(5), 704-7.

1 illus, 3 tables, 35 ref