Record of Lower Gondwana megafloral assemblage from Lower
Kamthi Formation of Ib River Coalfield, Orissa, India
SHREERUP GOSWAMI*
Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, 53 University Road, Lucknow 226 007, India
*P.G. Department of Environmental Science, Fakir Mohan University, Vyasa Vihar, Balasore 756 019, India
(Fax, 91-6782-264244; E-mail, [email protected])
Recent investigations carried out in the Ib River Coalfield, Mahanadi Master Basin, Orissa, identified some fossiliferous beds in the Lower Gondwana deposits. Two exposures of the Lower Kamthi Formation yielded diverse and
abundant plant remains, which include Neomariopteris, Vertebraria, and a scale leaf along with 14 Glossopteris
species otherwise mapped as Barren Measures and Upper Kamthi formations. Glossopteris indica dominates the
flora (22.78%) followed by G. communis (17.72%) and G. browniana (13.92%). Based on megafloral assemblages,
different beds exposed at Gopalpur and Laxamanpur Pahar are assigned here to the Lower Kamthi Formation (Late
Permian). The floristic composition suggests that a warm and humid climate prevailed during the Late Permian. The
status of the Kamthi Formation in the Ib River Coalfield has been redefined in the present study.
[Goswami S 2006 Record of Lower Gondwana megafloral assemblage from Lower Kamthi Formation of Ib River Coalfield, Orissa, India; J. Biosci.
31 115–128]
1. Introduction
Permian sediments within the Talchir, Mand-Raigarh and
Korba coalfields, all part of Mahanadi Master Basin, have
been studied intensively by numerous workers during the
past 15 years. However, the Ib River Coalfield has never
been investigated thoroughly for plant fossils. During several field trips, the Ib River Coalfield was thoroughly
searched for plant fossils to contribute to a synthesis of
floristic diversity, early developmental history and evolution of the flora throughout the Mahanadi Master Basin.
The Ib River Coalfield is located in the southeastern
part of NW-SE trending Mahanadi Master Basin between
21°30' to 22°06' N and 83°37' to 84°10' E. The Ib River
Coalfield is named after the river Ib, a tributary of the
Mahanadi River. Plant megafossils were collected from
deposits at Gopalpur Pahar and Laxamanpur Pahar, which
are currently mapped as Barren Measures (Middle Permian)
and Upper Kamthi formations (Triassic) respectively (GSI
Keywords.
1997; CMPDI 1987). The complete flora includes three
genera along with scale leaves. They are Neomariopteris
(N. hughesii), Glossopteris (Glossopteris indica, G. communis, G. tenuifolia, G. rewaensis, G. intermedia, G. zeilleri,
G. decipiens, G. browniana, G. gigas, G. subtilis, G. intermittens, G. karharbariensis, G. tenuinervis, G. spatulata)
and Vertebraria (V. indica). The present study includes
descriptions of these 16 plant taxa from the coalfield.
Contrary to the current understanding of the geology of the
region, the megafloral assemblages from the two study
areas are typical of the Lower Kamthi/Raniganj Formation
(of Late Permian age). This assessment is supported by earlier palynological work carried out by Goswami (1997),
which recorded the presence of Late Permian palynoassemblages in fossiliferous Gopalpur deposits (table 1). Since
both localities are situated fairly close to regions mapped as
Lower Kamthi Formation, it is proposed here that the exposures should be re-evaluated in terms of their currently
accepted lithostratigraphy.
Glossopteris; Ib River Coalfield; Kamthi Formation; Neomariopteris; Vertebraria.
http://www.ias.ac.in/jbiosci
J. Biosci. 31(1), March 2006, 115–128,  Indian Academy of Sciences
115
Shreerup Goswami
116
Table 1. Stratigraphic nomenclature for Ib River Coalfield
Age
Group
Recent
Early to
Middle
Triassic
Upper
Gondwana
Formation
Alluvium/
Laterite
Upper
Kamthi
=Kamthi
Lithology and fossil content (thickness in meters)
Recent gravel and conglomerate
Conglomerate, red shale with
Dicroidium flora and coarse ferruginoussandstone with clasts. Estheriids such as
Cyzicus sp. and Paleolimnoids sp. are also
reported (Pal et al 1992) (150 m +)
--------------------------------------------------------Uncomformity----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Late
Lower
Lower
Fine to medium grained well sorted
Permian
Gondwana
Kamthi
sandstone, siltstone, clay bed, coal, shale with
=Raniganj
broad mesh forms Glossopteris species, some
arthophytes and ferns (Goswami 2002 and the present
study). Palynofloral assemblage is dominated by
Striatopodocarpites, Crescentipollenites,
Faunipollenites, Arcuatipollenites and Densipollenites
(Maiti 1994; Meena 1998;
Meena and Goswami 2004; Goswami 1997)
(180 m)
Middle
Barren
Grey shale, carbonaceous shale,
Permian
Measures
fine to coarse-grained sandstone,
clay and ironstone nodules/shale (250 m +)
Early
Upper
Micaceous subarkosic sandstone, grey
Permian
Barakar
and carbonaceous shales with plenty of
Glossopteris, some ferns and arthrophytes,
fireclay and thick coal seams (Goswami 2002).
Palynofloral assemblage is dominated by
Scheuringipollenites, Faunipollenites,
Striatopodocarpites, Punctatisporites and
Horriditriletes etc (Tiwari 1968; Meena 1999, 2000)
Lower
Feldspathic sandstone, grey and
Barakar
carbonaceous shales with
Gangamopteris-Noeggerathiopsis-Euryphyllum fossil
assemblage (Goswami 2002) and thick coal seams.
Palynofloral assemblage is dominated by
Brijrajisporites, Rhizomaspora, Primuspollenites,
Lahirites, Sulcatisporites, Cuneatisporites, Platysaccus
and Apiculatisporis (Tiwari 1968) (350–500 m)
Early Permian
Karharbari
Conglomerate, carbonaceous sandstone with
fresh feldspar grains containing thin coal bands
only along the NW margin of the basin (30–65 m)
Early Permian
Talchir
Diamictite, greenish sandstone, olive and chocolate
coloured needle shales and rhythmites (130 m+)
--------------------------------------------------------Uncomformity----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Precambrian
Granites, gneisses, amphibolites and migmatites
2. Previous palaeobotanical studies
Megafloral assemblages of Lower Kamthi Formation in
Talchir Coalfield are recorded from mainly two localities viz.,
Handapa and Madhupur. The complete flora have been described by Khan (1969); Surange and Maheshwari (1970);
Surange and Chandra (1973a,b,c; 1974a,b,c,d; 1978); Chandra
and Rigby (1981, 1983); Chandra (1984); Pant et al (1985);
Singh and Chandra (1987, 2000) and Chandra and Singh
J. Biosci. 31(1), March 2006
(1986, 1988, 1989, 1992, 1995). The megafloral assemblages
(having leaf, root, seed and fertile forms) recovered from these
beds consist of six groups, namely Lycopodiales, Sphenophyllales, Equisetales, Filicales, Cycadales, Ginkgoales and
Glossopteridales comprising 18 pteridophytes and 77 gymnosperm taxa. The number of Glossopteris species (46) recovered from Lower Kamthi Formation deposits of this coalfield
is the largest of any specific diversity of the genus in any
Lower Kamthi beds of Indian Gondwana. Altogether 31 plant
117
Megafloral assemblage from Lower Kamthi Formation
genera and 95 species are recorded. It is one of the richest
palaeoflora of Lower Kamthi Formation of Indian Gondwana.
Contrary to this, less number of plant taxa are recorded
from the Lower Kamthi Formation of Ib River Coalfield.
Feistmantel (1880) reported Schizoneura gondwanensis,
Vertebraria indica, Sphenopteris sp. cf. S. polymorpha and
four species of Glossopteris, viz.; Glossopteris communis, G.
indica, G. damudica and G. browniana from the Lower
Kamthi sediments exposed at Garjan hill, Girundla, Kodaloi
and Belpahar areas. Pandey and Chakraborty (1964a,b)
reported a fossil assemblage in the Lower Kamthi beds which
included G. indica, G. browniana, S. gondwanensis, V. indica
and Pecopteris sp. Singh (2000) reviewed that only above
mentioned eight taxa are recorded from Lower Kamthi
Formation of this coalfield. Subsequently a luxuriant representation of the pteridophytes and gymnosperms has been
observed in two Lower Kamthi exposures (i.e. Sitaram Pahar,
Dungri Pahar) of this coalfield by Goswami (1997, 2002).
The mega floral assemblage consists of Equisetales such as
equisetaceous stems, S. gondwanensis, Filicales such as
Neomariopteris hughesii, Cycadales such as Macrotaeniopteris feddenii, M. wianamattae, Glossopteridales such as
eleven Glossopteris species and V. indica. It depicts that a relatively low diversity of floral elements was known from this
formation of the Ib River Coalfield until the work of
Goswami (1997, 2000). Hence to strengthen the floral diversity, two more Lower Kamthi exposures (Gopalpur Pahar and
Laxamanpur Pahar) have been extensively searched out for
plant fossils and are included in the present study. As a result,
altogether 30 taxa are reported from different Lower Kamthi
exposures of this sub-basin.
Palynological assemblage from the sediments exposed in
Gopalpur Pahar has the dominance of Striatopodocarpites followed by Crescentipollenites, Faunipollenites, Distriatites
and Arcuatipollenites. The presence of Verticipollenites,
Densipollenites magnicorpus and Striatites in low percentage
in this assemblage is significant. The appearances of
Goubinispora, Trabeculosporites, Klausipollentites, Chordasporites, Arcuatipollenites and Falcisporites in the assemblage render Late Permian age to this Palynozone (Goswami
1997). The overall character of the assemblage compares
well with the Late Permian Raniganj microflora RIA assemblage of Tiwari and Singh (1986), StriatopodocarpitesCrescentipollenites zone of Tiwari and Tripathi (1988) and
Densipollenites magnicorpus Assemblage zone of Tiwari and
Tripathi (1992). Similar Late Permian Raniganj microflora
were recorded in different boreholes (Boreholes IBT-2, 3, 4, 5,
6, 7, IBSH-6, IBH-6, 16) drilled in this coalfield (Meena and
Goswami 2004; Maiti 1994; Meena 1998, 2000).
3. Geological observations
The Ib River Coalfield occurs within the elongate Mahanadi
Master Basin, which is oriented parallel to the structural grain
of the underlying Precambrian rocks. The southern boundary
of this master basin is defined by a major NW-SE lineament.
The Ib River Coalfield is characterized by a northwesterly
plunging synclinal flexure. The southwestern boundary of the
basin is marked by a fault juxtaposing the Barren Measures
and Raniganj formations against Precambrian rocks.
This coalfield was first mapped by Ball (1871) and then
resurveyed by Mehta and Anandalwar (1960), Raja Rao
(1982), CMPDI (1987), Chaudhury (1988), Mukhopadhyay
(1987, 1989), Pal et al (1992) and GSI (1997). Based on
these past investigations and current observations, the proposed stratigraphic nomenclature for the Ib River Coalfield
is given in table 1.
4. Occurrence, material and methods
The megafossils described here were collected from two different exposures i.e. Gopalpur Pahar and Laxamanpur Pahar
(delineated as L1 and L2 in figure 1) within the coalfield
(21°30' to 22°06' N and 83°37' to 84°10'E), Jharsuguda,
Sundargarh Districts, Orissa during two excursions. They are:
Lower Kamthi
Formation Exposures
Latitude
Longitude
(i). Gopalpur Pahar,
Sundargarh Dist.
22° 03'N
83° 42' 30' 'E
(ii). Laxamanpur Pahar,
Jharsuguda Dist.
21° 41' 30' 'N
83° 45' 30' 'E
4.1 Gopalpur Pahar and Laxamanpur Pahar
Gopalpur Pahar is a 70 m tall hillock about 0.5 km northwest
of Gopalpur village, Sundargarh District and just near the
confluence of Basundhara and Chatudhara nalas streams.
Similarly Laxamanpur Pahar is a 120 m tall hillock, about
1 km southeast of Laxamanpur village, Jharsuguda District.
It is predominantly the lower Kamthi Formation that is
exposed at these localities, and the lithological successions
at both sites are comparable. The fossiliferous beds, namely
the pinkish red shale and yellowish shale of Gopalpur Pahar
and the pinkish red shale, red compact shale of Laxamanpur
Pahar, occur on the southern and eastern flanks of these
hillocks respectively. The lithological successions that were
documented at these localities are illustrated in figure 2.
The total collection comprises 79 specimens, including 75
examples of Glossopteris (14 species), two specimens of
Vertebraria and a single specimen of Neomariopteris and a
scale leaf (table 2). The morphological characters of the specimens were observed using a Leica low power binocular
microscope; photographs were taken using a Nikon 35 mm
camera. For identification and description of the Glossopteris
species the methodology given by Chandra and Surange
(1979) has been adopted. The number of specimens studied in
J. Biosci. 31(1), March 2006
Shreerup Goswami
118
22°
15'
22°
10'
22°
5'
22°
0'
INDEX
UPPER KAMTHI FM.
LOWER KAMTHI FM.
BARREN MEASURES FM.
BARAKAR FM.
TALCHIR FM.
PRECAMBRIAN
COAL SEAM
FAULT
FOSSIL LOCALITY
21°
50'
21°
45'
STATE BOUNDARY
BOREHOLE
SURFACE SAMPLE SITE
21°
40'
83° 35'
83° 40'
83° 45'
83° 50'
83° 55'
84° 0'
Figure 1. Geological map of Ib River Coalfield, District Sundargarh and Jharsuguda, Orissa (after GSI 1997).
the present collection and the percentage of each taxon has
been given in table 3. Detailed repetitive descriptions and
comparative accounts of the well-known species reported
from Ib River Coalfield have been avoided. Distinguishing
features of the species of Glossopteris are tabulated for comparison in table 4. The species are classified into three broad
categories based on visual aspects i.e. narrow mesh form,
intermediate mesh form and broad mesh form Glossopteris
species. The specific morphographic characters are represented in thirteen major columns. Identification of the 14 species
was generally based on these characters and comparison with
the holotypes, either from photographs or the original speciJ. Biosci. 31(1), March 2006
mens. Table 4 demonstrates that the identification up to the
species level is not based on any single species-specific character, but rather on diagnostic suites of characters. It was
determined that the venation pattern and mesh type in the middle part of the leaf tends to be more consistent, and therefore
more reliable in the delimitation of species.
5. Systematic palaeobotany
The fossils identified from Gopalpur Pahar and
Laxamanpur Pahar are N. hughesii, G. indica, G. communis,
G. tenuifolia, G. rewaensis, G. intermedia, G. zeilleri,
119
Megafloral assemblage from Lower Kamthi Formation
L
o
w
e
r
L
o
w
e
r
K
a
m
t
h
i
K
a
m
t
h
i
1m
F
m. 1m
F
m.
0m
0m
BASE IS NOT EXPOSED
BASE IS NOT EXPOSED
ALLUVIUM
PEBBLY SILT STONE
COMPACT SHALE
SANDSTONE
SILTY SHALE
FOSSILIFEROUS BED
SANDSTONE WITH
SILTY LAYERS
SHALE
CROSS BEDDED
Figure 2. Geological sections along Gopalpur Pahar and Laxamanpur Pahar.
G. decipiens, G. browniana, G. gigas, G. subtilis, G. intermittens, G. karharbariensis, G. tenuinervis, G. spatulata,
scale leaf and V. indica (table 2).
Neomariopteris Maithy 1974
Division:
Pteridophyta
Order:
Filicales
Genus:
Neomariopteris Maithy 1974
Type species:
Neomariopteris hughesii
(Feistmantel) Maithy 1974
Type Locality:
Jharia Coalfield, Bihar
(Raniganj Formation), India
Neomariopteris hughesii (Feistmantel) Maithy 1974
(figure 3d)
Locality:
Laxamanpur Pahar
Horizon:
Lower Kamthi Formation
J. Biosci. 31(1), March 2006
Shreerup Goswami
120
Table 2. Distribution of plant megafossils from Lower Kamthi
Formation exposed around Gopalpur Pahar and Laxamanpur
Pahar, Ib River Coalfield.
Taxa
Gopalpur Pahar
Filicales (1)
Neomariopteris
hughesii
Glossopteridales
leaf forms (14)
Glossopteris indica
G. communis
G. tenuifolia
G. rewaensis
G. intermedia
G. zeilleri
G. decipiens
G. gigas
G. subtilis
G. intermittens
G. karharbariensis
G. tenuinervis
G. spatulata
G. browniana
Glossopteridales
root form (1)
Vertebraria indica
Miscellaneous (1)
Scale leaf
Total taxa
Comparison:
Distribution:
Table 3. Relative percentage of fossil taxa from Lower Kamthi
Exposures around Gopalpur Pahar and Laxamanpur Pahar, Ib River
Coalfield.
Number of
specimens
studied
Laxamanpur Pahar
Taxa
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
14
10
The fronds figured here compare very
well with the specimens of N. hughesii
described by Feistmantel (1882, Pl. 12,
fig. 3) and Maithy (1974, Pl. 2, fig.7) as
they all have similar shape. Particularly
their pinnules are lanceolate, have
decurrent base and show sphenopteroid
venation pattern.
Neomariopteris hughesii is known to
occur in Karharbari, Barakar, Barren
Measures, Raniganj and Kamthi formations of Indian Gondwana.
Vertebraria Royle 1839
Division:
Pinophyta Meyen 1984
Order:
Dictyopteridiales Rigby 1978
(nom. Corr. McLoughlin 1990b)
Genus:
Vertebraria Royle 1839
Type species:
Vertebraria indica Royle 1839
Type locality:
Raniganj Coalfield (Barakar
Formation), West Bengal, India
Vertebraria indica Royle 1839 emend. Schopf 1965
(figure 3c)
J. Biosci. 31(1), March 2006
Dominant (>10%)
Glossopteris indica
G. communis
G. browniana
Sub-dominant (5–10%)
G. zeilleri
G. tenuifolia
Rare (1–5%)
G. decipiens
G. intermittens
G. subtilis
G. rewaensis
G. intermedia
G. karharbariensis
G. tenuinervis
G. gigas
G. spatulata
Vertebraria indica
Neomariopteris hughesii
Scale leaf
Locality:
Horizon:
Comparison and
remarks:
Distribution:
Scale leaf
(figure 5j)
Division:
Order:
Percentage
18
14
11
22.78
17.72
13.92
6
5
7.59
6.33
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
3.80
3.80
3.80
2.53
2.53
2.53
2.53
2.53
2.53
2.53
1.27
1.27
Laxamanpur Pahar
Lower Kamthi Formation
Morphologically the current specimens
closely resemble Holotype specimen
described by Royle (1839) as they all
consist of square areas in two linear
rows, separated by a median longitudinal furrow and the areas are transversely separated by grooves.
In India, Vertebraria indica occurs in
Talchir, Karharbari, Barakar, Barren
Measures, Raniganj and Kamthi formations.
Pinophyta Meyen 1984
Dictyopteridiales Rigby 1978 (nom.
Corr. McLoughlin 1990b)
Scale leaf
There is a single specimen of scale leaf in the present collection. The length of the scale leaf is 1.8 cm, while breadth
is 1.5 cm. No seed or sporangium is found associated with
the scale leaf. Its apex is obtuse. Base is truncated and contracted. Lateral margins are concave. Veins arise from base,
are dichotomous and divergent with interconnections. They
are bifurcating and reaching up to apex. Meshes are narrow
and elongate.
121
Megafloral assemblage from Lower Kamthi Formation
Table 4. Classification of Kamthi Formation in Ib River Coalfield (Chandra and Chandra 1988; Lele 1976).
Age
Lithology with
fossil contents
Formation
Triassic
Upper Kamthi=
Kamthi
Late
Permiar
Lower Kamthi=
Raniganj
Vegetation
Conglomerate, red shale with Dicroidium
flora, coarse ferruginous sandstone with
clasts. Estheriids such as Cyzicus sp. and
Paleolimnoids sp. are also reported
(Pal et al 1992)
Fine to medium grained well-sorted sandstone,
siltstone, clay bed, coal, abundance of trilete
mioflora. Megafloral assemblages include
Schizoneura Neomariopteris and broad mesh
forms Glossopteris species (Goswami 2002
and present study). Palynofloral assemblage is
dominated by Striatopodocarpites,
Crescentipollenites, Verticipollenites and
Densipollenites
Comparison and Morphologically the current specimen
remarks:
closely resembles the specimens
described by Arber (1905), Walkom
(1922), Surange and Maheshwari
(1970), Chandra and Surange (1977a,b)
as their veins are dichotomous and
divergent with interconnections.
Locality:
Gopalpur Pahar
Horizon:
Lower Kamthi Formation
Distribution:
Scale leaves occur only in Karharbari,
Barakar, Raniganj and Kamthi formations of Indian Gondwana.
Glossopteris Brongniart 1822
Division:
Pinophyta Meyen 1984
Order:
Dictyopteridiales Rigby 1978 (nom.
Corr. McLoughlin 1990b)
Genus
Glossopteris Brongniart 1822
Type species
Glossopteris browniana Brongniart 1828
Locality:
Laxamanpur Pahar and Gopalpur Pahar
Horizon:
Lower Kamthi Formation
There are 14 different Glossopteris species (G. indica,
G. communis, G. tenuifolia, G. rewaensis, G. intermedia,
G. zeilleri, G. decipiens, G. browniana, G. gigas, G. subtilis,
G. intermittens, G. karharbariensis, G. tenuinervis, G. spatulata) in the present collection and their detailed descriptions are presented in the table 4.
6. Discussion
The sediments in and around Gopalpur Pahar section are
shown as a part of the Barren Measures Formation (figure 1
after CMPDI 1987, Chadhury 1988 and GSI 1997).
However, the megaflora recovered in this study strongly
Palaeoclimate
Dense forest, small
trees growing under
neath big tree, upland
vegetation
Warm, humid,
temperate with
dry and semi-arid
spells
Thick swampy, dense
forest with small lakes,
ponds, low lying river
valley
Warm, humid,
temperate with
intermittent rain
falls
advocates the presence of Late Permian sediments (Lower
Kamthi Formation) in this particular area, as evidenced by
the occurrence of very similar plant assemblages in the
Lower Kamthi (=Raniganj) Formation. Similarly the sediments in and around Laxamanpur Pahar section are shown
as a part of the Upper Kamthi Formation (figure 1). The
megaflora that has been recovered in this area is also very
similar to plant assemblages typical of the Raniganj
(=Lower Kamthi) Formation. This evidence, together with
the absence of any typical Triassic element such as
Dicroidium, Lepidopteris, points strongly to the presence of
Late Permian sediments (Lower Kamthi Formation) in this
particular region. It is therefore suggested that a detailed
programme of geological mapping be undertaken to constrain more precisely the distribution of Lower Gondwana
sediments in these areas.
Table 3 demonstrates that in the present study G. indica
dominates the flora (22.78%) followed by G. communis
(17.72%) and G. browniana (13.92%). The Presence of
broad mesh forms of Glossopteris, namely G. rewaensis,
G. subtilis, G. intermedia supports the current proposal that
the sedimentary rocks under investigations belong to the
Lower Kamthi/Raniganj Formation (Lele 1976). Broad mesh
forms of Glossopteris such as G. rewaensis, G. subtilis, G.
intermedia, G. conspicua, G. karanpuraensis and G. retifera
are widely considered to be index fossils of Lower Kamthi
sediments depicting Late Permian age (Lele 1976; Chandra
and Chandra 1988; Chandra and Singh 1992; Singh and
Chandra 2000). The present megafloral assemblage of Lower
Kamthi Formation is comparable with the flora of Sitaram
Pahar and Dungri Pahar of this coalfield as both the assemblages contain N. hughesii, G. indica, G. communis, G. spatulata, and G. gigas (Goswami 1997, 2002). The flora is also
comparable with Handapa and Madhupur localities in the
adjoining Talchir Coalfield (Chandra and Singh 1992; Singh
J. Biosci. 31(1), March 2006
122
Shreerup Goswami
Figure 3. (a) Glossopteris indica Schimper 1869, Specimen No. 17/6291, x 1.1, Lower Kamthi Formation, Gopalpur Pahar.
(b) Glossopteris communis Feistmantel 1879 Specimen No. 11/6294, x 1.1, Lower Kamthi Formation, Laxamanpur
Pahar. (c) Vertebraria indica Royle 1839, Specimen No. 2/6294, x 1, Lower Kamthi Formation, Laxamanpur Pahar.
(d) Neomariopteris hughesii (Zeiller) Maithy 1974, Specimen No. 1/6294, x 1, Lower Kamthi Formation, Laxamanpur Pahar.
(e) Glossopteris rewaensis Chandra and Surange 1979, Specimen No.12/6291, x 2, Lower Kamthi Formation, Gopalpur Pahar.
(f) Glossopteris intermittens Feistmantel 1881, Specimen No. 7/6291, x 1.5, Lower Kamthi Formation, Gopalpur Pahar.
J. Biosci. 31(1), March 2006
Megafloral assemblage from Lower Kamthi Formation
123
Figure 4. (a) Glossopteris spatulata Pant and Singh K B 1971, Specimen No. 3/6291, x 1.1, Lower Kamthi Formation, Gopalpur Pahar.
(b) Glossopteris communis Feistmantel 1879 Specimen No. 6/6294, x 1, Lower Kamthi Formation, Laxamanpur Pahar. (c) (a)
Glossopteris decipiens Feistmantel 1879, Specimen No. 5/6291, x 1, Lower Kamthi Formation, Gopalpur Pahar. (b) Glossopteris browniana Brongniart 1828, Specimen No. 9/6291, x 1, Lower Kamthi Formation, Gopalpur Pahar. (d) Glossopteris subtilis Pant and Gupta
1971, Specimen No. 8/6294, x 1.5, Lower Kamthi Formation, Laxamanpur Pahar.
J. Biosci. 31(1), March 2006
124
Shreerup Goswami
Figure 5. (a) Glossopteris gigas Pant and Singh K B 1971, Specimen No. 24/6291, x 1, Lower Kamthi Formation, Gopalpur Pahar. (b)
Glossopteris tenuinervis Pant and Gupta 1971, Specimen No. 14/6294, x 1.3, Lower Kamthi Formation, Laxamanpur Pahar. (c) Glossopteris
tenuifolia Pant and Gupta 1968, Specimen No. 19/6291, x 1, Lower Kamthi Formation, Gopalpur Pahar. (d) Glossopteris karharbariensis
Chandra and Surange 1979, Specimen No 27/6291, x 1, Lower Kamthi Formation, Gopalpur Pahar. (e) Glossopteris indica Schimper 1869,
Specimen No. 31/6291, x 1, Lower Kamthi Formation, Gopalpur Pahar. (f) Glossopteris browniana Brongniart 1828, Specimen No.
29/6291, x 1, Lower Kamthi Formation, Gopalpur Pahar. (g) Glossopteris zeilleri Pant and Gupta 1968, Specimen No. 26/6291, x 1, Lower
Kamthi Formation, Gopalpur Pahar. (h) Glossopteris intermedia Feistmantel 1880, Specimen No. 36/6291, x 1.5, Lower Kamthi Formation,
Gopalpur Pahar. (i).Apical part of the leaf, Glossopteris zeilleri Pant and Gupta, 1968, Specimen No. 21/6294, x 1.4, Lower Kamthi
Formation, Laxamanpur Pahar. (j) Scale leaf, Specimen No. 2/6291, x 1.4, Lower Kamthi Formation, Gopalpur Pahar.
J. Biosci. 31(1), March 2006
2, small, tapering
towards the base
2.9–4.2
0.9–1.4
5–6:1
1.8–2.0
2, incomplete,
medium , not very
broad
11.0–12.0
G. zeilleri
Pant and
Gupta 1968
(figure 5g, i)
G. tenuifolia
Pant and Gupta
1968 (figure 5c)
2, all are incomplete,
medium to large,
broad at apical end,
taper towards basal
end
5, 1 some what
complete, leaves
medium to large,
mostly narrow
G. spatulata
Pant and Singh
1971 (figure 4a)
1.5–2:1
3–4:1
2.3–3.5
7.8–9.0
2–4:1
3.2–5.5
2.5–3:1
6, 2 almost complete, 8.5–9
small, narrow, lamina
broader in apical part,
narrows down to form
an elongate base
9.0–11.0
1.8–2
1.8–2.3
4–5:1
5–6:1
Estimated lengths of 2.5:1
leaves are up to
12 cm and width is
4.8 cm
2 leaves, quite large, 9.0–11.0
broad, lamina
abruptly narrows
down towards base
G. gigas
Pant and Singh
1971 (figure 5a)
G. communis
14, 2 almost
9.0 –13.0
Feistmantel 1879 complete, medium to
(figures 3b and 4b) large, broad in
middle, tapering
towards both ends
G. decipiens
3, 3 are complete to 7.8–8.0
Feistmantel 1879 some extent, small to
(figure 4c(a))
medium
C. Narrow Mesh forms of Glossopteris species
G. tenuinervis
Pant and Gupta
1971 (figure 5b)
4.2–4.3
2.5–3:1
2.4–2.8
G. intermittens
Feistmantel 1881
(figure 3f)
3, 1 almost complete, 6.8–7.5
small to medium,
broad in the middle,
tapering towards
both the ends
G.karharbariensis 2, incomplete,
8.2–9.0
Chandra and
medium in size, long
Surange 1979
and narrow
(figure 5d)
2.0–4.9
8.0–18.0
G. indica
18, 2 almost
Schimper 1869
complete, small to
(figures 3a and 5e) large, more elongate
than broad
2–3:1
1.3–2.7
2–3.5:1
3:1
4.5–6:1
3–5:1
11, all are incomplete 3.5–9.0
medium
G. browniana
Brongniart 1828
(figures 4c (b)
and 5f)
B. Glossopteris leaves with meshes of intermediate width
G. rewaensis
Chandra and
Surange 1979
(figure 3e)
2.5–2.9
2–4.0
Variation in
Petiole size
Midrib type
Not preserved Not preserved Medium flat, very
gradually tapering in
apical region, persists
up to apex
Base
1–2
Acute normal
Not preserved Thick, distinct,
flat, persists up to the
apex, only at base it
appears broad
1.5–2
1.5–3
1–2.5
Acute
Oblanceolate Obtuse
Acute cuneate Not preserved Medium, striated,
becoming evanescent
near apex
1–1.5
1–1.5
Not preserved Not preserved Medium to broad, flat, 1–2
striated, persists up to
apex
Very wide, flat, striated 1–3
persists up to apex
Not preserved Not preserved Narrow to medium,
OblongAcuteflat, striate, persists
oblanceolate obtusely point
up to apex
Oblanceolate Broken, but
seems to be
rounded
1.5–3
Thin, evanescent and 1–2
seems tobe present in
2/3rd part of the lamina
Acute cuneate Not preserved Thick, flat, strong,
persists up to apex
Not preserved Not preserved Not preserved Medium, flat, striated, 1 at the
very gradually tapers middle part
upwards, persists up to
apex
Not preserved
Spathulate to Not preserved Not
preservered
narrow
but seems to
elliptic
be Hastate
Wide elliptic Not preserved Not preserved Not preserved
Narrow
elliptic to
oblong
lanceolate
Narrow
ellipticlinear
lanceolate
Linear-lorate Not preserved Not preserved Not preserved Midrib distinct, broad, 1–1.5
gradually attenuating
upwards
Oblanceolate Obtuse
Shapes vary Not preserved Tapering base Not preserved Midrib is thick, tapers
very gradually and
from
also quite distinct in
distinctly
apical region
lanceolate to
spathulate
Acute normal Acute normal Not preserved Medium to very wide,
Narrow
elliptic to
stout, flat, grooved,
ovalstriated, persists up to
lanceolate
apex
6–9 near midrib and
10–13 near margin
Many short broad meshes 13–17 per ½ cm2
of uniform and equal size
throughout the lamina are
arranged in gentle curves
near the margin
Large broad, uniform in
8–12
size throughout the lamina
and are oblong-polygonal,
some meshes are fusiform
in shape
Comparatively narrow,
26–33 near midrib and
elongate, oblong-polygonal 34–45 near margin
in shape, uniform in shape
and size throughout
Average concentration of
meshes per cm 2
Per 2 cm2: 30–35 near
midrib and 65–70 near
midrib
Per 2 cm2: 28–33 near 5–7 very narrow, elongate
midrib and 36–42
meshes formed between
near margin
midrib and margin,
meshes are uniform
throughout
28–34 near midrib
Very long, narrow, linear
and 32–38
polygonal or spindle
near margin
shaped, 3–4 meshes
formed between midrib
and margin
2
2–3 meshes formed from Per ½ cm : 20–25
midrib to margin; very
long, narrow near midrib;
short, narrow near margin;
linear polygonal in shape
Meshes are very long,
40–45
narrow, uniform in size
throughout lamina,
polygonal or spindle shape
22–26 near midrib and
28–32 near margin
28–34
15–20 near midrib and Narrow oblong meshes
30–35 near margin
30–35 near midrib and
35–50 near midrib and Very long, very narrow,
45–60 near margin
uniform in size throughout 55–65 near margin
lamina, oblong in shape
10–15 near midrib and Elongate, very narrow and 28–36
very long, only a few
16–22 near margin
(2–3) meshes are formed
from the midrib to the
margin
30–40
10–15 near midrib and Meshes are almost
25–30 near margin
horizontal, elongate and
broad, broadest near the
midrib, becoming narrow
towards the margin
55–65
30–35
4–5 oblong polygonal
meshes, long, narrow,
uniform throughout
lamina
28–35 near midrib and Pentagonal to hexagonal, 25–40 near midrib and
35–50 near margin
32–40 near margin
broadest near midrib,
narrowing towards margin
4–11 near midrib and Broad elongate polygonal 22–40 near midrib and
11–16 near margin
meshes near midrib and
25–45 near margin
narrow elongate polygonal
meshes towards the margin
Emerge at 10˚–18˚ , arch
32–36
slightly, run straight up to
margin meetining at 35˚–45˚, 2–3
meshes formed between midrib
to margin, venation is dense
2
Emerge at 12˚–18˚, arch slightly Per ½ cm : 18–24
backwards and continue straight
to meet margin at 30˚–35˚
Emerge at 10˚–18˚, pass out
margins in graceful curves
meeting it at 50˚–65˚, veins run
almost parallel to each other,
thin, dense
Emerge at an angle of 15˚–25˚ ,
travel along the midrib for some
distance, then arch out in
graceful curves to the margin
Emerge at 12˚–20˚ , arching
outwards, pass out in gentle
curves, meeting margin at
55˚–70˚ in middle part
venation is dense
Emerge at 10˚–18˚ , arching
outwards, meeting margin at
50˚–65˚ in middle part,
venation is very dense
Emerge at 20˚–25˚, arching
backwards, continue up to
margin meeting it at
55˚–75˚
Emerge at an angle 70˚–80˚ ,
immediately arch backwards
and pass out straight
to margin horizontally
Emerge form midrib at an angle
20˚–45˚, their remaining course
through lamina is more or less
straight and meet the margin at
about same angle
Emerge at 14˚–18˚, arch slightly
backwards near midrib, pass out
straight to margin meeting it at
45˚–60˚, veins anastomose 4–6
times up to margin
Thicker, emerge at an angle of
40˚–45˚ travel in graceful
curves and pass on obliquely
towards the margin
Emerge at an angle of 40˚–45˚ , 11–14 per ½ cm2
arching slightly backwards near
the midrib, run straight up to the
margin
Emerge at an angle of 35˚–45˚,
travel almost straight to the
margin
38–45
Emerge at 15˚–25˚ , arch
backwards, continue straight to
margin meeting it at 45˚–60˚
Thickness in Angle of emergence of secondary Average concentration
base (mm)
veins and type of venation
of veins per cm2
Mesh type
Narrow
Not preserved Not preserved Not preserved Distinct, elevated,
1–1.5
oblanceolate
broader at base and
attenuating very
gradually upwards,
rarely resolves into fine
veins
1
Obovate
Rounded
Acute normal Not preserved Prominent, thick as
compare to small leaf,
abruptly tapering from
middle region upwards,
but persistent to the
apex
Obtuse
Ellipticoblanceolate
Number of specimens Variation in size:
studied and leaf type length & width (cm) L/W ratio Shape of leaf Apex
A. Broad Mesh forms of Glossopteris species
3, none of them is
5.0–14.0
G. subtilis
complete, medium in
Pant and Gupta
1971 (figure 4d)
size, broader near
apical part, tapering
towards base
2, incomplete, small 6.0–8.0
G. intermedia
Feistmantel, 1880 to medium
(figure 5h)
Species name
Table 5. Comparative description of Glossopteris species from Gopalpur Pahar and Laxamanpur Pahar, Ib River Coalfield, Orissa, India
Megafloral assemblage from Lower Kamthi Formation
125
J. Biosci. 31(1), March 2006
Shreerup Goswami
126
and Chandra 2000), although no fructifications have been
recovered so far. Almost all the taxa of the present assemblage are also recorded from Handapa and Madhupur localities of the Talchir Coalfield. The present assemblage can also
be compared with the assemblage from the Kamthi beds of
Kanhargaon and Bazargaon villages of Maharashtra
(Chandra and Prasad 1981), though the typical Kamthi
species such as G. musaefolia, G. stricta and G. leptoneura
are lacking here. It is also comparable with that of Ball's
report (1877) from the Kamthi Formation of the Mahanadi
Basin as both the assemblages include V. indica, G. indica
and G. communis as common elements. The flora collected
from the Kamthi beds of the Ib River Coalfield has yielded
only Late Permian elements and no typical Triassic elements
have been found. It is therefore suggested that these rocks
might belong to the Lower member of the Kamthi Formation,
as are the beds of Handapa and Madhupur from the adjacent
Talchir Coalfield (Chandra and Singh 1992; Singh and
Chandra 2000).
Before the author’s work (Goswami 1997, 2002), only 3
pteridophytes and 5 gymnosperms are recorded from Lower
Kamthi deposits of this coalfield (Singh 2000). Subsequently
22 more taxa are reported from this formation (Goswami
1997, 2002, present study) of this coalfield. Comparatively
low percentage of both pteridophytes (4 taxa) and gymnosperms (26 taxa) in the Lower Kamthi beds of Ib River
Coalfield suggests that the conditions were a little drier in
the Ib River Coalfield as compared to the conditions in the
Talchir Coalfield prevailing during the same period, as in the
latter both the pteridophytes (18 taxa) and gymnosperm (77
taxa) were represented in a good percentage (Singh 2000;
Singh and Chandra 2000; Goswami et al 2006).
The upper member of the Kamthi Formation is now considered to be Triassic in age in both Ib River (Pal et al 1992)
and Talchir (Pal and Ghosh, 1997) coalfields because of the
presence of typical Triassic elements (Dicroidium flora).
Hence the Kamthi Formation of Ib River Coalfield is classified on the basis of fossil assemblage as given in table 5.
This flora of the Upper Permian Kamthi Formation suggests the existence of a warm humid climate during Late
Permian (Lower Kamthi) times. The palaeovegetation and
palaeoclimate during Kamthi Formation deposition are also
presented in the table 5 on the basis of present and previous
palaeobiological data of this coalfield (Lele 1976; Chandra
and Chandra 1988). Because of the common occurrence of
leaves in seasonal layers it is inferred that these plants were
deciduous (Lele 1976; Chandra and Chandra 1988;
Chandra and Singh 1992).
7. Conclusion
Palaeobotanical investigations in the Ib River Coalfield have
identified the presence of Lower Kamthi (Late Permian)
J. Biosci. 31(1), March 2006
sediments exposed in the Gopalpur Pahar and Laxamanpur
Pahar sections, which are currently mapped as Barren
Measures (Middle Permian) and Upper Kamthi (Triassic)
formation deposits respectively (CMPDI 1987; GSI 1997).
From a preliminary palynological study (Goswami 1997),
the fossiliferous Laxamanpur sediments were found to
be barren of pollen and spores, whereas the Late Permian
palynoassemblages (Palynoassemblage similar to that of
Raniganj/Lower Kamthi Formation) are recorded in fossiliferous Gopalpur sediments (table 1). Moreover, the presence
of broad mesh forms of Glossopteris and the complete
absence of Dicroidium floral elements in these deposits
firmly establish the presence of Lower Kamthi Formation
exposures in this area on a palaeobiological basis.
Acknowledgements
The author is thankful to Director, Birbal Sahni Institute of
Palaeobotany, Lucknow and Vice Chancellor, Fakir Mohan
University, Balasore for providing necessary research
facilities. He is greatly indebted to the revered reviewer for
critically going through the manuscript and many suggestions made by him.
References
Arber E A N 1905 Catalogue of the fossil plants of the
Glossopteris flora in the Department of Geology, British
Museum (Natural History) (London: Longmans)
Ball V 1871 The Ramgarh and Himgir Coalfield; Rec. Geol. Surv.
India 4 89–139
Ball V 1877 On the geology of the Mahanadi Basin and its vicinity; Rec. Geol. Surv. India 10 167–185
Brongniart A 1828 Histoire des Vegetaux Fossiles, ou Recherches
Botaniques et Geologiques; G. Dufour et Ed D’Ocagne, Paris, 1
Chandra S 1984 Utkalia dichotoma gen. et sp. nov. a fossil fructification from the Kamthi Formation of Orissa, India;
Palaeobotanist 31 208–212.
Chandra S and Chandra A 1988 Vegetational changes and their climatic implications in coal-bearing Gondwana; Palaeobotanist
36 74–86
Chandra S and Prasad M N V 1981 Fossil plants from the Kamthi
Formation of Maharashtra and their biostratigraphic significance; Palaeobotanist 28–29 99–121
Chandra S and Rigby J F 1981 Lycopsid, sphenopsid and cycadaceous remains from the Lower Gondwana of Handapa, Orissa;
Geophytology 11 214–219
Chandra S and Rigby J F 1983 The filicales from the Lower
Gondwanas of Handapa; Palaeobotanist 31 143–147
Chandra S and Surange K R 1977a Cuticular studies of the reproductive organs of Glossopteris Part II– Cistella type fructifications– Plumsteadiostrobus ellipticus gen. et sp. nov. attached on
Glossopteris taenioides Feistmantel; Palaeobotanist 23 161–175
Chandra S and Surange K R 1977b Cuticular studies of the reproductive organs of Glossopteris Part IV– Venstrostrobus indicus;
Palaeobotanist 24 149–160
Megafloral assemblage from Lower Kamthi Formation
Chandra S and Surange K R 1979 Revision of the Indian species
of Glossopteris; Birbal Sahni Inst. Palaeobot. Monogr. 2 1–301
Chandra S and Singh K J 1986 Surangephyllum gen. nov. from the
Kamthi Formation of Handapa, Orissa; Indian Soc. Geosci.
Bull. 1 15–18
Chandra S and Singh K J 1988 A new seed bearing plant organ
from the Kamthi Formation of Orissa, India; Curr. Sci. 57
996–998
Chandra S and Singh K J 1989 Handapaphyllum – a new leaf type
from the Upper Permian of Orissa, India; Palaeobotanist 37
143–146
Chandra S and Singh K J 1992 The genus Glossopteris from the
Late Permian beds of Handapa, Orissa, India; Rev. Palaeobot.
Palynol. 75 183–218
Chandra S and Singh K J 1995 First report of Late Permian sporangiate fructification Nesowalesia Pant from India; Curr. Sci.
69 400–401
Chaudhury P N 1988 Report on the geology and the coal resources
of Gopalpur area, Himgir Valley, Ib- River Coalfield
(Geological Survey of India)
CMPDI 1987 Master Plan for Ib-River Coalfield, (Central Mine
Planning and Design Institute)
Feistmantel O 1879 The fossil flora of the Lower Gondwanas-1.
The flora of the Talchir- Karharbari beds; Mem. Geolog. Survey
India, Palaeontol. Indica Ser. 12 3 1–64
Feistmantel O 1880 The fossil flora of the Gondwana System
(Lower Gondwanas) -2. The flora of the Damuda and Panchet
Divisions (1st part); Mem. Geolog. Survey India Palaeontol.
Indica Ser. 12 3 1–77
Feistmantel O 1881 The fossil flora of the Gondwana System
(Lower Gondwanas)-3. The flora of the Damuda and Panchet
divisions (2nd Part); Mem. Geolog. Survey India Palaeontol.
Indica Ser. 12 3 1–154
GSI 1997 Recent Advances in stratigraphy and tectonics of
Ib-Himgir Valley Gondwana Basin, Orissa, An Unpublished
Guide for traverses in the field workshop held during 15th to
17th February, 1997, Geological Survey of India 1–10
Goswami S 1997 Studies in Geology and Palaeobotany (megafossils) of Ib-River Coalfield, around Belpahar, Dist. Jharsuguda
and around Ratanpur, Dist. Sundargarh, Orissa; M.Phil.
Dissertation, Utkal University, Bhubaneswar
Goswami S 2002 Studies on geology and palaeontology of
Gondwana sequence of Ib-River Coalfield, Sambalpur,
Jharsuguda and Sundargarh Districts, Orissa, India and their
Biostratigraphic significance; Ph. D. Thesis, Utkal University,
Bhubaneswar
Goswami S, Singh K J and Chandra S 2006 Palaeobotany of
Gondwana Basins of Orissa State, India: A bird’s eye view;
J. Asian Earth Sci. (in press)
Khan A M 1969. Senia reticulata, a new plant fossil from the
Raniganj rocks of the Talcher Coalfield, Orissa, India; in J. Sen
memorial volume (eds) H Santapau et al (Calcutta: Botanical
Society of Bengal) pp 335–338
Lele K M 1976 Palaeoclimatic implications of Gondwana flora;
Geophytology 6 207–229
Maithy P K 1974 A revision of the Lower Gondwana Sphenopteris
from India; Palaeobotanist 21 70–80
Maiti A 1994 The palynoassemblage zones of Raniganj Formation
127
(Upper Permian) as revealed from the sub-surface study in
Ib-River Coalfield, Sundargarh District, Orissa, India; 9th Int.
Gond. Symp. Hyderabad 1994 (abstract), p 12
Meena K L 1998 Palynological dating of sub-surface Kamthi
sediments in Ib-River Coalfield, Orissa; Geophytology 27
107–110
Meena K L 1999 Late Barakar flora from the Chatudhara Nala
section, Ib-River Coalfield, Sundargarh, Orissa, India; Palaeobotanist 48 141–145
Meena K L 2000 Palynodating of subsurface sediments of borehole IBH-6 in Ib-River Coalfield, Orissa, India; Geophytology
29 111–113
Meena K L and Goswami S 2004 Palynostratigraphic Studies of
Late Permian Sediments From Tangadih Area, Ib-River Basin,
Orissa, India; Minetech 25 18–26
Mehta D R S and Anandalwar M A 1960 The Ib-River (RampurHimgir) Coalfield; Rec. Geol. Survey India 86 421–551
Mukhopadhyay S K 1987 Geology around Kanika and Rohini
area, Southern part of Ib-River Basin, Sundargarh and
Sambalpur dists., Orissa (Progress Report, Coal Wing, Geol.
Surv. Ind., Field Season-1984–85
Mukhopadhyay S K 1989 Geology of Northeastern part of
Ib-River Coalfield, Sambalpur dists., Orissa; (Progress Report,
Coal Wing, Geol. Surv. Ind., Field Season 1986–87)
Pal A K, Chaudhury P N, Bose S and Ghosh R N 1992 A middle
Triassic age for the Kamthi (Himgir) Formation of the Lower
Gondwana Ib- Himgir Basin, Orissa, India: New palaeobotanical
evidence; Newsl. Stratigr. 27 33–39
Pal P K and Ghosh A K 1997 Megafloral zonation of Permian –
Triassic sequence in the Kamthi Formation, Talchir Coalfield,
Orissa; Palaeobotanist 46 81–87
Pandey B C and Chakraborty S N 1964a Geology of the eastern
part of the Ib-River Coalfield, Sambalpur district, Orissa;
(Report, Geological Survey India)
Pandey B C and Chakraborty S N 1964b Geology of the western
part of the Ib-River Coalfield (Himgir and south Raigarh areas),
Mahanadi Valley Coalfield, Sundargarh and Sambalpur districts, Orissa (Report, Geological Survey India)
Pant D D and Gupta K L 1968 Cuticular structure of some Indian
Lower Gondwana species of Glossopteris Brongniart–Part I;
Palaeontographica B124 45–81
Pant D D and Gupta K L 1971 Cuticular structure of some Indian
Lower Gondwana species of Glossopteris Brongniart–Part II;
Palaeontographica B132 130–152
Pant D D and Singh K B 1971 Cuticular structure of some Indian
Lower Gondwana species of Glossopteris Brongniart–Part III;
Palaeontographica B135 1–40
Pant D D, Srivastava P C and Das P K 1985 Some new pteridophytic remains from the Lower Gondwana rocks of Hinjrida
Ghati, Orissa; Curr. Sci. 54 90–92
Raja Rao C S 1982 Coalfields of India, II. Coal resources of
Tamilnadu, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and Maharashtra; Bull.
Geol. Surv. India Series A 45 1–101
Royle J F 1839 Illustrations of the Botany and other branches of
Natural History of the Himalayan mountains, etc. (London) pp
1833–1839
Schimper W P 1869 Traite de Palaeontologie vegetale; J B
Bailliere et Fils, Paris. I 1–740
J. Biosci. 31(1), March 2006
Shreerup Goswami
128
Singh K J 2000 Plant biodiversity in the Mahanadi Basin,
India, during the Gondwana period; J. Afr. Earth Sci. 31
145–155
Singh K J and Chandra S 1987 Some new species of Glossopteris
from the Kamthi Formation of Handapa, Orissa; Geophytology
17 39–55
Singh K J and Chandra 2000 Additional palaeobotanical information from Madhupur village, Talchir Coalfield, Orissa, India;
Palaeobotanist 49 385–398
Surange K R and Chandra S 1973a Dictyopteridium sporiferum
Feistmantel – female cone from the Lower Gondwana of India;
Palaeobotanist 20 127–136.
Surange K R and Chandra S 1973b Denkania indica gen. et sp.
nov. a glossopteridean fructification from the Lower Gondwana
of India; Palaeobotanist 20 264–268
Surange K R and Chandra S 1973c Partha–A new type of female
fructification from the Lower Gondwana of India;
Palaeobotanist 20 356–360
Surange K R and Chandra S 1974a Fructifications of
Glossopteridae from India; Palaeobotanist 21 1–17
Surange K R and Chandra S 1974b Lidgettonia mucronata sp. nov.
a female fructification from the Lower Gondwana of India;
Palaeobotanist 21 121–126
Surange K R and Chandra S 1974c Further observations on
Glossotheca Surange and Maheshwari, a male fructification of
glossopteridales; Palaeobotanist 21 248–254
Surange K R and Chandra S 1974d Some male fructifications of
glossopteridales; Palaeobotanist 21 255–266
Surange K R and Chandra S 1978 Morphology and affinities of
Glossopteris; Palaeobotanist 25 509–524
Surange K R and Maheshwari H K 1970 Some male and female fructifications of Glossopteridales from India; Palaeontographica
B129 178–192
Tiwari R S 1968 Palynological investigations of some coal seams in
the Ib-River Coalfield (Orissa), India; Palaeobotanist 16 222–242
Tiwari R S and Singh V 1986 Palynological evidences for PermoTriassic boundary in Raniganj Coalfield, Damodar Basin, India;
Bull. Geol. Min. Metall. Soc. India 54 256–264
Tiwari R S and Tripathi A 1988 Palynological zones and their climatic interference in the coal-bearing Gondwana of peninsular
India; Palaeobotanist 36 87–101
Tiwari R S and Tripathi A 1992 Marker Assemblage-Zones of
spores and pollen species through Gondwana Palaeozoic and
Mesozoic sequence in India; Palaeobotanist 40 194–236
Walkom A B 1922 Palaeozoic floras of Queensland. Part I. The
flora of the Lower and Upper Bowen Series; Queensl. Geol.
Survey 270 1–45
MS received 18 February 2005; accepted 19 December 2005
ePublication: 14 February 2006
Corresponding editor: VIDYANAND NANJUNDIAH
J. Biosci. 31(1), March 2006