1996-97 - Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany

1996-97
Studies on the fossil megaflora from Madhupur area in Angul District, Orissa
show the dominance of the genus Glossopteris with G. indica and G. spathulata
representing about 18-20 per cent each. The typical Kamthi species, i.e., G. leptoneura
and G. stricta are also recorded. The other forms include Schizoneura, Neomoriopteris,
Lidgettonia, Eretmonia and Partha. The flora of Madhupur beds compares well with
the known Kamthi flora of Handapa beds in the Hinjrida Ghati and could possibly
represent lateral extensIOn of the same beds of Late Permian age. Plant megafossils
were also collected from various Early Permian to Triassic exposures of the area.
Programme 2.3 : Evolutionary perspective of megafloral diversification in
the Nidpur plant bed
Shyam
C. Srivastava
The study of isolated fruiting bodies from Nidpur (100 in number) was
completed. A few specimens have been found to be attached (0 their axis. Four distinct
types have been identified on the basis of epidermal structures. Type-A reveals its
affiliation with the Voltzia-complex conifers. Type-B appears to belong to Gondwana
conifer Voltziopsis. The remaining are new types which are being studied.
Drawings of polymorphic Dicroidium leaves and stomatal apparatus in different
magnifications have been completed. Two new species have been identified out of
about 1000 specimens. The already known species: Dicroidium Ilidpurensis and
Dicroidium papillosum have shown their forked fronds ruling out the contention of
Nidpur dicroidia being unforked. With this finding. inference could be drawn that
Dicroidium flora of Nidpur possesses both bipinnate and forked dicroidia like other
Triassic assemblages of Gondwanaland.
Neeru
Prakash
The photodocumentation of varied specimens of the genus Dicroidium was
carried out. Their photoplates and line drawings of leaves and stomatal apparatus in
different magnifications have been prepared. Forked and bipinnate specimens of
Dicroidium have been recorded. D. odontopteroides has also been recorded.
Programme 2.4 : Palynostratigraphy of Gondwana Sequence in Son­
Mahanadi Graben
Archana
Tripathi
Archana Tripathi investigated the palynoflora in subsurface sediments in Talcher
Coalfield (BH TP-8). The palynoflora reveals the presence of three distinct assemblages.
The topmost coal-bearing sediments shows presence of taxa GOlldisporites,
Densipollenites and Arcuatipollenites in striate bisaccate dominating composition,
indicating Late Permian (Raniganj) age. In the overlying sediments the second
assemblage has abundance of Lundbladispora spp. associated with other Late Early
Triassic elements. while the third and the youngest assemblage contains
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