1996-97 - Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany

1996-97
Major Achievements and Activities of the Institute
Some of the outstanding research achievements of the Institute during the year
1996-97 are as follows:
On the basis of biota and ichnofossils it has been opined that the Vindhyan represents
the Upper part of Neoproterozoic sequence. The analysis of overall assemblages shows
total absence of any of the typical Cambrian forms in the Vindhyan but presence of only
Vendian forms, viz., Sekwia and Polytrichoides. It is inferred that the uppermost limit of
Vindhyan is older than Precambrian/Cambrian Boundary.
For the first time species of Sporolithon, Halimeda and hulopolia, etc., are recorded
from the Ariyalur and Reddipalayam localities representing Kallankurchi Formation of
Maastrichtian age. The report of skeletal algae from oil-bearing limestones of Reddipalayam
is significant.
The plant megafossils recovered from Madhupur area near Hinjrida Ghati, Angul
District show presence of typical Kamthi species - Glossopteris leplOlleura and G. stricta.
The flora compares well with known Kamthi flora of Handapa beds which could be the
lateral extension of the same beds of Late Permian age.
The megafloral composition ofBalidih locality in Rajmahal Basin shows presence
of index Neocomian species Phyllopteroides levis suggesting Neocomian age for the Balidih
intertrappean beds. The conifer strobilii Podostrobus is recorded from Gangapur Formation
describing the Stachyotaxus for the first time.
The ultrastructure of cuticular membrane studied from healthy and fungi infected
leaves of Thinnfeldia indica shows similar structural configuration in general. The upper
portion of cuticular membrane remains intact. However, precursors of cutin accretions are
present at the sub-cuticular surface. It is inferred that fungi, besides edaphic factors, playa
role in the cutin breakdown and thus constrains the preservation of cuticular membranes.
Palynodating of coal-bearing sediments in Damodar and Rajmahal Basins and
Chintalpudi sub-basin and Talcher, Ib-River, Sohagpur, Tatapani-Ramkola Coalfields has
been continued. The results add new data to the dating and correlation of outcrop and
subsurfa