Annual Report 2011-2012 - Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany

EBIRBAL SAHNI INSTITUT
1946
OF PALAEOBOTANY
Annual Report 2011-2012
deposits, indicating that the forest was dominant with
podocarpaceous elements, whereas Pteridophytes were
in paucity.
The morphotaxonomic study of plant fossils
collected from various localities, viz. Chandia, Patparha,
Barambaba, Jhala, Praghua and Khareri have been
carried out. The plant fossils are well preserved in
blackish grey–pinkish white shales, embody number of
species of Elatocladus, Brachyphyllum, Pagiophyllum,
Araucarites, Podozamites, Todites, Weichselia,
Gleichenia and Phlebopteris. Branched or unbranched
twigs of Gleichenia are commonly found in these
sedimentary deposits. The floral assemblage is dominated
by conifers and pteridophytes. While comparing and
correlating with various Early Cretaceous palaeofloral
assemblages of India this has been observed that the
palaeoflora is coeval with the floral assemblage of
Dhrangadra and Himmatnagar formations, where too the
flora is dominated by conifers and pteridophytes. The
present floral assemblage resembles to some extent with
Gangapur floral assemblage of Andhra Pradesh, as both
are rich in conifers and pteridophytes, but can easily be
differentiated by the broad-leaved bennettitalean remains
which are prevalent in quite good number in Gangapur
Formation. Studied palaeofloral assemblage of South
Rewa Basin shows close affinity with Floristic
assemblage zone-10 Sukh-Dev (1987), which is also
characterized by occurrence of Weichselia, Onychiopsis,
proliferation of Gleichenia, Araucaria, Allocladus,
Brachyphyllum and Pagiophyllum and lack of
cycadophytes and pteridosperms.
Neeru Prakash
Project 2.5:
Palaeofloristical analysis of Mesozoic sedimentary succession of western India
Compiled the megafloral assemblage, consisting of
fossil algal mats, Thallites, Coniopteris, Onychiopsis,
Brachyphyllum, etc., recovered from the Isoetites-rich
locality near Than (Gujarat).
B.N. Jana (superannuated w.e.f. 30.06.2009)
Project 2.6:
Integrated palaeobiology of East Coast Cretaceous
Xylotomical studies on the petrified woods of the
Krishna-Pranhita-Godavari basins reveal variations within
the wood structure of Cretaceous flora. New finds of
Podocarpean and Araucarian woods along with
Ginkgolean fossil leaves demonstrate their luxuriant
growth. In addition, undertook field excursion to Pranhita-
Krishna-Godavari basins and collected fossil specimens
and sediment samples.
A. Rajanikanth
Project 2.7:
Investigation of carbonified/ fusainised plant mesofossils recovered through bulk
maceration of Late Triassic and Tertiary sediments of India and comparative studies
on selected modern taxa
Cuticle isolated from plant compressions on hand
specimens collected from the Nidhpuri plant-bearing bed
has been described and compiled.
Usha Bajpai (superannuated w.e.f. 31.05.2010)
Gondwana Palynology Group
Project 3.1:
Palynostratigraphy and evolution of palynoflora through the Palaeozoic and Mesozoic
sequence in Rajmahal Basin
Compiled the palynological data generated from
coal-bearing horizon encountered in 10 bore-holes of the
Rajmahal Basin. The study evidenced definite Late
Permian age for part of coal-bearing strata in the basin,
along with the coal seams of Early Permian Barakar
Formation.
Archana Tripathi (superannuated w.e.f. 31.07.2009)
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