Annual Report 2011-2012 - Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany

EBIRBAL SAHNI INSTITUT
1946
OF PALAEOBOTANY
Annual Report 2011-2012
Project 3.5:
Palynostratigraphy and patterns of evolution in palynoflora in Damodar Basin
The study of Palaeozoic and Mesozoic
palynomorphs in the borecores from the north-central and
eastern parts of the Raniganj Coalfield includes Barakar,
Barren Measures (bore-holes RJS-2 & RT-4), Panchet
and Rajmahal formations (bore-hole RRK-1). Present
review is aimed to establish the age correlation of Barren
Measures and Panchet formations in the studied area.
As a result, strata equitable to the Raniganj Formation
have been proved to be in the Barren Measures
Formation. Thus, based on the result of palynodating,
lithologically delimited Barren Measures Formation is
inferred as the time- transgressive deposit. Similarly, infratrappean
sediments are recognized in the uppermost part
of the Panchet Formation which in turn re-defines the
status of the Panchet Formation. To conclude with the
unrecognized unconformity in the Barren Measures and
Panchet formations has been identified, thus featuring it
in the litho-packages for the first time. In addition,
compiled the data of spores from Indian Permian
succession, which provides comprehensive information
in different coal-bearing sedimentary basins. This will be
continued frequently for morpho-taxonomy and dating of
strata.
Vijaya (superannuated w.e.f. 30.09.2011) &
Srikanta Murthy
Cenozoic Palaeofloristics Group
Project 4.1:
Tertiary floristics of Rajasthan and Gujarat
A fossil fruit wing of Shorea of the
Dipterocarpaceae has been investigated and a manuscript
on the same is finalized. Besides, two manuscripts based
on fossil woods are also finalized. The first one describes
a fossil wood of Gluta (Anacardiaceae) from the Early
Eocene of Gujarat, while the other one includes the woods
of Terminalia (Combretaceae) and Lagerstroemia
(Lythraceae) from the Neogene of the Jaisalmer district,
Rajasthan. In addition, collected a large number of leaf
and fruit impressions from various Tertiary localities of
Bikaner and Barmer districts of Rajasthan. These
specimens are first cleared and then photographed and
their study is under progress.
J.S. Guleria (superannuated w.e.f. 31.05.2010),
R.C. Mehrotra & Anumeha Shukla
Project 4.2:
Floristics (Megafossil) of Deccan Intertrappean beds of India
Anatomical details of well-preserved
dicotyledonous wood, resembling extant genus Corchorus
L. (Jute) of the extended family Malvaceae (subfamily
Grewioideae), has been studied from the Deccan
Intertrappean sediments of Jhargad, Yavatmal district,
Maharashtra. The genus is herbaceous to shrubby and
native to tropical and subtropical regions throughout the
world (pantropical). Further work is under progress to
confirm its identification. Besides, number of dicot woods
studied from the same locality belongs to already known
genera, namely Barringtonia (Lecythidaceae) and
Ailanthus (Simarubaceae). Their presence signifies that
the climate was tropical with plenty of rainfall during the
period of deposition.
Studied a number of palm leaves collected from
Dindori and Seoni districts of Madhya Pradesh. They are
assigned to two fossil palm leaf genera, viz. Amesoneuron
and Sabalites. In one specimen few structures seems to
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be inflorescence. Further work is being done to finalize
the result. In addition, extensive collections have been
made from number of Deccan Intertrappean localities of
MP and Maharashtra. Fossil woods and fruits from newly
discovered locality (Dhangaon) in Mandla district, and
fossil woods (mainly palms) and fruit from Binori Reserve
Forest, Ghansor circle, Seoni district have been collected.
Large numbers of dicotyledonous woods from Kathotiya
village, Dindori district have also been collected from
newly digged well section. Woods are recovered from
10-12 ft below the surface. While in Khajri village, big
logs of palms are observed. Few woods and chert pieces
are also collected from Jhargad near Jhadgaon village in
Yavatmal district. Betul-Multai area is extensively
surveyed for the first time. The area is not rich in fossils.
Few palm roots, woods and Physa princepii are
observed.
Rashmi Srivastava
www.bsip.res.in