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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 sev-
eral field trips, the Ib River Coalfield was thoroughly
searched for plant fossils to contribute to a synthesis of
floristic diversity, early developmental history and evolu-
tion 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
2130' to 2206' N and 8337' to 8410' E. The Ib RiverCoalfield 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
1997; CMPDI 1987). The complete flora includes three
genera along with scale leaves. They are Neomariopteris
(N. hughesii), Glossopteris (Glossopteris indica, G. commu-
nis, G. tenuifolia, G. rewaensis, G. intermedia, G. zeilleri,
G. decipiens, G. browniana, G. gigas, G. subtilis, G. inter-
mittens, 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 ear-
lier palynological work carried out by Goswami (1997),
which recorded the presence of Late Permian palynoassem-blages 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 expo-
sures should be re-evaluated in terms of their currently
accepted lithostratigraphy.
Record of Lower Gondwana megafloral assemblage from LowerKamthi 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 fossilif-
erous beds in the Lower Gondwana deposits. Two exposures of the Lower Kamthi Formation yielded diverse andabundant 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 115128]
http://www.ias.ac.in/jbiosci
Keywords. Glossopteris; Ib River Coalfield; Kamthi Formation;Neomariopteris; Vertebraria.
J. Biosci. 31(1), March 2006, 115128, Indian Academy of Sciences 115
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2. Previous palaeobotanical studies
Megafloral assemblages of Lower Kamthi Formation inTalchir Coalfield are recorded from mainly two localities viz.,Handapa and Madhupur. The complete flora have been des-cribed by Khan (1969); Surange and Maheshwari (1970);Surange and Chandra (1973a,b,c; 1974a,b,c,d; 1978); Chandraand Rigby (1981, 1983); Chandra (1984); Pant et al(1985);Singh and Chandra (1987, 2000) and Chandra and Singh
(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, Sphenophyl-lales, Equisetales, Filicales, Cycadales, Ginkgoales andGlossopteridales comprising 18 pteridophytes and 77 gym-nosperm taxa. The number of Glossopteris species (46) recov-ered from Lower Kamthi Formation deposits of this coalfieldis the largest of any specific diversity of the genus in anyLower Kamthi beds of Indian Gondwana. Altogether 31 plant
Shreerup Goswami116
J. Biosci. 31(1), March 2006
Table 1. Stratigraphic nomenclature for Ib River Coalfield
Recent Alluvium/ Recent gravel and conglomerate
Laterite
Early to Upper Upper Conglomerate, red shale with
Middle Gondwana Kamthi Dicroidium flora and coarse ferruginous-
Triassic =Kamthi sandstone with clasts.Estheriids such as
Cyzicus sp. andPaleolimnoids 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 andDensipollenites
(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
andApiculatisporis (Tiwari 1968) (350500 m)
Early Permian Karharbari Conglomerate, carbonaceous sandstone with
fresh feldspar grains containing thin coal bands
only along the NW margin of the basin (3065 m)
Early Permian Talchir Diamictite, greenish sandstone, olive and chocolate
coloured needle shales and rhythmites (130 m+)
--------------------------------------------------------Uncomformity-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Precambrian Granites, gneisses, amphibolites and migmatites
Age Group Formation Lithology and fossil content (thickness in meters)
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genera and 95 species are recorded. It is one of the richestpalaeoflora 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 repre-
sentation 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 asNeomariopteris hughesii, Cycadales such as Macrotaenio-
pteris feddenii, M. wianamattae, Glossopteridales such as
eleven Glossopteris species and V. indica. It depicts that a rel-
atively 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 diver-
sity, 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 Striatopodocarpitesfol-lowed 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, Chorda-
sporites, Arcuatipollenites and Falcisporites in the assem-
blage render Late Permian age to this Palynozone (Goswami
1997). The overall character of the assemblage compares
well with the Late Permian Raniganj microflora RIA assem-
blage of Tiwari and Singh (1986), Striatopodocarpites-
Crescentipollenites zone of Tiwari and Tripathi (1988) and
Densipollenites magnicorpus Assemblage zone of Tiwari and
Tripathi (1992). Similar Late Permian Raniganj microflorawere 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 thenresurveyed 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 pro-
posed 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 dif-
ferent exposures i.e. Gopalpur Pahar and Laxamanpur Pahar
(delineated as L1
and L2
in figure 1) within the coalfield
(2130' to 2206' N and 8337' to 8410'E), Jharsuguda,
Sundargarh Districts, Orissa during two excursions. They are:
Lower Kamthi Latitude Longitude
Formation Exposures
(i). Gopalpur Pahar, 22 03'N 83 42' 30' 'E
Sundargarh Dist.
(ii). Laxamanpur Pahar, 21 41' 30' 'N 83 45' 30' 'E
Jharsuguda Dist.
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 spec-
imens 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
Megafloral assemblage from Lower Kamthi Formation 117
J. Biosci. 31(1), March 2006
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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 com-
parison 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 represent-
ed 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 speci-
mens. Table 4 demonstrates that the identification up to the
species level is not based on any single species-specific char-
acter, but rather on diagnostic suites of characters. It was
determined that the venation pattern and mesh type in the mid-
dle 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 areN. hughesii, G. indica, G. communis,
G. tenuifolia, G. rewaensis, G. intermedia, G. zeilleri,
Shreerup Goswami118
J. Biosci. 31(1), March 2006
INDEX
UPPER KAMTHI FM.
LOWER KAMTHI FM.
BARREN MEASURES FM.
BARAKAR FM.
TALCHIR FM.
PRECAMBRIAN
COAL SEAM
FAULT
FOSSIL LOCALITY
STATE BOUNDARY
BOREHOLE
SURFACE SAMPLE SITE
83 35' 83 40' 83 45' 83 50' 83 55' 84 0'
22
15'
22
10'
22
5'
22
0'
21
50'
21
45'
21
40'
Figure 1. Geological map of Ib River Coalfield, District Sundargarh and Jharsuguda, Orissa (after GSI 1997).
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G. decipiens, G. browniana, G. gigas, G. subtilis, G. inter-
mittens, 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
Megafloral assemblage from Lower Kamthi Formation 119
J. Biosci. 31(1), March 2006
L
o
we
r
K
a
m
t
h
i
F
m.
L
o
w
e
r
K
a
m
t
h
i
F
m.
1m
1m
0m 0m
BASE IS NOT EXPOSED BASE IS NOT EXPOSED
ALLUVIUM
SANDSTONE
SANDSTONE WITH
SILTY LAYERS
PEBBLY SILT STONE
SILTY SHALE
SHALE
COMPACT SHALE
FOSSILIFEROUS BED
CROSS BEDDED
Figure 2. Geological sections along Gopalpur Pahar and Laxamanpur Pahar.
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Comparison: The fronds figured here compare very
well with the specimens of N. hughesiidescribed 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.
Distribution: Neomariopteris hughesii is known to
occur in Karharbari, Barakar, Barren
Measures, Raniganj and Kamthi forma-
tions 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)
Locality: Laxamanpur Pahar
Horizon: Lower Kamthi Formation
Comparison and Morphologically the current specimens
remarks: closely resemble Holotype specimen
described by Royle (1839) as they all
consist of square areas in two linearrows, separated by a median longitudi-
nal furrow and the areas are transverse-
ly separated by grooves.
Distribution: In India, Vertebraria indica occurs in
Talchir, Karharbari, Barakar, Barren
Measures, Raniganj and Kamthi forma-
tions.
Scale leaf
(figure 5j)
Division: Pinophyta Meyen 1984
Order: Dictyopteridiales Rigby 1978 (nom.
Corr. McLoughlin 1990b)
Scale leafThere is a single specimen of scale leaf in the present col-
lection. 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 con-
tracted. 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.
Shreerup Goswami120
J. Biosci. 31(1), March 2006
Table 2. Distribution of plant megafossils from Lower Kamthi
Formation exposed around Gopalpur Pahar and Laxamanpur
Pahar, Ib River Coalfield.
Taxa Gopalpur Pahar Laxamanpur 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 14 10
Table 3. Relative percentage of fossil taxa from Lower Kamthi
Exposures around Gopalpur Pahar and Laxamanpur Pahar, Ib River
Coalfield.
Number of
specimens
Taxa studied Percentage
Dominant (>10%)
Glossopteris indica 18 22.78
G. communis 14 17.72
G. browniana 11 13.92
Sub-dominant (510%)
G. zeilleri 6 7.59
G. tenuifolia 5 6.33
Rare (15%)
G. decipiens 3 3.80
G. intermittens 3 3.80
G. subtilis 3 3.80
G. rewaensis 2 2.53
G. intermedia 2 2.53
G. karharbariensis 2 2.53G. tenuinervis 2 2.53
G. gigas 2 2.53
G. spatulata 2 2.53
Vertebraria indica 2 2.53
Neomariopteris hughesii 1 1.27
Scale leaf 1 1.27
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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 forma-
tions of Indian Gondwana.
Glossopteris Brongniart 1822Division: 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. spat-
ulata) in the present collection and their detailed descrip-tions 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
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 sedi-
ments 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 con-strain 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 assem-
blages containN. hughesii, G. indica, G. communis, G. spat-
ulata, 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
Megafloral assemblage from Lower Kamthi Formation 121
J. Biosci. 31(1), March 2006
Table 4. Classification of Kamthi Formation in Ib River Coalfield (Chandra and Chandra 1988; Lele 1976).
Lithology with
Age Formation fossil contents Vegetation Palaeoclimate
Triassic Upper Kamthi= Conglomerate, red shale withDicroidium Dense forest, small Warm, humid,
Kamthi flora, coarse ferruginous sandstone with trees growing under temperate with
clasts.Estheriids such as Cyzicus sp. and neath big tree, upland dry and semi-aridPaleolimnoids sp. are also reported vegetation spells
(Pal et al1992)
Late Lower Kamthi= Fine to medium grained well-sorted sandstone, Thick swampy, dense Warm, humid,
Permiar Raniganj siltstone, clay bed, coal, abundance of trilete forest with small lakes, temperate with
mioflora. Megafloral assemblages include ponds, low lying river intermittent rain
Schizoneura Neomariopteris and broad mesh valley falls
forms Glossopteris species (Goswami 2002
and present study). Palynofloral assemblage is
dominated by Striatopodocarpites,
Crescentipollenites, Verticipollenites and
Densipollenites
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Shreerup Goswami122
J. Biosci. 31(1), March 2006
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.
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Megafloral assemblage from Lower Kamthi Formation 123
J. Biosci. 31(1), March 2006
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 brown-
iana 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.
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J. Biosci. 31(1), March 2006
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.
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MS received 18 February 2005; accepted 19 December 2005
ePublication: 14 February 2006
Corresponding editor: VIDYANANDNANJUNDIAH