Coal deposits

8/11/2019 Coal deposits

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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



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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


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



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


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


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


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


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



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


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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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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Shreerup Goswami124


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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13/14

Chandra S and Surange K R 1979 Revision of the Indian species

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MS received 18 February 2005; accepted 19 December 2005

ePublication: 14 February 2006

Corresponding editor: VIDYANANDNANJUNDIAH

Coal deposits

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