Occurrence of dipterocarpus in the mar formation of Bikaner, Rajasthan, western India

Abstract

The occurrence of fossil wood of Dipterocarpus Gaert n.f. in the sediments of Mar Formation (Plio-Pleistocene) of Bikaner, western desertic part of Rajasthan, is of great significance both climatically and phytogeographically in view of the present day distribution of the genus in India. Its complete absence in the western (Gujarat and Rajasthan) and north-western parts of India today indicates drastic climatic changes in the region since the time of deposition of the fossil.