On two new fossil woods from the Raniganj Formation: with remarks on Zalesskioxylon zambesiensis from Mozambique

Abstract

Fossil woods are rather scarce in Lower Gondwana. A large percentage of woods so far reported belong to Raniganj or equivalent formations. The two new species of wood reported here also originate in the Raniganj Formation. Lepekhina’s circumscription of the genus Araucarioxylon is not accepted as it overlaps the diagnosis of the genus Dadoxylon. Her assignment of D. brandlingii (Lindley & Hutton) Endlicher as lectogenotype of Dadoxylon is not acceptable because the correct type species is D. withamii (Lindley & Hutton) Endlicher. Zalesskioxylon zambesiensis Maithy has been re-investigated and found to be conspecific with Australoxylon teixeirae Marguerier. The genera Parapalaeoxylon Prasad and Kamthioxylon Mahabale & Vagyani are probably superfluous.