On the species of genus Glossopteris from barakar formation of Karanpura and Bokaro coalfields, India

Abstract

The assemblage of fossil plants of Barakar Formation from North Karanpura. South Karanpura and West Bokaro Coal fields contain thirty-two species of the genus Glossopteris. Among these three species are new, twenty-one species are recorded for the first time from the Barakar Formation of South Karanpura, nine species from North Karanpura and eight species from West Bokaro group of coalfields. The range of variation within species have been observed by taking more than one specimens as complex, from different collieries of these three coal fields. The comparison. diagnosis and range of distribution of species in context of other coalfields have also been given.

In the present study. the speciation of genus Glossopteris is based on morphography and cuticular features. Here, morphographical characters have been critically analysed in order to find a reasonable basis for precise specific delimitations. Morphographical circumscriptions are further verified by characters of the cuticle wherever available but only as associated or supportive characters.