Abundance of spore tetrads in the early Triassic sediments of India and their significance

Abstract

A number of spore tetrads with variable ornamentation have been observed during the palynological study of Lower Panchet sediments (Early Triassic) of the Raniganj Coalfield. They are either cingulate (ornamented or smooth) or simple verrucose spores, and can be attributed to Lundbladispora, Densoisporites and Verrucosisporites. The abundance of tetrads in the assemblage may be assigned to the diminishing effect of callase due to change in the climate. This perhaps resulted into the non-dissolution of the callose-wall which holds the spores together in a tetrad.