Plant fossil assemblages from the Barakar Formation of Raniganj Coalfield, India

Abstract

Morphological and systematic investigation of plant fossils namely Equisetales (Phyllotheca, Lelstotheca, Phyllothecan cone, Trizygia), Filicales (Neomariopteris, Palasthalia gen. nov. showing sterile frond with auriculate base and pecopteroid venation pattern), glossopterids (leaves of Euryphyllum, Gangamopteris, Glossopteris, Palaeovittaria, Gondwanophyllites, Maheshwariphyllum gen. nov. having complete midrib and dichotomizing lateral veins, Parth,, Scutum fructifications), Cordaitales (Noeggerathiopsis, Cordaites), detached seeds of Samaropsis and Cordaicarpus and scale leaves from different seams of Barakar Formation of Raniganj Coalfield are described. The flora of the lower seams (nos. B II-B IV) is comparatively more diversified and shows affinity with the Karharbari flora, whereas the flora of upper seams (nos. B V-B VII) is monotonous in composition in being mostly represented by Glossopteris species. The composition of the flora in relation to evolution and climatic changes suggests lineage towards the development of midrib character in the glossopterid leaves and existence of temperate climate with a change from warm moist to warm dry condition.