Further contribution to the mega- and microfossil assemblages from the Johilla-Ganjra Nala confluence, South Rewa Gondwana Basin, Madhya Pradesh, India

Abstract

The present paper deals with mega- and microfossils recovered from the Early Permian sediments of the Johilla-Ganjra Nala confluence of Johilla Coalfield, Madhya Pradesh. Megafossils include Gangamopteris major, G. cyclopteroides, Glossopteris indica, G. gigas, G. conspicua, G. mohudaensis, Noeggerathiopsis hislopii, Samaropsis goraiensis, Cordaicarpus zeilleri, Alatocarpus indicus, few platyspermic seeds and Equisetalean axes. The palynological studies reveal that coal-bearing beds contain dominance of monosaccate pollen (Parasaccites, Plicatipollenites and Pachysaccus) in association with Callumispora gretensis, Crucisaccites monoletus, Barakarites indicus, Faunipollenites varius, Lunatisporites diffusus and Crescentipollenites fuscus indicating an Early Permian age to the coal beds exposed near the confluence of Johilla River and Ganjra Nala. The mega- and microflora recorded from these beds indicate a transitional zone of the Upper Karharbari and Lower Barakar formations. The study further suggests that the climatic conditions of Son Valley were cooler than the Damodar Basin.