Permineralized fungal remains in the fossil wood of Barringtonia from the Deccan Intertrappean sediments of Yavatmal District, Maharashtra, India

Abstract

Fungal infection (parasitism and saprophytism) in the fossil flora of Deccan Intertrappean sediments is well documented from Chhindwara, Dindori, Mandla, Nagpur and Seoni areas of central India. In the present communication, a well preserved dicotyledonous fossil wood showing resemblance with the extant genus Barringtonia Forster & G. Forster of the family Lecythidaceae is recorded for the first time from the Yavatmal District, Maharashtra. The anatomical study of wood reveals that it is endogenously infected with saprophytic fungus Epicoccum Link. ex Schlecht and fungal conidia are profusely distributed in the vessels of the fossil wood. Very fine, ill preserved mycelium is also seen at places. Presence of the genus Barringtonia, as well as fungus Epicoccum is indicative of warm and humid conditions in the area during the time of deposition of intertrappean sediments.