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A. K. GEOLOGICAL SRIVASTAVA AND OTHERS JOURNAL SOCIETY OF INDIA Vol.80, November 2012, pp.676-684

Morphological and Stratigraphical Significance of Lower Gondwana Plant Fossils of Mohpani Coalfield, Satpura Gondwana Basin, Madhya Pradesh A. K. SRIVASTAVA, ANJU SAXENA and DEEPA AGNIHOTRI Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, 53, University Road, Lucknow – 226 007 Email: [email protected] Abstract: Plant fossils from the coal bearing Barakar Formation exposed in Gottitoria open cast mine of Mohpani Coalfield, Satpura Gondwana Basin are described for the first time. The assemblage is represented by Glossopteris communis, G. indica, G. stenoneura, Gangamopteris angustifolia, G. cyclopteroides, G. karharbariensis, G. major, seeds of Cordaicarpus zeilleri and equisetaceous stems. The dominance of the species of Gangamopteris over the species of Glossopteris and absence of Noeggerathiopsis indicate the floral affinity with the flora of Lower Barakar Formation of Lower Gondwana. Keywords: Glossopteris flora, Early Permian, Lower Barakar, Mohpani Coalfield, Satpura Basin, Madhya Pradesh.

INTRODUCTION

The Gottitoria open cast project located near the Gottitoria village is the westernmost part of the coal bearing beds in the Mohpani Coalfield, which is often referred as the Mohpani-Gottitoria Coalfield also (Fig.1). From the Gottitoria open cast mine, though coal seams were worked out in the past, but plant fossil assemblage is hitherto not reported. In the present article, a detailed account of the megafossils recovered from Gottitoria open cast project is described and discussed. The megafloral elements include Glossopteris communis, G. indica, G. stenoneura, Gangamopteris angustifolia, G. cyclopteroides, G. karharbariensis, G. major, seeds of Cordaicarpus zeilleri and equisetaceous stems. Feistmantel (1879) for the first time reported the plant fossil assemblage e.g. Gangamopteris cyclopteroides, G. cyclopteroides var. attenuata, Glossopteris communis, Noeggerathiopsis hislopi and equisetaceous stalks from the Sitarewa river section of the Mohpani Coalfield. GEOLOGY OF THE AREA

Satpura Gondwna Basin (SGB) represents four coalfields viz. Pench Valley, Kanhan Valley, Pathakhera and Mohpani coalfields. Mohpani Coalfield is located in the northeastern corner of the Satpura Gondwana Basin and lies 22º 28' E to 78º50' N in the centre of Ranipura reserve forest in

Narsinghpur district, M.P. Being one of the important coal bearing area of Satpura Gondwana Basin, the Mohpani area has drawn attention of various workers as early as in 1835 (Fox 1931, 1934; Bharadwaj and Anand Prakash, 1974). Geologically, the area was studied in detail by Medlicott (1860, 1870); and he described it as one of the most important coaliferous area of Satpura Gondwana Basin. The Gondwana outcrops are mainly exposed along the Sitarewa River section, east of Mohpani village. Medlicott (1860) had studied the outcrop section near Sitarewa river and described the whole section as one of the largest known and most valuable section of Satpura Gondwna Basin. Bharadwaj and Anand-Prakash (1974) have studied the geology and palynology of the Mohpani Coalfield and described the palynostratigraphy of the area. The other exposures of coal bearing beds in the area are present about 2 km north of Mohpani near Nayakhera village and about 2.5 km west of the Mohpani near Gottitoria village (Bharadwaj and Anand Prakash, 1974). Coal-bearing beds of Mohpani-Gottitoria area, unconformably overlain by thick sequence of Motur Formation, belong to Barakar Formation. Gottitoria open cast project is the westernmost patch of the coal-bearing strata of Mohpani Coalfield where the sandstones of the coal bearing beds are exposed in a hillock and coal seams are known to be present underneath (Bharadwaj and Anand-Prakash, 1974; Raja Rao, 1983). The coal bearing sandstone is medium to fine grained, hard

0016-7622/2012-80-5-676/$ 1.00 © GEOL. SOC. INDIA JOUR.GEOL.SOC.INDIA, VOL.80, NOV. 2012

STRATIGRAPHICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF LOWER GONDWANA PLANT FOSSILS, MOHPANI COALFIELD, MADHYA PRADESH 677

Fig.1. Location map of Mohpani coalfield showing fossil locality

compact and whitish in colour. A major portion of the deposits between Sitarewa river and Gottitoria village is eroded except for the sandstone outcrops near Gottitoria, rest of the area having been filled by the alluvium. MATERIAL AND METHODS

Well preserved plant fossils are recorded in the form of impressions from the carbonaceous shale of Lower Barakar Formation exposed in Gottitoria open cast project of Mohpani Coalfield, Satpura Gondwana Basin (Fig.1). The lithological succession of the Gottitoria open cast project is represented in Fig. 2 and the fossiliferous sequence is marked. The morphological features of plant fossils were examined under the low power binocular microscope. The identification of the specimens was made on the basis of external morphological features such as shape, size, midrib and venation pattern. All the figured specimens are deposited in the museum of Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, Lucknow. OBSERVATIONS

Gangamopteris angustifolia McCoy 1847 (Plate 1, fig. a) Description: There is only one leaf impression present in the collection. The leaf is 4.7 cm long and 1.2 cm broad at its widest part, narrow-lanceolate in shape; apex and base not preserved, base tapering, margin entire. The median region is occupied by 3-5 parallel running veins, lateral veins arise from the base and arch out at acute angles, and while arching out they dichotomize and anastomose to form narrow, elongated, hexagonal-polygonal meshes. Mesh size ranges between 3-4 mm in length and 0.2 -0.3 mm in JOUR.GEOL.SOC.INDIA, VOL.80, NOV. 2012

Fig.2. Lithostratigraphic succession exposed in Gottitoria open cast mine showing fossiliferous bed.

width near the margin and near midrib, mesh size is equal. Vein density is 11-15/ 5 mm. Remarks: The present leaf is comparable with Gangamopteris angustifolia McCoy (earlier described as Cyclopteris angustifolia) as described by Feistmantel (1879; Pl. 9, Fig. 5) in lacking the definite midrib, having lanceolate shape, small size, 3-4 parallel veins in the median part, lateral veins arising at acute angle forming hexagonal meshes.

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Feistmantel (1879) reported this species from Karharbari Formation of Deogarh and Giridih coalfields. The present specimen is also comparable with G. angustifolia described by Walkom (1922; Pl. 4, Fig. 22, 23) from Lower and Upper Bowen Series of Queensland, Australia; Surange and Lele (1957; Pl. 1, Fig. 6) from Talchir Formation of South Rewa Basin; Archangelsky (1957: Pl. 8 Fig. 3,4) from Argentina; Maithy (1965a; Pl. 2, Fig. 9-10) from Karharbari Formation, Giridih Coalfield; Lele et al. (1966; Pl. 4, Fig. 18) from Barakar Formation of Singrauli Coalfield; Tewari and Srivastava (2000a; Pl.1, Fig. 8) from Talchir Formation, Auranga Coalfield and Singh et al. (2006b; Pl. 2; Fig. 4) from the Ib river Coalfield. Gangamopteris cyclopteroides Feistmantel 1879 (Plate 1, fig. b) Description: There are three incomplete leaf impressions in the collection. Leaves size ranges from 8.6 to 10.2 cm long and 4.0 to 5.0 cm wide. Leaves are elliptical in shape with entire margin. Apex and base are not preserved. Margin in lower part suggests truncated base. Median region is occupied by 4-6 parallel running veins, which are interconnected, forming elongate meshes. Secondary veins arise from the base and gradually fan out towards the margin. Lateral veins dichotomize and anastomose to form polygonal meshes. Meshes are 4-6.5 mm long and 0.5 to 1.0 mm wide near the median region, while near the margin 2.5 -4.0 mm long and 0.2-0.6 mm wide. Vein density is 20-30 veins/cm near margin and 16-20 veins/cm near the median region. Remarks: The specimens are comparable with the species, Gangamopteris cyclopteroides Feistmantel in the absence of well-defined midrib; having 5-6 subparallel running veins in the median region; elliptical-spathulate shape, entire margin, lateral veins arising from the base and fannig out at acute angles of 7-10º; as described by Feistmantel (1879; Pl. 7, Fig. 2, Pl. 10, Fig. 2; Pl. 11, Fig. 2, 3, 4, Pl. 12, Fig. 2,3, Pl. 13, Fig. 1, Pl. 16, Fig. 1, Pl. 17, Fig. 1,2, 3) from Talchir and Karharbari formations of Karanpura Coalfield and Mohpani Coalfield. The specimens are also similar with the G. cyclopteroides in its shape, as described by Feistmantel (1882; Pl. 16, Fig. 1-3) from Talchir Formation of South Rewa Basin; Feistmantel (1886; Pl. 6A, Fig. 1, 2; Pl. 9A, Fig. 2) from the Talchir needle shale of Giridih Coalfield; Surange and Lele (1956; Pl.1, Fig. 12) described from Talchir Formation of South Rewa Gondwana Basin and Høeg and Bose (1960; Pl. 7, Figs. 14; Pl. 8, Fig. 2; Pl. 9, Fig. 3; Pl.13, Fig. 3) from Congo Basin. Specimens are also comparable with G. cyclopteroides

described by Saksena (1963, Pl. 1, Fig. 12; Pl. 2, Fig. 13) from the Karharbari Formation of Ganjra Nala beds, South Rewa Gondwana basin; Maithy (1965a; Pl. 1, Fig. 1-3) from Karharbari Formation, Giridih Coalfield. Pant and Singh (1968; Pl. 27, Fig. 1) have provided cuticular features of G. cyclopteroides leaves and instituted four new species of Gangamopteris on the basis of cuticles. However, the external morphology of the leaves resembles with G. cyclopteroides. Present specimens are also similar with G. cyclopteroides described by Pant and Singh (1974; Pl. 35, Fig. 87); Srivastava (1977a; Pl. 1, Fig. 1-2; Text Fig. 2A, B) from Karharbari Formation, Auranga Coalfield; Chandra and Srivastava (1982; Pl. 11, Fig. 1; Pl. 3, Fig. 2) from Talchir Formation of South Rewa Gondwana basin; Chandra et al. (1992; Pl. 2, Fig. 1) from Talchir Formation of South Rewa Gondwana basin; Tewari and Srivastava (2000a; Pl. 1, Fig.5) from Talchir Formation, Aurnaga Coalfield; Singh et al. (2005; Pl. 2, Figs. 1 and 2) from Karharbari Formation of Wardha Valley Coalfield; Singh et al. (2006a; Pl. 1, Fig. 2; Pl. 2, Figs, 2 and 3) from Karharbari Formation of Mahanadi Basin and Singh et al. (2006b; Pl. 2, Fig. 1) from the Barakar Formation of Ib River Coalfield. Feistmantel established the species in 1876, but in 1879, he provided description and photographs of the specimen and instituted three varieties of G. cyclopteroides, on the basis of minor differences in the shape of apex and base viz. G. cyclopteroides var. subauriculata (proportionally greater length and narrow base); G. cyclopteroides var. areolata (neat broad polygonal meshes); G. cyclopteroides var. attenuata (leaf little larger and much narrow towards the base) (Pl. 10, Fig. 1; Pl. 13, Fig. 2, Pl. 15, Figs. 1,2 and 3). However, Arber (1905) did not recognize the varieties because of indistinguishable morphological characteristics from the typical G. cyclopteroides. Later, Srivastava (1977a) also rejected the varieties of G. cyclopteroides and considered them as the same species belonging to G. cyclopteroides. Gangamopteris karharbariensis Maithy 1965 (Plate 1, fig. c) Description: There is only one incomplete leaf specimen in the collection. The specimen is 5.8 cm long and 2.0 cm wide at its widest part. The shape is linear to lanceolate, margin entire, apex and base are not preserved. The median region is occupied by 4-6 subparallel veins which are not prominent. Secondary veins fan out at acute angle. They dichotomize and anastomose to form narrow, elongate meshes throughout the lamina. Vein density is 15-18 veins/cm. JOUR.GEOL.SOC.INDIA, VOL.80, NOV. 2012


Plate 1. (a) Gangamopteris angustifolia McCoy, BSIP Museum specimen no. 39885. (b) Gangamopteris cyclopteroides Feistmantel, BSIP Museum specimen no. 39886. (c) Gangamopteris karharbariensis Maithy, BSIP Museum specimen no.39887b. (d) Gangamopteris major Feistmantel, BSIP Museum specimen no. 39887b. (e) Glossopteris communis Feistmantel BSIP Museum specimen no. 39888. (f) G. indica Schimper BSIP specimen nos. Museum 39889, 39890. (g) G. stenoneura Feistmantel, BSIP Museum specimen no. 39891. (h, i) Equisetalean axes, BSIP Museum specimen no. 39892. (j) Seed of Cordaicarpus zeilleri Maithy 1965. BSIP Museum specimen no. 39893. JOUR.GEOL.SOC.INDIA, VOL.80, NOV. 2012

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Remarks: Venation pattern of the specimen i.e., narrow, elongate meshes of uniform size closely resembles with G. karharbariensis described by Maithy (1965a; Pl. 2, Fig. 11-13) from Karharbari Formation, Giridih Coalfield. He also studied the epidermal features of G. karharbariensis. Present leaf is also comparable with G. karharbariensis described by Chandra and Srivastava (1982; Pl. 2, Fig. 13) from Talchir and coal bearing formations of South Rewa Gondwana Basin and Tewari and Srivastava (2000a, Pl. 2, Fig. 4) described from Talchir Formation of Auranga Coalfield, Bihar, India. Gangamopteris major Feistmantel 1879 (Plate 1, fig. d) Description: There are three incomplete leaf specimens in the collection. The leaves are 1.9 to 6.5 cm long and 1.4 to 2.6 cm wide at their widest part; narrow elongate to spathulate in shape; margin entire; apex and base are not preserved. The median region is occupied by 3-7 subparallel running veins. The secondary veins arched, dichotomize and anastomose to form linear-elongated meshes throughout the lamina. The meshes are of more or less equal size. The meshes are 5-8 mm long and 0.2-0.4 mm wide. Vein density is 7 to 9 veins/5 mm near median region and 10-11 veins/ 5 mm near the margin. Remarks: The specimens show resemblance with G. major described by Feistmantel (1879; Pl. 14, Fig. 3, Pl. 16, Fig. 1-2) from Karharbari Formation of Giridih Coalfield in having elongate shape, 3-5 subparallel running veins and linear, narrow meshes. The leaves are also comparable with G. major described by Feistmantel (1886; Pl. 5A, Fig. 9; Pl. 11A Fig. 9) from Rikba beds of Karanpura Coalfield; Maithy (1965a; Pl. 1, Fig.7) described from Karharbari Formation of Giridih Coalfield. Arber (1905) merged the species under G. cyclopteroides and considered it as one of its variety viz. G. cyclopteroides var. major, however, later workers (Maithy, 1965a, Chandra and Srivastava, 1982) maintained the separate identity of the species. The leaves show close resemblance in venation pattern with G. major as reported by Chandra and Srivastava (1982; Pl. 1, Fig. 5 and Pl. 2, Fig. 12) from Talchir and coal bearing formations of South Rewa Gondwana Basin; Chandra et al., (1992; Pl.1, Fig. 2 and Pl. 3 Fig.2) from Talchir Formation of Chandas Nala section of Anuppur area, Shahdol district; Tewari and Srivastava (2000a; Pl. 1, Fig.2) described from Talchir Formation, Auranga Coalfield and Singh et al. (2006b; Pl. 1, Fig.3) from Barakar Formation of Ib River Coalfield, Orissa.

Glossopetris communis Feistmantel 1876 (Plate 1, fig. e) Description: Fragmentary leaf showing upper part of the lamina is preserved as part and counterpart. Leaf measures 6.3 cm in length and 4.4 cm in width at the widest part. Apex and base are not preserved. Midrib distinct, narrowing towards the apex. Lateral veins arise at acute angles of 10º-15º, arching backwards and reach the margin. Lateral veins dichotomize and anastomose to form long and narrow meshes ranging 5-6 mm in length and 0.2 to 0.3 mm in width. Size of the meshes is more or less equal throughout the lamina. Vein density is 22-26 veins/cm near midrib and 25-29 veins/cm near the margin. Remarks: The present specimen in their shape and venation pattern resembles with G. communis described by Feistmantel (1879; Pl. 17, Fig. 1, 2) from Satpura Gondwana Basin; and Feistmantel (1881; Pl. 24, Figs. 1,2; Pl. 25, Fig. 1,2, Pl. 36, Fig. 2) from Barakar and Raniganj formations of Raniganj Coalfield. Feistmantel first described this species in 1876 (Pl. 21, Fig, 5) with fragmentary specimen. Later he described G. communis (1881, Pl. 32A Fig.3; Pl. 32A, fig. 1) in detail from Raniganj Coalfield, Feistmantel (1882, Pl. 12, Fig. 1; 1886; Pl. 2, Fig. 1-2, Pl. 11, Fig. 6,8) described the species from Karharbari, Barakar and Ranignaj formations of Giridih, Auranga and Karanpura coalfields. However, Arber (1905) reconsidered this species and merged it with G. indica Schimper. But, later worker again considered it as distinct species from G. indica and retained the specific status of G. communis (Srivastava, 1977a, b). The leaves also resemble with the specimens described by Maheshwari and Prakash (1965; Pl. 2, Fig. 14) from Barakar Formation of Bansoli River in Rajmahal hills; Maithy (1965a; Pl. 5, Fig. 31) from Karharbari Formation of Giridih Coalfield; Lele et al. (1966; Pl. 2, Fig. 5) from Barakar Formation of Singrauli Coalfield; Kulkarni (1971; Text Fig. 7) from Barakar Formation of South Karanpura Coalfield; Banerji and Bose (1977; Pl.1, Fig. 5) from Triassic beds of Auranga Coalfield. Specimen is also comparable with G. communis described by Srivastava (1977a; Pl. 2, Fig. 12) from Karharbari Formation in Auranga Coalfield; Srivastava (1979; Pl. 1, Figs. 1, 2; Text Fig. 1A, B) from Raniganj Formation, Auranga Coalfield; Chandra and Surange (1979; Pl. 1, Fig. 2,3); Rigby et al. (1980; Figs. 26,29 and 30) from Queensland Australia; Chandra and Srivastava (1982; Pl. 4, Fig. 29) from coal bearing horizon of South Rewa Gondwana basin and Singh and Bajpai (1990; Pl.2, Fig. 3) JOUR.GEOL.SOC.INDIA, VOL.80, NOV. 2012


from Gondwana equivalent continental facies of Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim of Eastern Himalaya. The leaf resembles in its venation pattern with G. communis described by Singh and Maheshwari (2000; Pl. 2, Fig. 3) from Barakar Formation of Karanpura and Bokaro Coalfield; Tewari and Srivastava (2000a; Pl. 2, Fig. 6) from Talchir Formation of Auranga Coalfield; Singh and Chandra (2000a; Pl. 1, Fig. 1,2) from Madhupur village, Talchir Coalfield, Orissa; Singh (2000; Pl. 2, Fig. 1,2) from Barakar Formation of Karanpura and Bokaro coalfields; Tewari and Srivastava (2000b; Pl. 1, 4) from Bhareli Formation, Arunachal Pradesh; Tewari and Rajnikanth (2001; Pl. 1, Fig. 5) from Pisdura, Nand-Dongargarh sub-basin, Wardha Valley Coalfield; Singh et al. (2006b; Pl. 4, Fig. 3) from Barakar Formation of Ib River Coalfield; Tewari and Jha (2006; Pl. 2, Fig. A; Pl. 3, Fig. A and B) from Raniganj Formation of Godavari graben; Maithy et al. (2006; Pl. 1; Fig. 9) from Arunachal Pradesh and Tewari (2007; Pl. 6, Fig. 4) from the Kamthi Formation of Kamptee Coalfield, Wardha Basin, Nagpur. Glossopteris indica Schimper 1869 (Plate 1, fig. f) Description: Fragmentary leaf impression with part and counterpart is present in the collection. Leaf measures 13.7 cm in length and 3.7 cm in width. Apex and base are not preserved. Leaf appears to be oval-lanceolate in shape. Midrib is prominent, flat, 3.0 mm broad at the base, tapers upward in upper part, midrib is 1.2 mm broad. Secondary veins arise from midrib at acute angles, and arch towards the margin, meeting at obtuse angles. Veins dichotomize and anastomose to form rectangular meshes. Meshes are small, broad near midrib ranging in size from 5-7mm long and 0.2-0.3 mm broad; and narrow, elongate, 7-8.5 mm long and .2-.4 mm broad near the margin. Vein density is 15-19/ cm near midrib and 20-26 veins/cm near the margin. Remarks: The present leaf is comparable with the lectotype of G. indica Schimper (1869) described by Rigby et al. (1980; Fig. 38, 39, 40, 41) in having ovate-lanceolate shape; distinct midrib and venation pattern. The meshes are short and broad near the midrib while, more elongated and narrow near the margin. Earlier, Brongniart (1828) instituted the genus with type species G. browniana. He established two varieties viz. G. browniana var. australasica and G. browniana var. indica. Later, Schimper (1869) raised the variety indica to specific rank as G. indica. G. indica is a very common species in the Lower Gondwana Formations of India. Present leaf also resembles with G. indica described by Feistmantel (1881; Pl. 23A, Fig. JOUR.GEOL.SOC.INDIA, VOL.80, NOV. 2012

10; Pl. 26 Fig. 3; Pl. 26A, Fig. 3, 4; Pl. 27A, Fig. 3, 5; Pl. 35A, Fig. 4; Pl. 38A, fig. 4) from Barakar Formation of Ramkola Tatapani Coalfield and Pench Valley Coalfield, Satpura Gondwana Basin; Talchir and Karharbari formations of Karanpura and Raniganj coalfields; Feistmantel (1882) from Barakar and Karharbari formations of South Rewa Basin. The leaf is comparable with the specimens described by Zeiller (1902; Pl. 1, fig. 2, 5) from Permian beds of Shahdol, M.P. The specimen shows close resemblance with G. indica, described by Halle (1911; Pl. 2, Fig. 1-5) from Falkland Island; Archangelsky (1957; Pl. 7, Fig. 1, 3;1958; Pl. 3; Fig. 39) from Argentina; Høeg and Bose (1960; Pl. 15, Fig. 1) from Congo Basin; Maheshwari and Prakash (1965; Pl. 2, fig. 15) from Barakar Formation of Rajmahal Hills, Bihar; Saksena (1963; Pl. 1, fig. 4-5, Text Fig. 1) from Karharbari Formation of Ganjra Nala beds; Maithy (1965a; Pl. 5, Fig. 30) from Karharbari Formation, Giridih Coalfield; Banerjee (1978; Pl. 5, Fig.9; Text Fig. 9-10; Pl. 6, Fig. 10); Kulkarni (1971; Pl. 1, Fig. 4) from Barakar Formation of South Karanpura Coalfield; Srivastava (1977b; Pl. 1, Fig. 1,2, Text Fig. A,B) from Barakar Formation of Auranga Coalfield; Bose et al. (1977; Pl. 1, Fig. 14; Pl. 2, Fig. 15, Text Fig. 36) from Panchet of Ramkola-Tattapani Coalfield; Tewari and Srivastava (1996; Pl., Fig. 1) from Barakar Formation of Jharia Coalfield, Bihar; Srivastava and Tewari (1996; Pl. 2; Fig. 2) from Barakar Formation of Auranga Coalfield; Singh and Maheshwari (2000; Pl. 5, Fig. 2-4; Pl. 6, Fig. 4-5) from Barakar Formation of South Karanpura Coalfield; Tewari and Srivastava (2000b; Pl. 2, Fig. 12) from Bhareli Formation, Arunachal Pradesh; Tewari and Srivastava (2000a; Pl. 1, Fig. 4, 6) from Talchir Formation, Auranga Coalfield; Singh et al. (2005; Pl.1, Fig. 3) from Karharbari Formation of Nand Valley Coalfield, Wardha Basin; Tewari and Jha (2006; Pl. 1, Fig. B) from Raniganj Formation of Godavari Coalfield and Tewari (2007; Pl. 1, Fig. 4; Pl. 3, Fig. 1; Pl. 4, Fig. 2; Pl. 6, Fig. 5, 7; 2008; Pl.4, Fig.4) from Kamthi Formation, Wardha Valley Coalfield, Nagpur. Glossopteris stenoneura Feistmantel 1877 (Plate 1, fig. g) Description: There is one incomplete leaf in the collection. The leaf is 8.2 cm long and 2.7 cm wide at its widest part; shape ovate; margin entire. Apex and base are not preserved. Midrib thin, 1.1 mm wide and evanescent towards apex; although, extreme apex is not preserved, evanescent character of midrib in the upper part is discernible. Secondary veins arise from midrib at acute angle; dichotomize and anastomose, slightly arch backwards to meet margins, meshes elongate, narrow and trapezoid.

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Mesh size near the midrib is 3-4 mm long and 0.3-0.4 mm broad, 3 mm long and 0.2-0.3 mm broad near the margin. Vein density is 27-29 veins/cm near midrib and 24-28/cm near margin.

Srivastava (1992) from the Barakar Formation of Raniganj Coalfield.

Remarks: The present specimen is comparable to G. stenoneura Feistmantel (1877, 1881; Pl. 32A, Fig. 3; Pl. 33A, Fig. 1) described from Barakar Formation, Raniganj Coalfield in having evanescent midrib character and venation pattern. Feistmantel (1881) described it as G. communis var. stenoneura. However, Chandra and Surange (1979) considered it as a distinct species from G. communis and raised it to specific rank as G. stenoneura. . The specimen closely resembles in its midrib characteristics and venation pattern as described by Chandra and Surange (1979; Pl. 1, Fig. 7, 8; Pl. 15, Fig. 8; Pl. 17, Fig. 1,4), Tewari and Srivastava (2000a; Pl.1, Fig. 2) from Talchir Formation of Auranga Coalfield, Bihar; Tewari and Srivastava (2000b; Pl. 1, Fig. 2) from Bhareli Formation of Arunachal Pradesh; Srivastava and Tewari (2001; Pl. 2, Fig. 2) from Barren Measures of Jharia Coalfield, Bihar; Tewari and Jha (2006; Pl. 2, Fig. D) from Barakar and Raniganj formations of Manuguru area, Godavari Graben and Tewari (2007; Pl. 1, fig. 5; Pl. 7, Fig. 2; 2008; Pl. 2, fig. 2) from Kamthi Formation of Kamptee Coalfield, Wardha Basin, Maharashtra. Kulkarni (1971) described a specimen G. fusa (Pl.2, Fig. 16, 18, Text Fig. 9) but, it has evanescent midrib, therefore, Chandra and Surange (1979) have described it under G. stenoneura. Recently Srivastava et al. (2010) described the cuticular features of G. stenoneura from Barakar Formation of Churulia area, Raniganj Coalfield, West Bengal.

Description: Seven specimens equisetalean axes are recorded in the collection. The axes measure 5.3 cm to 10.4 cm in length and 0.6 to 1.1 cm in width. Nodes and internodes are present. Internodes are 4.0 to 4.7 cm long. Longitudinal ridges and furrows are present throughout the length of the axes. Faint striations are marked on the ridges and furrows. Ridges and furrows are spaced at 0.8 – 1.0 mm distance.

Cordaicarpus zeilleri Maithy 1965 (Plate 1, fig. j) Description: Only one seed impression is present in the collection. The seed is large, 5 cm long and 3.8 cm wide. Seed is platyspermic, oval to subcircular in shape, apex rounded and base is somewhat cordate, a prominent ridge is present on the median region of the seed. A thin border sarcotesta (outer layer) surrounds the seed. Sarcotesta envelops the seed uniformly and its width is 3-4 mm. In the apical part sclerotesta shows a slight/gentle notch. Remarks: The present seed closely resembles in its oval to sub-circular shape, narrow border of sarcotesta encircles the sclerotesta, cordate base, acute or roundly acute apex and having the median ridge with Cordaicarpus zeilleri described by Maithy (1965b; Pl. 1, figs. 1-3; text-figs. 1-2) from Karharbari Formation of Giridih Coalfield and

Equisetalean Axes (Plate 1, fig. h,i)

DISCUSSION

Feistmantel (1879) described the plant fossils from Sitarewa river section of Mohpani area and reported Gangamopteris cyclopteroides, G. cyclopteroides var. attenuata, Glossoppteris communis, Noeggerathiopsis hislopi and equisetaceous axes. On the basis of nature of coal and plant fossil assemblage, he proposed that plant fossil containing beds belong to Karharbari Formation. The Gottitoria plant assemblage also shows similar components but Noeggerathiopsis is absent in the present assemblage. The absence of Noeggerathiopsis marks its distinction however, the dominance of Gangamopteris species over the Glossopteris is indicative of its similarity with the flora of Lower Barakar Formation. Maithy (1969) has discussed the flora of Karharbari Formation from different coalfields and observed that Karharbari flora is known by Gangamopteris, Glossopteris and Noeggerathiopsis association together with the presence of Buriadia and Botrychiopsis. As such present assemblage is distinct from the flora of Karharbari Formation. The common elements of Gottitoria open cast mine Gangamopteris cyclopteroides, Glossopteris communis, Glossopteris indica suggests that flora is comparable with that of the Lower Barakar assemblages of Lower Gondwana formations of India and resembles with the flora of Lower Barakar Formation of Auranga Coalfield (Srivastava 1977b). The flora of Argada coal seam of Lower Barakar Formation of South Karanpura is comparable with present assemblage in having the dominance of the species of Gangamopteris (Kulkarni 1971). Chandra and Srivastava (1982) reported similar assemblage from coal-bearing formation of South Rewa Gondwana Basin. The flora includes Gangamopteris cyclopteroides, G. angustifolia, G. major, G. karharbariensis, Glossopteris indica, G. communis and equisetaceous stems. Gangamopteris-Glossopteris JOUR.GEOL.SOC.INDIA, VOL.80, NOV. 2012


complex along with the seeds have also been recovered from the Lower Barakar coal seams of Raniganj Coalfield (Srivastava 1992). Singh (2000) discussed the presence of Glossopterids and seeds from the Lower Barakar coal seams of West Bokaro Coalfield, North and South Karanpura coalfields. Singh et al. (2006b) observed Gangamopteris dominant assemblage (7 species of Gangamopteris) from the Lower Barakar zone of Ib River Coalfield. The absence of Noeggerathiopsis, Buriadia, Botrychiopsis makes the assemblage of Gottitoria open cast mine of Mohpani

Coalfield distinct from the flora of Karharbari Formation. The study indicates the change of Glossopteris flora from Gangamopteroid phase to Glossopteroid phase during Early Permian Barakar Formation in Satpura Gondwana Basin as discussed by Lele (1976). Acknowledgements: We are thankful to Dr. N.C. Mehrotra, Director, BSIP, Lucknow for providing necessary facilities to carry out this work and granting permission to publish the paper.

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(Received: 17 May 2011; Revised form accepted: 14 November 2011)

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