1994-95 - Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany

BSIP
InvesUgaUon on plant fossil assemblages from Mwup, Datum and Sik'l collieries
of Auranga Coalfield and Rajhara colliery of Daltonganj Coalfield was completed. The
!lora is represented by the species of Sphenophyllum, Trizygia, Neomariopteris, Gangamopteris,
Glossopteris, Noeggerathiopsis, Saportaea, Rhipidopsis, Ginkgoites and
Paranocladus-type coni fer.
Number of Vertebraria axes recovered from the coal seams ofSikni open-cast project
and from the section exposed in Sukri River near Sassang Village were studied. Their vertical
posiUon and morphological features possibly indicate their in-situ preservaUon in the
Auranga Coal field.
A. K. Srivastava
IdenUfieaUon and photodocumentaUon of 17 species of the genus Glossopteris recovered
from different collieries, viz., Nichipur, Gondudih, Khas Kusunda, Godhar, Basuria
and East Basuria of the .lharia Coalfield Ilave been completed. Apmt from Glossopteris
leaves, the presence of the species of Sphenophyllum, Noeggerathiopsis, Neomariopteris,
Gangall/opteris, Lidgeuollia and diflcrent types of seeds has also heen recorded. This is the
first report of well-preserved plant megafossils from the Um'akar Formation of .lhm·ia
Coalfield, Hihm·.
Ten samples from the Talchir Formation in Lihji Nala, Amanat and Sukri rivers
were macerated to recover seeds and megaspores but were foundLO be ban·en.
Rajni Tewm'i
Programme 2.2
Ohjective
Comparative morphology, floristics, biostratigraphy and
palaeoecology or Permian Gondwana plants in Son­
Mahanadi Graben
To study nwrphotaxonomy, floristics, biostratigraphy and
palaeoclinulle of the Permiall Gondwallaforowtiolls in the area
To study fructificatiolls ill order to understalld the evolwiollary
aspect of pteridophytes alld gymllosperms
Study of plant fossils from Talcher Coalfield were calTied out. Cuticulm' prepm'ations
of the leaf forms-Gallgamopteris, Noeggerathiopsis, Glossopteris mId Surallgephy/lum
collected from the South Beland~ Colliery were made. The morphotaxonomie studies of
Gangall/opteris cyclopteroides, G. subat/riculata, G. auenuata, Noeggerathiopsis hislopi,
Glossopteris COl1lnlllllis.SehiZOllellra wardii, Surallgephy/lum indieulll were completed. The
l10ra indicates Em'ly Permian age lor Seam I of the South Belanda Colliery.
Epidermal features of a new species Euryphy/lllm maithyi m'e repOlted, besides
three specimens assignahle LOthe type species of the genus E. whiuiallum Feistmante1.
SEM studies of the epidermal features are continued.
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