Himalayan Geology Vol.22 (2), 2001, pp.121-125, Printed in India

Fossil Giraffid from the Middle Siwalik Subgroup near Dehra Dun

A.C. NANDA AND S.D. SHUKLA
Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehra Dun 248 001, India
1S.G.R.R. Postgraduate College, Dehra Dun 248 001, India

Middle Siwalik vertebrate fossils are generally scarce in the Indian Siwalik except in the Haritalyangar area of Himachal Pradesh. In the area south of Dehra Dun, the fossils are very rare despite good exposures. The lower denitition of a Giraffid was collected in situ from Mohand section of dehra Dun and is described here as Hydaspitherium megacephalum. Its presence indicats that multistoried sandstone succession which yielded the fossil is an age equivalent to the Dhok Pathan Formation (Middle Siwalik Subgroup). It also indicats a wider geographic province for the taxon.