Himalayan Geology, Vol. 41 (1), 2020, pp. 39-50, Printed in India
Megafloristics of fossiliferous beds from Chaurimal Stone Quarry, Ib River Coalfield, Odisha, India and their biostratigraphic implications
RAMANI RANJAN SWAIN1, ROSHNI PATEL2, MRUTYUNJAYA SAHOO1, AMARESH CHANDRA KISHAN2, SHREERUP GOSWAMI2*
1Department of Geology, Ravenshaw University, Cuttack, Odisha, 753003, India
2Department of Earth Sciences, Sambalpur University, Jyoti Vihar, Odisha, 768019, India
*Email (Corresponding author): goswamishreerup@gmail.com
Abstract: The megafloral assemblage of Chaurimal Stone Quarry section is dominated by 18 species of the genus Glossopteris (G. communis, G. densinervis, G. decipiens, G. angustifolia, G. formosa, G. gondwanensis, G. intermedia, G. giridihensis, G. intermittens, G. indica, G. mohudaensis, G. recurva, G. searsolensis, G. stenoneura, G. tenuifolia, G. tortuosa, G. vulgaris, G. zeilleri), Vertebraria indica (root form) along with Equisetales (equisetaceous stems, Schizoneura gondwanensis) and stem casts. The occurrence of broad mesh form Glossopteris species (G. gondwanensis, G. formosa, G. intermedia) and petiolate leaves in good numbers and absence of Dicroidium flora from the studied fossiliferous bed (ferruginous shale) clearly demonstrate that they belong to Lower Kamthi Formation of Late Permian age.
Keywords: Glossopteris flora, Ib River, Lower Gondwana, Palaeodiversity, Biostratigraphy.