Himalayan Geology, Vol. 43 (1A), 2022, pp. 17-39, Printed in India
Mammalian fauna of the Siwalik Group of Indian Subcontinent: Biostratigraphic analysis
A.C. NANDA1, R.K. SEHGAL1,2*, ABHISHEK PRATAP SINGH1,2, NINGTHOUJAM PREMJIT SINGH1
1Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehradun-248001, Uttarakhand, India
2Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, Ghaziabad-201002, UP, India
*Email (Corresponding author): sehgalrk3@rediffmail.com / rksehgal@wihg.res.in
Abstract: The collection of Siwalik vertebrate fossils is about two centuries old, and in the last five decades, multidisciplinary studies involving lithology, biostratigraphy, magnetostratigraphy, geochemistry, biochronology etc. have been carried out. These studies have provided new dimensions, and significant advancements in understanding the various aspects of the Siwalik Group. Recent emphasis is on micro-mammals, particularly rodents and rodent biochronology, has emerged as a useful tool in correlating and dating the intra-regional localities of the Siwalik Group. The new findings of primates have helped in enhancing the knowledge on the Siwalik hominoids. The magnetostratigraphic studies provided absolute ages to various lithostratigraphic and faunal boundaries and also the first and last appearances of various taxa. The analytical studies pertaining to carbon and oxygen stable isotopes of palaeosols and fossil tooth enamel have assisted in interpreting the vegetational shift and dietary habitats of the extinct mammals. Siwalik-age fossils are well identified from several localities lying south of Himalaya, this indicates the extension of Siwalik biogeographic domain. Simultaneously, there are several problems associated with the Siwalik biostratigraphy. Taxonomic revisions at species level are required. Standard Reference Sections are to be finalised for the Indian Siwaliks. Several new stratigraphic units have been recognised and new names are given to a single unit in a restricted area, and this problem of nomenclature of new names requires attention. For Indian sections, additional magnetostratigraphic data is required to know the precise faunal events, it will help to correlate the different horizons of the Siwalik with its coevals in Europe, Africa and Asia.
Keywords: Biostratigraphy, Siwalik Group, Mammalian fauna, Himalaya
