Journal of the Palaeontological Society Volume, 53(1), June 2008: 19-30 ISSN 0522-9630 of India THE GENUS GLOSSOPTERIS BRONGNIART FROM THE KAMTID FORMATION OF CAMP IV AREA, W ARDHA VALLEY COALFIELD, W ARDHA BASIN, MAMA RASHTRA, INDIA RAJNI TEWARI BIRBAL SAHNI INSTITUTE OF PALAEOBOTANY, 53, UNIVERSITY LUCKNOW 226 007, INDIA E-mail: rajni.tewari@gmail.com ROAD ABSTRACT Twenty one species of the genus Glossopteris, viz. G. angusta, G. angusti/olia, G. barakarensis, G. brongniartii, G. communis, G. indica, G. intermedia, G. hinjridaensis, G. kamthiensis, G. leptoneura, G. longicaulis, G. maheshwarii, G. mohudaensis, G. musae/olia, G. retifera , G. rhabdotaenioides, G. stenoneura, G. subtilis, G. syaldiensis, G. tenuifolia, and G. vulgaris are systematically described from the Kamthi Formation, Camp IV Area, Chandrapur District, Wardha Basin in the present communication. The species are comparable with those of the Raniganj and Kamthi formations of the Damodar and Handappa, Mahanadi basins, respectively, indicating an Upper Permian age. Besides adding to the knowledge of the flora of the Wardha Basin, systematic analysis of Glossopteris leaves from the Camp IV area, Tohegaon Village, Chandrapur District is provided for the first time. Keywords: Glossopteris, Kamthi Formation, Upper Permian, Wardha Valley Coalfields, INTRODUCTION The Wardha Valley Coalfield is a northwestern extension of the Godavari Valley Coalfield across the boundary of Maharashtra state. It is one of the important coalfields of the Wardha Basin, Maharashtra, others being Kamptee, Bandar and Umrer coalfields. Megafossils have been reported from the Barakar and Kamthi formations of the Umrer Coalfield (Sundaram and Nandi, 1984; Agashe et al., 1971) and the Kamthi Formation ofKamptee Coalfield (Bunbury, 1861; Chitnis and Vagyani, 1979; Varadpande 1977a, 1977b; Chandra and Prasad, 1981; Tewari, 2007). Recently, Singh et al. (2005) have reported megafossils from the Karharbari Formation of the Nand Coalfield. Plant megafossil records from the Wardha Valley Coalfield, mainly consist of gymnospermous woods (Agashe and Prasad, 1989; Chandra and Tewari, 1991; Agashe and Shashi Kumar, 1996, 200 I). However, megafossils other than woods have also been reported from the Kamthi Formation (Feistmantel, 1881; Chandra and Prasad, 1981; Raja Rao, 1982; Tewari and Rajanikanth, 2001). The present work deals with the systematic description of twenty one species ~f the genus Glossopteris, viz. G. angusta, G. angustifolia, G. barakarensis, G. brongniartii, G. communis, G. indica, G. intermedia, G. hinjridaensis, G. kamthiensis, G. leptoneura, G. longicaulis G. maheshwarii, G. mohudaensis, G. musaefolia, G. retifera, G. rhabdotaenioides, G. stenoneura, G. subtilis, G. syaldiensis, G. tenuifolia and G. vulgaris from the Kamthi Formation of the Camp IV area located in Tohegaon Village, about 8 kms south-east of Ka.nhargaon, Wardha Valley Coalfield, Chandrapur District, Maharashtra (Fig. 1). Besides, a number of samples with impressions of equisetalean axes have also been recorded. This is the first comprehensive report of megafloral t:lements from this area. 20027'N and Longitudes 78° 50"E and 79°45'E ) mainly lies in the Chandrapur District of Maharashtra with a small portion in the south-west falling in the Yeotmal district. The Gondwana sediments of the Godavari Valley extend uninterrupted towards north-west into the drainage area of Wardha River and its tributaries in Maharashtra. A large part of the Wardha Valley Coalfield does not display the Upper Gondwana Sequence. Major part of the Coalfield exposes the beds of the Kamthi Formation. Usually, the sandstones are dull brownish yellow to brownish red in colour and medium to coarse grained. The Kamthi sandstones are interbedded with variegated shales showing a wide range of colours, viz. red, grey, cream or white. The exact thickness of the Kamthi Formation in the Wardha Valley is not known owing to lack of bore hole data. However, based on geological mapping, it has been estimated to be 500m ( Raja Rao, 1982). The generalized geological succession of the Wardha Valley Coalfield is shown in Table.1 (after Raja Rao, 1982).'- MATERIAL AND METHODS The plant fossils preserved in the form of impressions on shales were collected from Kamthi Formation of the Camp IV Area (Fig. 1) and show the details of venation pattern and configurations of leaf morphology. The morphotaxonomy of the megafossils was studied with the help of hand lens and low power binoculars. The identification of Glossopteris species is based on their external morphological features such as shape, nature of apex, base, midrib, venation pattern and in some, cases size. Nomenclature of shape, apex, base follows Lawrence (1955) and of venation pattern is after Melville (1969). All the specimens are deposited in the repository of the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, Lucknow, India. SYSTEMATIC DESCRIPTION Equisetales GEOLOGY OF THE AREA The Wardha Valley Coalfield Wardha Basin (Latitudes 19°30'N and Equisetalean axes (PI. IV, fig. I) RAJNI TEWARI 20 Table I: Lithostratigraphic (after Rajarao, 1982). succession of the Kamptee Glossopteris angusta Pant & Gupta, 1971 Coalfield (PI I, fig. 5; PIll, - Alluvial gravel beds, black needle shalesgranite, and Sullavai Triassic Kamthi Talchir Barakar Basalts sandstone and red shales Lameta sandstones, Tillites, turbidites, varves, Maleri Red, (only brown Fine in the to and mediumvariegated grained sandstones, reddish Deccan Trap Limestones, cherts and Light grey to white White quartzitic to light sandstones, brown Grey, bluish or pinkish Quartzites, Group/Formation Lithology Age cotton soil southeastern shales silicitied sandstones seams limestones and cherts Sandstones extremity) sandstones, shales and coal siltstones and variegated conglomerates gneisses, etc. Lower Permian •••--------Precambrian Pakhal Limestone Archaean --- form U ncon form ity -------------------------------.-. pper Un Pemlianform ityap---------------------------------Upper ---con Un con ---------------------------Overl ---------------------------------.--con ty ---------------------------------- i fig. 3) Description: Leaves almost complete, small, shape obI anceolate, apex broken, base narrow, tapering, margin entire, leaves measure 2.9 to 3.0cm in length and 0.8 to 1.0 em in width, midrib thin flat, striated, persistent, I mm wide in basal region, tapering towards apex, veins arise at acute angles from midrib, follow a straight course to meet margin after dichotomizing and anastomosing, meshes arcuate near midrib, elongate, narrow elsewhere, venation not dense. Comparison: Leaves are comparable in shape, nature of base, midrib and venation pattern with Glossopteris angusta (Pant and Gupta, 1971, pI. 21, fig. 33; Chandra and Surange, 1979, pI. I, fig. 9, p1.6, fig. 7, pI. 17, figs. 3,8, p1.43, fig.7). Number of specimens: Two. Glossopteris angustifolia Brongniart, 1828 (PI I, figs. 7, 10) Description: Different parts of leaves preserved separately, shape linear, apex obtuse, base narrow, attenuate, margin entire, leaves measure 3.5 to 6.5cm in length and 0.7 to 1.0 em in width, midrib thin flat, striated, persistent, 1 to 2mm wide in basal region, thinning towards apex, veins arise at acute angles from midrib, follow a straight course to meet margin after dichotomizing and anastomosing, meshes arcuate near midrib, elongate, trapezoidal elsewhere. Comparison: Leaves are comparable in shape, nature of apex, base, midrib, venation pattern and length- width ratio with Glossopteris angustifolia (Brongniart, 1828, p1.63, figs.I,la; Chandra and Surange, 1979, pI. 3, fig. 6; p1.13, fig.5, pI 18, figs.7, II, p1.42, fig.2). Number of specimens: Five. Glossopteris barakarensis Kulkarni, A number of well preserved unbranched equisetalean axes measuring 4.3-9.8 em in length and 0.5-2.6 em in width are present in the collection, most of the specimens show well preserved nodes and internodes, distance between two nodes varies from 3.1 em to 4.0 em, nodes 0.5 to Imm wide, ridges and furrows of one internode alternate with those of adjacent internode, ridges 0.5-lmm apart. Number of specimens: Ten. 1971 (PI IV, fig. 3) Description: Single specimen present in the collection, apex obtuse, base narrow, shape oblanceolate, margin entire, leaf small, measures 4.5 x 1.0 em in size, midrib distinct, persistent, I mm wide, secondary veins arise at acute angles from midrib, arch slightly backwards to meet margin after dichotomisation and anastomoses, meshes arcuate near midrib, narrow, trapezoidal elsewhere, smaller and nan'ower near marglll. Comparison: Leaf compares in shape and venation pattern with Glossopteris barakarensis (Kulkarni, 1971, pI. 2, figs.l3, 14, IS; Chandra and Surange, 1979, p1.2, fig. 4, p1.19, fig.7, pIAl, fig.3). Glossopteris brongniartii Pant & Gupta, Glossopteridales Genus Glossopteris Brongniart, 1968 (PI. II, fig.6) 1828 EXPLANATION OF PLATE I 1-3. Glossopteris kamtlliensis Singh and Chandra, BSIP Specimen Nos. 1987, Icaves show39163A, 39164B, 4. Glossopteris maheslllvarii Singh and Chandra, 1987. BSIP Speci- 5. Glossopteris angusta Pant and Gupta, ing acuminatc 39165. x 3. apex. NO.39167. 1971. 10 BSIP Specimen NO.39168A. x 3. 1987,1 eaf showing Brongniart, 1828. BSIP Specimen Glossopteris intermedia Feistmantel, 1880. BSIP Specimen x 2.5. Glossopteris retifera Feistmantel,1880 . BSIP Specimen NO.39170. x 2. Specimen x 3. Glossopteris hinjridaensis Singh and Chandra, retuse apex. BSIP angustifolia x 2. NO.39169. 9. x 3. Glossopteris NO.39164A. 8. men Nos. 39163B. 6. 7 Glossopteris NO.39266. angustifolia x 3. Brongniart, 1828. BSIP Specimen Journal of the Palaeontological Society of India Volume, 53(1), June 2008 Plate I RAJNI TEWARl 22 NAGPUR anastomosing, meshes arcuate near midrib, narrow, elongate, trapezoidal elsewhere, venation dense. Comparison: Leaf is comparable in venation pattem with G. communis (Feistmantel, 1876, p1.21, fig.5, 1879, pI. 17, figs. I, 2; Feistmantel, 1882, pI. 21, figs.13, 14; Chandra and Surange, 1979, pI. I, figs. 2,3). Number of specimens: Four. DIST. Glossopteris hinjridaensis Singh & Chandra, GARCHIROLi 20° 1987 (PI. I, fig. 6) Description: Single incomplete leaf present in collection, leaf small and narrow, widest in apical region, shape nan'ow oblanceo!ate, apex emarginate, base narrow, margin entire, measures 1.8 x 0.8em in size, midrib distinct, persistent, 0.5mm wide, secondary veins thin, arise at acute angles from midrib, arch backwards, dichotomize, anastomose two to three times from midrib to margin, meshes arcuate near midrib, elongate, narrow, polygonal elsewhere. Comparison: Leaves compare in shape, nature of apex and venation pattern with Glossopteris hinjridaensis (Singh and Chandra, 1987, p1.2, figs.2, 4,5,8, text-fig. 2A, D). Glossopteris indica Schimper, 15 , 30 ~ Lower ~ Decon Gondwana exposures IIIIIIWOrdhQ G traps Fossil VaLley coalfields locality Fig. 1. Map showing the fossil locality. Description: Single incomplete leaf present in collection, only apical hal f of leaf preserved, measures 7.5 x 1.5 cm in size, apex broken, margin entire, midrib thin, flat, striated, I mm wide, secondary veins arise at acute angles from midrib, slightly arch backwards, continue at acute angles to meet margin after dichotomisation and anastomoses, meshes arcuate near midrib, elongate, narrow, trapezoidal elsewhere, venation dense. Comparison: Leaf compares in venation pattern with Glossopteris brongniartii (Pant and Gupta, 1968, p1.22, fig. 27; Chandra and Surange, 1979, p1.23, figs. 3, 16). Glossopteris communis Feistmantel, 1876a (PI. II, fig. 7) Description: Different parts of apical and middle portions present in the collection, complete leaf is not present, apex obtuse, rounded, base not preserved, margin entire, preserved portion ofleaves measure 8.0 x 3.5 to 4.0 cm in size, midrib flat, striated, 0.5 to I mm wide, persistent, gradually thinning upwards, secondary veins arise at acute angles from midrib, arch gracefully backwards to meet margin after dichotomizing and 1869 (PI. IV, fig. 4) Description: Fragmentary portions of middle parts of leaves present, only half part of lamina on one side of midrib preserved, margin entire, leaves measure 3.5 to 4.3 x 2.2 to 2.5 cm in size, midrib strong, distinct, 2mm wide, secondary veins arising at acute angles from midrib, slightly arching backwards, forming gentle curves to meet margin after dichotomisation and anastomoses, meshes short, broad and arcuatc near midrib, long and narrow elsewherc. Comparison: Leaves are comparable with Glossopteris indica (Chandra and Surange, 1979, p1.5, fig. I ,p\.I 0, fig.4, pI. 15, fig. I I ,pI.28, fig. I ,pI.29, fig. I ; Tewari and Srivastava, 2000, pI. I, fig.4) in shape, nature of midrib and in venation pattem. Number of specimens: Two. Glossopteris intermedia Feistmantel, 1880a (PI. I, fig. 8) Description: Part and counterpart of a single specimen present in the collection, shape elliptic, apex broken, apparently obtuse, base naITOW, margin entire, leaf narrow, small, measures 5.7 x 1.7cm in size, midrib thin, flat striated, persistent, 2 mm wide, broad at base, thinning upwards, secondary veins arise at acute angles from midrib, run straight to meet margin after dichotomisation and anastomoses, meshes arcuate near midrib, broad, uniform in size elsewhere. Comparison: Leaf compares in shape and venation pattem with Glossopteris intermedia Feistmantel (Feistmantel, EXPLANATION OF PLATE II I. 2. Gtossopteris ma"es"warii No. 39171. x 3. Singh and Chandra, Gtossopteris stellollellrtl Fcistmantcl, x 1987. BSIP Specimcn 6. 1877 BSIP Spccimcn No. 39172. 7. 2. 3. Gtossopteris allgllsta NO.39173. x 3. 4. Gtossopteris NO.39174C. 5. Glossopteris tellllij'olia Pant and Gupta, 1968. x 3.Middlc portion of a leaf. BSIP Spccimcn NO.39175B. x 3. Panl and Gupta, teptollellra x 3. Bunbury, 1971. x 3. BSIP Specimcn 1861. x 3. BSIP Spccimcn. 8. 9. Glossopteris brollglliartii Panl and Gupta, 1968. x 1.7. BSIP Spccimcn NO.39130A. Glossopteris COlll/IIIIIlis Fcislmantcl, 1876a. x 1.5. BSI P Spccimcn NO.39244 Glossopteris vlllgaris a Icaf. BSIP Spccimcn Glossopteris tellllifolia a Icaf. BSIP Spccimcn Pant and Gupta, 1968. x 3 Middlc portion of no. 39245. x 3. Panl and Gupta, 1968. x 2. Basal portion of NO.39246B. x 2. Journal of the Palaeontological Society of India Volume, 53(1), June 2008 TEWARI Plate II 24 RAJNI TEWARI 1881, p1.29A, fig.6; Chandra and Surange, 1979, p1.6, fig. I0, p1.18, fig. 10, p1.21, fig.3, pl.27, fig.2, p1.43, fig. 1). Glossopteris kamthiensis Singh & Chandra, 1987 (PI. I, figs.1-3) Description: Leaves almost complete, extremely narrow, shape lorate, oblong, apex acuminate, base acute-normal, margin entire, measure 2.4 to 3.1 x 0.5 to 0.8 cm in size, midrib distinct, elevated, persistent, 0.5 mm wide, secondary veins thin, arise at acute angles from midrib, arch backwards, meet margin at 45 to 55° after dichotomization, anastomose two to three times from midrib to margin, meshes arcuate near midrib, elongate, narrow, polygonal clsewhere, almost uniform in size, smaller near margin. Comparison: Leaves compare in shape, nature of apex and venation pattcrn with Glossopteris kamthiensis (Singh and Chandra, 1987, pl.!. figs. 7,8, text-fig. 2F). Number of specimens: Two. Glossopteris leptoneura Bunbury, t 86 t (PI. tl, fig. 4) Description: Single specimen present in the collection, apical half of leaf preserved, leaf long and nan'ow, shape apparently linear, apex acute, margin entire, measures 4.5 x t.1 cm in size, midrib faint in apical part, secondary veins arise at acute angles from midrib, slightly curve backwards to meet margin after dichotomisation and anastomoses, meshes arcuate elongate, slightly broad near midrib, smaller and narrower near margin. Comparison: Leaf compares in nature of apex and venation pattern with Glossopteris leptoneura (Bunbury, 1861, pI. 9, figs. 1-4; Chandra & Surange, 1979, p1.44, fig.2; Chandra and Singh, 1992, pI. I , fig.2, p1.2, fig.3). Glossopteris longicaulis Feistmantel, 1880b (PI. IV, fig. 8) Description: Fragmentary incomplete leaf present in collection, only basal half of leaf preserved, measures 13.5 x 3.0 cm in size, petiolate, shape and apex unknown, base obtuse-normal, margin entire, midrib broad, strong, flat, striated, 4 mm wide in basal region, occupying almost the entire width of base and petiole, 2 mm wide further up, secondalY veins thin, numerous, arise at acute angles from midrib, arch backwards to meet margin after dichotomisation and anastomoses, meshes arcuate near midrib, elongate, narrow, elsewhere, venation dense. Comparison: Leaf compares in petiolate base, nature of midrib and in venation pattern with Glossopteris longicaulis (Feistmantel, t 880b, pl.3!, figs. I ,3; Chandra and Surange, 1979; pI. 1, fig. 4, pI. 15, fig. 13). Glossopteris maheshwarii Singh & Chandra, 1987 (PI. I, fig.4; PI. II, fig. 1; PI. III, fig.7) Description: Leaves almost complete, small, extremely narrow, shape narrow elliptic to narrow oblong, apex acute, base acute-nonnal, margin entire, measure 2.6 to 3.0 x 0.6 to 1.0 cm in size, midrib distinct, striated, persistent, 0.5 mm wide, secondary veins arise at acute angles from midrib, arch backwards, bifurcate and anastomose to form small, nan'ow, unifonn meshes, meshes arcuate near midrib, narrow, polygonal elsewhere. Comparison: Leaves compare in shape, naturc of apex pattern with Glossopteris maheshwarii (Singh 1987, pl.l.figs.2, 3, 4,5, text-fig. I A-C). Number of specimens: Two. and venation and Chandra, & Surange, t 979 (PI. IV, fig. 7) Description: Single specimen present in the collection, leaf incomplete, only basal part preserved, base narrow, attcnuate, margin entire, leaf measures 7.0 x !.5 cm in size, midrib distinct, 2mm wide, striated, secondary veins arise at acute angles from midrib, curve gcntly to meet margin after dichotomisation and anastomoscs, meshes deltoid to angled near midrib, broad, polygonal elsewhere. Remarks: Leaf is comparable with Glossopteris mohlldaensis Chandra & Surange (Chandra and Prasad, 1981, p1.3, fig.24, piA, fig.33) in venation pattern. Chandra and Surange (1979) instituted this species and described the secondary veins as taking a straight course and meshes as elongate and nalTOW. However, Chandra and Prasad (1981) described the meshes of same species as broad clongate. Their photographs also do not show a horizontal course of secondary veins as described earlier. The venation pattern and shape of meshes of present leaf is exactly similar to this leaf as mentioned earlicr. It is possible that course of sccondary veins in middle portion (Chandra & Surange , 1979, pI. II , fig.2, p1.18, fig.14) is slightly different (horizontal) as compared to that in basal portion as is thc case in present leaf Glossopteris 1II11saefoliaBunbury, 1861 (PI. Ill, fig. 3) Description: Single specimen present in the collection, only half portion of lamina on one side of midrib of middle part of leaf preserved, margin entire, leaf measures 8.5 x 2.5 cm in size, midrib distinct, strong, striated, I mm wide, secondary veins arise at acute angles from midrib, and run straight, almost horizontal to meet margin after dichotomisation and anastomoses, meshes arcuate near midrib, elongate, narrow, almost uniform in size in between midrib and margin, smaller and nan'ower near margin. Comparison: Leaf compares in venation pattern with Glossopteris musaefolia (Bunbury, 1861, p1.8, fig.6, Chandra and Surange, 1979, p1.l8, fig. 13; Chandra and Prasad, 1981, p1.2, fig. I 4, pl.4,fig.34, text-fig. 3 N, 0). Glossopteris mohudaensis Chandra EXPLANATION OF PLATE ill I. 2. 3. 4. Glossopteris syaldiensis Chandra and Surange, 1979, apical half of a leaf. BSIP Specimen 0.39247. x 2. Glossopteris sllbtilis Pant and Gupta, 1971, fragmentary specimen showing venation pattern. BSIP Specimen NO.39174A. x 3. Glossopteris IIIl1saefolia Bunbury, 1861, fragmentary specimen showing venation pattern. BSIP Specimen NO.39165B. x 3. Glossopteris tenllifolia Pant and Gupta, 1968, an incomplete leaf. BSIP Specimen NO.39175A. x 2. 5. Glossopteris syaldiellsis Chandra and Surange, 1979, middle porof a leaf. BSIP Specimen No. 39174B. x 2. Gtossopteris rhabdotaellioides Pant and Singh, 1971, fragmentary specimen showing venation pattern. BSIP Specimen NO.39249. x 2. tion 6. 7. Glossopteris lIIahesl"varii Singh and Chandra, acute apex. BSIP Specimen No. 39250. x 3. 1987, leaf showing Journal of the Palaeontological Society of India Volume, 53(1), June 2008 Plate III RAJNI TEWARl 26 Glossopteris retifera Feistmantel, 1880a (PI. I, fig. 9) Description: Leaves incomplete, only middle part preserved, margin broken, entire wherever preserved, leaves measure 3.7 to 5.8 x 1.7 to 1.9 cm in size, midrib distinct, 1 mm wide, secondary veins arise at acute angles from midrib, curve gently to meet margin after dichotomisation and anastomoses, meshes short and broad deltoid to angled near midrib, pentagonal to hexagonal in between midrib and margin, shorter and narrower near margin. Comparison: Leaves are comparable with Glossopteris retifera (Feistmantel, 1881, p1.28A, figs. 2,7,10, pl.41 A, fig.9) in venation pattern. Number of specimens: Two. .clossopteris rhabdotaenioides Description: Pant & Singh, 1971 (PI. Ill, fig. 6) Single specimen present in the collection, only half portion of lamina on one side of midrib of middle part of leaf preserved, margin entire, leaf measures 3.5 x 2.5 cm in size, midrib broken, secondary veins arise at aeute angles from midrib, apparently perpendicular to midrib and run straight to meet margin after dichotomisation and anastomoses, meshes deltoid, angled near midrib, elongate, broad, polygonal between midrib and margin, narrower near margin. Comparison: Leaf compares in venation pattern with Glossop'eris rhabdotaenioides (Pant and Singh, 1971, p1.7, figs. 41,45; Chandra and Surange, 1979, pl.9 fig. 5, p1.13, fig. I, p1.18, fig.6, p1.20, fig.3, p1.33, fig. I). Glossopteris stenoneura Feistmantel, 1877 (PI. II, fig. 2; PI. IV, fig. 6) Description: Complete leaf not preserved, middle parts measuring 4.2 to 4.5 x 1.5 cm in size present in collection, margin entire, midrib, flat, thin, evanescent, Imm wide, secondary veins arise at acute angles from midrib, curve backwards to meet margin after dichotomisation and anastomoses, meshes arcuate near midrib, narrow, elongate, trapezoidal elsewhere, venation dense. Comparison: Leaf compares in venation pattern with Glossopteris stenoneura (Chandra & Surange 1979, pl.1, fig.7, 8, p1.l5, fig.8, p1.17, figs. I , 4, Srivastava & Tewari 200 I, p1.2, fig.2; Tewari and Srivastava 2000a, pI. I , fig.3, 2000b, pI. I , fig.2). Number of specimens: Two. Glossopteris subtilis Pant & Gupta, 1971 (PI. HI, fig. 2, PI. IV, fig. 2) Description: Middle portions of leaves present in the collection, margin entire, leaves measures 5.0 to 6.8 x 2.4 to 4.8 cm in size, midrib distinct, nat, striated, I to 1.5 mm wide, second- ary veins arise at acute angles from midrib, arch backwards, continue straight to meet margin after dichotomisation and anastomoses, meshes angled and deltoid near midrib, elongate, oblong, polygonal in shape elsewhere, apparently unifonn in size. Comparison: Leaf compares in venation pattern and in having oblong, polygonal meshes with G. subtiUs Pant and Gupta ( Pant & Gupta, 1971, text-fig.2 B, C, Chandra and Surange, 1979, p1.3, fig.7, p1.14, fig.3, p1.21, fig.2, pl.22, figs.3, 12; Singh and Chandra, 1996, pI. I , fig. I p1.3, fig.3). Number of specimens: Two. & Surange, 1979 (PI. 1Il, figs. 1,5) Description: Single specimen present in the collection, middle part ofleafpreserved, margin entire, leaf measures 5.0 x 2.5 cm in size, midrib thin, flat, striated, I mm wide, secondary veins arise at acute angles from midrib, arch slightly backwards to meet margin after dichotomisation and anastomoses, meshes arcuate, short and broad near midrib, elongate, narrow elsewhere. Glossopteris syaldiensis Chandra Comparison: Leaf compares Glossopteris syaldiensis (Chandra in venation pattern with Surange, 1979, p1.2, fig. & I, p1.l5, fig.5, p1.43, fig.4). Glossopteris tenuifolia Pant & Gupta, 1968 (PI.H, figs. 5, 9; PI. Ill, fig. 4; PI. IV, fig. 5) Description: Leaves incomplete, different parts preserved separately, shape linear, lorate, apex acute, base attenuate, margin entire, leaves measure 5.5 to 8.3 cm x 1.0 to 1.5 cm in size, midrib thin, flat, striated, 2 mm wide at base, gradually tapering upwards where I to 2 mm wide, secondary veins arise at acute angles from midrib, arch backwards to meet margin after dichotomisation and anastomoses, meshes arcuate near midrib, long, narrow, trapezoidal elsewhere. Comparison: Leaves are comparable in shape, apex, base and venation pattern with G. tenuifolia.(Pant and Gupta, 1968, p1.21, fig.15, Chandra and Surange, 1979, p1.6, fig. I , p1.15, fig. I0, p1.17, fig. I0, pI. 42, figs.], 6). Number of specimens: Four. Glossopteris vulgaris Pant & Gupta, 1968 (PI. 11, fig. 8) Description: Leaf incomplete, middle part of leafpreserved, margin entire, leaf nan'ow, small, measure 3.8 x 1.0 cm in size, midrib thin, flat I mm wide, secondary veins arise at acute angles from midrib, slightly curve backwards, run straight to meet margin after dichotomisation and anastomoses, meshes arcuate near midrib, elongate, slightly broad elsewhere. Comparison: Leaf compares with Glossopteris vulgaris EXPLANATION OF PLATE IV J. Equisetalean axis, an unbranched ternodes with alternating 39251. x I. 2. Glossopteris tion pattern. 4. nodes and in- BSIP Specimen 5. No. Glossopteris ing venation 1971, fragmentary specivenation pattern. BSIP Specimen No. 39252. x 3. barakarensis Kulkarni, 1971, leaf. showing venaBSIP Specimen No. 39176B. x 2.3. indica Schimper, 1869 Fragmentary specimen showpattern. BSIP Specimen No. 39253. x 2. Glossopteris tenuif'olia Pant and Gupta, 1968, middle portion of pattern. BSIP Specimen No. 39254. x 2. Glossopteris stenonellra Feistmantel, 1877, middle portion of a leaf. showing venation pattern. BSIP Specimen No. 39246A. x 2. Glossopteris fIIohlldaensis Chandra and Surange, 1979, basal portion of a leaf showing venation pattern. BSI P Specimen No. 39255. x 2. a leaf showing 6. Glossopteris subtilis Pant and Gupta, men showing 3. axis showing ridges and furrows. 7. 8. venation Glossopteris tongicaulis leaf. showing petiole. Feistmantel, BSIP Specimen 1880, basal portion No. 39256. x 2. of a Journal of the Palaeontological Society of India Volume, 53(1), June 2008 TEWARI Plate IV RAJNI TEWARI 28 Table 2: Distribution Name of Taxa of plant fossils from the Kamthi c{ A.maclel/andi (in Feistmantel 1881) Dizeugotheca phegopteroides (Morris) Schimper (Feistmantel) Maithy 1869 1975 Neomariopteris hughesii (Zeiller) Maithyl974 Neomariopteris polymorpha (Feistmantel) Maithy 1974 'Equisetalean axes Schizoneura gondwanensis Feistmantel 1879a Phyllotheca indica Sunbury 1861 Raniganjia bengalensis (Rigby) Pant Tryzygia speciosa & Nautiyal 1876b 1971 • Glossopteris angustifolia Brongniart Glossopteris arberi Srivastava 1957 1828 barakarensis Kulkarni Godavari Basin and Mahanadi basins. Mahanadi Basin * * * * * 1968 1971 Glossopteris 'Glossopteris browniana communis Glossopteris Glossopteris conspicua Feistmantel damudica Feistmantel Glossopteris Glossopteris Glossopteris danae Maheshwari & Tewari 1992 decipiens Feistmantel 1879a emarginata Maheshwari & Prakash Glossopteris feistmantelii Brongniart. Feistnlantel Rigby 1880a 1879b 1965 1964 indica Schimper 1869 intermedia Feistmantel 1987 1880a Glossopteris intermittens Feistmantel 'Glossopteris Glossopteris kamthiensis lanceolatus Singh and Chandra 1987 Pant & Singh 1971 'Glossopteris leptoneura Bun bury 1861 'Glossopteris longicaulis Feistmantel 'Glossopteris 'Glossopteris maheshwarii mohudaensis 'Glossopteris 1881 musae{olia Sunbury 1861 Glossopteris spathulata Pant & Singh • Glossopteris stenoneura Feistmantel Glossopteris stricta Bunbury 1861 'Glossopteris Glossopteris syaldiensis Chandra & Surange 1979 taeniensis Chandra & Surange 1979 tenuifolia Pant & Gupta 1968 venustus Chandra & Prasad 1981 Pant and Gupta hislopii sp. feddenii Rhipidopsis densinervis Rhipidopsis gondwanensis * * * 1880a 1958 * 1877) ganjrensis Saksena indica Royle 1839 Noeggerathiopsis Macrotaeniopteris * * * 1968 Filieites (in Bunbury 1861) Dictyopteridium sporiferum Feistmantel Rhabdotaenia danaeoides (Royle) Pant 1956 Feistmantel 1879a Feistmantel Feistmantel Chitnis * * 1971 subtilis Pant & Gupta 1971 surangei Chandra & Prasad 1981 Noeggerathiopsis * * * 1971 1877 'Glossopteris Glossopteris (in Hughes * * * * 1880b Singh and Chandra 1987 Chandra & Surange 1979 'Glossopteris reti{era Feistmantel 1880a • Glossopteris rhabdotaenioides Pant & Singh 'Glossopteris vulgaris Glossopteris sp. * * * * * * * Royle 1839 1876a Glossopt.~ris gigas Pant & Singh 1971 'Glossopteris hinjridaensis Singh and Chandra Cycadinocarpus in Godavari * bosei Chandra & Surange 1979 brongniartii Pant and Gupta 1968 Samaropsis Vertebraria Basin * * Glossopteris 'Glossopteris 'Glossopteris Glossopteris Basin Royle 1839 Gangamopteris hughesii Feistmantel 'Glossopteris angusta Pant & Gupta 'Glossopteris 'Glossopteris of the Wardha Wardha Angiopteridium 'Glossopteris Formation 1881 1881 & Vagyani 1979 • Glossopteris species recorded in the present study Note: The table does not include fossil woods. * * * * GLOSSOPTERIS FROM THE KAMTHI (Pant and Gupta, 1968, p1.24, fig. 34; Chandra and Surange, 1979, pl.6, fig.9, pl.15, fig.9, pl.42, fig.5) in venation pattern. Number of specimens: Two. FLORAL COMPARISON In addition to the Kamptee (Bunbury, 1861; Chitnis and Vagyani, 1979; Chandra and Prasad, 1981) and Wardha Valley coalfields of the Wardha Basin, Kamthi Formation has been identified in the Godavari and Mahanadi basins (Table 2). Though megafloral records from the Mahanadi Basin are rich (Chandra and Singh, 1992; Singh and Chandra, 1987,2000; Pal et a/., 1991; Pal and Ghosh, 1997), those from Godavari are sporadic (Brongniart, 1828; Royle, 1839; Schimper, 1869; Feistmantel, 1876b). A comparative analysis of the floral constituents of the Kamthi Formation from Wardha, Godavari and Mahanadi basins exhibits similarity in their floras, thereby indicating the same age, i.e. Upper Permian. DISCUSSION • The present study and the review of earlier work reveal that a rich flora belonging to different plant groups existed in the Wardha Valley Coal field during deposition of the Kamthi sediments. The flora consisting of filicales, equisetales, glossopteridales, cordaitales and ginkgoales is similar to that of the Raniganj Fonnation of the Damodar Basin (Lele, 1976) that has been assigned an Upper Permian age. It is also comparable with the Kamthi flora of Handappa, Mahanadi Basin (Singh and Chandra, 1987; Chandra and Singh, 1992). Besides the present report, the species G. kamthiensis, G. hinjridaensis, G. maheshwarii are reported only from the Mahanadi Basin. The Presence of these species along with G. angusta, G. angustifolia, G. barakarensis, G. brongniartii, G. communis, G. indica, G. intermedia, G. leptoneura, G. longicaulis, G. mohudaensis, G. musaelolia. G. ret({era, G. rhabdotaenioides, G. stenoneura, G. subtilis, G. syaldiensis, G. tenuifolia and G. vulgaris in the Kamthi Formation of Wardha Basin indicates similarity with the Kamthi flora of the Mahanadi Basin that has also been assigned an Upper Pennian age (Chandra and Singh, 1992). 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