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Maastrichtian Palynoflora from Deccan Volcanic Associated Sediments of Mahurzari, Nagpur District, Maharashtra: Age and Paleoenvironment with Comments on Megaflora

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Journal of the Geological Society of India

Abstract

Palynological study of intertrappean sediments of Mahurzari in Nagpur district, Maharashtra, a known megaflora rich locality, has indicated presence of diverse pollen and spore assemblage. The palynoassemblage includes six genera and six species of pteridophytes dominated by Cyathidites and Lygodiumsporites and four genera and four species of angiosperms. The presence of palynomorphs such as Azolla cretacea, Gabonisporis vigourouxii, Aquilapollenites bengalensis and Farabeipollis suggests a Maastrichtian age. Megafloral remains such as flowers and fruits of Sahnipushpam, fruits of Viracarpon, Indovitis, Baccatocarpon, a coconut like fruit and Palmocarpon, the palm inflorescence Mahurzaristrobus and many fossils wood of dicot and monocot plants are also known from this locality. The recorded flora suggests prevalence of tropical evergreen floristic conditions at the time of deposition of the intertrappean paleolake sediments having volcano-clastic inputs.

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Acknowledgments

Bandana Samant is thankful to the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), New Delhi (No. SR/S4/ ES-619/2012), Ministry of Earth Sciences, New Delhi (MoES/PO (Geosci.)/49/2015) and University Grant Commission-SAP-II grant for financial assistance. Authors are also thankful to the Head, Department of Geology, RTM Nagpur University, Nagpur, for providing working facilities. We are also thankful to Krutika Jangale, Kaustubh Deshpande and Pratik Godbole, M. Sc. (Tech) students of Department of Geology, RTM Nagpur University Nagpur for their help in field and collection of plant megafossils.

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  1. Department of Geology, RTM Nagpur University, Nagpur, 440 001, India

    Bandana Samant, Deepesh Kumar, D. M. Mohabey & Anup Dhoble

  2. Department of Botany, J. M. Patel College, Bhandara, 441 904, India

    D. K. Kapgate

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Samant, B., Kapgate, D.K., Kumar, D. et al. Maastrichtian Palynoflora from Deccan Volcanic Associated Sediments of Mahurzari, Nagpur District, Maharashtra: Age and Paleoenvironment with Comments on Megaflora. J Geol Soc India 95, 475–482 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-020-1464-6

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