Abstract
Micro and macrofossil assemblage have been recovered and documented from the lignite beds of the Vastan lignite mines, Cambay Basin, Gujarat. These are extracted after dissolving amber pieces inclusive of pollen spores, epiphyllous fruiting fungal bodies, algal elements, insect fossils with some unidentified biotic groups. Of these, the major dominant flora belongs to angiosperm origin, in accompaniment to pteridophyte spores and fungal elements. Recorded palynotaxa viz. Proxapertites, Spinizonocolpites, Neocouperipollis and Acanthotricolpites are significant elements for tropical humid vegetation. Rich terrestrial amber palynomorphs and palynodebris suggest proximity source vegetation. Characteristic biotic interactions within the dense evergreen tropical rain forest environment is suggestive of mutual association among groups during the Early Eocene and share close affinities with those of Kutch and Barmer, Bikaner and Nagaur basins.
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Acknowledgements
Authors thank Director, BSIP, Lucknow for providing infra structure facilities and permission (BSIP/RDCC/No.37/2019-20) for publication. The authors are thankful to the Managing Director (Smt. Vatsala Vasudeva), Deputy Director (Mr. Ajay Gupta) Baroda, Chief Manager Mr. P.C. Goyal and Senior Geologist Mr. S.T. Shukla (GIPCL), Gujarat for access to the geological sites. We are grateful to Dr. Vikram P. Singh, BSIP for his valuable contribution in petrography. Help rendered by Mr. Sumit Singh (Project Assistant) for processing the samples is also acknowledged.
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Singh, H., Agnihotri, P. & Sharma, J. Amber flora and fauna from Early Eocene Vastan Lignite Mine, Cambay Basin, Gujarat: Ecological Diversity and Environmental Significance. J Geol Soc India 98, 661–668 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-022-2042-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-022-2042-x