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A fossil palm leaf impression from ∼11.2 Ma old, Siwalik deposits of Kangra Valley, Himachal Pradesh

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Journal of the Geological Society of India

Abstract

We report here, a fossil palm leaf from Lower Siwalik sediments, tied to nearby palaeomagnetically dated 11.2 Ma old beds exposed in the Baner Khad, near Ranital, Himachal Pradesh. The palm fossil leaf impression has been placed in the genus Palmacites sp. (Family: Arecaceae) based on its diagnostic features such as large palmate leaf without hastula and costa (midrib), showing coriaceous texture, leaflets diverging from the base of the lamina with prominent midrib and parallel venation. This finding may indicate presence of tropical to subtropical climatic conditions in the Himalayan foothills around Kangra Valley in the Middle Miocene time.

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  1. Centre of Advanced Study in Geology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160 014, India

    Ram Ratan Singh & Rajeev Patnaik

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  1. Ram Ratan Singh
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  2. Rajeev Patnaik
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Correspondence to Ram Ratan Singh.

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Singh, R.R., Patnaik, R. A fossil palm leaf impression from ∼11.2 Ma old, Siwalik deposits of Kangra Valley, Himachal Pradesh. J Geol Soc India 79, 85–88 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-012-0008-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-012-0008-0

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