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Microflora from sauropod coprolites and associated sediments of Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) Lameta Formation of Nand-Dongargaon basin, Maharashtra

Journal of the Geological Society of India volume 89, pages 391–397 (2017)Cite this article

Abstract

Micofloral study of Lameta sediments and associated sauropod coprolites in the Nand-Dongargaon basin in Maharashtra was conducted to understand the diet and habitat of sauropods. The study revealed the presence of pollen, spores, algal and fungal remains, well-preserved cuticles of Poaceae, and testate amoebae. Vegetation during Lameta included tall arboreal taxa, such as conifers (Podocarpus and Araucaria), Cycads (Cycas), Euphorian and Barringtonia and herbs and shrubs, such as Cheirolepidiaceae (Classopollis), Arecaceae (Palmaepollenites), Poaceae (Graminidites), Asteraceae (Compositoipollenites), Caryophyllaceae (Cretacaeiporites and Periporopollenites), and Acanthaceae (Multiareolites). Data suggest that the sauropods ate soft tissues of angiosperms and gymnosperms. The intake of testate amoeba, algal remains, sponge spicules, and diatoms might be through water intake.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Post Graduate Department of Geology, Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, Nagpur, 440 001, India

    Hemant Sonkusare & Bandana Samant

  2. Ex-Geological Survey of India, C3, 24 HIG, Agrasen Road Giripeth, Nagpur, 440 010, India

    D. M. Mohabey

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  1. Hemant Sonkusare
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Sonkusare, H., Samant, B. & Mohabey, D.M. Microflora from sauropod coprolites and associated sediments of Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) Lameta Formation of Nand-Dongargaon basin, Maharashtra. J Geol Soc India 89, 391–397 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-017-0620-0

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