Journal of Geological Society of India (Online archive from Vol 1 to Vol 78)

P. Yadagiri ¹, K. N. Prasad ¹

Affiliations
1 Geological Survey of India, Southern Region, Hyderabad, IN

Abstract

A rich assemblage of Piscean and Sauropodian remains were recovered from the Kota Formation (Upper Gondwana sequence) of the Pranhita-Godavari Valley. Two new species of Pholidophorus which have a bearing on the evolution of Holostean fishes are recognised. The stratigraphic significance of these fishes on the age of the Kota Formation is discussed on available evidence.

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P. M. Datta ¹, P. Yadagiri ¹, B. R. Jagannatha Rao ¹

Affiliations
1 'Manoranjan Building', H. No. 5-5-449, Mukhramjahi Road, Hyderabad 500001, IN

Abstract

The occurrence of Early Jurassic mammalian parts which are microscopic consisting of teeth, mandibles with attached teeth, limb bones, vertibrae, pelvic and pectoral girdles and broken skull portions, have been found for the first time in the marly clay of the Kota Formation from Yamanpalli area in Pranhita Godavari Valley of Andhra Pradesh, India. Also occurring with these micromammalian remains are interesting microscopic eggs. The paper gives an account of the stratigraphic setting of the horizon yielding the micromammalian fossils and fossil evidences that support Early Jurassic age for the Kota Formation.

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P. Yadagiri ¹, K. Ayyasami ¹

Affiliations
1 Palaeontology Division, Geological Survey of India, Southern Region, Hyderabad-500001, IN

Abstract

The paper records the occurrence of a stegosaurian dinosaur with partial skull, tooth, sacrum, pelvic elements, armour plates and spike, from the marine Cretaceous rocks' of the Trichinopoly Group, Tamil Nadu. The bed yielding the dinosaurian fossils is assigned Coniacian age on the basis of rich ammonoid fauna which includes Kossmaticeras theobaldianum. The dinosaur is described as a new genus and species Dravidosaurus blanfordi. The stratigraphic and palaeontological significance of this report in indicating the survival of armoured dinosaurs till the close' of Mesozoic in the southern part of India is discussed.

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P. Yadagiri ¹

Affiliations
1 5-5-449. Mukkaramjahi Road, Hyderabad 500 001, IN

Abstract

The limestone and clay members of Kota Formation of Upper Gondwana sequence has yielded abundant piscean fauna. pterosaurs and dinosaurs including mammals. The ossiferous zone is found to extend for about 40 km in strike length. Two new symmetrodonts are recognized in the collection.

Trishulotherium kotaensis gen. et sp. nov and Indotherium pranhitai gen. et sp. nov are described and their significance in the evolutionary history of symmetrodonts is outlined.

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T. T. Nath ¹, P. Yadagiri ²

Affiliations
1 Geological Survey of India, N.E.R, Shillong - 793 003, IN
2 Geological Survey of India, Southern Region, Hyderabad - 500068, IN

Abstract

The fossil remains of mammal-Like reptiles (cynodonts) are recorded for the first time from the Upper Triassic Maleri Formation of Pranhita-Godavari Valley. The collection includes five well preserved specimens of postcanine teeth. In the shape of the crown, separation of cusps, absence of a constriction between crown and ischolar_main, and incipient division of the ischolar_main, the teeth closely resemble that of Microcondon. It is described as Deccanodon maleriensis gen. et. sp. nov and discussed. Early Jurassic mammals belonging to syrnmetrodont and triconodontid groups were earlier reported from the Kota Formation. The present discovery of cynodont teeth from older stratigraphic horizon (Triassic) assumes importance, as the study will help in understanding the origin and evolution of early mammals.

Keywords

Mammal-Like Reptile, Cynodontia, Upper Triassic, Pranhita-Godavari Valley, Andhra Pradesh.

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P. Yadagiri ¹

Affiliations
1 Geological Survey of India Palaeontology Division Hyderabad - 500 068, IN

Abstract

No Abstract.

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T. T. Nath ¹, P. Yadagiri ¹, A. K. Moitra ¹

Affiliations
1 Geological Survey of India, Southern Region, Hyderabad - 500 068, IN

Abstract

For the first time, skeletal remains of an armoured dinosaur (Ornithischia: Ankylosauria) were found in the red clay bed of the Kota Formation, Pranhita-Godavari Valley, Andhra Pradesh. The bed occurs 2 m below the marker limestone unit of the Kota Formation. The collection includes parts of skull, 30 specimens of body armour, vertebrae and parts of girdle bones. The characteristics of armour plates, skull and teeth indicate that these fossils belong to ankylosauria. The ankylosaurs are less known from the Lower Jurassic period. The detailed studies of the present material are likely to throw light on the evolutionary history of these dinosaurs.

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