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

G. V. R. Prasad ¹

Affiliations
1 P. G. Department of Geology, University of Jammu, Jammu 180 001, IN

Abstract

Investigations on the infra- and inter-trappean beds exposed at Asifabad, Naskal, Marepalli, and Timsanpalli, Andhra Pradesh, have resulted in the discovery of a large number of microvertebrate remains represented by scales, teeth and other postcranial elements of fishes, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals. A remarkable similarity exists between the fauna of infra- and inter-trappean beds indicating a short interval of time for the deposition of these sediments. In these-non-marine sequences across the CTB, there are relatively few well-known markers to delineate the Cretaceous strata from the Tertiary among which batoid and holostean fishes, dinosaurs, and primitive palaeoryctid mammals are important. The fishes, dinosaurs and mammals strongly support Late Cretaceous and latest Cretaceous ages for the infra- and inter-trappean sequences respectively. The vertebrate evidence is in agreement with the palaeomagnetic and radiometric datings which suggest a late Cretaceous initiation and a very short duration for the eruption of Deccan volcanics.

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B. D. Thappa ¹, B. K. Raina ¹, G. V. R. Prasad ²

Affiliations
1 2-3 C/C, Gandhi Nagar, Jammu - 180 004, IN
2 P. G. Department of Geology, University of Jammu, Jammu - 180 004, IN

Abstract

Intensive search for vertebrate fossils in the Eocene Subathu Formation, Kalakot, Jammu and Kashmir has resulted in the recovery of one complete vomer, two splenials (one fairly complete and one fragmentary) and a number of isolated teeth of pycnodonts, a holostean group of fishes. The vomer is the first report of its kind from the Indian subcontinent. Based on dental morphology, size and length/width proportions of the teeth on individual tooth rows, the vomer and splenials are referred to two new species of Pycnodus: P. subathuensis and P. dattai, respectively.

Keywords

Palaeontology, Eocene, Subathu Formation, Pycnodonts, Jammu & Kashmir, Lesser Himalaya.

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