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Mahesh Prasad , Hukam Singh , Sanjai Kumar Singh

Abstract

For a preliminary palynological investigation on the Lower Siwalik sediments of Darjeeling district (West Bengal), samples were collected from a well exposed section along the Lish River about 1.5 km from Bagrakot. The palynoassemblage is dominated by gymnosperms (60%), but also has pteridophytes (2%) and angiosperms (25%). The fungal spores are also present in this assemblage. The following taxa have been identified: Notothyrites sp., Pluricellaesporiles minusculus, P. .s'ubcapsi1aris, P. serralus, Mullicellaesporiles ellipticus, Trichopeltiniles reccioides sp. nov., Inapertisporites lanceolarus sp. nov. (Fungi); Pteridacidites robustus (Pteridophyte); Araucariacites sp., Pinuspollenites siwalikus, Abiespollenites undulatus sp. nov., Cycadopites sp. Podocarpidites navic-ulus, P'. meghalayaensis and Podocarpidites sp. (Gymnosperms); Neocouperipollis Curvispinosus sp. nov., Palmidites sp. and Pseudonothofagidites cerebrus (Angiospemis). On the basis of their affinities with modern equivalent taxa, a humid tropical to sub-tropical climate has been inferred for the deposition of fossiliferous sediments. The plant mega fossil evidences from this area also indicate a tropical evergreen to moist deciduous vegetation during the Middle Miocene. The presence of Neocouperipollis and Palmidites supports the existence of a humid environment in the study area. In the present assemblage, the gymnospemious pollen taxa viz; Pinus,/lbies, Podocarpus and Araucaria are considered to have been derived from a nearby high mountain area.

Keywords

Palynoflora, Miocene, Lower Siwalik, Darjeeling, Palaeoenvironment

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