Record of Gondwana plant mega- and microfossils in Nimugudem area, Telangana, India: palynodating and palaeoenvironmental interpretation

摘要

The present study is a record of Permian (Lower Gondwana) and late Jurassic-early Cretaceous (Upper Gondwana) palynomorphs in megafossil-bearing beds in Nimugudem area, Godavari subbasin, Telangana, India. Detailed palynological studies were carried out on outcrop samples from the exposure in a nala of Nimugudem area where leaf impressions of plant megafossils were also observed. Leaf impressions of Ptilophyllum and Pterophyllum recorded in this section indicate Upper Gondwana affinity for these sediments. Presence of different species of palynomorphs of Upper Gondwana affinity in sandstone beds indicates late Jurassic-early Cretaceous (Tithonian-Berriasian) age for these sediments. It is equivalent to Kota/Gangapur Formation of Godavari Graben. Reworked Permian palynomorphs were recorded in these sediments. The coal exposure yielding late Permian palynomorphs belongs to Raniganj Formation.