MESOZOIC PTERIDOPHYTES OF THE RAJMAHAL HILLS JHARKHAND AND ASSOCIATED FLORA - A PALAEO-EOLOGICAL STUDY

摘要

Mesozoic pteridophytes occur in abundance and in enough variations in the Rajmahal Hills, India. The associated flora includes Cycads, Bennettitales, Pentoxylales, Ginkgoales and the conifers. A few fossil representatives of algae, lichens, bryophytesand early angiosperms have also been described from the area. A good number of fossil spores and pollen grains have also been observed in thin slides prepared of slicified cherts of Nipania and sonajori localities. Vegetation and preservational differences are noticed in localities of the northern and southern portions of the area. In addition to the palaeo-ecology of some of the important localities, and overall picture of the entire area has also been suggested and compared to the extant vegetation of sub temperate regions of the Himalayas.