Title: Palynological dating of the Neocomian–Aptian succession in the Indian Peninsula
Abstract: Patterns of occurrences of spore-pollen species in Neocomian–Aptian palynological assemblages are significant for characterizing Lower Cretaceous palynofloras. Using palaeofloristic differentiation, emphasis has been placed on first appearance datums (FADs) of key species in the palynological zonation scheme presented in this paper. The basic data that have been analysed are from the subsurface Lower Cretaceous Rajmahal Formation in the Panagarh area, West Bengal. The successive first appearances of the following taxa are the main criteria for identifying palynological zones: Cicatricosisporites australiensis, Crybelosporites stylosus and Aequitriradites spinulosus followed by Foraminisporis wonthaggiensis. The next phase in species change-over, which is characteristic of the Neocomian–Aptian palynoflora, is indicated by the appearances of Coptospora microgranulosa, Triporoletes simplex, Foraminisporis asymmetricus andCrybelosporites striatus . By Barremian–Aptian times maximum diversity of the palynomorph assemblages was attained, reflecting provincialism from west to east in India. Varied environments of deposition are also reflected by the Neocomian–Aptian assemblages. The palynozones recognized in the Rajmahal Formation are: (1) Cicatricosisporites australiensis (Late Tithonian–Berriasian), (2) Foraminisporis wonthaggiensis (Valanginian–Hauterivian), (3) Foraminisporis asymmetricus (Barremian–Early Aptian). These have been recognized in other Mesozoic basins on the Indian Peninsula, enabling more precise dating of assemblages that have previously been referred to merely as Microcachryidites antarcticus or Neocomian–Aptian assemblages.
Publication Year: 1999
Publication Date: 1999-10-01
Language: en
Type: article
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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Cited By Count: 16
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