Temnospondyls from the Beaufort Group (Karoo Basin) of South Africa and Their Biostratigraphy

The Permo-Triassic Beaufort Group (Karoo Basin) of South Africa is biostratigraphically subdivided into eight, temporally successive assemblage zones based on therapsids (‘mammal-like reptiles’). The Temnospondyli, fossil tetrapods usually regarded as extinct amphibians, are second only to therapsids in terms of diversity and abundance in these strata, with nine higher-level taxa (‘families’) known. Temnospondyls are also playing an increasingly important role in biostratigraphy and correlation of the Beaufort strata. The lower Beaufort Group (Late Permian) contains six of the eight biozones, but only one temnospondyl ‘family’, the Rhinesuchidae, whose record in the Karoo is the richest in the world. However, rhinesuchid taxonomy remains in flux and the group is thus of limited biostratigraphic utility. The Early Triassic Lystrosaurus Assemblage Zone (middle Beaufort Group) contains the Rhinesuchidae, Amphibamidae, Lydekkerinidae, Tupilakosauridae, Rhytidosteidae, Mastodonsauridae and Trematosauridae, although the biostratigraphy of temnospondyls within this biozone is poorly constrained. The uppermost reaches of the Lystrosaurus biozone contain a paucity of fossils but includes ‘Kestrosaurus’ (Mastodonsauridae) and ?Trematosuchus (Trematosauridae), taxa previously thought to pertain to the lower part of the overlying Cynognathus biozone. The late Early to Middle Triassic Cynognathus Assemblage Zone (upper Beaufort Group) hosts the Mastodonsauridae, Trematosauridae, Brachyopidae, Laidleriidae and, possibly, the Rhytidosteidae. Based largely on the spatial and temporal distribution of mastodonsaurids, this biozone has been biostratigraphically subdivided into a lower A, middle B and upper C subzones, characterised by differing ages and faunas.     

Stratigraphy, biostratigraphy and C-isotopes of the Permian–Triassic non-marine sequence at Dalongkou and Lucaogou, Xinjiang Province, China

Measured lithostratigraphic sections of the classic Permian–Triassic non-marine transitional sequences covering the upper Quanzijie, Wutonggou, Guodikeng and lower Jiucaiyuan Formations at Dalongkou and Lucaogou, Xinjiang Province, China are presented. These measured sections form the framework and reference sections for a range of multi-disciplinary studies of the P–T transition in this large ancient lake basin, including palynostratigraphy, vertebrate biostratigraphy, chemostratigraphy and magnetostratigraphy. The 121 m thick Wutonggou Formation at Dalongkou includes 12 sandstone units ranging in thickness from 0.5 to 10.5 m that represent cyclical coarse terrigenous input to the lake basin during the Late Permian. The rhythmically-bedded, mudstone-dominated Guodikeng Formation is 197 m and 209 m thick on the north and south limbs of the Dalongkou anticline, respectively, and 129 m thick at Lucaogou. Based on limited palynological data, the Permian–Triassic boundary was previously placed approximately 50 m below the top of this formation at Dalongkou. This boundary does not coincide with any mappable lithologic unit, such as the basal sandstones of the overlying Jiucaiyuan Formation, assigned to the Early Triassic. The presence of multiple organic δ¹³C-isotope excursions, mutant pollen, and multiple algal and conchostracan blooms in this formation, together with Late Permian palynomorphs, suggests that the Guodikeng Formation records multiple climatic perturbation signals representing environmental stress during the late Permian mass extinction interval. The overlap between the vertebrates Dicynodon and Lystrosaurus in the upper part of this formation, and the occurrence of late Permian spores and the latest Permian to earliest Triassic megaspore Otynisporites eotriassicus is consistent with a latest Permian age for at least part of the Guodikeng Formation. Palynostratigrahic placement of the Permian–Triassic boundary in the Junggar Basin remains problematic because key miospore taxa, such as Aratrisporites spp. are not present. Palynomorphs from the Guodikeng are assigned to two assemblages; the youngest, from the upper 100 m of the formation (and the overlying Jiucaiyuan Formation), contains both typical Permian elements and distinctive taxa that elsewhere are known from the Early Triassic of Canada, Greenland, Norway, and Russia. The latter include spores assigned to Pechorosporites disertus, Lundbladispora foveota, Naumovaspora striata, Decussatisporites mulstrigatus and Leptolepidites jonkerii. While the presence of Devonian and Carboniferous spores and Early Permian pollen demonstrate reworking is occurring in the Guodikeng assemblages, the sometimes common occurrence of Scutasporites sp. cf. Scutasporites unicus, and other pollen, suggests that the Late Permian elements are in place, and that the upper assemblage derives from a genuine transitional flora of Early Triassic aspect. In the Junggar Basin, biostratigraphic data and magnetostratigraphic data indicate that the Permian–Triassic boundary (GSSP Level) is in the middle to upper Guodikeng Formation and perhaps as high as the formational contact with the overlying Jiucaiyuan Formation.     

Geochemistry of paleozoic basalts from the Juchatengo complex of southern Mexico: tectonic implications

Analyses of Lower Permian or older basalts and associated dykes of the Juchatengo sequence indicate that they are rift tholeiites that formed in a continental rift or back-arc tectonic setting. Age constraints include a Middle Permian fossil recovered from the tectonically overlying sediments and a cross-cutting, post-tectonic pluton dated by K/Ar on hornblende at 282±6 Ma. A location adjacent to the Oaxacan Complex or other old continental crust is suggested by (1) an Nd_i isotopic value of −8.95 and a T_DM age of 1487 Ma in the overlying sediments, which are similar to the Oaxacan Complex; (2) enrichment of incompatible elements in the lavas, suggesting old crustal contamination; and (3) the presence of Permian–Triassic calc-alkaline plutons that stitch the Juchatengo–Oaxaca boundary. The possible tectonic models depend on the age of the Juchatengo basalts, which requires future geochronological work. If the Juchatengo basalts are Permo-Carboniferous, they could have formed near the eastern edge of a back-arc basin: the contemporaneous arc would have rifted away to the west. Eastward migration of the arc magmatism indicated by the Permian–Triassic calc-alkaline plutonism may reflect shallowing of the dip of the subduction zone, which probably also produced the deformation of the Juchatengo sequence.     

Palynological assemblages of non-marine rocks at the Permian–Triassic boundary, western Guizhou and eastern Yunnan, South China

Marine and non-marine facies of the Permian–Triassic boundary stratigraphic set (PTBST) are well developed in South China. Palynological assemblages enable subdivision and correlation of the Permian–Triassic boundary (PTB) rocks. Three palynological assemblages are recognized across the PTBST in two terrestrial PTB sections in western Guizhou and eastern Yunnan, South China. Assemblage 1 (Xuanwei Formation) is a Late Permian palynological assemblage dominated by ferns and pteridosperms, with minor gymnosperms. Most taxa are typical long-ranging Paleozoic forms, but the appearance of Lueckisporites confirms a Late Permian age for this assemblage. Assemblage 2 (PTBST) is marked by an abrupt decrease in palynomorph abundance and diversity, and thriving fungal/algal(?) spores. Assemblage 2 is still dominated by ferns and pteridosperms, with a few gymnosperms, but is characterized by a mixed palynoflora containing both Late Permian and Early Triassic elements. Most taxa are typical Late Permian ones also found in Assemblage 1, however, some taxa of Early Triassic aspect, e.g. Lundbladispora and Taeniaesporites, appeared for the first time. In Assemblage 3 (top Xuanwei Formation and Kayitou Formation), the proportion of gymnosperm pollen increases rapidly, exceeding that of ferns and pteridosperms, but the abundance of palynomorphs is still low. Typical Early Triassic taxa (such as Lundbladispora, Aratrisporites and Taeniaesporites) are present in greater abundance and confirms an Early Triassic age for this assemblage.     

A Late Jurassic fossil assemblage in Gondwana: Biostratigraphy and correlations of the Tacuarembó Formation, Parana Basin, Uruguay

The Tacuarembó Formation has yielded a fossil assemblage that includes the best known body fossils, consisting of isolated scales, teeth, spines, and molds of bones, recovered from thin and patchy bonebeds, from the Botucatu Desert, Parana Basin, South America. The remains are preserved in the sandstones widespread around the city of Tacuarembó. We propose a new formalized nomenclature for the Tacuarembó Formation, naming its “Lower” and “Upper” members as the Batoví (new name) and Rivera (new rank) members, respectively. An assemblage zone is defined for the Batoví Member (fluviolacustrine and aeolian deposits). In this unit, the freshwater hybodontid shark Priohybodus arambourgi D’Erasmo is well represented. This species was previously recorded in Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous units of the Sahara and the southern Arabian Peninsula. Globally considered, the fossil assemblage of this member (P. arambourgi, dipnoan fishes, Ceratosaurus-like theropods, and conchostracans) is indicative of a Kimmeridgian–Tithonian age, which in combination with the stratigraphic relationships of the Tacuarembó Formation with the overlying basalts of the Arapey Formation (132 My average absolute age) implies that the latter was deposited during the Kimmeridgian–Hauterivian interval.     

Transtensional deformation in the Lake Tahoe region, California and Nevada, USA

Dextral transtensional deformation is occurring along the Sierra Nevada–Great Basin boundary zone (SNGBBZ) at the eastern edge of the Sierra Nevada microplate. In the Lake Tahoe region of the SNGBBZ, transtension is partitioned spatially and temporally into domains of north–south striking normal faults and transitional domains with conjugate strike-slip faults. The normal fault domains, which have had large Holocene earthquakes but account only for background seismicity in the historic period, primarily accommodate east–west extension, while the transitional domains, which have had moderate Holocene and historic earthquakes and are currently seismically active, primarily record north–south shortening. Through partitioned slip, the upper crust in this region undergoes overall constrictional strain.Major fault zones within the Lake Tahoe basin include two normal fault zones: the northwest-trending Tahoe–Sierra frontal fault zone (TSFFZ) and the north-trending West Tahoe–Dollar Point fault zone. Most faults in these zones show eastside down displacements. Both of these fault zones show evidence of Holocene earthquakes but are relatively quiet seismically through the historic record. The northeast-trending North Tahoe–Incline Village fault zone is a major normal to sinistral-oblique fault zone. This fault zone shows evidence for large Holocene earthquakes and based on the historic record is seismically active at the microearthquake level. The zone forms the boundary between the Lake Tahoe normal fault domain to the south and the Truckee transition zone to the north.Several lines of evidence, including both geology and historic seismicity, indicate that the seismically active Truckee and Gardnerville transition zones, north and southeast of Lake Tahoe basin, respectively, are undergoing north–south shortening. In addition, the central Carson Range, a major north-trending range block between two large normal fault zones, shows internal fault patterns that suggest the range is undergoing north–south shortening in addition to east–west extension.A model capable of explaining the spatial and temporal partitioning of slip suggests that seismic behavior in the region alternates between two modes, one mode characterized by an east–west minimum principal stress and a north–south maximum principal stress as at present. In this mode, seismicity and small-scale faulting reflecting north–south shortening concentrate in mechanically weak transition zones with primarily strike-slip faulting in relatively small-magnitude events, and domains with major normal faults are relatively quiet. A second mode occurs after sufficient north–south shortening reduces the north–south S_hmax in magnitude until it is less than S_v, at which point S_v becomes the maximum principal stress. This second mode is then characterized by large earthquakes on major normal faults in the large normal fault domains, which dominate the overall moment release in the region, producing significant east–west extension.     

Fossil mollusc-faunas: Their bearing on the Holocene evolution of the Lower Central Plain of Bangkok (Thailand)

In this work, fossil molluscan assemblages are analyzed in order to reconstruct the evolution of the Northern Gulf of Thailand during the Holocene. The marine sediments (Bangkok Clay Formation) of the Lower Central Plain of Bangkok and the coastal plain of Phetchaburi were sampled at 16 localities, obtaining fossil shells and mangrove peat whose ¹⁴C ages range from 9000 to 2000 CYBP. A statistical treatment of abundance data returned four major groups, namely the Dendostrea rosacea association (intertidal mud), the Corbula fortisulcata–Mactra luzonica association (shallow infralittoral sandy mud), the Nuculana mauritiana–Timoclea scabra association (infralittoral sand spit) and the Timoclea scabra–Arcopagia pudica association (infralittoral mud). The data allowed both a stratigraphic correlation along two transects covering all of the Holocene basin and the creation of digitalized maps showing the presumable extension of the Thai paleogulf around the apex of Flandrian transgression event (about 5500 CYBP).     

黄陵穹隆东、西两翼上三叠统的精细对比

报道了采自于鄂西巴东县上三叠统沙镇溪组新层型剖面3种楔羽叶植物化石，即Sphenozamites marioni Counillon，Sph．fenshuilingensis Meng和Sph．cf．changi Sze。在分析秭归盆地上／中三叠系接触界面特征和化石组合带的基础上，指出盆地西缘上三叠统与下伏中三叠统为连续沉积，而东缘则呈假整合接触。依据黄陵穹隆东、西翼上三叠统的岩性特征、动植物化石和与下伏地层的接触关系，提出荆门—当阳盆地上三叠统王龙滩组和九里岗组可分别与秭归盆地沙镇溪组上部和中下部进行精细对比。     

Formation of the Yakuno ophiolite; accretionary subduction under medium-pressure-type metamorphic conditions

The notion that the Yakuno ophiolite and overlying Maizuru Group represents an accretionary prism formed during the Permian evolution of Japan on the Yakuno eruptive sequence, association of hemipelagic mudstone with silicic tuff, exotic fossiliferous limestones derived from previously accreted sea-mounts, upward coarsening of sequences terrigenous sandstone and conglomerate, and mildly deformed Permian and Triassic forearc basin formations. The most important indicator, however, is the seaward imbrication and repetition observed in both the Maizuru Group and the ophiolite itself. D1 deformation structures include axial–planar foliations (pressure-solution cleavage for the Maizuru Group and granulite–amphibolite metamorphic layering in the ophiolite), flattening type strain, symmetric pressure shadows and fringes, and isoclinal folds showing axial–planar foliations and thrust faulting at their overturned limb. The exceptional asymmetry observed indicates seaward-directed shearing near the thrust, while D1 structures in the Maizuru zone are explained by off-scraping, above the basal decollement. The later Jurassic D2 kink fold structure includes a first-order asymmetric kink with a brittle thrust at its overturned limb, more-or-less coeval with M2 retrograde metamorphism. Medium-pressure M1 prograde metamorphism in the Yakuno ophiolite produced layering of granulite and amphibolite, and in the Maizuru Group, formation of illite along pressure-solution cleavage of mudstones. The metamorphic grade is controlled by the stratigraphic relationships and appears typical of that in ocean floor regions. However, there was only one episode of M1 prograde metamorphism which occurred contemporaneously with D1 off-scraping. Given that subduction zones are normally characterized by high P/T metamorphic regimes, the observed P/T history appears to reflect relatively unusual conditions. Such high thermal gradients may plausibly reflect the approach of a young, hot oceanic plate which continued subducting beneath the Japanese arc. Accordingly, the Yakuno ophiolite was probably formed at the trench–trench–ridge triple junction.     

银额盆地西部蒙额地1井二叠纪叶肢介的发现及其意义

近年来,银额盆地油气勘探不断取得新发现与突破,但对钻井地层划分及主要油气产层时代存在巨大争议,或认为产层为白垩系,或认为产层属二叠系。2017年实施的蒙额地1井钻井及取心工作,在930.5~958.0m井段的灰色、灰绿色粉砂质泥岩、泥岩层和1085.0~1095.5m井段的深灰色泥岩层中发现叶肢介化石。第一层段叶肢介为加氏圆通古斯卡叶肢介(比较种)Cyclotunguzites cf.gazimuri Novojilov,第二层段叶肢介为额济纳旗半圆李氏叶肢介(新种)Hemicycloleaia ejinaqiensis Niu(sp.nov.)和内蒙古点列叶肢介(新种)Polygrapta neimengguensis Niu(sp.nov.),均为晚二叠世代表性叶肢介。在此基础上,通过钻井地层对比,明确了银额盆地主要油气发现井的产层为二叠系。叶肢介具有重要的生物古地理指示意义,通过二叠纪叶肢介的区域分布与对比,结合银额盆地石炭纪—二叠纪地层层序分析,进一步限定了古亚洲洋的闭合时限为前石炭纪。     

山东济宁煤田(东区)晚古生代孢粉组合

鉴定了山东济宁煤田(东区)晚古生代孢粉组合中的孢粉化石70属189种.据孢粉化石在地层中的分布和垂向的变化规律自上而下建立了5个孢粉组合:Ⅴ. Cyclogranisporites pressus-Lycospora pellucida组合, Ⅳ. Granulatisporites piroformis组合,Ⅲ. Sinulatisporites sinensis组合,Ⅱ. Thymospora pseudothiessenii-T. thiessenii组合,Ⅰ. Densosporites annulatus组合.通过与邻区及华北部分地区对比,确定本区孢粉组合的地质时代应为:晚石炭世晚期(组合Ⅰ),早二叠世早期(组合Ⅱ),早二叠世中期(组合Ⅲ),早二叠世晚期(组合Ⅳ)和晚二叠世早期(组合Ⅴ),本区石炭系-二叠系界线应置于太原组第11层灰岩之底.     

Deformation history inferred from magnetic fabric in the southwestern Okcheon metamorphic belt, Korea

Magnetic fabric and rock-magnetic studies have been carried out for the non-fossiliferous, low- to medium-grade metasedimentary rocks in the southwestern part of the Okcheon metamorphic belt (OMB). Two major metamorphic events in the study area were previously recognized: regional metamorphism (M₁) in the late Carboniferous to early Permian and contact metamorphism (M₂) due to the intrusion of granite in the middle Jurassic. The metamorphic grade of the study area increases from the biotite zone in southeast through the garnet zone to the staurolite zone towards the northwest. Magnetic fabrics of the study area are generally well defined and can be characterized according to the metamorphic zones. Magnetic foliation is the dominant magnetic fabric in the biotite zone, while magnetic lineation prevails in both garnet and staurolite zones. We interpret the metamorphism-related deformation history of the study area based on magnetic fabrics, magnetic mineralogy and previously reported metamorphic evolution as follows. Penetrative NW-dipping cleavage, represented by magnetic foliation, was formed in the study area by prevailing NW–SE shortening event during the M₁ regional metamorphism in the late Carboniferous–early Permian. This shortening event is interpreted to be associated with the collisional event between the North and South China blocks. Cleavages dipping steeply to the southeast in the staurolite zone are attributed to the pressure exerted from the intrusion of Jurassic granite in the northwestern area.     

Upper Cretaceous depositional environments and bivalve assemblages of far-east Asia: the Himenoura Group, Kyushu, Japan

The depositional environments and bivalve assemblages are determined for the Upper Cretaceous Hinoshima Formation of the Himenoura Group, Kamishima, Amakusa Islands, Kyushu, Japan. The Hinoshima Formation is characterized by a thick transgressive succession that varies from incised-valley-fill deposits to submarine slope deposits with high aggradation rates of depositional systems. The incised valley is filled with fluvial, bayhead delta, brackish-water estuary, and marine embayment deposits, and is overlain by thick slope deposits.Shallow marine bivalves are grouped into five fossil assemblages according to species composition: Glycymeris amakusensis (foreset beds of a bayhead delta), Nippononectes tamurai (foreset beds of a bayhead delta), Ezonuculana mactraeformis–Nucula formosa (central bay), Glycymeris amakusensis–Apiotrigonia minor (slope), and Inoceramus higoensis–Parvamussium yubarensis (slope). These bivalve assemblages all represent autochthonous and parautochthonous conditions except for a Glycymeris amakusensis–Apiotrigonia minor assemblage found in debris flow and slump deposits. The life habitats of these bivalves and the compositions of the assemblages are discussed in terms of the ecological history of fossil bivalves of the mid- to Late Cretaceous.     

The distribution of microfossil assemblages in Proterozoic rocks

A biostratigraphic model of the temporal distribution of distinctive Proterozoic microfossil assemblages is suggested, based on studies of upper Precambrian chert-embedded and compression-preserved organic-walled microfossils from the reference sections of Eurasia, North America and Australia. Microfossils from 2.0 to 0.542 Ga can be divided into seven successive informal global units which can be compared to standard units of the International and Russian time scales. Each unit is characterized by a particular association of taxa, typified by the fossil assemblage that gives it its name. These form broad biostratigraphic units comparable to assemblage zones of Phanerozoic successions; in general (but with minor differences) they correspond to chronostratigraphic units accepted by the Internal Commission on Stratigraphy. The units are: (1) Labradorian, the upper part of the Paleoproterozoic (Orosirian and Statherian), 2.0–1.65 Ga; (2) Anabarian, lower Mesoproterozoic (Calymmian–Ectasian)/Lower Riphean–lower Middle Riphean, 1.65–1.2 Ga; (3) Turukhanian, upper Mesoproterozoic (Stenian)/upper Middle Riphean, 1.2–1.03 Ga; (4) Uchuromayan, lower Neoproterozoic (late Stenian–Tonian)/lower Upper Riphean, 1.03–0.85 Ga; (5) Yuzhnouralian, upper Neoproterozoic (Cryogenian)/upper Upper Riphean, 0.85–0.63 Ga; (6) Amadeusian, lower Ediacaran/lower Vendian, 0.63–0.55 Ga; (7) Belomorian, upper Ediacaran/upper Vendian, 0.55–0.542 Ga.     

Intrabasin variability of the carbon-isotope record across the Permian–Triassic transition, Sverdrup Basin, Arctic Canada

A major late Paleozoic depocentre, the Sverdrup Basin, Canadian High Arctic, has been largely left out of the latest Permian extinction debate, as early workers presumed Middle to Late Permian strata were absent. Basin-scale sequence-stratigraphic and chemostratigraphic correlations indicate Late Permian strata are only missing on the basin margins, where they were removed by sub-Triassic erosion, whereas continuous deposition is recorded in the basin centre. The varying degree of sub-Triassic erosion has significant impact on the carbon-isotope record across the Latest Permian Extinction event, where both the apparent rate and magnitude of carbon-isotope shift vary as a function of basin position. The intrabasin variability in apparent δ¹³C_org shift across the event is equivalent to that observed globally. In contrast to the abrupt isotope shifts recorded on the basin margin, similar to many records reported globally, the basin centre section shows a systematic shift associated with the Latest Permian Extinction. The Earth likely underwent a prolonged period of increasing environmental stress leading up to the event.     

Variations in the distributions of sedimentary alkyl porphyrins in the Mulhouse basin in response to changing environmental conditions

Alkyl porphyrins from five sediment layers deposited under different palaeoenvironmental conditions in the Mulhouse basin (Alsace, France) have been examined by normal-phase high performance liquid chromatography and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. The fossil pigments show marked differences in distribution among the different lithological zones, with around 40 major alkyl porphyrin components detected. Assignment of structures to a number of the porphyrins has been achieved through detailed studies involving analysis of successive losses experienced during multistage tandem mass spectrometry. A suite of bacteriochlorophyll-derived alkyl porphyrins has been detected that exhibits fragmentations in tandem mass spectrometry not consistent with the presence of either n-Pr or i-Bu moieties. Instead, these unusual geoporphyrins may be evidence of previously undetected neo-Pent substituted alkyl porphyrins. The distributions in the different horizons of the Mulhouse basin core reveal that the relative abundances of certain alkyl porphyrins respond to changes in environmental conditions, reflecting variations in the primary producer community during the deposition of the core.     

四川盆地西部雅安地区陆相中-新生代地层划分及区域对比

四川盆地西部雅安地区中-新生代地层中发育多门类化石,以介形类生物最为丰富,综合前人资料,可划分出1个植物组合带、1个双壳组合带和6个介形类组合带。部分地层的古地磁和ESR测年数据与2000年公布的地质年代数据基本吻合,可以作为年代地层划分的辅助依据。     

Floral biodiversity and geology of the Talcher Basin,Orissa, India during the Permian–Triassic interval

The review paper provides an updated account of the previous and recently published records concerning the palaeobiology and the geology of the Talcher Basin of Orissa State, India. We conclude that fossil floral species in this basin originated in the earliest Permian Talchir Formation and evolved and diversified through the Karharbari Fm., Barakar Fm., Barren Measures Fm. and the uppermost Kamthi Fm. (Late Permian–Triassic). The megaflora and the palynology of the different formations of the basin are also discussed briefly. The geological setting of the basin along with the status of different formations (especially the Kamthi Formation) has been redefined. The post‐Barakar Fm. rocks, earlier retained in the Raniganj/Kamthi, Panchet and Mahadeva formations in this basin, have been critically assessed and redefined as the Lower and Upper Kamthi formations of Late Permian and Triassic ages, respectively. Accordingly, the geological map of the basin has been modified. Permian deposits (particularly the Barakar and the lower Kamthi formations) not only have the best preserved flora but also possess the highest diversity, whereas the upper Kamthi Triassic sediments have a meagre number of taxa. The plant diversity of the basin has been discussed in detail to interpret the development of the flora, evolutionary trends and palaeoenvironments of the basin. The patchy Gangamopteris vegetation of the Talchir glacial phase has ultimately evolved and diversified through time (Karharbari Fm. to Lower Kamthi Fm.) and gave rise to the thick dense swampy forests consisting of large Glossopteris trees and other shade‐loving under‐storied pteridophytes. Several groups of plants including spores and pollen have disappeared in a ladder pattern during the Permian–Triassic interval (Lower Kamthi–Upper Kamthi Fm.) and, similarly, in steps, many new fore‐runners appeared in the Upper Kamthi Formation. Records of marine acritarchs and ichnofossils in this basin at various Permian–Triassic levels demonstrate that there were marine influences. These features suggest a paralic (coastal marine to deltaic) mode of origin of the coal beds and associated sediments in the basin. The present study also advocates the continued survival of plants, rather than a mass extinction near the vicinity of the Permian–Triassic (P–T) boundary in this basin. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Palynodating of subsurface sediments,Raniganj Coalfield,Damodar Basin,West Bengal

The Gondwana sediments comprising fine-grained shales, carbonaceous shales, sandstones and the coal horizon in borecore RT-4 (approximately 547.00m thick) from Tamra block, Raniganj Coalfield, Damodar Basin, are analyzed palynologically. Based on the distribution pattern of marker palynotaxa, two assemblage zones are identified. In the Barren Measures Formation, dominance of enveloping monosaccate (Densipollenites) along with striate bisaccate (Striatopodocarpites, Faunipollenites) pollen taxa, and the FAD’s of Kamthisaccites and Arcuatipollenites observed at 30.75, have equated this strata (30.75–227.80 m thick) with the Raniganj Formation of Late Permian in age. Downwards in the Barakar Formation, between 423.80–577.70 m depths, an abundance of non-striate (Scheuringipollenites) and striate (Faunipollenites and Striatopodocarpites) bisaccate pollen taxa is observed, that dates late Early Permian in age.