Systematic study of the leaf impressions from the Churia Formation of Koilabas area, Nepal and their significance

Abstract

Detailed study of the leaf impressions collected from the Churia sediments of Koilabas area, western Nepal reveals the occurrence of eight taxa, viz. Berchemia nepalenisis sp. nov. (Rhamnaceae), Canthium siwalicum sp. nov., Nauclea seriensis sp. nov. and Randia miouncaria sp. nov. (Rubiaceae), Alyxia koilabasensis sp. nov. and Alstonia nepalensis sp. nov.(Apocynaceae), Antidesma miocenica sp. nov. (Euphorbiaceae) and Artocarpus nepalensis Prasad and Awasthi (Moraceae). The habit and habitat of the modern equivalent of leaf impressions indicate existence of evergreen forest thriving under warm humid climate in the Koilabas area during the Middle Miocene as compared to mixed deciduous forests growing at present under reduced precipitation.